Monday, October 9, 2017

Are you a grant seeker? We've had a couple of changes to grant deadlines that are now in effect. If you plan to apply for grants, be sure to check for correct deadlines! Up-to-date guidelines and dates can always be found at www.cfnem.org. More →

Thursday, October 5, 2017

Flight-themed sunprints, painted gliders, sky-themed canvas collages and decorated kites – how fun! Kids who attended Art in the Park at Ottawa Park in the Straits Area were treated to artist-hosted workshops that helped them create their own masterpieces. Kids who painted Balsa wood gliders and decorated kites got to spend time flying their artwork in the park too! Funding for this project was provided with help from a Straits Area Community Foundation grant to Friends of Ottawa Park. More →

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

$43,912. That’s a big number. So is $21,463. The first is the amount the Community Foundation recently awarded in Community Impact grants for northeast Michigan. The latter is how much was granted from the Northeast Michigan Women’s Giving Circle (WGC). Add it up and that’s over $65,000 going right back into the communities we serve. Grants are the direct result of the generosity of northeast Michigan residents and those who care about our region. THANK YOU! You can see a full list of grants at http://www.cfnem.org/resources/news/. (Wonder why you see a starry sky and the big dipper? Check out the list of grants!) More →

Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Do you work on grant applications through the Community Foundation? If so, here's some news you don't want to miss! http://www.cfnem.org/resources/news/community-foundation-announces-changes-to-grant-cycles.html More →

Monday, October 2, 2017

FUN FACT! Did you know that in 2016, Youth Advisory Councils, or YACs, throughout Michigan gave away more than $1.83 MILLION in grants for youth projects? Incredible! Also amazing is the fact that $108,000 was received in donations to Kellogg Youth Funds, which provide the funding for these grants. While that’s a large amount of money, just look at the comparison of gifts brought in for 2016, and grants awarded out. THAT friends, is the power of endowment! More →

Thursday, September 28, 2017

“Some of our theatre kids found a place where they could be themselves, be accepted, and feel like they had a ‘thing’. If only we could give that to every teenager…what a different world this would be!” That’s what Julie Riddle with the Rogers City Community Theatre said about Rogers City HS students who participated in a recent play as actors, sound and light technicians, and set designers. Julie says they heard many comments from parents, community members and students who were excited to see high school theatre being revived. A $650 Youth Advisory Council (YAC) grant helped spread the word in Rogers City about the group’s performance. Did you see it?? More →

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

You know how the color or decor of a room can affect how you feel when you walk into it? The goal of a recent update to the victim and family waiting area of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Northeast Michigan included a new paint job (a nice, calming blue), new chairs and this painting that now adorns the walls of the room. A $1,000 Community Impact grant provided funding for the update, and also allowed the CAC to purchase a tablet for children to play games on while they wait to be interviewed. These services for children and their families are invaluable, and our communities are so fortunate to have organizations like this one at-the-ready to support families in times of trauma. Thank you Children's Advocacy Center of Northeast Michigan for all you do! More →

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

PROGRAM OFFICER: The Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan (CFNEM) is seeking a full-time Program Officer to manage all components of its Community Impact and affiliate foundation grant programs. This position will also coordinate all aspects of the Youth Advisory Council (YAC) program and YAC grants for CFNEM and its affiliates. A minimum Associate’s Degree is required, and experience in grant writing and grant processes is preferred. The ideal candidate will have strong organizational, writing and analytical skills. Qualified candidates should send a letter of introduction and resume to CFNEM, P.O. Box 495, Alpena, MI 49707, or email to pheraghty@cfnem.org no later than October 1, 2017. More →

Monday, September 25, 2017

No wonder she looks so happy! This past spring the Village of Lincoln hosted its annual Easter Egg Hunt for kids, and with assistance from a Community Impact grant, was able to purchase new bicycles as giveaways at the event. Organizers tell us that for some of the children at the event, the bike they won was their first bike ever. What an exciting day for them! Do you remember the day you got your first bike? Please share your “first bike” memory in the comments! In our office, Dee Marie says she got her first bike when she was seven years old; it was purple with a banana seat and a “sissy bar”, which she was so excited about because she loved to do wheelies! Christine Bruske Hitch's first bike was a birthday gift – girly and pink with cupcakes on the seat. It was the bike she used to learn how to ride without training wheels. Patrick says his was a surprise from his Dad on his 9th birthday – a yellow Peugeot bicycle given to him while living in Germany with is Army Dad. Fun stuff! More →

Monday, September 25, 2017

Congratulations Malinda M Amlotte, and thank you for participating in our "Best Quote" Contest! Your name was chosen at random out of those who participated, and you've won a ticket to Leadercast Women on October 5th in Alpena. We are so excited to have you join us there! More →

