What a cool project – honoring those who protect our country, promoting volunteerism and community service for young people, and community involvement – and all of it connecting educational elements for students at Alcona Community Schools! A...
Do you know of a youth-related program in Crawford, Ogemaw or Oscoda County? Youth Advisory Council grants for this area, served by our North Central Michigan Community Foundation, are due December 15. Projects addressing vaping/smoking/tobacco use,...
Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan (CFNEM) Executive Director, Patrick Heraghty, was elected to the Board of Trustees of the Council of Michigan Foundations (CMF). His six-year term began in October 2025. CMF is a statewide philanthropy infrastructure...
For nonprofits and nonprofit volunteers interested in grant writing - check out this opportunity to enhance this important skill hosted by Develop Iosco in Tawas City.
With the help of an SACF grant, the Mackinaw Area Historical Society will be able to bring history to life for children in a new way. The grant will help create and print interactive activity booklets for young visitors. Though a modest $450 grant,...
Look at all these smiling faces! We had the pleasure of spending our Friday last week with members of our Youth Advisory Councils, or YACs, from across Northeast Michigan as they convened in Alpena for a regional youth grantmakers conference. CFNEM...
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...