GRANTING

Spring 2026 Grants

The Keweenaw Community Foundation’s spring grant application will open online on March 1, 2026, and will close on April 10, 2026 at 11:30 PM EST.

For this grant cycle, there is $68,000 available to support initiatives throughout the Keweenaw Peninsula, this includes $50,000 from our growing Community Impact Fund, thanks to a generous donor gift. The fund enables us to address a broad range of community needs and will provide additional grant opportunities as it continues to expand.

Grant Open House

The Keweenaw Community Foundation will host a grant open house on Monday, March 9, from 4:00-5:30 PM, located at the Hancock Community Hub (417 Quincy Street, Hancock, 3rd Floor). Community organizations can stop by for a brief overview of KCF’s evolving grant opportunities and to connect with KCF’s growing team, ask questions about their KCF grant application, and learn more about KCF’s programs and resources.

Grant Opportunities

Applicants may request any portion of the available grant amount and can apply to multiple funds if their project aligns with the descriptions of more than one fund.

  • Community Impact Fund: Recently established to fund new or existing programs that help our communities thrive — up to $50,000 available, $10,000 per applicant

  • CLK Youth Hockey Fund: Supports youth hockey programs in the Calumet, Laurium, and Keweenaw areas — up to $1,000 available

  • Great Start Early Childhood Fund: Supports projects enhancing early childhood care and education in Baraga, Houghton, and Keweenaw Counties. Areas of focus include family engagement, social-emotional health, and school readiness — up to $3,000 available

  • Kellogg Youth Endowment Fund: Funds new or existing programs that benefit youth in Houghton and Keweenaw Counties — up to $14,000 available

Submit Grant Application

Eligibility

Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, educational institutions, governmental entities, and religious organizations are encouraged to apply. Projects must support the Keweenaw Peninsula region (unless specified) and adhere to KCF’s Non-discrimination Policy.

Important Dates

  • March 1, 2026: Online applications open

  • March 9, 2026: Grant Open House

  • April 10, 2026: Deadline to submit grant applications

  • Late May 2026: Applicants will be notified and awarded

Contact

If you have any questions, please contact Madelina DiLisi, Director of Programs, at madelina@keweenawgives.org or (906) 231-6473.

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.