MARQUETTE — The Superior Health Foundation invites nonprofit organizations with a health-centered focus to submit a funding partnering request to be part of the SHF’s 2020 annual gala celebration.

The SHF annual gala will be held Sept. 12 in the Northern Center at the campus of Northern Michigan University in Marquette. Proceeds from the gala will benefit SHF. In addition, the SHF Gala Planning Committee will select two, health-centered projects ($10,000 or less) in the Upper Peninsula and award those monies at the gala. Agencies receiving funding will be asked to invite employees and guests to the gala.

For 2020, the SHF gala committee chose to focus on health care initiatives or projects to address mental health and/or substance use initiatives in the region. The project must align with SHF’s mission, which is “to assist with unmet health care needs, with health education, and with programs and research on preventing illness and promoting health.”

“In talking to a number of health-centered, nonprofit organizations across the Upper Peninsula, it has become abundantly clear there are numerous behavioral health needs,” Jim LaJoie, SHF executive director, said in a press release. “We’re looking forward to reviewing projects that address either mental health or substance use.”

The SHF will accept applications through Dec. 11, and will select two nonprofit projects by late December. These projects will then be forwarded to the SHF Board of Directors for approval in January.

An online application form is available on the SHF website www.superiorhealthfoundation.org. In 2019, SHF awarded $10,000 in funding to both Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly and Hospice of the Eastern U.P. for projects that addressed senior needs.

Those with questions are asked to call the SHF at 906-225-6914 or email shf@superiorhealthfoundation.org.