Globally, foundations are being challenged to think differently about how they operate, fund, and serve their communities. Rotary Charities of Traverse City heard this call early on in the pandemic.  And, through the trusting relationships that we have built over time, community leaders and grantees have shared with us what support they need to continue delivering their programming and achieving their vision. We are invested in the work of our grantees and are committed to providing the funding, learning,  and connections that changemakers need to be successful in meeting the needs of our region.

FUNDING

Building flexibility into our strategies enabled us to adapt and respond to the changing needs of regional nonprofits.  In  FY  20-21,  we granted nearly  $50,000  to four organizations for the specific purpose of adapting to new realities brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. To accommodate our existing grantees, we offered flexibility in the use of grant funds and extended activity and reporting timelines. In collaboration with our philanthropic partners, we creatively leveraged resources to meet emerging needs in our communities.

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LEARNING

We supported changemakers’ learning and growth by hosting several professional development workshops focused on helping organizations work better together.  Our staff also curated resources, webinars, and virtual learning opportunities offered by national and international organizations and invited subject matter experts to attend our Community of Practice virtual meetings.

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CONNECTING

In partnership with regional community foundations, we connected leaders from 64 organizations to a  talented team of professionals,  providing  136  hours of consultation to nonprofits in Antrim,  Benzie,  Emmet,  Grand  Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, and Manistee counties. We are helping communities and their leaders as they continue to adapt, shifting our focus from crisis support to recovery and resilience. We saw the value of leveraging our networks to lift our grantees’ voices and share their stories with our audiences, creating shareable assets and demonstrating the meaningful change and lasting impact their work has on communities in Northern Michigan.

Meet Your Recovery Support Team

“On behalf of our board, staff, and families we serve at Michael’s Place, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for your profound compassion, leadership and guidance, and willingness to see the changing world and the current needs of regional nonprofits. Throughout the pandemic, I have continued to feel like we can count on Rotary Charities.”  

-Mindy Buell, Executive Director/CEO, Michael’s Place