MCCF’s Minger Family Endowment Fund

Deadline: 15-Oct-21

The Manistee County Community Foundation is seeking applications for its Family Endowment Fund’s Grant Program to improve recreation opportunities (active and/or outdoor) and access to recreation within Manistee County through maintaining and expanding existing recreation facilities and acquiring and developing new recreation facilities.

Purpose

The purpose of the Minger Family Endowment Fund is to improve recreation opportunities and access to recreation within Manistee County through maintaining and expanding existing recreation facilities and acquiring and developing new recreation facilities. For the purposes of this grant program:

Recreation is defined as an activity that has a physical component (such as hiking) and/or an active outdoor, natural resources component (such as fishing).
Facilities are defined as community centers, and other recreation amenities such as parks, trails, tracks, courts and fields for play.
Community centers are defined as indoor facilities that provide recreation and social activities for citizens of Manistee County.

Funding Priorities

The following funding priorities are listed in order of importance.

Trail Acquisition and Development Trail acquisition and trail development that will lead to connectivity of the trail system within Manistee County and connectivity to adjacent trail systems outside of the county. This includes both non-motorized and motorized trails.
Indoor Active and/or Outdoor Winter Recreation Opportunities Projects that will increase opportunities for indoor active and/or outdoor winter based recreation. These include both outdoor and indoor facilities and amenities such as exercise facilities and community centers.
Water and Fishing Access Sites Creation of new or improved existing water access or fishing access sites that increase connectivity of existing water trails and/or address gaps in access. Examples may include kayak, canoe or boat launches and on-shore fishing opportunities.

Funding Information

Small Grants:
- Minimum amount: $500;
- Maximum amount $5,000
- Projects must be completed within one year of grant award.
Large Grants:
- Minimum amount $5,001;
- Maximum amount $100,000
- Projects must be completed within two years of grant award.

Eligibility Criteria

501(c)3 nonprofit organizations
School districts
Units of government, including recognized tribal governments
Other tax-exempt organizations
Must be located in Manistee County and benefit residents of Manistee County.
Must be supported by the applicant’s highest governing body as indicated by the submittal of a resolution or letter.
Must further the purpose of the Minger Family Endowment Fund and focus on one or more of the following areas.
- Maintenance –to preserve and improve recreation facilities that demonstrate demand to support continued and expanded use. Maintenance grants are not intended for routine maintenance such as lawn mowing, etc. Projects should be focused on maintenance that is not routine.
- Development– to expand, renovate or construct a new recreation facility in order to meet an increase in demand or to address a gap in services. Engineering design costs, if applicable, will generally be limited to 15% of the total project cost. Projects may include physical improvements to support or enhance access by people of all ages and abilities.
- Acquisition – to acquire strategic property needed to provide a recreation facility that would not otherwise be possible. Grant request amount (plus match amount) should be adequate to acquire land or rights to land. Actual amount paid by MCCF will be based on an approved value assessment or appraisal.
- Programming – to expand or support a new recreation program in order to meet an increase in demand or to address a gap in services. Projects may include programs that maximize participation in a recreation program by providing scholarship support to those with financial need, eliminating transportation barriers or program marketing.
- Equipment – to provide equipment needed to maximize participation in a recreation facility or program and to promote safety. Planning/Feasibility – to support planning and feasibility studies for community centers to ensure demand for services, inform development and plan for sustainability.