2023 Impact100 TC $113,000 Grant Recipient.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and Sunrise Rotary’s Born to Read are working with Munson Medical Center to increase kindergarten readiness across the Grand Traverse Region. Just 44% of local children start kindergarten with the literacy skills needed to succeed.  

Research shows the first 3-years of life are critical for brain development. Nurturing interactions, having books in the home, and reading to babies lay the foundation for learning long before children enter school. We are building a system to educate and invite new parents to enroll their newborn in the Imagination Library before leaving Munson hospital.

The earlier a child enrolls, the greater the effect on school readiness. Every month children will receive an age-appropriate book until age 5, at no cost to families. With Impact 100’s support, we can transform children’s lives by inspiring a love of reading and delivering books to children across the 5-county region, starting at birth. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library GTR Grant Application

Check out: Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library GTR Wishlist & Website

2023 Impact100 TC $113,000 Grant Recipient.

United We Smile is a free dental center for children, pregnant women, veterans, and those with cognitive or developmental disabilities. Local volunteer dentists oversee dental interns from U of M School of Dentistry and NMC Dental Assisting School while our Community Health Worker oversees Social Work interns from NMC. As part of a mandatory graduation requirement, these dental providers will now learn the skills necessary to be able to treat patients with challenging comorbidities, developmental disabilities, PTSD, and pre-cooperative behavior. With no out of pocket costs for patients, a free goods store, and many wrap-around services in collaboration with our community partners, we will begin to see not only a better quality of life for these patients, but also a solution to the access to care issue for generations to come. United Way of NW MI Grant Application

Check out: United Way of Northwest Michigan Wishlist & Website

2023 Impact100 TC $113,000 Grant Recipient.

For over 22 years, Freedom Builders has met critical housing needs in northern Michigan. Utilizing a dedicated group of volunteers of all ages, Freedom Builders facilitates service projects that meet needs and connect struggling families with people who care for them and can help.

Freedom Builders has recently purchased property in Chums Village and is seeking funding to construct a building. The property is the geographical center of the five-county area where the organization serves, and the building will house equipment and materials, make it easier for the organization to receive and store donated materials, improve the organization’s ability to gather and train volunteers, reduce costs and improve efficiency, and more.

All these will directly increase the ability of Freedom Builders to fulfill its mission to “rebuild hope, one home at a time.” The resulting impact on northern Michigan will be the increased improvement of the lives of people in need and those who serve and care for them. Freedom Builders Grant Application

Check out: Freedom Builders Wishlist & Website