LUDINGTON — The Community Foundation for Mason County and the Youth Advisory Council are accepting applications for two spring grant opportunities. Through its Campaign for Mason County and community supporters, the Community Foundation has more than $120,000 in grant funding available for this cycle.
“We are deeply grateful to the generous donors whose vision and support allow us to address our community’s greatest needs and opportunities,” said Andrea Large, executive director of the Community Foundation for Mason County. “It is truly a partnership; we are equally thankful for the dedicated local nonprofits who bring these projects to life, making Mason County a more vibrant place for us all to live and work.”
The Community Foundation supports projects that align with its newly updated strategic grant-making priorities of education (workforce and learning readiness), economic development (workforce supports), and community development (recreation & quality of life). These grants are available to 501(c)(3) organizations, churches, schools, agencies, and governmental units serving the greater Mason County area. Applications for this cycle must be submitted by February 19, 2026. For more information or to apply, visit mason-foundation.org/community-foundation-competitive-grants/.
Within this strategic grant cycle, a new grant opportunity is available for 2026 through the newly established Boon House Legacy Fund. This grant will specifically support projects addressing the prevention, treatment, and recovery of substance abuse and substance use disorders. Nonprofits interested in this funding should complete the standard community foundation application and select “The Boon House Legacy Fund Grant” option in the strategic goal section.
The Youth Advisory Council is also accepting spring applications for programs designed to meet the needs of Mason County youth. YAC’s priority areas for funding include youth mental health, managing academic stress, youth substance abuse prevention, home life, and bullying/cyberbullying. All 501(c)(3) organizations, churches, schools, agencies, and governmental units serving youth in Mason County are eligible to apply. The deadline for YAC Spring 2026 grant applications is March 2, 2026. Interested organizations can learn more at mason-foundation.org/yac-competitive-grants/.
The following Funds for the Community and Field of Interest Funds currently support the Community Foundation’s grant program:
• Birtwistle Education Fund
• Bob & Kay Neal Fund
• Campaign for Mason County Fund
• Carl & Alida Ann (Agens) Sorensen Fund
• Charles Conrad Fund
• Charles L. (Sandy) Cabe Fund
• Class of 1957 of Ludington High School Fund
• Clinton & Lila Coleman and Charles & Margarette Reader Fund
• Daisy Marsh Reek Fund
• Daniel King & Carissima “Kelly” Aloe Community Fund
• Dick & Cathy (Coleman) Reader Fund
• Drs. Ruth & John Carney Education Fund
• Everett J. Liebetreu Fund
• Fabaz Family Fund
• Five Friends Fund
• Food for Families Fund
• Frank & Delores Valenta Fund
• G. William & Martha Paine Community Fund
• Gerald & Dorothy Heslipen Fund
• Greater Mason County Fund
• Gregory & Harriet Jones Family Fund
• Horizon Financial Fund
• Isabelle Hasenbank Fund
• Jeanne Oakes Community Fund
• Karen M. Worten Fund
• Kenneth & Karen Klegon Community Fund
• KickStart to Career Mason County Endowment Fund
• Lee & Joan Schoenherr Community Fund
• Lee & Joan Schoenherr Fund
• Les & Jill Kaines Fund
• Lori & Frank Longmore Children’s Vision Fund
• Ludington Area Foundation Recreation Fund
• Ludington Lions Club Fund
• Maclean Family Fund
• Marlene A. Haliburda Ladd Fund
• Mason County Funds for the Community
• Mason County Housing Initiatives Fund
• Mason County Youth Advisory Council Fund
• Michigan Power Fund
• Milan & Dorothy Reed Community Fund
• Milan S. “Budde” II & Sheryl Reed Community Fund
• Paul & Cathy Drewry Family Fund
• Richard & Helen Daron Fund
• Rick & Mary Ann Randall Fund
• Rick & Sharon Templar Fund
• Robert A. Smith & Patricia A. Smith Fund
• Ron & Dawn Sarto Family Fund
• Safe Harbor Credit Union Community Fund
• Shirley M. Smedley Memorial Fund
• Stanley Kleinstein Youth Recreation Fund
• The Boon House Legacy Fund
• Thomas L. Horowski Memorial Fund
• Thomas W. Paine Community Fund
• Todd & Julie Schrader Love Ludington Fund
• Tom Coleman Fund
• West Shore Bank Community Reinvestment Fund
The Community Foundation for Mason County was created in 1988 to improve the quality of life for Mason County residents. A publicly supported community endowment and an affiliate of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, the community foundation receives and manages contributions from community citizens and organizations committed to Mason County’s future.
The Youth Advisory Council of Mason County is a collective of over 20 youth grant makers representing Mason County area high schools. The YAC is made up of student representatives from Mason County schools and supported by adult advisors. This group of young people is Mason County’s own local panel of experts regarding youth issues who provide recommendations to the Community Foundation’s board of directors about grants to be awarded from the Youth Advisory Council Fund each year.
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