2018 Grant Distribution Event at Presque Isle Park a smashing success! 

The Community Foundation of Marquette County awarded over $73,000 in grant checks to successful applicants of the 2018 competitive grant cycle.   Community funds generated through a multitude of local donor gifts invested wisely over the last 30 years produced funds for Big Bay, Gwinn, Ishpeming, Negaunee and Marquette.
Grants from a number of these funds were distributed for varied projects throughout Marquette County.  115 applications produced a total 79 grants with projects ranging from an indoor rock-climbing wall for Negaunee Public Schools to funding for the Prime Time Family Reading Program at Peter White Public Library.  The new venue allowed easier access for media to grant recipients, resulting in two very nice articles in the Mining Journal and a story run by TV6.  It was a great opportunity for grant recipients to share their stories.  Please click here for a listing of the grants.

Community Foundation of Marquette County provides funding to support the maintenance of the Big Bay Pathway Ski Trail

Three component funds of the Community Foundation came together on June 5, 2018 to support the Powell Township Recreation Network. Health and Wellness Fund, Community Advised Big Bay Fund and the Robert Cowell and Kathleen Olivier Donor Advised Fund provided $500.00 grant each for a total of $1,500.00. The grant proposal was submitted to the Marquette Spring Program 2018.

Powell Township is reinvigorating its activities in relation to trail development after 8 years of development of two parks in the township– Thomas’ Rock Scenic Overlook and Burns Landing.   The investment in used equipment is necessary to move forward to maintain existing trails and to create an access trail for the youth from Powell Township School.

Pictured: Bob Cowell (Community Advised Big Bay Fund and Robert Cowell and Kathleen Olivier Donor Advised Fund) presents the grant to Lucy Wilcox (Parks and Rec Committee) and Sven Gonstead

Silver Sample Summer Seniors

The sense of accomplishment as one conquers a situation which might otherwise be out of reach is very powerful.  The Silver Sampler Summer Seniors offered a new set of outdoor recreation experiences for seniors 55 and over who live within the service area of the Marquette Senior Center.  With a goal of introducing seniors to new hiking trails and water pathways and hopefully revisiting some of the special places they discovered in the past.  The $500 grant from the Community Foundation was used to engage Senior Citizens in outdoor activities to enhance their physical, emotional and community growth and increase awareness and skills in outdoor recreation in and around Marquette.  Participants have been able to explore numerous outdoor venues (hiking and kayaking) and have also been introduced to non-program events such as races, hikes and biking opportunities offered in the community. One returning participant from last year was anxious to rejoin in 2017, she signed up for all the scheduled events. Unfortunately, her husband had a serious stroke.  Immediately, group members, the group leader and the project director reached out to offer support.  They stayed in contact with her.  She later returned to the group saying the group “saved” her! 

Lego Club at Forsyth Township Public Library


The Forsyth Township Public Library received a grant to fund their Lego Club program. The grant helped them purchase a variety of building clocks and idea books in preparation for the launch of Lego Clubs for children of varying ages in the Gwinn Community. The Lego Clubs launched during the Summer Reading Program at the Library. A total of 82 children and 34 adults attended the twice-weekly clubs during the six-week program. They began offering After School Lego Clubs in September twice per month serving 52 children to date. They are now able to provide children with snacks as well. They also offer Duplo building once per month at our weekly Story Times for our younger patrons to enjoy. Children are learning to share and work together. They are excited about reading the Lego books that have been added to their collection, which strengthens literacy and promotes a love of reading.

Healthy Living continues in Marquette County – MI Health Endowment

Healthy living will continue in Marquette County schools, preschools and day cares this year all thanks to a 100,000 grant from The Michigan Health Endowment Fund.

Marquette-Alger Regional Educational Service Agency (MARESA), and The Superior Health Foundation and the Community Foundation will be using the money to ensure the continuation of the PE-Nut Expansion Project (P.E.P).

The program is targeted at increasing fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity of students in nine local elementary school and Early Childhood Programs in Marquette and Alger Counties.

As part of an in classroom component of the program a health educator visits the schools several times a year to ensure simple consistent messaging to motivate students. Students also get the chance to build their own healthy meals in those classroom settings.

The foundation’s CEO, Gail Anthony, is confident the lessons will provide a unique spin on health education.

“They introduce them in a fun way, hands-on activities, it is increasing the use of healthy foods in the home,” said Anthony. “It’s a fun activity and it’s a good outcome for the families.”

A new feature of P.E.P. is the addition of a new target audience of four-year-olds and their parents, along with an increased role for area grocers and produce departments. They are calling it the “Healthy Heroes” component of the grant. Pre-schools will start distributing punch cards that entitles each child to one free fresh fruit or vegetable per month for six months at participating grocers.

Families of the pre-schoolers will have access to a P.E.P. web page that links the fruit or vegetable of the month with recipes, resources and fitness/activity ideas. Cards will be punched for all 6 months and turned in for one of five “Healthy Heroes” grocery store gift certificates in the amount of $100.00.

Five major grocers have committed to partnering with MARESA. Participating grocers include Tadych’s Econofoods, Marquette, Super One, Negaunee, Jubilee Foods, Ishpeming, Larry’s Foods, Gwinn and Family Fare Supermarket, in Munising.

Negaunee library installs dropbox

The Negaunee Public Library has installed a remote dropbox at the Negaunee Township Hall along M-35. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Friday. The dropbox was made possible by grants from the Community Foundation of Marquette County, the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Phyllis & Max Reynolds Foundation, as well as the hard work of the Friends of the Negaunee Public Library and the Negaunee Township staff. Patrons will be able to drop off their books and other materials at the new dropbox, which will be emptied on a weekly basis.

In the above photo, Library Director Jessica Holman cuts the ribbon on the new dropbox while Negaunee Township Supervisor William Carlson, Negaunee Township staff, Friends of the Negaunee Public Library, and Deb Biggs of the Library of Michigan look on.