Best Kalkaska County Grants for Nonprofits in Michigan

501(c)(3) nonprofits serving Kalkaska County, Michigan can receive US $100,000 grants to launch transformational projects in arts and culture, education, environment and recreation, family, or health and wellness. Impact 100 Of Traverse City funds innovative, deepening, or expanding initiatives that fully expend funds in the five-county region within 24 months and have a sustainability plan.

Private forest landowners conserving land and habitat in Kalkaska County, Michigan can access funding to permanently protect working forests from development. Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Forest Legacy Program supports fee transactions or conservation easements that ensure public access, sustainable management, and long-term stewardship, with federal funds covering up to 75% of project costs.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, public schools, and qualified local government entities in Kalkaska County, Michigan can seek support for education, entrepreneurship, community enrichment, and environmental initiatives. Georgia-Pacific Foundation prioritizes projects within 30 miles of its manufacturing communities that enhance long-term well-being and sustainability where the company operates.

The Consumers Energy Foundation Grant aims to assist Michigan communities by funding innovative projects that enhance people's lives, protect the environment, and promote economic prosperity. Eligible applicants must align their initiatives with the foundation's focus areas, which include reducing poverty, environmental preservation, and economic development. Notably, the foundation primarily supports tax-exempt organizations based in Michigan, while also considering projects that significantly benefit the state. Applicants are encouraged to review eligibility criteria and grant standards before applying.

The MSU/Big Ten Fund for Safe & Healthy Kids Endowment, established in 2013 by Michigan State University, provides grants to support projects promoting child safety and success. With a focus on addressing adverse health factors, particularly the prevention and treatment of child sexual abuse, the fund offers awards totaling $7,677. Eligible organizations must serve specific counties or the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.

Grants from Frey Foundation help Kalkaska County, Michigan 501(c)(3) organizations and other tax-exempt entities fund projects in community development, children and families, community arts, and environmental conservation. Eligible nonprofits working in West/Northern Michigan can submit an online inquiry for program or capital support, with funding decisions made quarterly by the foundation’s trustees.

Local governments, schools, and nonprofit organizations in Kalkaska County, Michigan can apply for DTE Energy Foundation tree planting grants from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, with awards up to US $4,000 for planting trees on public or publicly accessible land. Eligible projects include parks, streetscapes, school grounds, nature areas, and neighborhood revitalization sites within DTE Energy’s service territory.

About MEDC Community Development

MEDC's Community Development Team

The Community Development unit focuses on creating vibrant, sustainable and unique places by providing economic development services and programs to attract and retain talent in Michigan communities.The global economy has drastically shifted how municipalities and regions establish and maintain a competitive advantage. Success is determined by the ability to attract and retain the best people and ideas. These "knowledge workers" balance job opportunities with lifestyle, seeking more than just employment when deciding where to live. The concept of placemaking considers cultural and natural amenities, resources and social and professional networks.

MiPlace is a website dedicated to community development and placemaking in Michigan. Content on this site is relevant for communities, developers and individuals interested in topics ranging from redevelopment and brownfield tools to crowdfunding. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter @miplacenews to find updates and latest news.information on the availability of place-based resources.

Build MI Community Grant Initiative

Program Overview & Goals

The Build MI Community Grant is an initiative designed to promote private investment in Michigan communities. Administered by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) on behalf of the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF), this tool provides access to real estate development gap financing and technical assistance for small scale, incremental redevelopment projects.

The Build MI Community Initiative has been established to re-activate underutilized or vacant space into vibrant areas by promoting capital investment into redevelopment projects being taken on by developers and property owners with limited real estate development experience and familiarizing them with the development process in order to position them to potentially undertake more complex projects in the future.

Nonprofits, Native nations, local governments, and school districts serving Kalkaska County, Michigan can seek Seed Grants to support early-stage planning, convening, and capacity-building work. Focused on groundwork for projects with broad community impact, Rotary Club of Traverse City funding may benefit organizations working in areas like housing, equity, environmental conservation, and nonprofit development.

The Francis Grants, established by Catholic Extension, offer funding for significant events in poor mission dioceses, such as the ordination of new Bishops, anniversaries, or papal visits. These grants also support educational endeavors for Bishops. Named in honor of Francis Clement Kelly, Francis Cardinal George OMI, and Pope Francis, the program aims to strengthen the Catholic faith across the U.S. Since 1905, Catholic Extension has invested over $500 million to assist communities in need.

The Catholic School Leadership Development Grant Program aims to cultivate and retain promising leaders within the Catholic school system. In partnership with Loyola Marymount University, this initiative offers a graduate-level online Certificate in Catholic School Administration, covering 80% of tuition costs and providing funding for essential travel. The one-year program focuses on mission effectiveness, operational management, and instructional leadership, requiring participants to serve two years in their diocese post-completion, thereby enhancing local educational leadership.

Catholic Extension's Enhancing Pastoral and Social Ministry Grants aim to empower the church to broaden its outreach and foster societal transformation through targeted pastoral and social initiatives. This program supports specific elements of the church's ministerial efforts, including funding for catechetical resources, marriage and family ministries, and social outreach for vulnerable populations. By investing in these areas, Catholic Extension seeks to enhance the church's role in communities, especially following disasters.

Catholic dioceses seeking to strengthen fundraising, financial management, and operational efficiency can apply for Building Capacity support in Kalkaska County, Michigan and other approved Extension dioceses. Focused on Catholic institutional capacity, Catholic Extension invites diocesan leaders to fund audits, staff development, technology, planning, and other initiatives that build long-term financial and operational sustainability.

