12/9/2025
Alpena, Mich. – Whether sparkling under the summer sun or frozen in the frigid winter temperatures, the beauty of our lakes, rivers and streams remind us how vital Lake Huron and its watershed are – not only to northeast Michigan, but to the entire Great Lakes region.The Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan (CFNEM) has announced the recent establishment of the Lake Huron Fund to support the health of Lake Huron, and in turn, the health of our communities. This permanently endowed fund will provide grants to nonprofit organizations with initiatives that aim to protect, preserve, and enhance Lake Huron’s health through CFNEM and its Affiliate Foundation service areas. CFNEM seeded the fund with $25,000. Donations from individuals and businesses will help the Foundation to support projects like rain gardens, storm runoff management, wildlife management, and invasive species removal across the Lake Huron shoreline and watershed that support our lake’s vitality.
“Lake Huron is so much more than just a body of water. It provides drinking water for more than 3 million people, supports fisheries and water-based recreation, and is a key component of our regional economy,” says CFNEM Executive Director Patrick Heraghty. “The Lake Huron Fund was created so the Foundation and our community can build a permanent resource to ensure that we can preserve, protect, and enhance Lake Huron and its watershed, and do our part in northeast Michigan to sustain this precious natural resource.”
Heraghty added that the Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan has been proud to be part of the Lake Huron Forever initiative since it launched in 2019, having been part of the planning, promotion, and granting, and now through this endowed fund. The new Lake Huron Forever Fund will specifically support projects in Alcona, Alpena, Cheboygan, Crawford, Iosco, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Oscoda, and Presque Isle Counties – all of which fall within the Lake Huron watershed.
“We have been honored to play a role in protecting our shared waters of Lake Huron, and are encouraged by the number of communities, both in Michigan and Ontario, Canada, that have stepped up to take an active role in its protection,” says Heraghty.
Donations to the new Lake Huron Fund can be made at cfnem.org.
First Canadian Community Takes the Pledge, Joins Northern Michigan Communities
The town of Goderich, Ontario is the first Canadian community to take the Lake Huron Forever pledge, becoming a “Lake Huron Forever” community. This pledge allows Goderich to gain access to a large network of partners working to advance water quality protection. Goderich joins other Lake Huron Forever communities including Alpena, Au Gres, Bay City, and Oscoda Township – all situated along the Lake Huron shoreline. These pledges show the communities’ public support and commitment to sustaining the health of Lake Huron and all its surrounding natural resources. In addition, Alcona Community Schools is the first school district to become a Lake Huron Forever school, committing to internal practices and educational opportunities that promote a healthy Lake Huron.
About Lake Huron Forever
The Lake Huron Forever initiative was developed in 2019 by shoreline community foundations and conservation partners from the United States and Canada to advance water quality protection and healthy, sustainable communities on both sides of the lake. The Lake Huron Forever initiative aims to support community conversation and collaboration in the design and implementation of on-the-ground work to strengthen the health and well-being of residents, as well as natural resources.