News & Stories
Over $36,000 in Grants for Equity and Inclusion
Photo credit: Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes
Image description: A group of tour participants stands on a wooden deck overlooking the scenic landscape of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Anishinaabe history guide, Eric Hemenway​ is in a light blue shirt addressing the group, gesturing as he speaks.
The Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation has awarded $36,886 to support 21 organizations advancing equity and inclusion efforts across Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau Counties and Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. Funding is provided through the Foundation’s new Endowment for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and the Diversity Equity Inclusion Fund.
“Our diversity, equity, and inclusion grants continue to be sought after resources for our grant partners,” said Gina Thornbury, Senior Community Impact Manager. “Funding equity and inclusion efforts is part of our vision to support a region of healthy, resilient, thriving communities for all.”
The Community Foundation’s diversity, equity, and inclusion funds primarily provide support for organizations led by or serving community members of color, including Black and Indigenous people, as well as LGBTQ+, immigrant, neurodiverse, veteran, and/or disability community members. Trainings, programs, and other partners advancing equity and inclusion are also considered. Grant decisions are made by our fund advisory committee, a voluntary group of local community members with diverse lived experiences.
A selection of grant partners include:
- 20Fathoms ($2,500) – for a business and marketing essentials bootcamp for local Indigenous entrepreneurs
- Disability Network Northern Michigan ($1,386) – for Project Rudolph, which educates young learners about the experiences of people with disabilities
- Generations Ahead ($1,750) – for Spanish language interpretation services to support local Spanish-speaking teen partners
- Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes ($2,500) – for Anishinaabe history and culture guided hikes at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
- Leland Public School ($1,500) – for general operating support for Leland Public School’s World Learning Club, which provides cross-cultural programs to K-12 students
- Mashup Rock & Roll Musical ($1,750) – for the musical production, Bromeo vs. The Juliettes
- Michigan Indian Legal Services, Inc. ($2,500) – for recruitment efforts aimed at addressing the shortage of Tribal court attorneys
- Remain in Touch ($1,000) – for general operating support that contributes to efforts to keep incarcerated parents and grandparents connected to their children and grandchildren
- SEEDS Ecology & Education Centers ($1,500) – for traditional ecological knowledge education at Kalkaska Middle School
- Suttons Bay Public Schools ($1,750) – for Suttons Bay Public Schools’ Business Professionals of America Club, providing support and resources for student members from underserved communities
- TinkTank Animate ($2,000) – to bring creative mentorship, expressive arts therapy, and entrepreneurial support to aspiring artists with disabilities to the northwest Michigan region
For a full list of grant awards, visit: www.gtrcf.org/grants/grant-awards.html. Since 2021, the Community Foundation has awarded more than $215,000 in grants from its diversity equity and inclusion funds. Consumers Energy Foundation, the Foundation’s Rotary Endowment directed by Rotary Charities of Traverse City, and other local donor partners have made these grant awards possible. The Community Foundation is continuing to build its new Endowment for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and welcomes gifts of all sizes at: www.gtrcf.org/betterforall.
To apply for a diversity, equity, and inclusion grant, nonprofit, educational, governmental, and Tribal entities across the region are invited to submit an online written or video application by May 1 on the Foundation’s website: www.gtrcf.org/grants/apply.html. Grant awards are available for up to $2,500 per organization per year.