Program support was granted to the Macomb Science Olympiad’s 2023 season which includes two tournaments—one for elementary students and a second for middle and high schoolers.
Earlier this year, Four County Community Foundation’s Board of Trustees gave their approval to multiple grant requests in the first two funding cycles of 2023.
Those projects awarded funding to address food security include Bruce Township’s Simpson Park Camp mobile soup kitchen which plans to purchase a commercial refrigerator/freezer and Oxford’s Immanuel Congregational United Church of Christ’s food pantry and meal program, Neighbors Helping Neighbors.
Recreational opportunities will also be expanded thanks to foundation dollars. The village of Capac was granted dollars to develop a new pocket park and Oxford Township received funds to create the Helen Smith Park. Grant dollars were also given to the American Diabetes Association for scholarships and tuition subsidies for attendees of Camp Midicha and the Lions Visually Impaired Youth Camp received funding towards the construction of a climbing course. The Imlay City Youth Football program was granted dollars towards the purchase of new helmets.
Local youth will be able to explore the arts and sciences through various grant-funded initiatives including Macomb Science Olympiad’s 2023 tournament season, Memphis Community School’s STEM Learning Lab and Borland Elementary School’s Roald Dahl Family Book Club. Additionally, Imlay City High School’s fine arts program was awarded grant dollars to purchase choir robes and tap dance shoes; the Almont Robotics program was assisted in purchasing an equipment trailer and Capac Elementary School received funding to acquire art show supplies.
Agencies and organizations awarded first quarter funding include Susie Q’s Kids for the provision of Comfort Bags to the Child Advocacy Center of Lapeer County; All-Ways Care Services Inc. for supplies and storage equipment for their Community Closet and Trinity Community Care for medical and dental care program support. The Armada Lions Club utilized grant funding for building repairs.
Second quarter grant dollars were approved by the board in April.
Love INC of North Oakland County will use grant funds to redesign their website and social media presence so as to reach and assist more people. The Macomb Symphony Orchestra will be able to provide a free summer concert at Stony Creek Metropark with funding assistance from the foundation. The Starkweather Arts Center was awarded grant dollars to purchase class supplies for an Empty Bowls project that seeks to raise money to fight hunger.
Other grant recipients include Dryden Community Schools for their ‘One School One Book’ plans for March 2024 at the elementary school and the installation of a school zone warning system at the high school; Berlin Township who plans to purchase benches for their senior center and the Rotary Club of Romeo who plans to create a Storywalk in the Ray Township Park.
Support was also given to the city of Richmond for its annual chili cook off and to Symphonia Chorale for program support for the 2023 performance season.
The foundation’s Youth Advisory Committee granted funds to Almont, Capac, Imlay City and Oxford high school’s senior all-night events. They also approved a request from the Armada High School Hiking Club for the purchase of tents.
July 1 is the next deadline for applications. Applications and more information about the grant-seeking process can be found online at www.4ccf.org/grantees/.
The Foundation provides grants to eligible, IRS tax-exempt organizations, schools, and governmental agencies operating in the Four County Community Foundation service areas in Lapeer, St. Clair, Macomb and Oakland counties. Grants are made to support progressive ideas in education, health, and community, including youth and adult programs.
For more information about Four County Community Foundation, visit www.4ccf.org or call (810) 798-0909.