TRAVERSE CITY — The Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation has awarded $19,050 in grants to 13 organizations working to advance equity and inclusion across Northern Michigan.
According to a July 14 news release from the foundation, the funding supports efforts in Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska and Leelanau counties, as well as the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. Grants were awarded through the Foundation’s Endowment for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and its Diversity Equity Inclusion Fund.
The funds primarily assist organizations led by or serving communities of color, including Black and Indigenous people, and other historically marginalized groups such as LGBTQ+, immigrant, neurodiverse, veteran and disability communities. Training, outreach programs and other equity-centered initiatives are also eligible.
Decisions were made by a volunteer advisory committee composed of local residents with diverse lived experiences.
Grants awarded this cycle include:
- 217 Recovery – Safe, peer-supported transportation for individuals with substance use disorder accessing treatment and recovery services
- Benzie Area Pride Network (St. Philip’s Episcopal Church) – General operational support
- Child & Family Services of Northwestern Michigan – Services for Native American families in the foster care system
- Crosshatch Center for Art & Ecology – Antrim Writers Series event featuring visiting author Des Cooper
- Crystal Community Ski Club – Scholarships and outreach to introduce nontraditional youth to snow sports
- Gospel Army Black History Group – Living history programming and historically accurate uniforms focused on Michigan’s African American Civil War regiment
- Grand Traverse Dyslexia Association – Tuition assistance for learners
- PFLAG Traverse City – General operational support
- ROCK of Kingsley Youth Center – Creation of a sensory calming space for neurodivergent youth
- Skegemog Raptor Center – Indigenous storytelling initiatives for reconciliation and environmental awareness
- TC Curling Club – Mighty Ducks Curling League for adults with disabilities
- Utopia Foundation – 2025 Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month event with photographer Taro Yamasaki
- National Writers Series – Author event with Robin Wall Kimmerer, On Nature’s Gifts
Since 2021, the Foundation has distributed more than $230,000 in diversity, equity and inclusion grants. Funding is made possible by the Consumers Energy Foundation, Rotary Charities of Traverse City and other local donors.
Nonprofit, educational, governmental and Tribal entities may apply for the next round of DEI grants — up to $2,500 per organization — by August 1 at www.gtrcf.org/grants/apply.html.
For a full list of awards, visit www.gtrcf.org/grants/grant-awards.html.