Last year, an Arts & Culture grant helped the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra to put on a meaningful and unforgettable program. The concert, featuring Stravinsky’s groundbreaking “Rite of Spring,” included a professional orchestra performance, coupled with a ballet performance. 

Grants are great, because they allow organizations to try new things, run special projects and programs, or access even larger pools of funding. But what if there were also other ways we could help strengthen and support nonprofits? We’ve been testing this idea for years -  to find meaningful ways to support nonprofit partners “beyond the grant check.”  

C3F Mini Grants are designed to fund projects that are small in scale, meet an unanticipated need or opportunity, help an organization with capacity building, or fall outside the timeline for our other responsive grant cycles.

Last spring, with support from a C3F Arts & Culture grant, Wagbo Farm & Education Center brought back monthly potlucks.

C3F President Sara Ward, along with team members Matt Greer, Ashley Cousens and Pam Decker, recently joined the ribbon cutting for the newest extension of the Don & Eileen Klein Nature Trail.

Recently, C3F staffers Ashley Cousens and Pam Decker attended the meet and greet event hosted by the East Jordan Area Chamber of Commerce and the Friends of the Jordan River Watershed to introduce the new Community Information Specialist.

Our Foundation is led by an all volunteer Board of Trustees who represent different geographic regions of Charlevoix County including Beaver Island, Boyne Falls, Boyne City, East Jordan and Charlevoix.

Last year, a C3F Mini Grant helped Boyne Eta Nu Charities to support Boyne City Public Schools by providing a winter outerwear shopping spree.

Happy 5 Year Workiversary, Matt!

This beautiful park received some major upgrades in 2025 with support from a C3F Geographic Enrichment grant.