The first grant awards from the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation's new Urgent Needs Fund have been awarded to Benzie Area Christian Neighbors ($5,000), Leelanau Christian Neighbors ($4,000), Love Thy Neighbor ($5,000), and Goodwill of NWMI ($15,000).
 
“The initial priority of grants from the Urgent Needs Fund is to support organizations that are providing for the basic needs of individuals and families,” says David Mengebier, Community Foundation president and CEO.
 
To date, more than $175,000 has been committed to the Fund. 

A steering committee of representatives from the Community Foundation, Oleson Foundation, Rotary Charities, United Way of NWMI, and the Herrington-Fitch Family Foundation is meeting weekly to review funding requests. Local nonprofit, educational, and governmental organizations are encouraged to apply for funding at www.gtrcf.org/give/urgentneeds.

The Urgent Needs Fund was seeded with initial contributions from the Community Foundation, Rotary Charities of Traverse City, Oleson Foundation, the United Way of Northwest Michigan, DTE Foundation, Herrington-Fitch Family Foundation, and the Huckle Family Foundation. Those interested in contributing can give here.