To cultivate the power of giving within our community, support long-term transformation, and help ensure all residents thrive by building permanent community capital.
A standout feature of Midland Area Community Foundation is its use of local grantmaking to build permanent community capital across Midland County. Recent awards show a foundation that backs large civic institutions, human services providers, arts organizations, and place-based projects all in the same funding cycle. One of the largest recent grants went to Mymichigan Health Foundation for human services, while other major awards supported Greater Midland Community Centers Inc. and Midland Center for the Arts. That mix points to a broad community-investment approach rather than a single-issue strategy. The foundation’s recent activity also shows steady support for organizations that shape daily life in Midland. Midland Business Alliance Found received multiple six-figure grants in consecutive years, and United Way of Midland County appeared repeatedly as well. In the arts, Midland Center for the Arts received awards in 2023, 2024, and 2025, suggesting an ongoing relationship rather than a one-time gift. The funder’s stated purpose aligns with that pattern: supporting long-term transformation and helping residents thrive through permanent capital.
Education and youth development are central parts of the foundation’s portfolio. Midland County Educational Services Agency received grants of $173,700 in 2023 and $129,463 in 2024 for youth development, showing repeat support in that area. Postsecondary access also appears through the foundation’s scholarship program, which administers more than 250 individual scholarship funds. Health and human services receive substantial backing. In 2025, Reece Endeavor of Midland received $177,621 for health and community development, and Midland’s Open Door received $136,788 for human services. Environmental and recreation-related work also appears in the grant list. The Little Forks Conservancy received $245,000 in 2023, $152,654 in 2024, and $154,600 in 2025 for environment-related work, while Chippewa Nature Center received $155,459 in 2024 for community and recreation.
Typical grant size sits at $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $16,050 at the median, and $47,315 at the 75th percentile, although the recent grant list also includes much larger awards. The pattern is recurring: several recipients appear across multiple years, including Midland Center for the Arts, Greater Midland Community Centers Inc., United Way of Midland County, and The Little Forks Conservancy. The foundation operates as a community foundation with multiple named grant programs, including Foundation Directed Grants, Community Investment Grants, TOWN Grants, youth mini-grants, scholarships, and a giving circle. Several programs accept unsolicited requests.
$5M
$150.6M
$18.2M
$15.4M
Most grants fall between $10K and $47K, with a median of $16K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$16K
75th Percentile
$47K
SHARON MORTENSEN
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Giving is overwhelmingly local and lands mostly in Michigan; 88% of grants go to recipients in the foundation’s headquarters state. Midland, MI dominates the recipient list, with additional grants reaching Ann Arbor, MI and Cincinnati, OH. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 349 grants in the United States and no non-U.S. recipient countries shown. The broadest concentration is in Midland County, with programs and recent awards centered on Midland and surrounding county communities.
The foundation funds a broad mix of local organizations: health and human services, education and youth development, arts and culture, community development, environment, housing and poverty support, and scholarships. Recent grants include Mymichigan Health Foundation, Midland Center for the Arts, Greater Midland Community Centers Inc., and The Little Forks Conservancy.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years in the recent grants list. Midland Center for the Arts received awards in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Greater Midland Community Centers Inc. and United Way of Midland County also appear more than once; and The Little Forks Conservancy received grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
The distribution centers around modest local awards: the 25th percentile is $10,000, the median is $16,050, and the 75th percentile is $47,315. Some programs are smaller, such as TOWN Grants at up to $5,000, while other awards in the recent grants list are much larger.
Several programs accept unsolicited requests. Community Investment Grants are open to eligible nonprofits, educational institutions, and government entities serving Midland County. Foundation Directed Grants, Youth Action Council Mini-Grants, ReliefMidland flood relief, scholarships, TOWN Grants, and The Big Give are also listed as accepting unsolicited applications or nominations.