Catholic dioceses and parishes serving Kalkaska County, Michigan can seek support to create, sustain, or expand ministries that engage children, teens, young adults, and families in faith formation. Catholic Extension supports campus ministry, youth ministry, religious education, and young adult programs in eligible under-resourced Extension dioceses across the U.S.

Catholic dioceses in Kalkaska County, Michigan can receive funding to recruit, educate, and provide ongoing formation for seminarians, deacons, and lay or religious leaders. Catholic Extension provides support for seminary costs, diaconate and lay ministry training, leadership workshops, and professional development, but only designated mission dioceses are eligible, not individual applicants or organizations outside these dioceses.

Catholic diocesan offices and ministries needing salary support or basic operations funding in Kalkaska County, Michigan can apply for Catholic Extension’s Building Foundation Grants. With a mission to sustain Catholic presence in under-resourced areas, Catholic Extension provides designated Extension Dioceses with subsidies for pastoral leaders, core administrators, and essential parish operating costs.

Catholic Extension provides essential funding to support the construction, expansion, or renovation of churches and community facilities. This initiative aims to meet the facility needs of under-resourced Catholic dioceses across the U.S. By focusing on active projects, Catholic Extension ensures that communities can enhance their worship spaces and support local ministries, ultimately fostering a stronger church community. Funding is available for both minor and major requests, with an emphasis on urgent needs and robust funding strategies.

Rotary Charities’ Learning Fund provides Kalkaska County, Michigan 501(c)(3) organizations, Native nations, local governments, and school districts with up to US $2,000 for staff and board professional development such as trainings, workshops, and conferences. Funding supports capacities like community development, systems change, leadership, and organizational effectiveness for changemakers serving the five-county region.

Nonprofits, Native nations, schools, and local governments developing community assets in Kalkaska County, Michigan can seek funding to build or expand resources open to all, with awards up to US $50,000. Rotary Club of Traverse City supports projects such as affordable housing, transportation, recreation, arts, education, health, energy, and land conservation that demonstrate strong community engagement.

Nonprofits, Native nations, local governments, and school districts serving Kalkaska County, Michigan can seek up to US $150,000 for collaborative systems-change initiatives addressing complex community problems. Grants from Rotary Club of Traverse City help organizations restructure policies, practices, resource flows, and relationships to build a more fair, thriving, and resilient region, including cross-sector networks, advocacy, and narrative-change efforts.

Nonprofits, educational institutions, governments, and tribal organizations serving Kalkaska County and nearby areas can seek funding for health education, research, treatment, and community health programs. Focused on medical and community health education, Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation’s Northwest Michigan Osteopathic Endowment supports projects addressing local health needs.

Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation

The Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation began in 1992 when a group of community champions came together around a vision to give back to our region then, now, and forever.

This vision lives on within our organization today as we support the people and places of Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau Counties and the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians.

Together with our partners, we spark positive change for a variety of local causes, including youth, arts and culture, education, environment, and health and human services, across our region.

Regional Scholarships

We believe that post-secondary education is key to healthy, resilient, and thriving communities and are pleased to partner with generous community donors to create and offer a variety of scholarship opportunities for local students across the region.

National Writers Series Scholarship Fund (Regional)

Available to public, parochial, or home school students with permanent residential addresses in Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, or Leelanau Counties. Students must be a junior or a senior during the award year. To apply, students must complete an online application and submit a poetry, fiction, journalism, or non-fiction manuscript.

Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation

The Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation began in 1992 when a group of community champions came together around a vision to give back to our region then, now, and forever.

This vision lives on within our organization today as we support the people and places of Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau Counties and the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians.

Together with our partners, we spark positive change for a variety of local causes, including youth, arts and culture, education, environment, and health and human services, across our region.

Regional Scholarships

We believe that post-secondary education is key to healthy, resilient, and thriving communities and are pleased to partner with generous community donors to create and offer a variety of scholarship opportunities for local students across the region.

Leslie Lee Nonfiction Scholarship Endowment (Regional)

Available to public, parochial, or home school students that reside in Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, or Leelanau Counties. Students must be a junior or a senior during the award year. To apply, students must complete an online application and submit a non-fiction manuscript as part of the Community Foundation Traverse City National Writers Series Scholarship competitive process.

Nonprofits, local governments, and other organizations supporting rural development in Kalkaska County, Michigan can seek funding to grow land-based industries and improve critical infrastructure. With a mission to strengthen rural economies, Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development provides support for projects in agriculture, forestry, mining, oil and gas, tourism, workforce training, and essential infrastructure, with awards up to US $100,000.

The Campbell Endowment offers various fall grant opportunities aimed at supporting programs that enhance self-sufficiency in Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau counties. Established in 1996, this fund focuses on key areas including food, health care, housing, and childcare. Eligible applicants include 501(c)3 nonprofits, educational institutions, and governmental entities. Preference is given to initiatives that create a transformative impact on community needs.

The Fall Field of Interest Grants from the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation aim to enhance the health of youth and seniors in Michigan. Established under the Tobacco Settlement Partnership, these grants support programs focusing on nutrition, counseling, and wellness for individuals aged 0-18 and 55 and older. Eligible applicants include nonprofits and governmental entities serving specified counties. With over $65.7 million awarded, the foundation continues its commitment to community health and well-being.

The Fall Grant Opportunities from the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation support programs in Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau counties. The Land Use Conservation and Planning Endowment, established in 1997, funds land use stewardship activities, education, and conservation projects. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, educational institutions, governmental entities, and tribal organizations. This year's grants aim to promote sustainable practices and support community needs through various programs and initiatives.