Grant Criteria

The foundation gives first consideration to projects in the following areas:

EDUCATION

• Business, professional, and career/employment training and re-training.
• Educational and leadership programs that augment, expand, or improve formal learning environments and approaches.

ECONOMIES

• Entrepreneurial initiatives, especially those designed to enhance, encourage, and diversify local and regional economies.
• Projects that encourage development, stability, and sustainability of economies, particularly at the community level.

ENVIRONMENTS

• Support balance between development and preservation by recognizing the importance of coordinated agendas and responsible land use.

The foundation also supports human services programs which complement our overall mission and grant balance.  

AREAS WE DO NOT FUND:

Unless by special circumstance, or at the discretion of the Foundation board of directors, the foundation does not support:

• Health & sciences, medical research, etc.
• Parks and recreation
• Arts (unless connected to education)

The foundation does not give to:

• Organizations or programs the represent or promote specific religious or political affiliations or agendas;
• Direct support to individuals, including individual scholarships or small business loans;
• Debt retirement or budget deficit remediation;
• Any for-profit or taxable activity.

Our primary service areas are the Western half of lower Michigan and the central Upper Peninsula.  Proximity is important to our relationships with our recipients; for that reason requests from outside our immediate area are considered only by referral or through an existing relationship.