We create and provide grants to Bay and Arenac counties
Bay Area Community Foundation offers several opportunities for grant funding for your registered 501(c)(3) organization or government entity in Bay and Arenac counties.
Quick links
Process
- How to start the application process
Available grants
Learn More About Our Grant Programs
Community Partnership Grants
Twice a year, Bay Area Community Foundation awards grants to organizations in Bay County and those benefitting the Saginaw Bay Watershed through an online application process.
Community Partnership Grants provide funding for projects related to arts and culture, education and youth, environment, health and wellness, human services, recreation, and community initiatives. Let’s talk about what you have in mind.
Arenac County Community Partnership Grants
Twice a year, the Arenac Community Funds Committee awards grants to organizations in Arenac County through an online application process. All 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations, schools, and government entities that serve residents of Arenac County are eligible to apply.
The Arenac Community Funds Committee provides a wide variety of funding for programs/projects related to animal welfare, arts and culture, education, youth, environment, health and wellness, human services, recreation, and community initiatives.
Healthy Living Fund
The Healthy Living Fund supports recreation and healthy experiences that allow residents and visitors of all ages to come together and enjoy a sense of community. Acceptable projects include those that construct, maintain or repair community assets that promote a healthy lifestyle. This fund is not intended to support organized sports teams or sponsor their activities.
The funded projects will:
- Be submitted by a government entity, school or registered 501(c)(3) organization in Bay or Arenac counties
- Provide an experience that promotes a healthier lifestyle
- Provide a place where people can meet and gather
- Provide for ongoing maintenance
- Be compromised for more than one funding source
Education Mini Grants
Education Mini Grants are available to Bay and Arenac County K-12 educators who are interested in doing something innovative in their classrooms. Ten grants are awarded each year in amounts of up to $300 and are available until all ten are awarded. K-12 educators are eligible to receive this grant every other year.
Hemlock Semiconductor CARE Grant
Hemlock Semiconductor Community and Regional Empowerment (CARE) Grant aligns with HSC’s Mission to improve vitality and quality of life in communities where their employees work and reside.
- Grants to organizations with a 501(c)(3) designation, schools or units of government
- Grant amounts are up to $10,000 for local (one of Midland/Bay/Saginaw) or $30,000 for regional projects/programs
- Grants are for one year only
- Organizations may only submit requests for the same project two consecutive years
- Grants are to be used to support projects/programs – NOT operational costs
- Organizations should apply through the community foundation where their organization is headquartered (Bay/Midland/Saginaw)
Annual application deadlines: January 31, May 31, and September 30
Click here to complete an HSC Grant Report.
Leslie L. Squires Foundation Grants
Funding is available for projects that specifically benefit children or adults with cognitive or physical disabilities in Bay County. Grant applications open each year on the second Monday in January and the second Monday in July. Deadlines for each grant cycle are the second Monday in March and the second Monday in September respectively. Schools and government entities are not eligible for this opportunity.
Program Officer Joni King would be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding the grant programs above and the application process. Give her a call at 989.893.4438 or send her an email to discuss your project.
Neighborhood Grants
The Neighborhood Grants program goal is to support initiatives that strengthen Bay County neighborhoods. This program is intended to foster inclusion, and to build a sense of community within our neighborhoods. This pilot program will fund community-led solutions that accomplish these goals. The maximum allowable grant request is $1,250. (Total project budget may exceed $1,250.)
Our overview document can provide you with more information about this program: Neighborhood Grant Program Overview.
Dow CommunityGives Youth Service Program
Thanks to funding from Dow, we can offer $1,000 grants to youth groups in Bay and Arenac counties. Eligible groups are ages K-12, that are associated with a school, government entity, or 501(c)(3) organization. Your group must have a minimum of 10 youth volunteers. Please note that adult mentor hours DO NOT count toward the 50-hour minimum. To earn the grant, the group leader must fill out a short application and, if approved, lead the group in a volunteer activity in the community.
Program Officer Erin Kreutzberg would be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding Neighborhood Grants or the Dow Community Gives Youth Service program, and the application process. Give her a call at 989.893.4438 or send her an email to discuss your project.
How to Start the Application Process:
- Contact one of our program officers at 989-893-4438 to discuss your project or idea.
- If your project is a good fit, we will discuss next steps. Some grants require differing amounts of information and follow-up, so we’ll be specific
- Fill out your application online, send it in email or drop it off at BACF no later than 11:59 PM on the day of the deadline.
- We will notify you once a determination has been made.
Yes, it’s that easy!
Designated and Agency Fund
Helping Organizations to Plan for the Long-term
Bay Area Community Foundation helps nonprofits plan for the long-term by creating and maintaining endowed funds. By setting up a fund, you’re able to build reliable resources each year and ensure stability for many years to come.
Two types of funds
Designated Funds: Set up by an individual or an organization to benefit a single nonprofit or agency. Anyone can donate to this fund.
Agency Funds: Set up by an organization or agency, and only that organization can donate to the fund.
Why start a fund for your agency or nonprofit?
Nonprofit funds are endowed, which means they will last forever. Your organization only needs $5,000 to get started, and the resources build from there. Some of the great reasons to start a nonprofit fund with Bay Area Community Foundation include:
- Build long-term sustainability for your organization
- Request a portion of your fund each year to use for operations or special projects
- Have a reliable source of income each year
- Participate in BACF’s Give Local Bayevent each year to grow your fund through online donations, incentive money, and prizes
Why give to a designated fund?
Your gift today to a nonprofit fund ensures that many generations in the future will be able to benefit from your favorite nonprofit. Because the funds are endowed, they will always continue to earn interest and last forever. If your favorite nonprofit doesn’t already have a fund, you can help set it up. Funds can be created by both organizations and individuals. We’d love to tell you more. Call us at 989-893-4438.
Give Local Bay supports nonprofits
Since its inception in 2015, Give Local Bay has raised more than $377,000 for local nonprofit funds. This 24-hour online fundraiser gains momentum each year. All organizations that have a nonprofit fund at BACF are eligible to participate.