Working in partnership with changemakers, Rotary Charities provides funding, learning, and connections to address our region's complex problems and create community assets for all.
Rotary Charities of Traverse City backs region-wide systems work with a mix of large collaborative grants, seed capital, and learning support for local organizations. Its recent records show major commitments to Rotary Camps and Services and to Discovery Center & Pier, both in Traverse City, alongside seven-figure-like cumulative support across programs that include systems change, assets for thriving communities, seed grants, and learning funds. The foundation’s approach is built around helping changemakers in Antrim, Benzie, and Grand Traverse counties move from early planning to implementation, especially when the work involves community assets, cross-sector coordination, or organizational readiness. The grant list also shows repeat support for regional intermediaries and public-serving organizations. United Way of Northwest Michigan appears across multiple awards tied to seed, learning, systems change, and changemaker fellowship support. Other recurring recipients include Goodwill Industries of Northern Michigan Inc and Habitat for Humanity Grand Traverse Region, indicating a pattern of backing institutions that can carry both direct service and broader community change efforts. Rotary Charities of Traverse City also funds public infrastructure and shared assets, reflecting a portfolio that combines immediate organizational capacity with longer-horizon community development.
A central theme in Rotary Charities of Traverse City’s grantmaking is systems change. The foundation gave $200,000 to Goodwill Industries of Northern Michigan Inc for systems change accelerator and emerging needs funding, and $195,000 to Traverse City Area Public Schools for systems change accelerator and emerging needs support. Those grants point to an interest in coordinated regional problem-solving rather than single-project funding. The foundation also supports community infrastructure and shared assets. It awarded $70,000 to Habitat for Humanity Grand Traverse Region for seed grant and assets for thriving communities work, and $60,000 to Tart Trails Inc for seed grant and assets for thriving communities. In addition, learning and capacity building show up through awards such as $53,000 to Crosshatch Center for the Learning Fund and $53,159 to Inland Seas Education Association for assets for thriving communities and learning fund support.
$7.2M
$50.3M
$4.2M
$3.2M
Most grants fall between $10K and $50K, with a median of $20K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$20K
75th Percentile
$50K
About 98% of grants go to recipients in MI.
SAKURA TAKANO
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Typical grants cluster at a $10,000 p25, $20,000 median, and $50,000 p75, which suggests a portfolio built around mid-sized awards with some larger anchor grants. The recent grant list shows repeat recipients across multiple years, including United Way of Northwest Michigan and several Traverse City institutions, so support is not limited to one-off relationships. Rotary Charities of Traverse City is a regular funder rather than a donor-advised fund, and it does not fund individuals. Unsolicited applications are accepted for its active programs, including Learning Fund, Seed Grants, Systems Change Accelerator, and Assets for Thriving Communities.
Giving is overwhelmingly local: 98% of grants go to recipients in Michigan, and the recent grants are all in the United States. Traverse City is the main recipient hub, with additional awards in Beulah, Benzonia, Suttons Bay, Bellaire, and Cadillac. The county-level program geography is focused on Antrim, Benzie, and Grand Traverse counties, which aligns with the recipient locations shown in the grant list.
Its active programs support professional development, early-stage planning and capacity building, collaborative systems change, and shared community assets. The broader focus areas listed include community development, systems change, leadership development, impact investing, capacity building, food access, housing, health equity, and public or infrastructure projects.
Yes. All four active programs listed—Learning Fund, Seed Grants, Systems Change Accelerator, and Assets for Thriving Communities—accept unsolicited applications.
The typical grant size is $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $20,000 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile. Program ranges vary from as little as $0 to as much as $150,000 depending on the funding stream.
Its giving is local, with 98% of grants going to recipients in Michigan. The active programs are geographically focused on Antrim County, Benzie County, and Grand Traverse County, and recent grantees are concentrated in Traverse City with additional awards in nearby Northern Michigan communities.
