News & Stories

Wrapping Up 2024 with $3.7 Million Awarded

Image description: A young woman reads a colorful children's book to a young boy in a classroom setting. The background features books, educational materials, and vibrant decor.

Photo credit: LIFT Teen Center | Image description: A young woman reads a colorful children's book to a young boy in a classroom setting. The background features books, educational materials, and vibrant decor.

The Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation wrapped up its 32nd year in 2024 with $3.7 million grants and scholarships awarded and $2.7 million in gifts from community members across the region.

“Everything we do is centered on leaving a lasting impression,” said David Mengebier, President and CEO of the Community Foundation. “Partnering with local organizations and people allows us to make thoughtful strides toward our ultimate goal—creating a region of healthy, resilient, thriving communities for all—now and forever.”

Detailed highlights from the Community Foundation’s 2024 efforts include:

Receiving 1,097 gifts in a wide range of gift amounts from 738 donor partners, totaling more than $2.67 million, including nearly $850,000 in new contributions to Community Funds (a collection of flexible, responsive funds that can support a wide variety of organizations and programs).
Awarding $3.76 million in grants and scholarships to support students and nonprofit partners across the region, including $400,000+ that specifically supported student scholarships.
Supporting youth programs and services in Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau Counties through $105,000 in grants directed by the Foundation’s Youth Advisory Councils.
Supporting equity and inclusion efforts and programs across the region through over $54,000 in grant awards to a variety of organizations, including from Kewadin Indian Mission Church to Up North Pride.
Launching the Endowment for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in collaboration with an establishing donor partner, raising over $175,000 from community members.
Being selected to serve as Press Forward Northern Michigan, the local Northern Michigan chapter of Press Forward, a national movement to strengthen democracy by revitalizing local news and information.
Continuing to bring together the Northwest Michigan Community Development Coalition, which has grown to include over 40 organizations from the business, nonprofit, and governmental sectors and has added its collective voice to call for funding for arts and culture and the Office of Rural Prosperity as well as to support housing and water protection legislation and projects.
Investing $1 million from the Foundation’s endowed portfolio with IFF’s Michigan Housing Fund, which is supporting attainable housing projects in the region. This adds to the Foundation’s existing community development financial institution partnerships with Venture North Funding & Development and Northern Initiatives, bringing the Community Foundation’s total impact investing commitment to $2 million.
Partnering with Grand Traverse County and the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy to support the former Camp Greilick property, which is poised to become a new County park. The Community Foundation is continuing to fundraise for the Greilick Endowment to support the park’s ongoing care and maintenance. Grand Traverse County has committed to a $250,000 match in support of the new park.
Alongside Rotary Charities of Traverse City, the Foundation brought together cross-sector leaders, including housing-focused nonprofits, law enforcement, and philanthropy, for the Homelessness Collective. Together, the Collective raised funds for sanitary and safety improvements for community members living at the Pines and advocated for funding to ensure Safe Harbor can remain open year-round.

“With 2025 now underway, we look forward to working together with our partners to continue the important work of supporting our communities today and for generations to come,” said Mengebier.