Range Bank Clean Energy Fund

Grants from the Range Bank Clean Energy Fund support energy transition programs and initiatives in Marquette County including, but not limited to, greater reliance on renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, reductions in energy demand through a variety of energy efficiency improvements.

Applicants must be qualified nonprofit organizations serving Marquette County. No grants are made to individuals, private foundations, or for-profit enterprises. The maximum grant amount is $5,000.

Projects can include physical improvements (e.g. LED lighting/exit Signs, occupancy sensors, insulation, solar, battery storage, level II EV charging ) and/or non-physical activities (e.g. community engagement, education).

2021 APPLICATIONS ARE CURRENTLY CLOSED. Please join our email list or check back in 2022.

Give to the Range Bank Clean Energy Fund

History of the Clean Energy Initiative

Michigan is in the midst of a major energy transition, which includes greater reliance on renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, and reductions in energy demand through a variety of energy efficiency improvements. This “clean energy” transition presents opportunities and challenges that are felt acutely at the community level. Community foundations are well-positioned to help successfully address such challenges and opportunities.

With a 2018 grant from Mott Foundation, the Community Foundation of Marquette County created energy information materials, developed three demonstration sites that illustrate energy efficiency and renewable energy practices, and convened an energy awareness community event.

These outreach efforts served to educate the community on the benefits of clean energy, share environmental and economic benefits documented from project demonstration sites. Key partners of the Initiative included the Superior Watershed Partnership, Michigan Energy Options and Range Bank.

Community Environmental Monitoring Program

CEMP is an independent program established by the Community Foundation of Marquette County and the Eagle Mine to conduct environmental monitoring related to mining operations at the Eagle Mine in north Marquette County by working with universities, contractors and EPA approved laboratories.

When a mining company comes to town, it’s almost always bound to be controversial. But, in a unique partnership that’s been recognized as a standard for excellence worldwide, Eagle Mine, Community Foundation of Marquette County, and Superior Watershed Partnership are working together to ensure prosperous, healthy, and sustainable outcomes for the people and in Marquette County.

Census 2020

Community Foundation of Marquette County is excited to partner with Michigan Nonprofit Association and Grow & Lead: Community and Youth Development for Census 2020 education and outreach efforts!

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Marion C. Vander Veen Family Great Lakes Education Donor Advised Fund

Marion Vander Veen was born in Webberville, MI on January 21 in 1924. She then moved to various cities in Michigan, before meeting husband, Dick, in Muskegon, where they played opposite each other in their high school Christmas pageant. While Dick served in WWII, Marion graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a teaching degree. She served as a national officer of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority, which presented her with its Mabel Lee Walton national leadership award, calling her “one of those unusual people who is as pretty as she is intelligent as she is charming.”

The couple married in 1946 and moved to Boston, where Marion taught grade school in Brookline while Dick attended Harvard Law School. In 1950, they settled in Grand Rapids, where they built their first home, and were active members of Westminster Presbyterian Church.

During her life, Marion accomplished many things including: helping with her husband’s campaign for congressman in 1974, active in the International Women’s Club, being appointed to Michigan’s Electoral College, and establishing the Vander Veen Center for the Book at the Grand Rapids Public Library.

Marion Vander Veen passed away on March 19, 2019. Her spirit of adventure matched her husband Dick’s, and her grace, liveliness, and love of beauty embroidered everything they did together. She was an accomplished water colorist, a gardener, a committed Democrat, and the encouraging mother of three skating, sailing, nature-loving boys. Marion’s civic commitment continued to the end of her life. In 2018 she established the Marion C. Vander Veen Great Lakes Education Fund to engage and educate young people to “protect our Great Lakes for future generations.”

To support the fund, click here

Great Lakes One Water

The Community Foundation of Marquette County has joined four other community foundations in the Lake Superior/Upper Peninsula region to release an action plan designed to protect the water resources of the region by limiting the impact of extreme weather events and flooding. The Resilient Future Project seeks to build a community of civic and municipal leaders with the vision and drive to identify and implement strategies to better prepare for severe storm events.

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Rain Garden Challenge

As part of GLOW, the Community Foundation of Marquette County has partnered with Superior Watershed Partnership to build rain gardens to three residentials homes and two businesses in the City of Marquette. To apply and for more information of the projects, click on the button.

APPLICATION