Community Foundation announces recent grant recipients

One of the bridges located along the Bruce Krieger Nature Trail at Scottville Riverside Park.

LUDINGTON — The Community Foundation for Mason County and the Mason County Youth Advisory Council recently awarded more than $95,000 in new grants to community organizations in support of projects throughout Mason County.

The Community Foundation for Mason County awarded a total of $90,884 to local nonprofits through its spring competitive application process. A total of $88,884 in grants was provided with support from Field of Interest Funds and Funds for the Community, and the Robert R. & Joan Hasenbank and Mason Youth Advisory Council Funds each provided a co-investment of $1,000.

Current Foundation strategic priorities guided the award process. These include advancing educational attainment, improving workforce supports, and increasing recreation and quality of life opportunities.

Highlights of the grant awards include:

• Habitat for Humanity of Mason County was awarded $20,000 for critical home repairs.
• St. John’s Lutheran Church of Ludington was awarded $2,400 for John’s Place after-school recreation program for middle and high school students.
• The City of Scottville was awarded $4,000 to improve the Bruce Krieger Nature Trail, along with trail bridge replacements at Scottville Riverside Park.
• Blue Hat Ministries received $2,400 to provide advocacy at medical appointments and door-to-door transportation.
• Lakeshore Food Club received $15,000 to provide a consultant to map out plans for a resource hub.
• Ludington Area Curling Club was awarded $1,900 to increase access to and participation in the sport of curling for youth and adults.
• Chamber Alliance of Mason County was awarded $10,000 to provide economic development leadership in Mason County through a partnership with The Right Place.
• The Hand 2 Hand Backpack Food Program received $5,000 to provide weekend and extended-break meals for preschool through high school-aged students at Mason County Central Schools and Mason County Eastern Schools.

The Mason County Youth Advisory Council (YAC) recently awarded $6,000 to local organizations seeking to complete youth-related projects. The Council used its latest needs assessment (conducted every three years) to guide grant making decisions. Current priorities include youth mental health, managing academic stress, and youth substance use prevention. 

YAC awarded the following grants:

• Childhood Cancer Campaign received $300 to provide wagons for families to use at Helen Devos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids.
• PoWeR Book Bags received $1,200 for its summer literacy take-away program.
• Lakeshore Advocacy Center was awarded $2,000 to provide take-home kits for youth counseling clients.
• Gateway to Success Academy of Custer Township received $1,500 to host a resource night.
• Emanuel Lutheran Church was awarded $1,000 for neighborhood basketball hoops.

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

To view a complete list of spring 2024 grant awards, visit www.mason-foundation.org/grants/past-grant-awards/.

The Community Foundation for Mason County accepts grant applications twice each year, once in the spring and again in the fall. The Youth Advisory Council accepts competitive grant applications in the spring and teacher mini-grant applications in the fall. Nonprofit organizations interested in seeking grant support through the Community Foundation are encouraged to visit www.mason-foundation.org/grants/applying-for-a-grant/ for additional information.

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