Big Sable Lighthouse, MCP photo by Rob Alway.
LUDINGTON – The Community Foundation for Mason County has awarded $136,419 in new grants to community organizations supporting various projects throughout the county.
Funding totaling $132,206 came from Field of Interest Funds, Mason County Funds for the Community, and a new Housing Initiatives Fund. Donor advisor grants from the Robert R. & Joan Hasenbank and Carol Nunn Nelson Funds provided $4,163 to support two additional grants.
Taxpayers of Mason County, approved by the Mason County Board of Commissioners, will match the Community Foundation’s $50,000 award to the Mason County Land Bank Authority, creating a total of $100,000 in seed money to address the critical need for housing in the county.
Grant recipients include:
- Ludington Area Center for the Arts: $4,500 for the “Real Food with Traveling Sage” after-school art program.
- Sandcastles Children’s Museum: $2,021 for emergency first aid supplies.
- Sable Points Lighthouse Keepers Association: $3,420 for a “Clear View for Big Sable Point Light Station” camera.
- Blue Hat Ministries: $10,000 for “Empowered Independence with Advocates.”
- Lakeshore Children’s Advocacy Center: $4,806 for advancing professional development for team members.
- Michigan Works! West Central: $3,500 for a Pre-apprenticeship Career Planning Certificate program.
- Oaktree Academy: $5,000 for outdoor playground improvements.
- Mason County Land Bank Authority: $50,000 for housing development seed money.
- Lakeshore Food Club: $20,000 for the Fresh Futures Program.
- AFFEW: $980 for the UDIG It Youth Summer Program.
- HELP Ministry: $5,000 for laundry equipment.
- Home Team Housing (formerly Habitat for Humanity of Mason County): $20,000 for critical home repairs.
- Circle Rocking S Children’s Farm: $2,142 for program supplies and drive repairs.
“These grants demonstrate the Community Foundation’s commitment to supporting vital projects that strengthen Mason County,” said Andrea Large, executive director for the Community Foundation for Mason County.
The Community Foundation has approximately $150,000 available annually across two grant cycles, but often receives requests exceeding twice that amount or more. To increase its impact, the foundation launched its $5 million Campaign for Mason County: Building a Stronger Community Together to triple its grant making capacity. Currently, $701,950 remains to reach the goal. Funds raised will support high-impact grants in education, workforce supports, and recreation and quality of life. Information about the Campaign and ways to contribute are available at mason-foundation.org.
The 2025 spring grants were supported by the following Field of Interest Funds: Doctors Ruth and John Carney Education Fund, Gerald and Dorothy Heslipen Fund, Food for Families Fund, Frank and Delores Valenta Fund, and Healthy Youth/Healthy Seniors Fund.
A complete list of spring 2024 grant awards is available at https://mason-foundation.org/nonprofits/past-grant-awards/.
The Community Foundation for Mason County accepts grant applications in the spring and fall. The Youth Advisory Council also offers grants in the winter (recreation), spring (competitive), and fall (teacher mini-grants). Nonprofits can find more information at https://mason-foundation.org/grants/grant-opportunities/.
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