$658,824 Awarded in 1st Grant Cycle
$658,824 Awarded in 1st Grant Cycle at Bay Area Community Foundation This year, Bay Area Community Foundation received record amounts of dollars requested during the first cycle of granting season. In response, we awarded more than $650k in grant funding. It is thanks to you, our generous donors, that we are able to provide this support […]
Here for Our Nonprofits: COVID-19 Response
Dear Nonprofit Partners, From closed offices and cancelled fundraising events to adapting programming for the digital landscape, we know that our local nonprofits are feeling the effects of COVID-19 in varying ways, both big and small. Perhaps operations have already shifted, or perhaps you’re only starting to experience the longer-term implications. Here at the Community […]
Bay County ARPA Nonprofit Grant Program
The Bay Area Community Foundation (BACF) is partnering with the County of Bay to provide critical funding to nonprofits negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), up to $750,000 will be available for Bay County, Michigan 501(c)3 and 501(c)19 nonprofits through BACF. Organizations interested in applying are encouraged to […]
Give Local Bay is Tuesday, May 3: Here’s How You Can Help
What is Give Local Bay? As life returns to normal post-pandemic, there are many reasons to celebrate…and Give Local Bay is one of those reasons. Join us on Tuesday, May 3, as Bay Area Community Foundation hosts a 24-hour online giving day at www.givelocalbay.org to raise funds for nonprofits in Bay and Arenac counties who […]
Being BOLD: Richmond Brothers
Imagine working sunup to sundown as a farmer. You’re exhausted from harvesting season, but then on top of your own crop for your business, you’re growing an additional five acres of food to donate to those in need. This is the life of Mike and Ken Richmond and their families. Primarily soy bean and sugar […]
A New Way to Give
Being a part of the Women’s Philanthropy Circle or the Men’s Philanthropy Group is an incredible way to get involved in giving back for someone who is “community-minded and wants to go about giving in a slightly different way,” says Lee Miller, financial advisor. Barb Engelhardt, an insurance agent/owner, adds that the Women’s Circle is […]
Heart Rate Monitors Have Kids on a Healthy Track!
The idea of running around a gym or playing basketball may not be appealing for all. Such was the case for some children at Standish-Sterling Central Elementary—that is until they started using heart rate monitors. The Arenac County Healthy Youth/Healthy Seniors Fund awarded $1,000 for a classroom set of heart rate monitors and tracking software. […]
Assessing Health in Arenac County
Arenac County is a beautiful place with many recreational opportunities. It also faces many health challenges. “There are resources available, but they need to be used,” says Bobbe Burke, member of the Arenac Community Funds Committee and Arenac County Board of Commissioners. She has noticed that obesity, poverty, and smoking are some of the bigger […]
Adaptive Play Climbing Wall as a Therapy Approach
The new climbing wall at Mid-Michigan Children’s Museum allows Bay County children with disabilities to work with their therapists in a safe and fun environment. For children, a trip to the museum is playtime. For their occupational, physical, and speech language pathologists, that playtime means so much more. With play-based therapy, “the children don’t realize […]
Bringing Sight to Vision Issues in Children
Nearly 10% of all preschool age children in Michigan have an undiagnosed vision disorder that, if left untreated, will affect their ability to learn and develop normally. Identified early enough, vision abnormalities can be treated, but if they go undetected, a child’s vision can deteriorate and vision loss can be irreversible. Last year, the Youth […]