Keweenaw Community Foundation Announces Fall 2025 Grant Recipients
The Keweenaw Community Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of its Fall 2025 Field of Interest Grants. These grants, totaling $112,349, support various programs and projects that address community needs and opportunities in Houghton and Keweenaw Counties.
The Field of Interest grant program is designed to support specific causes, populations, or geographic areas, reflecting the unique passions and interests of the donors who established each fund. The Fall 2025 grant cycle opened on September 1, 2025, and closed on October 15, 2025.
KCF allocated $50,000 from its growing Community Impact Fund to support projects across a wide range of community needs. Thanks to a recent gift from generous donors, the fund is stronger than ever, enabling KCF to respond more effectively to emerging priorities. As the Community Impact Fund continues to grow, it will provide even greater grantmaking opportunities in the years ahead.
The recipients for the Fall 2025 grant cycle are as follows:
Community Impact Fund ($49,949 awarded):
Copper Country Angel Mission: 2nd Floor Renovation
Copper Country Humane Society: Copper Country Humane Society Vaccination Clinic
Elaine Bacon Literacy Program: Wellness Cafe
Finlandia Foundation National: Finnish American Folk School Revival Project
Tree House: Winter Family Engagement
Keweenaw Queers: Pridefest 2026
Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly: Toddler Tea Time
Pewabic Street Community Garden: Garden Capacity Building
Quincy Franklin Hancock Volunteer Department: Emergency Response Readiness
Superior Search and Rescue: K9 Equipment
The Calumet Theatre Company: Movie Magic
The Salvation Army Hancock: Pantry Freezer
Kellogg Youth Endowment Fund ($16,000 awarded):
Copper Country Angel Mission: Coat the Copper Country
Copper Country ISD: Western U.P. JA Girls Dream Fair 2026
Kaleidoscope: STEAM Saturdays
Keweenaw CAPE: Aquaponics Project
The Rozsa at Michigan Technological University: Dinosaur World Live!
Copper Shores Community Health Foundation Wellness and Outdoor Recreation Fund, a Field of Interest Endowed Fund established at the Keweenaw Community Foundation ($35,000 awarded):
Camp Josh: 2024 Can-Am Defender MAXT 4x4 for trail accessibility
Copper Harbor Trails Society: Keweenaw Point Trail Phase 3.3
Hancock Trails Club: Creekside Trailhead and Bike Park “Skinny Zone”
Keweenaw ATV Club: Calumet Trailhead
Keweenaw Cross Country Skiing Fund ($2,400 awarded):
Copper Country Ski Tigers: Year-Round Coaching Position
Swedetown Trails Club: Swedetown Universal Access and Expansion
Environmental Fund ($1,800 awarded):
Pewabic Street Community Garden: Garden Capacity Building
Houghton County Historical Preservation Fund ($1,200 awarded):
Painesdale Mine and Shaft, Inc.: Longitudinal Underground Sign
Joe Freed Empowerment Fund ($3,000 Awarded):
Marquette Chapter of AMBUCS: Amtrykes for Keweenaw County
David Wiitanen and Slim McLean Memorial Youth Hockey Fund ($3,000 awarded):
Franklin Township Coburntown Rink: Coburn Ice Arena
“We are deeply moved by the care, creativity, and collaboration that our local organizations have demonstrated in their projects and initiatives. The kindness in our community never ceases to amaze us. Of course, these grants would not be possible without the generosity of donors and their financial gifts to establish endowments that invest in our community now and in the future. We are truly grateful for our donors' ongoing commitment to our community,” said Madelina DiLisi, Director of Programs at Keweenaw Community Foundation.
The Keweenaw Community Foundation thanks all applicants for their efforts and encourages those not selected in this cycle to apply for future grant opportunities. The next granting round is anticipated to open on March 1, 2026.