The foundation does not fund individuals. Its Learning Fund does support individuals and teams affiliated with eligible organizations for professional development, but the funder itself is classified as not making direct grants to individuals.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Rotary Charities of Traverse City that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Applicants must meet Rotary Charities' general eligibility requirements for service area and organization type. Seed Grants are reviewed monthly, and current grants must be closed before applying for another grant in the same category.
Deadline: Accepted on a monthly basis.
Who can apply: Requests are accepted year-round and reviewed by staff for eligibility and alignment with the fund's purpose.
Deadline: Accepted year-round on a rolling basis.
Who can apply: Applicants must provide services in Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, or Leelanau counties and be a 501(c)(3), the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, a local unit of government, or a school district. Partnerships and networks may apply through an eligible fiscal sponsor. Start-up organizations are not eligible; applicants should have provided services for at least one year.
Deadline: Spring and Fall funding cycles; applications due in March and September.
Who can apply: Applicants must provide services in Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, or Leelanau counties and be a 501(c)(3), the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, a local unit of government, or a school district. Partnerships and networks may apply through an eligible fiscal sponsor. This grant is intended for initiatives that have already done substantial groundwork together and are ready for collaborative systems change work.
Deadline: Spring and Fall funding cycles; applications due in March and September.
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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.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DISCOVERY CENTER & PIER | TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $221,166 | 2025 | OTHER |
| ROTARY CAMPS AND SERVICES | TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $221,165 | 2025 | OTHER |
| NORTHWEST MICHIGAN COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY | TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $170,000 | 2025 | SEED GRANT &SYSTEMS CHANGE ACCELERATOR |
| BENZIE CONSERVATION DISTRICT | BEULAH, MI | $150,000 | 2025 | SYSTEMS CHANGE ACCELERATOR |
| DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF TRAVERSE CITY | TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $141,656 | 2025 | OTHER |
| VENTURE NORTH FUNDING | TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | OTHER |
| THE LEELANAU SCHOOL | GLEN ARBOR, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | ASSETS FOR THRIVING COMMUNITIES |
| THOMPSONVILLE AREA REVITALIZATION PROJECT | THOMPSONVILLE, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | ASSETS FOR THRIVING COMMUNITIES |
| TRAVERSE CITY DANCE PROJECT | TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | ASSETS FOR THRIVING COMMUNITIES |
| HOMESTRETCH | TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | ASSETS FOR THRIVING COMMUNITIES |
| CROSSHATCH CENTER FOR ART & ECOLOGY | BELLAIRE, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | ASSETS FOR THRIVING COMMUNITIES |
| NEW COMMUNITY VISION | NORTHPORT, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | ASSETS FOR THRIVING COMMUNITIES |
