North Central Michigan College’s Summer Learning Academy, launched in 2024, offers 3rd–8th graders hands-on courses in STEM, arts, and more. For many, it’s their first step onto a college campus—and the first spark of seeing themselves as future...
Today is Make a Difference Day! This day presents an opportunity for individuals and businesses to enact positive change and contribute to their communities and encourages us to come together and make a meaningful impact collectively. Making a difference...
It’s no secret what a bustling place Mackinaw City is in the summer months. One of the draws for music lovers is the outdoor concerts in park. Did you know – there is a special fund at our Straits Area Community Foundation affiliate that supports...
We are looking forward to welcoming our Youth Advisory Council members from all across northeast Michigan for some great learning, collaborating, and gathering!
On Thursday nights in the summer, Irons Park fills with the sound of music—and the sound of community. For more than 20 years, the City of West Branch’s “Music in the Park” program has brought neighbors of all ages together to sing, dance,...
Friends Together Alpena does amazing work to support cancer patients, their families, and caregivers. To make all their good work happen, staff and volunteers do a lot of fundraising like auctions, raffles, concerts, and comedy shows, so every grant...
Your legacy is YOUR legacy. And you get to decide what that looks like. Stories from the people in this video - your very own northeast Michigan neighbors - along with the stories of many others, make up the Foundation’s Legacy Society. What will...
For the Grayling High School RoboVikes robotics team, the past year was about more than gears and motors—it was about teamwork, resilience, and inspiring the next generation of young engineers. Thanks to a grant from the North Central Michigan Community...
Project Connect in Presque Isle County is a great example of the types of community initiatives funded by the grants from our Northeast Michigan Women's Giving Circle Fund. This year, more than 230 residents from Montmorency and Presque Isle Counties...
One last reminder! Northeast Michigan Youth Advisory Council (NEMYAC) grant applications are due October 15. If you've started an application for a youth project in Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency, or Presque Isle Counties, don't forget to complete your...
This is a cool project happening to preserve a bit of local history! Donations to the Alcona Community Schools Endowment held at CFNEM is used for many projects benefiting the school system and its students, including projects like this. Over the years,...
We are deeply grateful to Jennifer Lee for her many years of dedicated service to the Straits Area Community Foundation. Since the early days of SACF, Jennifer has helped guide our Board of Directors, strengthen community connections, and champion...
Aerial monitoring of conservation areas efficiently is an essential part of HeadWaters Land Conservancy's (HLC) work in ensuring that protected lands remain undisturbed and can support critical habitats. Many conservation easements and nature preserves...
Our Iosco County Community Foundation affiliate is so proud to have supported this great project at Tawas Lake in Iosco County through a $2,000 to Huron Pines. The grant was awarded to support their conservation projects at Tawas Lake which includes...
Through our North Central Michigan Community Foundation affiliate’s 2025 Community Impact Grant, ten nonprofits serving Crawford, Ogemaw, and Oscoda Counties received a total of $23,534 in August 2025. Some of the grants supporting special projects...
It’s “Meet the Board Monday” and today we introduce you to Chris Bauer. Chris has recently joined our Straits Area Community Foundation Affiliate Board. Chris is employed at Northern Lakes Economic Alliance as a Senior Special Projects Officer...
This summer, the Northeast Michigan Women's Giving Circle (WGC) awarded $56,000 in grants to support issues important to women in our communities. Among this year's grants were projects that aim to inspire, encourage, and support women and young girls....
📌 Friendly reminder to nonprofits with projects benefitting youth in Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency, and/or Presque Isle Counties - grant applications for the Northeast Michigan Youth Advisory Council (NEMYAC) fall grant deadline are due October 15!...
The Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan awarded a new round of Community Impact Grants in September 2025 totaling $115,795 and covering Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency, and Presque Isle Counties. Some of the grants awarded were for food distribution,...
Did you know that the City of Alpena, Charter Township of Alpena, and Alpena County have collectively made the pledge as a “Lake Huron Forever” Community? This means that these entities are committed to protecting forests, wetlands, and waterways...