Mason County Awards Teacher Mini-Grants

The Youth Advisory Council of the Community Foundation for Mason County recently approved 13 Teacher Mini-Grant Awards to educators and counselors across Mason County. A total of $5,195 was awarded from the Youth Advisory Council fund through the competitive application process.

Highlights of the grants awarded include:

• Covenant Christian Schools received a grant of $500 to purchase waterproof outerwear to expand outdoor educational opportunities for their preschool and kindergarten students.
• Ludington Area Catholic Schools received a grant of $121 to purchase resources to implement social-emotional learning activities in their elementary school.
• Ludington Area Schools was awarded five grants totaling $1,886 to support various STEAM projects, including the purchase of 3D printer pens for the middle school.
• Mason County Central Schools received four grants totaling $1,714 to expand book offerings in middle and high school classrooms, support a bullying prevention program at the elementary level, and provide additional resources in the sensory room in Scottville Elementary.
• West Shore Educational Service District was awarded two grants of $974 to provide calming sensory resources in classrooms that support students with disabilities.

“The Youth Advisory Council relishes the opportunity each year to review applications from school staff across the county,” said Monique Selimos, Youth Advisory Council advisor. “They leave the grant review meeting feeling inspired by our local educators and grateful to play a role in bringing these important projects to life.”

A complete list of fall 2021 grant awards is available at https://mason-foundation.org/grants/past-grant-awards/.

Teacher Mini-Grant applications are accepted annually in September. Public and private school teachers and counselors in Mason County who are interested in seeking grant support from the Community Foundation are encouraged to visit https://mason-foundation.org/grants/applying-for-a-grant/ for additional information about the process.

Mason County Fall 2021 Grant Awards

The advisory board of the Community Foundation for Mason County recently approved grant awards to a variety of community organizations in support of projects throughout Mason County.

A total of $56,892 was awarded from Funds for the Community and Field of Interest Funds through the competitive application process, overseen by the grant committee of the Community Foundation advisory board.

Highlights of the grants awarded include:

• The City of Scottville received a grant of $30,000 to support the Scottville Optimist Park & Sculpture project.
• Pere Marquette Charter Township received a grant of $10,800 to provide restoration of electrical power at the former Dow AC Park site to make available for Mason County recreation needs.
• Sandcastles Children’s Museum was awarded $5,000 to design and build 3D workshops on 3D printers.
• Spectrum Health Foundation received a grant of $5,000 to support a culinary medicine program.
• Friends of the Ludington State Park was awarded a grant of $5,000 to provide a track chair at the Ludington State Park.

“Our grants connect our donors and nonprofits around a common desire to build a stronger community,” said Andrea Large, Community Foundation executive director.

A complete list of fall 2021 grant awards is available at https://mason-foundation.org/grants/past-grant-awards/.

Grant applications are accepted twice each year, once in the spring and again in the fall. Nonprofit organizations interested in seeking grant support from the Community Foundation are encouraged to visit https://mason-foundation.org/grants/applying-for-a-grant/ for additional information about the process.

Community Impact: 2019 Grants

February 17, 2020: Father Memorial Restoration project. Chamber Leadership Academy. Literacy materials. High school robotics training. Recovery housing. Cancer Wellness Center. Backpack food. Neighborhood revitalization. Safe Zone summer program. Community development planning. College scholarships. These are just a few of the good things happening in Mason County thanks to the generosity of our donors. 

The Community Foundation for Mason County is pleased to announce that the total grant awards for 2019 was $1,228,235, which includes $97,760 through the Community Foundation’s competitive grant process, and $1,130,475 granted from donor-advised, scholarship, community project and organization endowment funds. Grants out of Community Foundation funds provided support to a wide variety of nonprofit programs, leadership initiatives, scholarships and community projects in 2019.

A full list of 2019 grant awards can be reviewed here.

Community Impact: Fall 2018 Grants

October 22, 2018: The Advisory Board of the Community Foundation for Mason County recently approved grant awards to a variety of community organizations in support of projects throughout Mason County. A total of $71,069 was awarded from Funds for the Community and Field of Interest Funds through the competitive application process, overseen by numerous volunteer committees.

Highlights of the grants include:

• Ludington High School Robotics (photo, right) received a grant of $5,000 to establish a 21st century technology training program for their teams facilitated by local industry experts.
• City of Ludington was awarded $10,000 to redevelop a dead-end road and parking area into a usable pedestrian plaza improving access at Sterns Beach Recreation Area Water Trailhead.
• Lakeshore Food 4 Kids received $2,500 toward the Hunger Doesn’t Take a Break program, providing a holiday box of food to address food insecurity over the long holiday break from school.
• PoWer! Book Bags was awarded $2,500 to provide literacy materials for children at five sites of family assistance in Mason County.
• District Health Department #10 received $1,500 to help develop a multi-school Youth Prevention Ambassador Team in Mason County.

Read the full grants list here.

Grant applications are accepted twice each year, once in the spring and again in the fall. Nonprofit organizations interested in seeking grant support from the Community Foundation are encouraged visit the Grants section of our website for additional information about the process.

Community Impact: Spring 2018 Grants

May 8, 2018: The Advisory Board of the Community Foundation for Mason County recently approved grant awards to a variety of community organizations in support of projects throughout Mason County. A total of $77,095 was awarded from  Field of Interest Funds and Funds for the Community through the competitive application process, overseen by numerous volunteer committees.

Highlights of the grants include:

• Friends of Ludington State Park received a grant of $5,465 to build a family-friendly, highly accessible playground at the Hamlin Lake picnic area, a site used extensively by both tourists and local residents alike.
• Ludington Area School District was awarded $10,000 in support of their Orange and Black Pack program, working to close the food insecurity gap for secondary students in the district.
• Habitat for Humanity of Mason County received a grant of $5,000 to provide funding for critical home repairs to qualifying homeowners.
• Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital Foundation was awarded $7,000 to support Reach Out and Read, a pediatric, medical-based literacy program.
• Ludington Area Center for the Arts/Ludington Arts Council received a grant of $5,000 to support the film upgrade project that will provide the community the ability to view cultural, educational, and recreational films at the Ludington Area Center for the Arts, providing an underprivileged area more educational resources through film.

“These grants, through the support of our donors, continue to have a positive impact on economic development, education, family support, and recreation opportunities in the community we are lucky to call home,” said Andrea Large, Foundation executive director.

A complete list of spring 2018 grant awards is available here.

Grant applications are accepted twice each year, once in the spring and again in the fall. Nonprofit organizations interested in seeking grant support from the Community Foundation are encouraged visit the Grants section of our website for additional information about the process.