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

2022 Impact100 TC $112,000 Grant Recipient.

Since 2016, the Kalkaska Trail Town Partners began their efforts to bring a non-motorized, ADA accessible Trailhead to Downtown Kalkaska and eliminate “road walk” sections of the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCT) to a safer and more natural setting along the North Branch of the Boardman River.

DNR approved the Phase I reroute in 2020. Phase II is to create a trailhead on US-131 with parking for 30 vehicles, including handicap spaces. An ADA Accessible trail, will lead to the Boardman River Boardwalk with seating space for all to enjoy nature. Impact 100 funds will be used directly for construction of the trailhead and boardwalk.

This facility will not only be a much needed asset to the NCT, but will create the ability for those who are mobility-challenged, as well as the entire community, to enjoy the Boardman River, at a location that has been too remote to access. North Country Trail Association Grant  Application

Check Out: North Country Trail Association Website & Website

2022 Impact100 TC $112,000 Grant Recipient

Friends of the Garden Theater seeks an Impact100 Grant to fund their Performing Arts Project. This will allow for the theater to offer a wider variety of artistic and educational performances to substantially strengthen the cultural richness in Northern Michigan, further community bonding, and promote local prosperity. The proposed project includes entirely new lighting, rigging, video, and sound systems for the theater as well as improvements to the theater’s accessibility and the investment of venue necessities. These enhancements will transform the Garden Theater into a fully functioning multipurpose venue and community center. By mitigating ongoing equipment rental expenses and, therefore, lessening ticket costs, it will give greater access to all community members seeking a culturally fulfilling experience and to various performers seeking an audience.  Friends of the Garden Theater Grant Application

Check Out: Friends of the Granden Theater Wishlist & Website

2022 Impact100 TC $112,000 Grant Recipient.

Single MOMM focuses on guiding single moms to healthy independence. In their 2021-2022 fiscal year they served 1,932 families. 80% of the families they serve are living at or below the poverty line.

As the price of living has skyrocketed, their families have struggled to maintain stability. Many of them through the guidance of Single MOMM have moved further into the rural areas surrounding Grand Traverse to find affordable living situations.

This reality has made it imperative that Single MOMM is able to reach the families they have identified as needing their services throughout Benzie and Leelanau counties.

Single MOMM is seeking funding to create a mobile office that would bring mentorship, classes, events, and financial assistance to these families. Together, Impact 100 and Single MOMM can help hardworking women advance in their vocational skills, create stable homes for their children, and increase in their self-worth.  Single Momm Grant Application

Check out: Single Momm Wishlist& Website