2025 Impact100 TC $116,000 Grant Recipient.

Goodwill Northern Michigan’s Food Rescue program is transforming food access across the region. Since 2008, the program has recovered and redistributed 2.2 million pounds of food annually—enough for 6,500 meals each day—to 78 pantries, meal sites, and baby pantries across five counties. In 2014, only 13% of partners could reliably offer fresh produce. Today, 80% can. With Impact100 Traverse City’s support, we can achieve 100% by 2027.

The barrier is cold storage. Throughout the year, and in particular during harvest season, thousands of pounds of produce are lost due to limited capacity, restricting access for the 20% of pantries that cannot consistently provide fresh food. A new walk-in cooler at our Traverse City warehouse will more than double storage, extend shelf life, reduce waste, and ensure healthy food reaches families.

The initiative also strengthens our Healthy Harvest program, which rescues surplus produce from area farms. In 2024, 320,000 pounds were distributed, but over 100,000 pounds were left uncollected due to storage constraints.   This lack of capacity continues to affect Food Rescue in 2025.  Tomorrow, Food Rescue will pick up 2,400 pounds of peaches in Hart, Michigan, but they will have to pass up the opportunity to pick up another 7,200 pounds given the lack of cold storage. Expanded capacity will capture more of this food, feeding families instead of going to waste.

The initiative is shovel-ready and sustainable. With minimal operating costs, no new staffing needs, and Goodwill’s overhead covered through stores and ecommerce, 100% of an Impact100 Traverse City grant will fund infrastructure that delivers lasting impact. Together, we can ensure every pantry opens its doors with fresh, healthy food—nourishing families and strengthening communities. Read more

 Check Out: Goodwill Northern MI Food Rescue Wishlist & Website

2024 Impact100 TC $116,000 Grant Recipient. 

The mission of TARP is to undertake projects which will enhance the quality of life for all people in the greater Thompsonville area.

TARP’s keystone project is the creation of a bicycle trailhead, and an ADA compliant visitor’s pavilion and campground at the historic Thompsonville Junction. TARP’s vision is that this project would initiate a transformational change to the Thompsonville area community. With the successful completion of the trailhead project, Thompsonville would become an important node on the recreational trail map that is evolving in Michigan and attract runners, wheelers, walkers, bicyclists and bicycle campers. The pavilion could be utilized as an outdoor education setting for students in the local preschool and learning center

and the Benzie Central school system, as well as a venue for programs of other non-profits, and public outdoor meetings and functions. By commemorating Thompsonville’s past, this project would establish a path for the community’s future. Read more

Check Out: Thompsonville Area Revitalization Project Wishlist & Website

2024 Impact100 TC $116,000 Grant Recipient.

Leelanau Investing For Teens (LIFT) is the only no-cost, out-of-school program for 6th through 12th graders in Leelanau County. Over 400 middle and high schoolers join LIFT programming 230 days of the year to connect with community mentors and participate in activities that support their development and mental health.

Housed within three school districts, teens spend over 2,725 hours in LIFT’s dedicated classrooms annually. LIFT’s well-loved out-of-school time spaces are the image of thrift and creativity. Tabletops rest on milk crates, couch covers hide stains, and malfunctioning spring-loaded recliners can send an unsuspecting teen flying.  

Inspired by research on the impact of the physical environment on mental health, LIFT is updating its classrooms for the first time as a necessary investment in the wellbeing of local teens. LIFT will simultaneously purchase a 12-passenger vehicle to increase accessibility to its programs by providing participating teens with transportation to and from its out-of-school time activities. Friendship Community Center Grant Application

Check out: Friendship Community Center Grant Application Wishlist & Website

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