The Charlevoix County Community Foundation (C3F) administers the Environment & Land Use Grant Cycle to support initiatives focused on environmental education, protection, restoration, and sustainability in Charlevoix County and the Lake Charlevoix Watershed. The foundation, committed to enhancing the quality of life in the county, provides funding to eligible organizations that contribute to these environmental efforts. Funding may be awarded directly by the Community Foundation or through donor-advised contributions.

Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organizations, governmental units, and educational institutions (preschool through college). Organizations must serve Charlevoix County residents and be in good standing with the IRS. Additionally, all applicants must be current with any required follow-ups from previous C3F grant awards. Organizations that engage in discriminatory hiring or service provision are not eligible.

The application cycle opens annually in early January, with applications due by March 1 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. The application is accessible via the foundation’s website. Funding requests are not subject to a predetermined cap, allowing applicants to determine the size of their request based on their project needs. Proposals are evaluated based on their alignment with environmental goals, inclusion in relevant community planning documents, organizational capacity, impact on the community, and overall project feasibility. Grants are typically not awarded for annual fundraising campaigns, political activities, deficit spending, sectarian projects, or services normally supported by tax dollars.

All grants require a cash contribution from the applicant organization, though the amount varies based on the project’s scope. The foundation prioritizes applications that demonstrate collaboration, address emerging needs, encourage self-sufficiency, focus on preventative solutions, and avoid duplication of existing services. Applications are reviewed by the Environment & Land Use Advisory Committee, which makes recommendations to the C3F Board of Trustees. Final funding decisions are announced in early April.

To apply, organizations must first contact Ashley Cousens to discuss eligibility. If deemed a good fit, applicants receive an access code for the online grant portal. The application process allows multiple collaborators, and submissions receive immediate email confirmation. After submission, donor advisors may be encouraged to support projects.

Successful applicants are notified via phone and email. Grant checks are typically mailed within two weeks of approval. Grant recipients are expected to provide a follow-up report within one year or upon project completion. This follow-up may include a written report, a site visit, or a virtual meeting, with photos encouraged. More details on follow-up requirements are provided upon award notification.