MARQUETTE — The Michigan Masonic Charitable Foundation recently announced the recipients of its spring 2018 BEST grant cycle, representing more than a $250,000 life-changing investment in communities throughout Michigan according to a news release.

The Upper Peninsula Animal Welfare Shelter was one of the winners. It received a grant for development of “kids clubs” to engage children in care of animals and educate them on empathy, compassion, responsibility and safety.

BEST — or Build, Empower, Strengthen and Transform — grants are competitive awards given to nonprofit organizations on a quarterly basis that increase capacity for community impact, target gaps in services, and solve or address critical local needs.

The grants are funded through the generosity of Michigan Masons through donations to the MMCF, and grants have totaled nearly $1 million since the program’s inception in December 2016.