| ILLINOIS FACILITIES FUND | DETROIT, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | OTHER |
| EAST BAY CHARTER TOWNSHIP | TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | ASSETS FOR THRIVING COMMUNITIES |
| PADDLE ANTRIM | ELK RAPIDS, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | ASSETS FOR THRIVING COMMUNITIES |
| SAFE HARBOR OF GRAND TRAVERSE | TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $35,000 | 2025 | EMERGING NEEDS FUND |
| BENZIE AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY & MUSEUM | BENZONIA, MI | $34,863 | 2025 | ASSETS FOR THRIVING COMMUNITIES & SEED GRANT |
| TITLE TRACK | WILLIAMSBURG, MI | $20,000 | 2025 | SEED GRANT |
| VILLAGE OF KALKASKA | KALKASKA, MI | $20,000 | 2025 | SEED GRANT |
| HOUSING NORTH | TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $20,000 | 2025 | SEED GRANT |
| NORTE YOUTH CYCLING | TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $17,000 | 2025 | SEED GRANT & LEARNING FUND |
| GREAT LAKES CHILDREN'S MUSEUM | TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $11,000 | 2025 | SEED GRANT & LEARNING FUND |
| UNITED WAY OF NORTHWEST MICHIGAN | TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $10,315 | 2025 | SEED GRANT & LEARNING FUND |
| NORTHPORT ARTS ASSOCIATION | NORTHPORT, MI | $10,077 | 2025 | SEED GRANT |
| ADVOCATES FOR BENZIE COUNTY | HONOR, MI | $10,000 | 2025 | SEED GRANT |
| NORTHWEST MICHIGAN SKILLED TRADES FOUNDATION | TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $10,000 | 2025 | SEED GRANT |
| VILLAGE OF ELK RAPIDS | ELK RAPIDS, MI | $10,000 | 2025 | SEED GRANT |
| ROTARY CLUB OF TRAVERSE CITY | TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $10,000 | 2025 | OTHER |
| TRAVERSE CITYGARFIELD TOWNSHIP RECREATIONAL AUTHORITY | TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $10,000 | 2025 | SEED GRANT |
| PENINSULA HOUSING | SUTTONS BAY, MI | $10,000 | 2025 | SEED GRANT |
| MASHUP ROCK N ROLL MUSICAL | GRAWN, MI | $10,000 | 2025 | SEED GRANT |
| FIFE LAKE PUBLIC LIBRARY | FIFE LAKE, MI | $10,000 | 2025 | SEED GRANT |
| AREA SENIORS INC | BELLAIRE, MI | $10,000 | 2025 | SEED GRANT |
| WOMEN'S RESOURCE CENTER | TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $10,000 | 2025 | SEED GRANT |
| PRESERVE HISTORIC SLEEPING BEAR | EMPIRE, MI | $10,000 | 2025 | SEED GRANT |
| NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS GRAND TRAVERSE | TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $10,000 | 2025 | SEED GRANT |
| NORTHWEST MI ARTS AND CULTURE NETWORK | TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $10,000 | 2025 | SEED GRANT |
| MILLS COMMUNITY HOUSE | BENZONIA, MI | $10,000 | 2025 | SEED GRANT |
| GRAND TRAVERSE PAVILIONS FOUNDATION INC | TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $10,000 | 2025 | SEED GRANT |
| THE LEELANAU CONSERVANCY | LELAND, MI | $10,000 | 2025 | SEED GRANT & LEARNING FUND |
| LEELANAU CHILDREN'S CENTER | LELAND, MI | $7,500 | 2025 | SEED GRANT |
| CLEARWATER TOWNSHIP | RAPID CITY, MI | $7,440 | 2025 | SEED GRANT |
| ROTARY CAMPS AND SERVICES | TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $439,495 | 2024 | OTHER |
| DISCOVERY CENTER & PIER | TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $414,596 | 2024 | OTHER |
| GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF NORTHERN MICHIGAN INC | TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $200,000 | 2024 | SYSTEMS CHANGE ACCELERATOR & EMERGING NEEDS FUND |
| UNITED WAY OF NORTHWEST MICHIGAN | TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $127,537 | 2024 | ASSETS FOR THRIVING COMMUNITIES , SYSTEMS CHANGE ACCELERATOR & LEARNING FUND |
