Rotary Charities of Traverse City announced Tuesday it is awarding nearly $426,000 in grants to 10 northern Michigan nonprofits as part of its spring award cycle.

Rotary's Assets for Thriving Communities grant program "supports the development of community assets that are available to everyone, or projects that target a population that is underserved by the current system," according to an organizational release. Grant recipients this cycle include:

Civil Air Patrol, Traverse City Squadron: Aircraft Hangar & Classroom Project $50,000
Traverse City, MI
Civil Air Patrol, United States Air Force Auxiliary, Traverse City’s aerospace education program promotes aerospace, aviation and STEM-related careers with engaging, hands-on curriculum and activities for youth. The grant award will fund in-part the construction of a hangar to store the squadron’s aircraft and be a permanent meeting and classroom space for the cadets.

COGNiTiON: Operation Growth Spurt II, $50,000
Beulah, MI
COGNiTiON is an interactive science playground that delights visitors of all ages with science education and exploration. Grant funding will support Phase II of Operation Growth Spurt, which includes improvements necessary to utilize outdoor spaces for exhibits, as well as interactive exhibits designed for indoor and outdoor spaces.

Friends of the Garden Theater: Help the Garden Grow, $50,000
Frankfort, MI
The Garden Theater provides diverse entertainment, personal enrichment and a community gathering space to enhance lives and support a thriving downtown, dedicated to the social and cultural enrichment of Benzie County and beyond. Grant funds will support major renovations to preserve the building as a community asset.

Grow Benzie: Benzie Hive, $50,000
Benzonia, MI
Grow Benzie seeks to enrich our region by fostering positive activity to healthful foods, jobs, life skills and each other. The Benzie Hive is a network of 23 partner organizations consisting of nonprofits, community networks, cooperatives, and clubs in Benzie County. Grant funding will support this initiative to improve collaboration between Hive member organizations and connect residents to the services they need to thrive.

Habitat for Humanity Grand Traverse Region: Maple City Crossings Hope Builders Project, $50,000 Traverse City, MI
Habitat for Humanity Grand Traverse Region brings people together to build sustainable homes, communities, and hope. Grant funding will support the Maple City Crossings Hope Builders Project, which will make affordable home ownership a reality for 6 local families.

Newton’s Road: Career Investigator 2.0, $20,750
Traverse City, MI
Newton’s Road is a STEM learning connector for youth and their mentors with a vision that every child is prepared to thrive in our technology-centric global economy. Grant funds will support further development of their Career Investigator website, which helps to connect 8th-12th graders to STEM-related education, training, and careers in Northern Michigan.

Northport Arts Association: Clay Works Studio, $25,000
Northport, MI
Northport Arts Association strives to be a resource for artists and engages with the community to foster and promote artistic expression. Grant funds will support development of the Clay Works Studio, which will provide a place for artists of all ages and experiences to explore, educate and create works in clay.

The Rock of Kingsley Youth and Senior Center: Building Preservation & Expansion Project, $50,000 Kingsley, MI
The Rock of Kingsley is a robust community and youth center, filled with classes, programming, and community activities. Grant funds will support the preservation and expansion of their building, which will allow The Rock to meet community needs for programming and community space.

Traverse Area District Library: Bookmobile, $50,000
Traverse City, MI
The Traverse Area District Library provides dynamic resources and innovative services to stimulate intellectual curiosity, facilitate lifelong learning, promote literacy, and nurture personal enrichment.
Grant funds will support the purchase and outfitting of a mobile library, aka a Bookmobile, which will bring books and educational resources to underserved communities, schools, and long term care facilities throughout Northern Michigan.

Traverse City Dance Project: Moving Theater, $30,000
Traverse City, MI
The Traverse City Dance Project shares the art of professional dance in Northern Michigan and strives to nurture artists and enrich communities. Grant funds will support their Moving Theater, which will bring the excitement of live dance performances to communities throughout Northern Michigan.

On Wednesday at noon, Rotary Charities will host “Gratitude for Grantees”, a livestream event on Facebook where each of the grantees will have an opportunity to introduce their organization and their grant project. The event recording will be available live and after the fact online here.