Gwinn Area Community Fund Board Chair John Maki presents a grant from the Community Foundation of Marquette to Forsyth Township Public Library Director Leslie Makela for the 50th Anniversary Novel Destinations Summer Reading Program. The library is one of many recipients receiving foundation grants this year. (Photo courtesy of CFM)

By Journal Staff

MARQUETTE — The Community Foundation of Marquette County, including five affiliate funds for Negaunee, Big Bay, Greater Ishpeming, Marquette and Gwinn Area, announced the successful distribution of $120,000 in grants through its annual competitive grant program.

The Community Foundation has awarded $12.8 million in grants benefiting communities in Marquette County since it was founded in 1988.

This grant distribution is a significant milestone for the Community Foundation and a testament to its ongoing commitment to fostering innovation, collaboration and meaningful impact, it said in a news release.

After a rigorous review process, the selection committees carefully evaluated each proposal based on the strength of the projects, their alignment with the organization’s mission and their potential to address critical challenges faced by communities.

“We are thrilled to announce the distribution of grants to these remarkable recipients,” CEO Zosia Eppensteiner said. “Each grantee has shown remarkable dedication, creativity and a strong vision for making a positive difference.”

The grant recipients represent a diverse range of organizations driving positive change in local communities across a wide spectrum of community needs including childcare, workforce development, arts and culture, public spaces and many others.

The projects range from cold food storage at Partridge Creek Farm to feminine hygiene products for schools through The Queen’s Heart of Marquette, as well as caregiver and senior support groups with the Caregivers Incentive Project.

Because of this grant funding, Negaunee High School Band Backers will be able to replace marching band uniforms, and Citizens for a Safe and Clean Lake Superior will work with the Big Bay Stewardship Council and Powell Township to create pocket parks in Big Bay.

Cait Sternberg of the Citizens for a Safe and Clean Lake Superior said in a news release, “This grant will allow us to purchase benches, planters, and native wildflowers for pocket parks in Big Bay. The pocket parks will provide safe and beautiful green spaces for residents and tourists to funding, pass time, and enjoy the tranquility of Big Bay.

“We are excited to see folks sitting on locally-made benches while enjoying music at Draver Park, or pausing their walk to take a look at native wildflowers. CSCLS’s projects are supporting the ongoing efforts of Powell Township and the Big Bay Stewardship Council to beautify the community in a sustainable way.”

Grant distribution events have been held for the Gwinn, Ishpeming and Negaunee affiliates to celebrate grantee and donor impact on the residents of Marquette County.

The Marquette grant distribution event took place on June 6 at Presque Isle Park Pavilion.

This year’s grant recipients and their projects and programs are: 8-18 Media, a podcast; 906 Adventure Team, a bike/adventure park; Ainsley’s HALO, a hockey tournament; the Boy Scouts of America Bay Lakes Council, Scouting assistance; Cancer Care of Marquette County, patient care; the Caregiver Incentive Project, creating a quality care at home workshop series; Citizens for a Safe and Clean Lake Superior, the Big Bay Sustainable Built Environment Initiative; the city of Negaunee, LaCombe Field universal access and dugouts; the Cliffs Shaft Mine Museum, gift shop enhancement; the Forsyth Township Public Library, a 50th anniversary Novel Destinations summer reading program; and the Fresh Coast Film Festival, volunteer leadership at the festival.

Also, Hope Free Evangelical Lutheran Church, monthly free baskets; the Iron Range Hockey Association, referee training for Project Zebra; the K.I. Sawyer Heritage Air Museum, facility maintenance; the Lake Superior Hospice Association, caregiver and senior support groups; Let’s Grow K.I., a community garden; the Marquette-Alger Regional Educational Service Agency, a spring/summer Childhood Development Associate cohort; the Marquette City Band, a children’s concert youth guest artist; Marquette County Habitat for Humanity Inc., a ReStore energy efficiency upgrade; Marquette Fringe, Fall Phantasm, a low-barrier arts event; and the Marquette Mountain Ski Patrol, 800 MHz radios to support county sporting events.

Also, Messiah Lutheran Church, Community Assistance Fund Program; the Negaunee Irontown Association, Pioneer Days event tent; the Negaunee Public Library, summer reading; Negaunee Public Schools, FIRST Robotics team; Negaunee Public Schools, Negaunee High School Marching Band uniforms; the Negaunee Senior Center, Keeping Seniors Connected; the New Free Store, addressing hygiene needs in the community; NICE Community Schools, the Westend Gearbusters, new swerve modules for robotics; the Noquemanon Trails Network, community trail maintenance tools and transport trailer; Partridge Creek Farm, Keeping Healthy Food Fresh, cold food storage; and the Peter White Public Library, 2023-24 Teen Services programming.

Also, Planned Parenthood of Michigan, IN*clued Marquette; the Salvation Army, Bridging the Gap; the Salvation Army-Marquette for Polar Packs; SISU Dark Horse, SISU-Elite; Special Olympics Michigan, Area 36, 2023 uniform and equipment replacement; St. Anthony’s Church, building and sustaining a meaningful community; St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Hearts and Hands: Learn to Sew; Teaching Family Homes of Upper Michigan, music therapy; the Queen’s Hart of Marquette, a period project for girls in the Marquette area; Trillium House, general operations; United Way of Marquette County, Yoopers United; the Upper Peninsula Disc Golf Association, the Buck Buchanan Memorial Disc Golf Course; the Upper Peninsula Luge Club, Safer and Simpler; the UPward Talent Council, the Upper Peninsula Construction Council Trades Summer Camp; Wesley United Methodist Church, Project Keep Kids Warm; and the YMCA of Marquette County, a YMCA playground shade gazebo.

The Community Foundation of Marquette County is a tax-exempt, nonprofit philanthropic organization established to build permanent, endowed funds to benefit the greater community.

The foundation collaborates with donors to establish charitable funds and support nonprofit organizations through a variety of grant-making efforts.

The foundation currently holds more than 182 different funds that benefit worthy local charities and charitable causes and is accredited by national standards for U.S. community foundations.

For more information, visit cfofmc.org or call 906-226-7666.