The grant application period was September 1 - October 20, 2023.

Apply for a 2023 Field of Interest Grant

The Field of Interest grant program is a bi-annual grant opportunity made possible by the Keweenaw Community Foundation’s Field of Interest Funds. Each Field of Interest fund is designed to support a particular cause, population, or geographic area, reflecting the passions and interests of the donor(s) who created the fund. 

What Grants are Available?

  • David Wiitanen & Slim McLean Memorial Youth Hockey Fund: awards to organizations that support youth hockey programs throughout Houghton and Keweenaw Counties. ($2,600 available)

  • Environmental Fund: supports programs, projects, and activities related to a broad range of environmental topics including public health, community development, environmental stewardship education, public policy, planning, water, wildlife, and outdoor recreation. ($2,000 available)

  • Joe Freed Empowerment Fund: supports efforts to empower individuals with mental and/or intellectual or developmental disabilities in the Copper Country region to be a valued, thriving part of our community. Employment, ride-sharing, engaging in community activities, expanding social networks, and reducing stigma and misconceptions through public awareness are a few examples to empower these individuals. Priority will be given to projects with community-wide impact. ($10,000 available)

  • Funding Youth Initiatives: supports youth programs throughout Houghton and Keweenaw Counties. ($4,000 available)

  • Houghton County Historical Preservation Fund: supports local historical preservation and education projects or activities related to Houghton County, Michigan. ($1,200 available)

  • Keweenaw Cross Country Skiing Fund: supports skiing programs throughout Houghton and Keweenaw Counties. ($2,200 available)

  • Portage Lake Youth Fund: supports programs and activities that serve the youth of the Portage Lake Area of Chassell, Dollar Bay, Hancock, Houghton, and South Range. ($2,500 available)

  • Kellogg Youth Endowment Fund: supports new or existing programs that directly benefit youth in Houghton and Keweenaw Counties. ($15,000 available)

  • Copper Shores Community Health Foundation - Community Wellness and Outdoor Recreation Fund: supports programs and projects that influence or support individual physical activity and healthy nutrition; supports the expansion, creation, or sustainment of outdoor recreational resources in Baraga, Houghton, Keweenaw and Ontonagon counties; and supports greater access and choice for the community to utilize these resources as part of their individual and collective health pursuits and enjoyment.

    For 2023, the fund seeks applications that support and enhance access to outdoor recreational resources which encourage and support individual physical activity and equitable inclusion in such activities for people that may have a physical/cognitive barrier (in one form or another) that otherwise would restrict or impair their access to such resources.

    This year’s funding is prioritized to projects that incorporate and/or improve the use of universal design upon existing recreational resources and/or create new universally accessible points of access to recreational resources for all our region's citizens and visitors. Project examples may include ADA enhancements to existing facilities; barrier-free access points to recreation assets, or other inclusions that help mobilize established recreation plans with consideration of people of all capabilities. ($29,500 available)

Who is Eligible to Apply?

  • Grants are made to the following organizations:

    • Tax-exempt 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations

    • Educational institutions

    • Governmental institutions

    • Religious institutions

  • Grants cannot be made to individuals

  • Grants must be used for charitable purposes

  • Grants must be to support programs/projects in Keweenaw and Houghton Counties unless stated otherwise

  • Grants must comply with the KCF Non-discrimination Policy

  • Grants may not be used for a political campaign or to support attempts to influence any governmental body

Important Dates

  • September 1, 2023: Applications will open online

  • October 20, 2023, at 11:30 pm ET: Deadline to complete the online application

  • Mid-November: Grant awards announced and recipients notified

Application Instructions:

  • Submission: complete the online application 

  • Selecting a Fund: please indicate which Field of Interest fund you are applying to. You may apply for any portion of the available grant amount listed. You do not have to request the full amount. If multiple funds fit the scope of your proposal, you may select more than one fund to apply to. Please see the fund description for more details.

  • A grant budget template is available here, or use your own.

  • Deadline: October 20, 2023, at 11:30 pm ET 

  • You will be asked to submit a copy of your IRS Determination Letter for 501(c)(3) if you are a tax-exempt nonprofit organization

For questions or assistance please contact Sara Fletcher, Program Manager at (906) 482-9673 or email kcf.office@keweenawgives.org.

Application Review Process:

  • KCF Staff screens all submissions for completeness and eligibility and prepares all necessary documents for review by the Advisory Committees.

  • The grant applications are reviewed by volunteer Advisory Committees (made up of community members) or the KCF Granting Committee.

  • The Advisory Committees make grant recommendations to the KCF Board of Advisors who shall review and make the final determination

  • In November, the applicants are notified via email of award or decline.

What is required if you are awarded a grant?

  • Signed Acceptance of Grant Agreement

  • It is the policy of the Foundation to pay a grant when the money is actually needed by the recipient organization. When this time comes, please indicate in writing, the grant # on the letter, the amount you wish paid, and the date the check is needed. Please supply evidence and maintain adequate documentation of compliance with the request.

  • Project Report:

    • In order for the Foundation to maintain an ongoing flow of funding, grants obligated or encumbered must be distributed within twelve (12) months from the date of award, otherwise, the grant will be rescinded.

    • A report, with your grant # on it, is required within 30 days of disbursement of funds. Please contact us if you need an extension.

  • Photos: Please include a few photos of your project when you submit the report, to be included in the publicity of our granting program. We would prefer pictures with people, but be sure to have consent to share.

Attention all 501(c)(3) and other non-profit status organizations: To be placed on the Keweenaw Community Foundation’s request for proposals list, please email your contact information to mail@keweenawgives.org or fill out the form and choose to be added to the mailing list on our Contact Us page.  You will be notified when grants become available.