KCF GRANTING

FALL 2025 Granting

The Keweenaw Community Foundation’s fall grant application opens September 1, offering support for initiatives that strengthen the Copper Country.

In addition to seeking proposals in specific interest areas (detailed below), KCF has allocated $50,000 from our growing Community Impact Fund to support impactful projects across all fields of community need. Thanks to a special gift from generous donors, our Community Impact Fund is at its strongest point yet, allowing us to respond to a wide range of community needs. As the fund continues to grow, even more grants will be available in the future. This brings the total available for granting this fall to over $115,000!

Who can apply: 501(c)(3) public charities, schools, churches, and local governments.
Application period: September 1 – October 15.
Maximum award per proposal: $10,000

General Funding Available:

  • $50,000 available from the Community Impact Fund to support impactful projects across all fields of community need.

Specific Funding Opportunities include:

  • $1,700 available from the Houghton County Historical Preservation Fund to support historical preservation and education projects or activities related to Houghton County.

  • $1,800 available from the Environmental Endowment Fund to promote and sustain programs, projects, and activities related to a broad range of environmental concerns.

  • $2,400 available from the Keweenaw Cross Country Skiing Endowment Fund to promote, develop, and sustain quality cross country skiing in Houghton and Keweenaw Counties.

  • $3,000 available from the David Wiitanen and Slim McLean Memorial Youth Hockey Fund for programs and projects that support youth hockey throughout the Copper Country.

  • $6,000 available from the Joe Freed Empowerment Fund for programs and projects that empower individuals with mental or developmental disabilities to thrive as valued members of the Copper Country community.

  • $16,000 available from the Kellogg Youth Endowment Fund for programs, projects, and activities that serve the youth of Houghton and Keweenaw Counties.

  • $35,000 available from the Copper Shores Community Wellness and Recreation Fund to support focused initiatives, programs, or projects that influence or support individual physical activity and healthy nutrition; expand, create, or sustain outdoor recreational resources in Houghton, Keweenaw, Baraga, or Ontonagon Counties; and provide greater access and choice for the identified communities citizenry to utilize these resources as part of their individual and collective health pursuits and enjoyment.

eligibility

  • Grants are made to the following organizations:

    • Tax-exempt 501(c)(3) public charities

    • Educational institutions

    • Governmental institutions, including tribal

    • 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, 2025: Applications open online

  • October 15, 2025, at 11:30 PM EST: Deadline to submit applications online

  • December: We will notify grant recipients.

  • Mid-January: Grant awards will be announced publicly.

Application Instructions

  • Submission: Complete the online application. Review application questions.

  • Budget Template: Use this grant budget template (PDF format, Excel file), or use your own.

  • Submission Deadline: October 15, 2025, at 11:30 PM EST

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

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Sara Fletcher at (906) 482-9673 or email sara@keweenawgives.org.

Application Review Process

  • Submission Screening: KCF Staff reviews all submissions to ensure completeness and eligibility and prepares all necessary documents for the Advisory Committees.

  • Committee Review: Grant applications are reviewed by volunteer Advisory Committees comprised of community members or the KCF Granting Committee.

  • Recommendation and Approval: The Advisory Committees make grant recommendations to the KCF Board of Advisors, who review the recommendations and make the final determinations.

  • Notification of Decision: All grant applicants will be notified via email of the outcome of their application, whether they are awarded funding or not.

Requirements if you are awarded a grant

  • Signed Acceptance of Grant Agreement (now available online - see your award letter for details).

  • The Foundation's policy is to disburse grant money when required by the recipient organization. When the need arises, kindly provide a written request via email with the grant number, the amount you wish to be paid, and the date you require the check. Please provide evidence and maintain sufficient documentation to demonstrate compliance with the request.

  • Project Report:

    • For the Foundation to maintain an ongoing flow of funding, grants obligated or encumbered should be distributed within twelve (12) months from the award date. Otherwise, the grant will be rescinded.

    • A report with your grant number on it is required within 30 days of funds being disbursed or when the project is completed. Please contact us if you need an extension. New for 2025: submit your grant report online!

  • 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 fill out the form on our Contact Us page and choose to be added to the mailing list. You will be notified when grants become available.