ALPENA– The Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan (CFNEM) awarded a new round of Northeast Michigan Women’s Giving Circle (WGC) grants covering a four-county area that includes Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency, and Presque Isle Counties. The 28 new grants total $56,000 – the largest amount since the first WGC grants were made in 2007. These grants are reviewed and recommended annually by a committee of ten WGC members who serve two-year terms. WGC grants are awarded for issues important to the women of northeast Michigan from the WGC Endowment Fund.

2025 WGC grants include:

Alcona Community Schools – $1,000 for an update to the girls’ locker room.

All County Search and Rescue – $1,800 to purchase a three-year subscription for a Starlink Communication connection.

Alpena First United Methodist – $1,000 to purchase paper goods and personal care products for the Hearts to Home distribution program.

Alpena Gymnastics, Inc. – $800 to help fund opportunities for summer gymnastics classes for girls at the Boys and Girls Club.

Alpena Senior Citizens Center – $2,500 to purchase supplies for the Meals on Wheels program.

Bearded Ladies Foundation – $1,800 for expenses to send the Alpena women’s powerlifting team to the World Powerlifting Congress’s Championship in Durban, South Africa.

Boys and Girls Club of Alpena – $2,000 to support the staffing and implementation of the S.M.A.R.T Girls for Brighter Futures program.

Chelsea’s Closet – $1,000 to purchase formalwear and accessories, garment bags, vertical and horizontal wall and floor racks, chairs, small tables, clocks, curtains and rods for fitting rooms.

Friends of Plaza Pool – $2,500 to purchase a Wibit Kidsrun, a modular inflatable system for children ages 2-6 and for developmentally disabled individuals that will be anchored in the shallow end of the Alpena Plaza Pool.

Friends Together – $5,000 to purchase cosmetic kits for the “Look Good, Feel Better” program to help those impacted by cancer.

Harrisville Arts Council – $1,000 to pay for a mural artist and to kickstart an Alcona mural program in celebration of its 50th Anniversary.

Harrisville United Methodist Church – $3,500 for trucking and expenses from the Northeastern Michigan Food Bank to distribute food to families in Alcona County.

Hillman Community Schools – $1,500 to purchase art supplies and storage for the Science of Art and STEM curriculum.

Hope Shores Alliance – $1,500 to purchase window treatments needed at their new building.

Hospice of Michigan, Inc. – $2,500 for expenses to provide resources to help adults and children going through bereavement and grief.

Hubbard Lake Baptist/Bible Church – $3,000 to purchase food from Food Bank of Eastern Michigan for distribution to families in need.

Huron Humane Society – $3,500 to provide housing and care for dogs and cats whose owners are entering safe houses or transitional housing.

Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium – $3,000 to support staffing, travel expenses and marketing of the “She Builds: Women in Skilled Trades Exploration and Mentorship Series” program.

Northeast Michigan Center for Fine Arts, Inc. (Art in the Loft) – $2,000 to support staffing, travel expenses and supplies for the Recognize Everyone’s Abilities and Creative Hearts (REACH) program.

Northeast Michigan Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative – $2,000 to provide staffing, equipment, event food, and supplies for the EcoCareers Expo project.

Rayola Inc. – $1,000 to purchase supplies for Comfort Care Packages for children entering foster care.

Resurrection Lutheran Church of Alpena – $2,000 to purchase food for the Feeding Kids Ministry.

The Stone House Studio – $2,000 to support artist compensation, travel, and residency expenses for the “Creative Pathways: Empowering Women Entrepreneurs through the Arts” program, and to purchase equipment and provide services for the Wellness through Creativity and Movement program.

The Sunset Project – $3,000 for expenses of the “Ending the Silence” program in health classes at Alpena High School, ACES Academy, and Alcona High School.

Thunder Bay Theatre – $2,600 to purchase updated sound equipment for Thunder Bay Theatre.

United Way of Northeast Michigan – $2,500 to support staffing and travel for “Annie’s Project: Education for Farm Women” program, and to purchase hygiene/household supplies for the Presque Isle Project Connect.

The next opportunity for submitting grant applications is through the Northeast Michigan Youth Advisory Council for youth programs in Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency, and/or Presque Isle County. Apply online through the Community Foundation Grant Portal at cfnem.org. Applications are due by October 15, 2025.