Thursday, September 21, 2017

QUICK CONTEST! Tell us in the comments your favorite quote about the power of women (or post a photo with the quote), and you'll be entered to win a free ticket to Leadercast Women on October 5th in Alpena. (This is a $75 to $105 value!) You'll be our honored guest at this event hosted by the Alpena Area Chamber, and being sponsored in part by the Northeast Michigan Women's Giving Circle. Let the quotes roll! The winner will be picked on Monday morning. More →

Thursday, September 21, 2017

Are you attending Inspiration Alcona's Farm to Fork 2017? The Community Foundation recently awarded a $2,000 grant to help with their upcoming workshop and meal events. YUM! More →

Thursday, September 14, 2017

Do you know of a nonprofit with a great program benefiting youth in northeast Michigan? Tag them in the comments or share this post with them! The Community Foundation is accepting grant applications for the fall 2017 cycle of the Northeast Michigan Youth Advisory Council (NEMYAC). Grant applications can be found at www.cfnem.org and are due on October 16, 2017. 501(c)(3) organizations serving Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency and Presque Isle Counties are welcome to apply. More →

Monday, September 11, 2017

Have you read “The Giver” by Lois Lowry? What did you think? A grant from the North Central Michigan Community Foundation to Oscoda County Library provided funds to bring the “Young Audiences New York - Literature to Life” program to middle school students at Mio-AuSable Schools. The program features professionally-trained actors and teaching artists who incorporate theater into literature, and encourage discussion and interpretation of the book. Programming Clerk Beth Barron said one of the most exciting parts of the program was seeing 7th grade boys actively engaged in discussions and giving their own impressions of “The Giver”. Barron says typically it is girls who participate most in discussions, but this program inspired the boys as well. More →

Thursday, September 7, 2017

This topic won’t give you the warm fuzzies, but it’s too important to ignore. The statistics on children affected by child abuse and neglect are startling. Children are so precious, yet many find themselves victims, and need a safe place to be treated, counseled, examined and advocated for. The Northern Michigan Children’s Assessment Center (NMCAC) received a grant from our affiliate, the North Central Michigan Community Foundation, to support its forensic interviewing room which is decorated and set up to make sure a child will feel safe, cared for and comfortable throughout the process. The NMCAC also received a grant through our Iosco County Community Foundation affiliate for start-up funds for an Iosco County Child Advocacy Center, which will be a satellite operation of NMCAC. Local leaders in Iosco County have been working diligently to secure funding to make sure its children are able to be served by one of these important agencies. Want to learn more about how NMCAC is helping children in our communities? Visit https://www.nmcac4kids.org/. More →

Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Are you, or is someone you love a Boy Scout or Girl Scout? We would love to hear what you feel the best thing is about scouting! Learning leadership skills, the importance of service and teamwork, and creating bonds that can last a lifetime are just a piece of what the Boy Scouts of America Michigan Crossroads Council is helping young men in northeast Michigan to do. A portion of funding for the organization’s “Comprehensive Youth Development” program and “Blast into Scouting” project has come from grants from the Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan, and its Iosco County and North Central Michigan affiliates to support scouting activities across our region. More →

Thursday, August 31, 2017

Social Media for Nonprofits hit the road this morning headed for Tawas City! More →

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Experienced social media users are diving deep into digital marketing for nonprofits this afternoon at our second training event of the day! Welcome to Alpena and northeast Michigan! Tomorrow, this show goes on the road to Tawas City. #CFNEM #socialmediafornonprofits More →

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Social Media Training for Nonprofits for Beginners is underway. Over 50 nonprofit representatives are here this morning! #CFNEM More →

Tuesday, August 29, 2017

The purchase of a new portable sound system, made possible through a CFNEM Community Impact mini-grant, is helping the Alcona County Library to provide quality presentations and events for itself, and other nonprofits in the area. It’s a great example of how even small grants can have far-reaching impact. Already the system has helped make improvements to the library’s Summer Children’s Reading Program, has been used at the site dedication of the Alcona County Review, and for the Alcona County Historical Society. The library plans to allow other nonprofits to use the system as well. More →

Monday, August 28, 2017

Today is the last day to register for "Social Media for Nonprofits"! Do you know the ins and outs of sharing your organization's story on Facebook and other social media outlets? Could you learn more? Of course! Don't miss out on this great opportunity, whether you're a staff or volunteer at a nonprofit. Register at http://www.cfnem.org/resources/social-media-training.html. More →

Thursday, August 24, 2017

Who doesn’t love a good summer concert in the park? A $1,250 Community Impact Grant through our affiliate, the North Central Michigan Community Foundation, provided funding for the City of West Branch’s Summer Music series. Project organizers say the summer concerts bring people in to enjoy their parks, and give extra opportunities for cultural events. Northern Michigan summers really are the best! More →