Stronger Together: A Joint Message from Neighboring Community Foundations

Jun 9, 2025 | All News

When the ice storm hit Northern Michigan, it did more than knock out power. 
It disrupted daily life, isolated neighbors, and placed intense demands on the very people and organizations our communities rely on. 

These are the moments when the strength of community becomes clear.  
Across every affected county, people stepped up—neighbors, nonprofit staff, municipal crews, and volunteers. They opened warming shelters, delivered meals, cleared roads and driveways, and checked in on one another. They did what strong communities do: they showed up. 

In moments like these, the role of your local community foundation is clear: connect generosity to impact, with care and intention, the people and places we serve. While community foundations don’t give directly to individuals, we do provide funding to the organizations that are best positioned to respond. 

Here’s how that works: 

  1. Donors contribute to the Community Foundation. 
  2. Nonprofits apply for grants, helping identify urgent needs. 
  3. Each request is carefully reviewed for alignment with the fund’s purpose. 
  4. Grants are awarded to organizations that know the community, the people, and how to get things done. 

It’s a time-tested, thoughtful approach that ensures resources are directed where they’re needed most. 

As frontline responders mobilized quickly during the storm, so did the region’s community foundations. Within 72 hours, each of our foundations had activated emergency funds to support eligible organizations providing aid to neighbors in need. And we will continue for as long as needed. 

Thanks to the generosity of people near and far, donations began arriving immediately. These donations were combined with our own grantmaking dollars, allowing community foundations across the region to support a wide range of relief efforts, including but not limited to: 

  • Restocking food pantries 
  • Providing fuel and supplies for warming shelters 
  • Removing trees and debris 
  • Making emergency repairs 
  • Supporting volunteer fire departments and first responders 
  • Issuing mini-grants for storm-affected small businesses 
  • Assisting with car repairs, rent, utilities, temporary housing, and childcare 
  • Clearing trails and public spaces 

So far, we’ve granted nearly $700,000 across 11 counties—and we’re not done yet. 

We know recovery didn’t end when the lights came back on. That’s why we’re still listening — meeting regularly with nonprofit partners, local governments, and other agencies to understand current and emerging needs. And that’s why we’re still approving grants weekly. 

Charitable giving plays a powerful role in disaster response. If you already know where you want to give, we encourage you to do so. But if you’re unsure – or want to ensure your gift addresses the full picture of need – your local community foundation is here. We are a conduit for impact, helping ensure your support goes where it matters most. 

Stronger Together. 
This storm reached across counties, towns, and rural stretches — it touched nearly everyone, but in different ways. Each of our communities is unique, and each individual experience of the storm has been different. But this was also a shared moment — one we’ve moved through together. When we reach out to one another, acknowledge our experiences, communicate our needs, and pool our resources, we show what’s possible. That’s how we know we’re stronger together. 

Community foundations across the region — Charlevoix County Community Foundation, Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan, Otsego Community Foundation, Mackinac Island Community Foundation, and Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation — are listening, sharing knowledge, and working side-by-side to support those most affected. No one foundation is doing this alone, and none of us has to. Together, we’re meeting needs now while remaining responsive as recovery continues. 

If you’re in need of support, ready to give, or want to learn more, visit the links below.  

Give or learn more: 

Signed by: 
Charlevoix County Community Foundation 
Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan 
Otsego Community Foundation 
Mackinac Island Community Foundation 
Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation