Rotary Charities Grants $400,000 to 10 Northern Michigan Initiatives

Rotary Charities of Traverse City announced the recipients of its Fall 2025 grant awards. A total of $400,000 has been awarded to ten nonprofit organizations and public partners working to strengthen systems and expand access to community assets across Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau counties.

Each of the grants were awarded through the Assets for Thriving Communities program, which supports initiatives that develop, strengthen, or build community assets that increase access, opportunity, or belonging.
Learn more about this and other grant opportunities at www.RotaryCharities.org/Funding 

Grant recipients include:

Housing Trust of Benzie
Cottages at Corning — $50,000 Assets for Thriving Communities grant
This grant supports the completion of four single-family homes in the Cottages at Corning development, which will be sold to working Benzie County families at a subsidized cost. Funding will cover finishing elements such as paved driveways and sidewalks, landscaping, a pavilion, and privacy fencing to enhance livability and long-term value.

Elberta Labor Heritage Center
Elberta Heritage Center — $12,000 Assets for Thriving Communities grant
Funding will support the establishment of a permanent home for the Elberta Heritage Center and
WUWU Community Radio, preserving the village’s history, amplifying local voices, and reinvigorate
public space on Main Street.

Elk Rapids District Library
“A Library for Everybody” Capital Campaign — $41,500 Assets for Thriving Communities grant
This grant supports the renovation and expansion of the Elk Rapids District Library to create a fully
accessible, modern facility that doubles community space, enhances literacy and learning, and
strengthens civic engagement.

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Kitchen Upgrade — $40,000 Assets for Thriving Communities grant
Funding will support upgrades to the organization’s heat-and-serve kitchen, expanding its ability to
serve meals and host programming for veterans while creating a safe, welcoming space for connection
and support.

Leelanau Conservancy
Sugar Loaf Scenic Area — $25,000 Assets for Thriving Communities grant
This grant supports the permanent protection and restoration of the Sugar Loaf Scenic Area, reducing erosion, supporting native species, and improving watershed health while ensuring public access for visitors of all abilities.

Conservation Resource Alliance
Mitchell Creek Meadows Demonstration Site — $40,000 Assets for Thriving Communities grant
Funding will support the completion of a comprehensive stream restoration effort and the creation of a demonstration site to inspire watershed restoration efforts across the region in partnership with local governments, conservancies, and the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.

Grow Benzie
Force Multipliers Network — $50,000 Systems Change Accelerator grant
This grant supports a one-year backbone strengthening initiative building on Grow Benzie’s Systems
Change Accelerator work. Funding will support facilitated convenings, professional communications,
enhanced administrative systems, and business planning to scale shared services county-wide.

Friends of the Fife Lake Public Library
The Next Chapter: Building a Thriving Hub for All — $41,500 Assets for Thriving Communities grant
This grant supports the expansion of the Fife Lake Public Library to create a fully accessible, multi-use community hub for rural residents. Funding will enhance technology access, expand programming, and provide flexible spaces for connection and learning.

Norte Youth Cycling
Norte Bicycle Pump Track — $50,000 Assets for Thriving Communities grant
Funding will support the construction of a 19,000-square-foot bicycle pump track at the Grand Traverse County Civic Center, creating a free and inclusive community space where riders of all ages and abilities can build skills, confidence, and connection.

Northwest Michigan Arts & Culture Network
Arts & Culture Summit Development — $50,000 Assets for Thriving Communities grant
This grant supports the continued development of the regional Arts & Culture Summit for 2026 and
2027, building on the success of the 2025 pilot. Funding will strengthen partnerships, staffing, and
infrastructure to establish the Summit as a sustainable, inspiring community gathering.