1/14/2025
The Straits Area Community Foundation (SACF) recently approved its winter round of Youth Advisory Council (YAC) grants awarding a total of $3,718 to five nonprofit projects benefitting youth in Cheboygan County and Mackinaw City.
Chelsea’s Closet received $1,000 for their “Growing Pains” project which enables high school students who cannot afford to purchase clothing, shoes, and accessories for formal affairs such as Homecoming, Prom, the ability to rent/borrow these items. This grant money will be used to acquire these items in sizes that aren’t common, enabling all students the ability to attend.
Inland Lakes School received $500 for the “Elementary Art 3D Pens” project allowing them to purchase sets of 3D pens for elementary student to use in art class and help in their exploration of technology in the arts.
Mackinaw City Public Schools received $518 for their “Wiggle Wobble Chair Feet for Mackinaw City Schools Kindergarten/Preschool” project. This grant will provide special chair feet that allow for continuous movement for each kindergarten and preschool student, improving their attention and focus for the benefit their overall learning experience.
North Central Michigan College received $1,000 for their “Summer Learning Academy” project. This grant will provide ten $100 scholarships for Cheboygan County and Mackinaw City students, giving them the opportunity to attend a week of the Summer Learning Academy, explore higher education, and gain confidence as future Timberwolves on their journey toward academic success.
Northeast Michigan Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative received $700 for their “EcoCareers Expo” project. The EcoCareers Expo aims to inspire 8th grade students from northeast Michigan schools through an immersive career fair, showcasing diverse job opportunities in natural resources and equipping students with knowledge to envision a future in sustainable fields.
The Straits Area Youth Advisory Council is a youth philanthropy program of SACF. Young people involved in YAC learn the important role of philanthropy in their community, gain leadership skills, serve their communities, and award youth grants through the Straits Area Kellogg Youth Endowment Fund. Through this program, they are empowered to make a real difference for their peers.
The next opportunity for submitting grant applications is through the Straits Area YAC’s spring 2025 grant cycle. The application deadline is March 15, 2025. Applications are available at sacf.net.
The Straits Area Community Foundation serves Cheboygan County and Mackinaw City. SACF is an affiliate of the Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan (CFNEM), accredited by National Standards for U.S Community Foundations®. CFNEM serves as the administrative arm for its affiliate foundations. SACF is led by a volunteer board of local citizens committed to providing people who care about the future of the region and its communities with unique and effective ways of supporting their community now, and for generations to come. The foundation oversees a group of permanently endowed funds from a wide range of donors. Gifts of all sizes from individuals, families, businesses, and agencies are invested in a balanced, well-managed portfolio to build endowments, enabling support for local community nonprofits now and forever. To donate or learn more about how community foundations work, visit sacf.net or call 989-354-6881; toll-free: 877-354-6881.
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