| GROW BENZIE | BENZONIA, MI | $75,000 | 2024 | SYSTEMS CHANGE ACCELERATOR |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY GRAND TRAVERSE REGION | TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $70,000 | 2024 | SEED GRANT & ASSETS FOR THRIVING COMMUNITIES |
| INLAND SEAS EDUCATION ASSOCIATION | SUTTONS BAY, MI | $53,159 | 2024 | ASSETS FOR THRIVING COMMUNITIES & LEARNING FUND |
| GRAND TRAVERSE CONSERVATION DISTRICT | TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $50,000 | 2024 | ASSETS FOR THRIVING COMMUNITIES |
DISCOVERY CENTER & PIER
$221,166OTHER
ROTARY CAMPS AND SERVICES
$221,165OTHER
NORTHWEST MICHIGAN COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY
$170,000SEED GRANT &SYSTEMS CHANGE ACCELERATOR
BENZIE CONSERVATION DISTRICT
$150,000SYSTEMS CHANGE ACCELERATOR
DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF TRAVERSE CITY
$141,656OTHER
VENTURE NORTH FUNDING
$50,000OTHER
THE LEELANAU SCHOOL
$50,000ASSETS FOR THRIVING COMMUNITIES
THOMPSONVILLE AREA REVITALIZATION PROJECT
$50,000ASSETS FOR THRIVING COMMUNITIES
TRAVERSE CITY DANCE PROJECT
$50,000ASSETS FOR THRIVING COMMUNITIES
HOMESTRETCH
$50,000ASSETS FOR THRIVING COMMUNITIES
CROSSHATCH CENTER FOR ART & ECOLOGY
$50,000ASSETS FOR THRIVING COMMUNITIES
NEW COMMUNITY VISION
$50,000ASSETS FOR THRIVING COMMUNITIES
ILLINOIS FACILITIES FUND
$50,000OTHER
EAST BAY CHARTER TOWNSHIP
$50,000ASSETS FOR THRIVING COMMUNITIES
PADDLE ANTRIM
$50,000ASSETS FOR THRIVING COMMUNITIES
SAFE HARBOR OF GRAND TRAVERSE
$35,000EMERGING NEEDS FUND
BENZIE AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY & MUSEUM
$34,863ASSETS FOR THRIVING COMMUNITIES & SEED GRANT
TITLE TRACK
$20,000SEED GRANT
VILLAGE OF KALKASKA
$20,000SEED GRANT
HOUSING NORTH
$20,000SEED GRANT
NORTE YOUTH CYCLING
$17,000SEED GRANT & LEARNING FUND
GREAT LAKES CHILDREN'S MUSEUM
$11,000SEED GRANT & LEARNING FUND
UNITED WAY OF NORTHWEST MICHIGAN
$10,315SEED GRANT & LEARNING FUND
NORTHPORT ARTS ASSOCIATION
$10,077SEED GRANT
ADVOCATES FOR BENZIE COUNTY
$10,000SEED GRANT
NORTHWEST MICHIGAN SKILLED TRADES FOUNDATION
$10,000SEED GRANT
VILLAGE OF ELK RAPIDS
$10,000SEED GRANT
ROTARY CLUB OF TRAVERSE CITY
$10,000OTHER
TRAVERSE CITYGARFIELD TOWNSHIP RECREATIONAL AUTHORITY
$10,000SEED GRANT
PENINSULA HOUSING
$10,000SEED GRANT
MASHUP ROCK N ROLL MUSICAL
$10,000SEED GRANT
FIFE LAKE PUBLIC LIBRARY
$10,000SEED GRANT
AREA SENIORS INC
$10,000SEED GRANT
WOMEN'S RESOURCE CENTER
$10,000SEED GRANT
PRESERVE HISTORIC SLEEPING BEAR
$10,000SEED GRANT
NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS GRAND TRAVERSE
$10,000SEED GRANT
NORTHWEST MI ARTS AND CULTURE NETWORK
$10,000SEED GRANT
MILLS COMMUNITY HOUSE
$10,000SEED GRANT
GRAND TRAVERSE PAVILIONS FOUNDATION INC
$10,000SEED GRANT
THE LEELANAU CONSERVANCY
$10,000SEED GRANT & LEARNING FUND
LEELANAU CHILDREN'S CENTER
$7,500SEED GRANT
CLEARWATER TOWNSHIP
$7,440SEED GRANT
ROTARY CAMPS AND SERVICES
$439,495OTHER
DISCOVERY CENTER & PIER
$414,596OTHER
GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF NORTHERN MICHIGAN INC
$200,000SYSTEMS CHANGE ACCELERATOR & EMERGING NEEDS FUND
UNITED WAY OF NORTHWEST MICHIGAN
$127,537ASSETS FOR THRIVING COMMUNITIES , SYSTEMS CHANGE ACCELERATOR & LEARNING FUND
GROW BENZIE
$75,000SYSTEMS CHANGE ACCELERATOR
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY GRAND TRAVERSE REGION
$70,000SEED GRANT & ASSETS FOR THRIVING COMMUNITIES
INLAND SEAS EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
$53,159ASSETS FOR THRIVING COMMUNITIES & LEARNING FUND
GRAND TRAVERSE CONSERVATION DISTRICT
$50,000ASSETS FOR THRIVING COMMUNITIES