What's happening: The Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation has awarded $19,050 to support 13 organizations advancing equity and inclusion efforts across Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau Counties and the 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.
About the fund: These 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.
Among the recipients: 217 Recovery, funding for safe, peer-supported transportation for individuals with substance use disorder who need access to inpatient treatment, detox facilities, and ongoing recovery efforts; Benzie Area Pride Network (St. Philip’s Episcopal Church), support for mission-
focused needs and operations; Child & Family Services of Northwestern Michigan, funding for serving Native American families in the foster care system; Crystal Community Ski Club, funding for the ski club’s outreach efforts to reach
nontraditional youth in snow sports via scholarships and direct outreach trips; Skegemog Raptor Center, support for Indigenous storytelling efforts to foster
reconciliation and environmental conservation. For a full list of grant awards, click
here.
What they're saying: "Our diversity, equity, and inclusion grants are still going strong thanks to the support of donor and community partners," said Gina Thornbury, senior community impact manager for the Community Foundation. "Each cycle we continue to receive a number of grant applications. The need is clear, and we remain committed to funding diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts across the region."
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