The Straits Area Community Foundation have awarded $19,218 in Community Impact Grants to 13 nonprofit organizations serving Cheboygan County and Mackinaw City, funding projects that range from emergency communications and workforce support to literacy and affordable housing.
The foundation's Board of Directors approved the grants on Aug. 6, according to a community announcement. Funding came from the Straits Area Community Needs Fund, Cheboygan County Health and Education Fund, Straits Area Health Care Fund and the Straits Area Tobacco Settlement Fund.
The largest grants, each totaling $2,000, support projects focused on health care, workforce development, education and community services.
Organizations receiving $2,000 awards include McLaren Northern Michigan Foundation for an emergency handheld radio system, Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium for transportation and child care assistance, North Central Michigan College Foundation for a dental hygiene teaching program and low-cost clinic, Samaritas for improvements at Grebe Village Senior Housing and the Women's Resource Center of Northern Michigan for services supporting women pursuing education and workforce credentials.
Additional grants include $1,555 to the Cheboygan County Humane Society for feral cat spay and neuter efforts and $1,555 to Northwest Michigan Habitat for Humanity to help build four homes in Mackinaw City.
Other recipients were Child & Family of Northwest Michigan, which received $1,108 to help families with foster children or children affected by domestic violence; CCE 911 Central Dispatch Authority, which received $1,000 for public safety education through its "Community to Console" initiative; and the Cheboygan Area Arts Council, which received $1,000 for a Missoula Children's Theatre residency at the Cheboygan Opera House.
Chelsea's Closet received $1,000 to purchase formal wear in specialty sizes, Great Lakes Great Responsibility received $1,000 to work with youth on beach cleanup stations and PoWeR! Book Bags received $1,000 to expand its Little Learners literacy program into Cheboygan County.
The next grant opportunity through the foundation will be offered by the Straits Area Youth Advisory Council.
Applications for youth-related projects and programs serving Cheboygan County and Mackinaw City are due March 15, 2027.
More information about the foundation, including donation opportunities, is available at sacf.net or by calling 989-354-6881 or 877-354-6881.
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This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Local grants back workforce support, arts and public safety