Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation

Our team recently enjoyed a staff outing together at the Dennos Museum. We had a great time exploring the galleries and viewing many pieces from local artists, including from our own Donor Engagement Director, Mercedes Bowyer. Mercedes had a beautiful fiber art piece featured in the 2025 Northwest Michigan Regional Juried Exhibition. Congratulations, Mercedes! [Image description: GTRCF staff standing together around Mercedes' art piece hanging at the Dennos Museum.] #StaffOuting #StaffAffinity #LocalArt #ArtsAndCulture

Books from Birth, a program of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library Grand Traverse Region, is helping more kids start school ready to learn! 📚 Less than half of young children in our region begin Kindergarten prepared—but the Books from Birth initiative is changing that. With support from our Community Funds, the program is now reaching every baby born at Munson Medical Center with free books and literacy resources—expanding recently into Antrim County, too! Together, we're helping families build strong literacy foundations from day one. [Photo credit: Dolly Parton Imagination Library GT Region | Image description: A mother sits in a cozy chair, reading a children’s book to her baby, who gazes up at her.] #SupportingCommunity #CommunityFoundation #EarlyChildhood #Literacy #Philanthropy

Congratulations to Miss Kalkaska 2025, Sara Bissonette! Wishing you wish all the best during your court service and with your future educational endeavors! We're proud to support the Miss Kalkaska Scholarship Program, an opportunity we’ve helped fund since 2020. [Photo credit: Miss Kalkaska Scholarship Program | Image description: Sara in a yellow evening gown, holding a trophy and flowers, waving on the Miss Kalkaska pageant stage.] #SupportingStudents #Kalkaska #CommunityFoundation

We’ve awarded $36,886 to 21 organizations across our region that are leading the way in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion! These grants—made possible by our Diversity Equity Inclusion Fund and Endowment for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion—support local efforts led by or serving community members of color, including Black and Indigenous people, as well as LGBTQ+, immigrant, neurodiverse, veteran, and disability community members. Together, we’re building healthy, resilient, and thriving communities for all. [Photo credit: Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes | Image description: A group of tour participants stands on a wooden deck overlooking the scenic landscape of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Anishinaabe history guide, Eric Hemenway is in a light blue shirt addressing the group, gesturing as he speaks.] #BetterForAll #EquityInAction #CommunityGrants #DiversityEquityInclusion #CommunityFoundation

Our Northern Michigan communities are showing incredible strength and resilience as they recover from last weekend's devastating ice storm that left many of our neighbors without power, fuel, or water. To support those affected, please consider donating to the emergency needs funds activated by local community foundations, including Charlevoix County Community Foundation, COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR NORTHEAST MICHIGAN, Mackinac Island Community Foundation, Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation, and OTSEGO COMMUNITY FOUNDATION. These funds provide essential, quick grant support to nonprofit, governmental, and Tribal organizations for food and basic supplies, utility assistance, medical support, repairs, and more. Check out our blog post below for links to how you can help. Your support can make a difference! [Photo credit: Raychel Sanner via Unsplash | Image description: A large downed tree covered in ice from an ice storm among heavily frozen grass.] #NorthernMichiganStrong #CommunitySupport #DisasterRelief

🚨 New Grant Opportunity! We've launched Quick Response Grants—a new monthly funding opportunity designed to provide fast, flexible support to organizations in our region. Nonprofits, schools, government, and Tribal entities across Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau Counties and the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians can apply for up to $2,500 to meet smaller funding needs. With $60,000 available in 2025, we’re excited to help local organizations fill funding gaps and seize opportunities! [Photo credit: Kalkaska Area Interfaith Resources | Image description: KAIR volunteers standing together with food pantry shelves filled behind them with packaged goods.] #GrantOpportunity #CommunityImpact #Philanthropy #CommunityFoundation

We're excited to announce this year's Kalkaska Citizen and Business of the Year award winners! Congratulations to the 2025 Kalkaska Citizens of the Year: Dave and Sharon Stockford, former longtime educators in Kalkaska Public Schools, and the 2025 Kalkaska Businesses of the Year: Elmaple Farm, Iott Seed Farms, and Jenkins Potato Farm, three local potato farms that are collectively being recognized. Award winners were selected through a community nomination process and the Kalkaska Awards Committee. They will be honored at the 55th Annual Kalkaska Luncheon—sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and many local businesses—on Tuesday, April 22 from 11:30 am-1:00 pm at Railroad Square Pavilion in downtown Kalkaska. The Luncheon is currently sold out, with the full cost of event registrations supporting our Endowment for Kalkaska Area, a permanent fund dedicated to supporting the Kalkaska community. [Image description: The Elmaple Farm Family standing together in front of the Elmaple farm sign outside on a bright day with the farm and trees in the background.] #SupportingCommunity #CommunityFoundation #KalkaskaCounty

Congratulations to Joan Hughes, our Administrative Donor Support Services Associate, on 24 years with the Community Foundation! Joan, we always appreciate your sunny personality and boundless curiosity and passion for our work, your colleagues, and our region. [Image description: A head shot of Joan who has blondish-white short hair and is wearing a black turtle neck with a gray blazer over it.] #CelebratingStaff #WorkAnniversary #CommunityFoundation

“What do community foundations do?” It’s a question our Board Chair, Jerry Ring hears often—and one he answers beautifully in his recent Traverse City Record-Eagle op-ed. From smart charitable investing to convening partners around critical community issues, Jerry breaks down how GTRCF helps build a healthier, more resilient region—one thoughtful investment at a time. Check out his full op-ed to learn how your giving can create lasting impact! [Image description: Headshot of Jerry Ring who is wearing a blue sweater over a collared shirt and is standing in front of a wall of evergreens.] #PhilanthropyMatters #CommunityFoundation #NorthernMichigan #ImpactInvesting

Last week, we welcomed State Senator John Damoose for a Community Development Coalition Town Hall at West Shore Bank. Senator Damoose provided updates on recent state legislation and shared his thoughts on key challenges facing Michigan at both the state and federal levels. He also took questions from attendees, creating space for thoughtful dialogue on issues impacting our region. Thank you to everyone who joined us for this important conversation! [Image description: Senator Damoose with Community Development Coalition Advocacy Coordinator, Leah Bagdon McCallum seated at the front of a gathering space with two large TV screens above them.] #CommunityVoices #PolicyMatters #NorthernMichigan #CommunityDevelopment