The foundation administers an annual scholarship program with more than 250 individual scholarship funds. Students apply through a single online application and are matched to scholarships for which they qualify. One named example is the Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Scholarship, which provides $1,000 nonrenewable awards to Bay, Midland, and Saginaw County high school seniors.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE NATURE CONSERVANCY | LANSING, MI | $596,500 | 2026 | ENVIRONMENT |
| UNITED WAY OF MIDLAND COUNTY | MIDLAND, MI | $531,540 | 2026 | COMM/HUMAN SERVICES |
| LEELANAU CONSERVANCY | LELAND, MI | $255,000 | 2026 | YOUTH |
| GREATER MIDLAND COMMUNITY CENTERS | MIDLAND, MI | $230,500 | 2026 | COMMUNITY |
| THE LITTLE FORKS CONSERVANCY | MIDLAND, MI | $160,450 | 2026 | ENVIRONMENT |
| COUNTY OF MIDLAND | MIDLAND, MI | $155,400 | 2026 | COMMUNITY |
| MIDLAND CENTER FOR THE ARTS | MIDLAND, MI | $136,097 | 2026 | ARTS |
| MYMICHIGAN HEALTH FOUNDATION | MIDLAND, MI | $122,312 | 2026 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| LIFECLINIC COMMUNITY RESOURCES | MIDLAND, MI | $110,000 | 2026 | COMMUNITY |
| CHIPPEWA NATURE CENTER | MIDLAND, MI | $105,216 | 2026 | COMMUNITY/RECREATION |
| THE LEGACY CENTER FOR COMM SUCCESS | MIDLAND, MI | $93,249 | 2026 | EDUCATION/COMMUNITY |
| ADOPTION OPTION INC | MIDLAND, MI | $90,457 | 2026 | COMMUNITY/RECREATION |
| MIDLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS | MIDLAND, MI | $89,638 | 2026 | EDUCATION/YOUTH/REC |
| AFFORDABLE HOUSING ALLIANCE OF | MIDLAND, MI | $89,300 | 2026 | COMMUNITY |
| MIDLAND BUSINESS ALLIANCE FOUND | MIDLAND, MI | $88,346 | 2026 | COMMUNITY |
| GATEWAY HEALTHCARE | MIDLAND, MI | $73,423 | 2026 | HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICE |
| HELPS INTERNATIONAL INC | ADDISON, TX | $73,355 | 2026 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| COLEMAN COMMUNITY SCHOOLS | COLEMAN, MI | $72,037 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY LIVING | MIDLAND, MI | $69,900 | 2026 | COMM/HUMAN SERVICES |
| WEST MIDLAND FAMILY CENTER | MIDLAND, MI | $64,250 | 2026 | COMM/HUMAN SERVICES |
| TONI AND TRISH HOUSE | AUBURN, MI | $61,500 | 2026 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| REACHING OUR COMMUNITY KIDS | MIDLAND, MI | $60,250 | 2026 | YOUTH/EDUCATION |
| MIDLAND SOCCER CLUB | MIDLAND, MI | $55,000 | 2026 | RECREATION |
| TEN SIXTEEN RECOVERY NETWORK | MIDLAND, MI | $53,500 | 2026 | COMMUNITY |
| MARION-POLK FOOD SHARE | SALEM, OR | $50,000 | 2026 | COMMUNITY |
| FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | MIDLAND, MI | $42,342 | 2026 | COMMUNITY |
| MIDLAND COUNTY FOOD PANTRY NETWORK | MIDLAND, MI | $41,600 | 2026 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| CLEVELAND MANOR II INC | MIDLAND, MI | $39,980 | 2026 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| MIDLAND AREA HOMES | MIDLAND, MI | $39,680 | 2026 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| MIDLAND'S OPEN DOOR | MIDLAND, MI | $36,439 | 2026 | COMM/HUMAN SERVICES |
| EAGLE VILLAGE INC | HERSEY, MI | $34,742 | 2026 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| THE CHILDREN'S GRIEF CENTER OF | MIDLAND, MI | $32,250 | 2026 | YOUTH DEVELOPMENT |
| ELEVATE COMMUNITY MINISTRIES INC | MIDLAND, MI | $31,550 | 2026 | COMMUNITY |
| UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN | ANN ARBOR, MI | $30,113 | 2026 | EDUCATION/HUMAN SERV |
| MIDLAND COUNTY EDUCATIONAL SERVICES | MIDLAND, MI | $29,962 | 2026 | YOUTH DEVELOPMENT |
| NORTHWOOD UNIVERSITY | MIDLAND, MI | $29,760 | 2026 | EDUCATION/YOUTH |
| GREAT LAKES BAY FOUNDATION | BAY CITY, MI | $29,100 | 2026 | HEALTH SERVICES |
| MIDLAND COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE | MIDLAND, MI | $28,328 | 2026 | COMMUNITY IMPROV. |
| FIDELITY CHARITABLE GIFT FUND | CINCINNATI, OH | $27,000 | 2026 | ARTS |
| MID MICHIGAN BIG BROTHERS & SISTERS | CLARE, MI | $26,977 | 2026 | YOUTH DEVELOPMENT |
| SANFORD HISTORICAL SOCIETY | SANFORD, MI | $26,000 | 2026 | COMMUNITY/ARTS |
| VILLAGE OF SANFORD | SANFORD, MI | $25,000 | 2026 | COMMUNITY |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF ST CLAIR | PORT HURON, MI | $25,000 | 2026 | COMMUNITY |
| 1 LN6 SUPPORT INC | MONTCLAIR, NJ | $25,000 | 2026 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| MID MICHIGAN COLLEGE FOUNDATION | HARRISON, MI | $24,900 | 2026 | EDUCATIONAL |
| COUNCIL ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND | MIDLAND, MI | $23,850 | 2026 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| MIDLAND KING'S DAUGHTERS HOME OF | MIDLAND, MI | $22,172 | 2026 | COMM/HUMAN SERVICES |
