Grand Traverse Band Announces Almost $750,000 In Local 2 Percent Funds

July 30, 2026

The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians announced the distribution of $744,633.78 of gaming revenue allocation to local units of government. The dollars have been allocated for 70 local applicants as part of the Tribe’s “2 percent allocation,” which takes place twice per year.

Under the terms of a consent decree settling Tribes v. Engler (Case no. 1:90-CV-611, U.S. District Court, Western District Michigan), the Grand Traverse Band allocates 2 percent of its video gaming revenue to local units of government, as defined in the stipulation, no later than 60 days after October 1st and March 31st of each year. This payment schedule was modified with the consent of the State of Michigan to July 31st and January 31st of each year because the fiscal year of the Grand Traverse Band’s gaming operation is calendar-based.

Since the 2 percent allocation began in 1994, the Grand Traverse Band has allocated $50,144,226.88 to local organizations.

For this 2% cycle, the Tribal Council voted to determine which organizations would receive allocations. Of the 70 applications received, totaling $2,139,267.08 in requests, the Tribal Council awarded 41 applicants a total of $744,633.78. The Grand Traverse Band will make its decision regarding the second-half 2026 Two Percent allocation in January 2027.

It is with great pleasure that the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians is able to provide all citizens of Northern Michigan with these services that are furnished solely by gaming revenues.

First half 2026 distribution:

Gov't to Gov't Agreement - Benzie County

Prisoner Housing Contract: $ 19,162.50

Gov't to Gov't Agreement - Charlevoix County

Prisoner Housing Contract: $ 12,775.00

Gov't to Gov't Agreement – Leelanau County

Prisoner Housing Contract: $ 44,712.50

Antrim County

Funding to purchase the Commission on Aging a 15-person van with a lift to continue and expand services for homebound seniors: $ 16,000.00

Benzie County Board of Commissioners

Funding to support Benzie Area Christian Neighbors in providing human service needs to children, seniors, working families, migrants and the homeless via food/ clothing pantry, education and financial assistance, and social support: $ 20,000.00

Benzie County Board of Commissioners

Funding to support Mid-Michigan Honor Flight in conducting 4 honor flights in 2026, where veterans who served in WWII and the Korean War fly to D.C. to see the war memorials” $27,569.12

Benzonia Township

Funding to purchase ballistic vests, helmets, first aid kits, mass casualty incident bags, patient extractor litters, triage and field kits which will allow the fire department to implement a Rescue Task Force Model for immediate emergency care: $ 3,000.00

Boyne City Public Schools

Funding to support the Boyne Area Title VI Educational Consortium in providing educational tutoring, tech for educational and cultural purposes, college readiness assistance along with transportation assistance for cultural field trips, museum trips, college tours and other local trips for Title VI nation students: $ 14,000.00

Charlevoix Township Sherriff’s Office/ Office of Emergency Management

Funding to continue the blight cleanup project in Charlevoix County including Beaver Island: $ 15,869.11

Charlevoix Township Fire Department

Funding to purchase 3 set of turnout gear, air bottles, and air packs: $ 10,000.00

Charlevoix Township

Funding to support the Charlevoix Community Pool in replacing 2,362 square feet of floor: $ 5,000.00

City of Frankfort Fire Department

Funding to purchase new replacement SCUBA breathing apparatus cylinders: $ 9,981.30

East Bay Charter Township

Funding to support Mnamaadizwin, Inc in providing year-round cultural programming and community healing workshops for the native and non-native community: $ 45,569.11

East Bay Charter Township

Funding to support the Elders Advisory Organization to create opportunities for elders to reconnect with cultural experiences and teaching along by going to the Indian National Finals Rodeo. Fund will also go toward supplies, and program materials: $ 43,009.00

East Bay Charter Township

Funding to purchase an oxygen cylinder lift assist device for East Bay Ambulance Service: $ 3,700.00

East Jordan Public Schools

Funding to support the Title VI program in providing tutors to provide academic tutoring, social-emotional support, and cultural programming to native American students in the school district: $ 10,000.00

Elk Rapids District Library

Funding to support Phase II renovations by purchasing kitchen equipment and the partnership with Northern Michigan Indigenous Youth Bridges Initiative: $ 28,750.00

Elk Rapids Public Schools

Funding to support the Schools Native Student program in providing educational assistance services to Native American students through tutors and cultural liaisons, along with financial assistance for school related educational costs: $ 58,000.00

Fife Lake Area Emergency Services Authority

Funding to purchase 6 AED units for public buildings and emergency response vehicles: $11,670.00

Grand Traverse Metro Fire & Emergency Services Authority

Funding to restock the Regional Mass Casualty Incident Trailer with lifesaving equipment to bring it back to operational status: $ 5,579.79