Rotary Charities of Traverse City is pleased to announce its recent award of $270,000 to seven regional nonprofits as part of its 2022 Spring grant cycle. 

Each of the seven grants were awarded through Rotary Charities’ Assets for Thriving Communities grant program, which provides up to $50,000 of support to initiatives that develop, strengthen, or build community assets that are available to all, or make an existing asset more widely available. 

“We are pleased to partner with these seven organizations,” said Sakura Takano, CEO of Rotary Charities. “This cycle includes funding for spaces that bring people together, support for our region's thriving arts community, and expanding access to recreational opportunities to people of all abilities. We are honored to steward resources that allow us to invest in a variety of community assets that contribute to making Northern Michigan communities more inclusive, healthy, and vibrant places to live, visit, and recreate.” 

Spring 2022 Grant Recipients 

American Legion Post 399 – Traverse City, MI
Old Mission Community Hall Roof Replacement – $10,000 Assets for Thriving Communities Grant 

The American Legion Post 399 is a recognized fixture in the Old Mission community. Dating back to 1962, the membership group provides services and support for military retirees and veterans. Members gather at the Old Mission Community Hall to enjoy shared meals and fellowship, and to advance their mission of enhancing the well-being of America’s veterans, their families, our military, and our communities through their devotion to mutual helpfulness. The Community Hall, which was originally built in 1898, lost to fire in 1990 and rebuilt soon after, serves as a community gathering space and also a Post Office. Rotary Charities funding will support the group’s effort to make necessary upgrades and repairs to the building, including the installation of a new roof.   

Crosshatch Center for Arts & Ecology – Traverse City, MI 
The Alluvion – $50,000 Assets for Thriving Communities Grant 

The Alluvion is a partnership between real estate co-operative Commongrounds, nonprofit Crosshatch Center for Arts & Ecology, and local musician Jeff Haas. The state-of-the-art venue will host performances, community arts, and rentals focused on creating exceptional art-based experiences for the Grand Traverse Region. This venue will bolster the regional arts economy by supporting local and traveling artists with a mid-sized high-quality space while providing fair wages to staff and performers. Designed to facilitate the relationship between performer and audience, this space will improve artist exposure and community access to performing and visual arts. Rotary Charities funding provides support as partners move this project into the final phase of development. This project received a Rotary Charities Seed grant awarded in November 2018, which funded program planning and development.  

Housing North – Traverse City, MI 
Housing Ready Program Expansion (Leelanau County) – $50,000 Assets for Thriving Communities Grant 

Housing North is working to remove barriers and support housing solutions in the ten counties of Northwest Michigan. Through their efforts to build awareness, influence policy, and expand capacity, Housing North’s work is effecting change at local and state levels that will advance their vision of Northern Michigan being a place where people of all income levels have access to homes that are safe and affordable. The organization’s Housing Ready Program, which launched with support from a 2020 Rotary Charities Systems Change Accelerator grant, provides market-driven housing solutions, tools, and support so communities can create housing solutions that meet their unique needs. Funding from Rotary Charities supports expansion of the Program in Leelanau County with a full-time Program Director, which will be a catalyst to effectively address attainable housing shortages in the county and also provide technical support in four counties without a Housing Ready Program.  

Interlochen Center for the Arts – Interlochen, MI 
Hearing Assistive Systems – $30,000 Assets for Thriving Communities Grant 

Founded in 1928, the Interlochen Center for the Arts is a destination where young artists transform their passion and potential into purpose, and where art enthusiasts and the community can gain exposure to artists from around the globe. After recently completing its 30-year Master Plan, which included a focus on ADA accessibility features in new buildings,  improvements to several of ICA’s older venues are needed to make them more accessible to students, staff, and guests of all abilities. Rotary Charities’ funding provides support for the installation of Hearing Assistive Systems in seven of Interlochen’s most-utilized public venues, furthering its ability to offer opportunities to experience the arts to all, including people with hearing impairments. 

Paddle Antrim – Elk Rapids, MI 
Elk Rapids Rotary Park Improvements – $50,000 Assets for Thriving Communities Grant 

In partnership with the Village of Elk Rapids, Paddle Antrim will make significant improvements to Elk Rapids Rotary Park. The park is a key trailhead on the State of Michigan designated Chain of Lakes Water Trail, the establishment of which was funded by a 2018 Assets for Thriving Communities grant. Rotary Charities funding  provides support for vital enhancements, including the installation of a universal access kayak and canoe launch, additional parking and improved traffic flow, restrooms designed for universal accessibility, and a permanent watercraft wash station to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. These improvements will modernize the existing park and provide access for residents and visitors of all physical abilities to safely experience the water, while working to protect the lakes and rivers.  

Traverse Area Historical Society – Traverse City, MI 
Kchi Wiikwedong Anishinaabe History Project– $50,000 Assets for Thriving Communities Grant 

The Traverse Area Historical Society’s mission is to preserve, protect, and present the historical record of Traverse City and the Grand Traverse area. TAHS serves this mission by providing support to the Traverse Area District Library’s local history archive and offering programs, tours, outreach, and information to Society members and the public alike on the subject of the Grand Traverse region’s history. Rotary Charities funding provides support for the Kchi Wiikwedong Anishinaabe History Project to elevate the presence, awareness, and understanding of local indigenous history in Traverse City and Leelanau County communities through the creation of  new signage at high-pedestrian-traffic and historically significant sites in Traverse City and Leelanau County municipalities. This project received a Rotary Charities Seed grant awarded in June of 2021 to fund research, GIS mapping and design, and sign design.  

Traverse Area Pickleball Association – Traverse City, MI 
Bowers Harbor Park Pickleball Courts – $30,000 Assets for Thriving Communities Grant 

Since the mid-80s, The Traverse Area Pickleball Association (TAPA) has grown the popularity of the sport among players of all ages. Formalized as a nonprofit organization in 2014, TAPA has worked with the YMCA and townships to establish several dedicated pickleball courts throughout the Traverse City area. Funding from Rotary Charities will support the construction of six new dedicated pickleball courts at Bowers Harbor Park, including permanent striping, fixed nets, lighting, wind-blocking screens, and a shade structure. The permanent, competition grade pickleball courts will enhance the park’s ability to host pickleball lessons and tournaments and expand access to the sport.  

Media Contact: To interview a Rotary Charities staff member about these grants or request grantee contact information please contact Miriam Owsley, Strategic Communications Manager, mowsley@rotarycharities.org.