Community Grant Giveaway
Is there a nonprofit organization in your area that is truly making a positive impact in the community? Would the group's efforts benefit from additional financial support? In a matter of minutes, your input could help the group become the next recipient of a $10,000 grant.
Great Lakes Energy has teamed up with CoBank, one of its lenders, to create a positive impact in your community by awarding three $10,000 grants to local nonprofit organizations.
Through this annual program, GLE members are asked to submit the names of 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations to be considered in their region. Once the nomination period is over, submissions are reviewed, vetted, and approved by GLE. Members are then asked to submit their vote, which helps determine the recipient of the North, Central, and South region grants.
Additional program information can be found on the Community Grant Giveaway Rules and Guidelines page.
Online Nominations
May 5 – 23, 2025
Nonprofits Selected
May 24 – June 8, 2025
Grants Awarded
2025 Community Grant Giveaway Recipients
North Region
Raven Hill Discovery Center
“The center staff is always willing to help youth and adults develop an appreciation and knowledge of nature in northern Michigan, as well as other local science and history topics.”
Central Region
Hersey's House of Hope
“HHH is a faith-based transition home for women. Women in crisis are not always taken seriously. Women who are homeless need someone dedicated to providing a stable, Christian-based home to assist learning, growing, and preparing them to return to society on a productive level. Women need a second chance. HHH has extremely passionate volunteers dedicated to its mission. A grant would help tremendously in 2025.”
South Region
Benny's House
“Benny’s House in White Cloud is a cornerstone of support for families across Newaygo County. As a community food pantry, it works tirelessly to fight food insecurity, providing essential groceries and meals to hundreds of individuals each month. In partnership with the Feeding America food truck, Benny’s House extends its impact even further, bringing fresh, nutritious food directly to those in need. In a rural region where resources are limited, this compassionate outreach is truly life-changing. A $10,000 award would help Benny’s House continue to feed hope, dignity, and strength into the heart of the community.”
2025 Community Grant Giveaway Finalists
North Region
“For 60 years, Bergman Center has been providing job training, education, a social/community environment, and individual and family support for adults with disabilities in the northern counties. This year’s ice storm caused major water damage to the electric, plumbing, contents, and building at the center’s long-time Martin Road location in Charlevoix. The damage has forced the center to relocate to the Bergmann resale store site on M-66, while awaiting insurance and extensive restoration of the primary location. Any grant would be a valuable contribution to support this worthwhile community programming in Northern Michigan.”
“This organization does an amazing job for Northern Michigan veterans with a wide variety of events such as weekly free dinners, free outdoor trips, and many more, all designed to assist veterans who feel disconnected, lost and isolated due to PTSD, etc., and prevent veteran suicide.” |
“Challenge Mountain helps meet two important community needs. The organization provides people living with disabilities with an opportunity to experience recreational activities normally not available to them, and it provides a resale store that meets the needs of people with lower incomes.”
“Giving Tree Food Pantry provides weekly food distribution in Otsego County. Located in Johannesburg, approximately 100-120 families receive food assistance on Friday afternoon. This nonprofit is operated by volunteers who are making a difference in their community. A grant would further provide quality meals to families and senior citizens and may also help secure fresh fruits and vegetables from local sources.”
“River House is a non-profit agency that serves victims of domestic and sexual abuse in Crawford, Oscoda, Roscommon, and Ogemaw counties, providing safety and services through crisis counseling, emergency shelter, group counseling and support, as well as legal advocacy and community education, empowering women to transition from victim to survivor.”
“The work that is done at Free Rein is amazing. They are helping people work through mental and emotional barriers, as well as normalizing talking about mental health. Not only are clients seen 1:1 on the farm, but Free Rein participates in various community events such as working with children with disabilities and visiting local schools following state testing. Kristin is a kind a soul who is continuously working to help improve mental health in our community.”
“The center staff is always willing to help youth and adults develop an appreciation and knowledge of nature in northern Michigan, as well as other local science and history topics.”
“Single MOMM is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Traverse City, dedicated to supporting, equipping, and empowering single moms across Grand Traverse, Benzie, Leelanau, Antrim, Kalkaska, Wexford, Missaukee, Allegan, and Ottawa counties. Through focused mentorship, personal development courses, community connection, and holistic support, they help moms overcome the challenges of single parenthood. Single MOMM programs, such as Mentorship360 and reVIVE + INpowered, foster resilience and personal growth, guiding moms toward stability, self-sufficiency, and a thriving future as they learn to lead their families well.”
Central Region
“Eagle Village is an established nonprofit that has provided extensive services to families and children throughout the state for more than 50 years. Two years ago, the organization took on a failing nonprofit to allow for continued provision of essential services to victims of child abuse, and neglect and their families. The child advocacy center has grown since Eagle Village assumed oversight and continues to provide interviews, advocacy, and support to hundreds of families in Lake, Newaygo, Osceola and Mecosta counties. This essential service not only supports children and families by providing a neutral and safe venue for children to share their stories and experiences, but also increases coordination between local helping organizations. Eagle Village began this endeavor without a commitment of ongoing funding, and has internally raised funds to grow and sustain this program to date. However, fundraising and local supports are necessary to maintain programming and every resource helps to sustain this necessary and critical program.”
“The center provides many important services for senior citizens in the county. Not only does the center provide a place for seniors in the county to socialize with other seniors, but it also provides meals for seniors in multiple ways. The center also provides transportation to doctor’s appointments and helps them with their yard work.”
“HHH is a faith-based transition home for women. Women in crisis are not always taken seriously. Women who are homeless need someone dedicated to providing a stable, Christian-based home to assist learning, growing, and preparing them to return to society on a productive level. Women need a second chance. HHH has extremely passionate volunteers dedicated to its mission. A grant would help tremendously in 2025.”
“One hundred percent of the money raised for the WillStrong Foundation goes back to the community in the form of helping individuals and families who are fighting cancer.”
“This program provides backpacks full of food for pre-K through 12th-grade students at Mason County Central and Mason County Eastern schools, feeding 184 students each weekend during the school year.”
“This small home provides great end-of-life care at a donation-based cost for all guests and families. When someone is on hospice and facing the end of life, they can come to The Comfort Home and receive great care and support while walking that end-of-life journey. The private and quiet home setting provides a comfortable environment for patients and their families. Grants and donations help sustain the organization’s mission to make sure no one dies alone.”
“The TEEM Center is the first facility of its kind in Idlewild to serve local underprivileged youth. To help overcome longstanding barriers, the TEEM Center offers mentoring, parenting, leadership training, life skills, financial literacy, health and wellness, civics, Black history, introduction to the trades, movie nights, and music and arts. A 20-passenger bus is on site to transport youth and seniors to and from events. The all-volunteer staff is currently collaborating with the Baldwin Community School District in a pilot program to address student issues such as social, mental, and educational needs. In addition, another partnership is in the developmental stage with Michigan Works, focusing on a mentorship referral program.”
“This organization helps people of all ages who have special needs to feel included in normal society by having events and activities geared especially for them. They also have touch therapy and educational displays so people can learn about the farm life from the 1800s.”
South Region
“Angels of Action provides free community programs to children in Osceola and Mecosta counties to assist food insecure children. They do such wonderful work for the communities they serve.”
“This historic theatre in downtown White Cloud hosts children’s workshops, drama camps, and five plays each year. The all-volunteer organization is currently raising money for a new roof and furnace to help ensure it can provide another 60 years of community events, support theatre arts in downtown White Cloud.”
“Benny’s House in White Cloud is a cornerstone of support for families across Newaygo County. As a community food pantry, it works tirelessly to fight food insecurity, providing essential groceries and meals to hundreds of individuals each month. In partnership with the Feeding America food truck, Benny’s House extends its impact even further, bringing fresh, nutritious food directly to those in need. In a rural region where resources are limited, this compassionate outreach is truly life-changing. A $10,000 award would help Benny’s House continue to feed hope, dignity, and strength into the heart of the community.”
“The food pantry has grown from serving about 120 families to now serving 240-320 families twice a month. A walk-in freezer and walk-in refrigerator were added last year, which have helped with the additional food needed. The organization is fundraising right now to expand the size of the pantry to help store the additional food needed for the growing food insecurity in the area. This grant would help to make the expansion a reality.”
“This program honors WWII, Korea, and Vietnam veterans with the dignity and respect they deserve for their sacrifices for our country, with a free trip to Washington, DC to visit the memorials that honor their service. The group uses the funding to ensure each veteran has the opportunity for their trip while they are still healthy enough to travel. These trips are at no cost to the veteran.”
“This is a well-established organization and does many good things to help women and families in the Barry County area, such as providing counseling, baby supplies and support for pregnant moms, including ultrasounds, baby formula, diapers, clothing for moms and their young children, and classes on parenting.”
“This organization provides vehicle repairs for single mothers, senior citizens, and people with limited financial resources. God’s Garage has been actively involved in the West Michigan community since 2012. They also repair cars and restore donated vehicles and provide them to qualified applicants.”
“This organization assists individuals with a variety of disabilities by providing them with service animals to aid in their daily living activities.”
Past Community Grant Giveaway Recipients
2024
North: Crawford County Christian Help Center Food Pantry
Central: Mason County Mutts
South: Operation Solo
2023
North: Brave Hearts Estate
Central: Uplift Pine River Area Kids
South: Trinity Lutheran Food Pantry
2022
North: Grass River Natural Area
Central: The Lakeshore Food Club
South: Bass Lakes Area Environmental Partnership
2021
North: Good Samaritan Family Services
Central: Bread of Life Food Pantry
South: Stony Lake Therapeutic Riding Center