| COLEMAN AREA LIBRARY | COLEMAN, MI | $21,183 | 2026 | DEVELOPMENT |
| MIDLAND COUNTY PROBATE COURT | MIDLAND, MI | $20,674 | 2026 | YOUTH DEVELOPMENT |
| PEER 360 RECOVERY ALLIANCE | BAY CITY, MI | $20,000 | 2026 | HUMAN SERVICES |
COUNTY OF MIDLAND
$155,400COMMUNITY
LIFECLINIC COMMUNITY RESOURCES
$110,000COMMUNITY
CHIPPEWA NATURE CENTER
$105,216COMMUNITY/RECREATION
ADOPTION OPTION INC
$90,457COMMUNITY/RECREATION
MIDLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$89,638EDUCATION/YOUTH/REC
AFFORDABLE HOUSING ALLIANCE OF
$89,300COMMUNITY
MIDLAND BUSINESS ALLIANCE FOUND
$88,346COMMUNITY
GATEWAY HEALTHCARE
$73,423HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICE
HELPS INTERNATIONAL INC
$73,355HUMAN SERVICES
COLEMAN COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
$72,037EDUCATION
INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY LIVING
$69,900COMM/HUMAN SERVICES
TONI AND TRISH HOUSE
$61,500HUMAN SERVICES
MIDLAND SOCCER CLUB
$55,000RECREATION
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
$42,342COMMUNITY
MIDLAND COUNTY FOOD PANTRY NETWORK
$41,600HUMAN SERVICES
CLEVELAND MANOR II INC
$39,980HUMAN SERVICES
MIDLAND AREA HOMES
$39,680HUMAN SERVICES
THE CHILDREN'S GRIEF CENTER OF
$32,250YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
ELEVATE COMMUNITY MINISTRIES INC
$31,550COMMUNITY
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
$30,113EDUCATION/HUMAN SERV
MIDLAND COUNTY EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
$29,962YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
GREAT LAKES BAY FOUNDATION
$29,100HEALTH SERVICES
MIDLAND COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
$28,328COMMUNITY IMPROV.
MID MICHIGAN BIG BROTHERS & SISTERS
$26,977YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
SANFORD HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$26,000COMMUNITY/ARTS
VILLAGE OF SANFORD
$25,000COMMUNITY
1 LN6 SUPPORT INC
$25,000HUMAN SERVICES
MID MICHIGAN COLLEGE FOUNDATION
$24,900EDUCATIONAL
MIDLAND KING'S DAUGHTERS HOME OF
$22,172COMM/HUMAN SERVICES
COLEMAN AREA LIBRARY
$21,183DEVELOPMENT
MIDLAND COUNTY PROBATE COURT
$20,674YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
PEER 360 RECOVERY ALLIANCE
$20,000HUMAN SERVICES
Current and upcoming funding from Midland Area Community Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Applicants must be eligible nonprofits, must not request ongoing operational support, may apply only once every three years, and must have a Midland Noon Rotary Club member sponsor the request. Successful applicants must provide a project summary with photos within 12 months of completion.
Deadline: April 1 and October 1 annually
Who can apply: Projects must serve students attending school in Midland County. Priority is given to durable materials usable for multiple years or in multiple classrooms.
Deadline: Requests are generally due by the 10th of most months during the academic year.
Who can apply: The youth group or invested adult group must be associated with an educational entity or a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Priority is given to plans that remove participation barriers for families.
Deadline: Requests are generally due by the 10th of most months during the academic year.
Who can apply: Midland County students in grades K-12 may apply. The proposed plan must benefit an existing Midland County governmental or educational entity or a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Deadline: Requests are due by the 10th day during most months of the academic year; the coordinator reviews requests for the remainder of the calendar year.
Who can apply: Open to all 501(c)(3) nonprofit agencies, educational institutions, and government entities in Midland County.
Deadline: Offered quarterly.
Who can apply: Nonprofit organizations providing essential support to Midland County residents may apply. Individual participating clubs may impose additional requirements, such as tax-exempt status, youth focus, or a sponsor.
Deadline: Rolling; applications are accepted as needs arise.
Who can apply: Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis; the club also supports other organizations through monetary donations.
Deadline: Rolling.
Who can apply: Organizations must be tax-exempt to apply.
Deadline: Rolling.
Track these deadlines, get reminders, and see how well your nonprofit fits — free with a Kindora account.
Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
