TRAVERSE CITY — Rotary Charities of Traverse City has awarded $350,000 in grants to nonprofits and collaboratives in the region.
According to a Dec. 11 news release, the grants support projects that enhance public places, protect the environment and expand access to the arts and affordable housing.
One grant was awarded through the Systems Change Accelerator grant program, which provides support to collaborative initiatives targeting the root causes of complex community problems.
Four grants were awarded through the Assets for Thriving Communities grant program, which provides support to initiatives that develop, strengthen or build community assets that are available to all or make an existing asset more widely available.
“By supporting these diverse initiatives, we’re not only investing in tangible community assets but also empowering regional nonprofits and collaboratives to address some of our most pressing challenges,” CEO of Rotary Charities Sakura Takano said. “From advancing water quality protection and contributing to the region’s cultural vitality to promoting arts accessibility, preserving natural spaces, and laying the groundwork for future affordable housing projects, these initiatives will help create a more resilient, inclusive, and thriving region for everyone.”
Grant recipients include:
- Benzie Conservation District, Northwest Michigan Watersheds Coalition (Protecting Water Quality in Northwest Michigan) — $150,000 Systems Change Accelerator grant
- The Northwest Michigan Watersheds Coalition, through fiscal sponsor Benzie Conservation District, has been awarded a $150,000 grant to strengthen local systems for water quality protection in the region. This initiative aims to enhance collaboration among stakeholders, raise awareness of water-smart decision-making, and address regulatory gaps that threaten the health of local watersheds.
- Crosshatch Center for Art & Ecology (Hatchquarters Creative Campus) — $50,000 Assets for Thriving Communities grant
- Crosshatch Center for Art & Ecology has been awarded a $50,000 grant to support the development of “Hatchquarters,” a creative campus near Bellaire focused on community building, artistic innovation, and education. The funding will help establish the lodge, which will serve as a venue for workshops and programs, laying the foundation for future additions like a regenerative farm, makerspace, and artist residency.
- New Community Vision (Land Acquisition Campaign) — $50,000 Assets for Thriving Communities grant
- New Community Vision has been awarded a $50,000 grant to support the acquisition of over 200 acres of land on the Leelanau Peninsula. The former Timber Shores Campground, a critical property that includes wetlands, wooded dunes, and a cold-water trout stream, will find its new purpose as a nature preserve, with a dedicated 24-acre section allocated for a future attainable housing development.
- Thompsonville Area Restoration (Project Thompsonville Junction) — $50,000 Assets for Thriving Communities grant
- The Thompsonville Area Revitalization Project (TARP) has been awarded a $50,000 grant to support the construction of a trailhead and visitors’ pavilion at the historic Thompsonville Junction. This placemaking project will enhance the Betsie Valley and SMART trail systems by creating a welcoming and accessible destination for cyclists, walkers, and visitors.
- Traverse City Dance Project (Traverse City Dance Festival) — $50,000 Assets for Thriving Communities grant
- The Traverse City Dance Project has been awarded a $50,000 grant to support the inaugural Traverse City Dance Festival. The festival will feature a wide range of performances by professional dance companies, workshops, community events, and film screenings, with a vision to reduce cultural barriers and foster a deeper appreciation for dance in Northern Michigan by offering accessible, inclusive experiences in approachable settings.
Working in partnership with changemakers, Rotary Charities provides funding, learning and connections to address the region’s complex problems and create community assets for all. For more information click here.
