Midland Area Community Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $5.2 million+
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Quarterly review cycle (varies by program)
• Grant Range: $500 - $60,000 (varies by program)
• Geographic Focus: Midland County, Michigan
• Total Managed Funds: 700+ individual funds
• Total Community Investment Since 1973: $150 million+

Contact Details

Address: 76 Ashman Circle, Midland, MI 48640

Phone: (989) 839-9661

Email: info@midlandfoundation.org

Website: www.midlandfoundation.org

Pre-Application Support: Director of Community Impact (available for consultation via phone or email)

Monthly Q&A Sessions: First Wednesday of every month at 3 PM via Zoom (contact Director of Community Impact for link)

Overview

Founded on October 2, 1973, by 25 Midland leaders, the Midland Area Community Foundation (MACF) has been building permanent community capital for over 50 years. With more than 700 individual funds and $150 million+ invested in the community since inception, MACF annually awards over $5.2 million in grants and scholarships. The Foundation's mission is "to cultivate the power of giving within our community, support long-term transformation, and help ensure all residents thrive." President & CEO Sharon Mortensen emphasizes that MACF is "not just an ATM" but focused on "developing leadership" through collaborative philanthropy. The Foundation manages grants, scholarships, and community initiatives while serving as a catalyst for systemic change across Midland County. Charity Navigator awards MACF a Four-Star rating with a perfect 100% score for financial health and accountability.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Investment Grants (Up to $60,000 per quarter)

• General operating support and project-specific funding
• Quarterly competitive deadlines (January 15, April 15, July 15, October 15)
• Online application via GOapply platform
• Open to 501(c)(3) nonprofits, educational institutions, and government entities serving Midland County

Hemlock Semiconductor CARE Grants (Up to $30,000)

• Focus on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) and workforce development
• Regional programs receive up to $30,000; local programs up to $10,000
• Three annual deadlines: end of January, May, and September
• Administered through MACF, Bay Area Community Foundation, and Saginaw Community Foundation

TOWN Grants (Up to $5,000)

• Matching funds for public improvement projects across Midland County
• Requires project budget submission

Youth Action Council Grants (Up to $10,000)

• Student-led grant review process (6th-12th graders)
• Approximately $100,000 distributed annually
• Monthly review during academic year
• Focus on projects that improve young people's lives

Youth Action Council Mini-Grants (Up to $500)

• Available to K-12 students in Midland County
• Rolling basis, requests due by day 10 of most months during academic year
• For youth-led community change projects

Adult Action Mini-Grants (Up to $500)

• For PTOs, Booster Clubs, and other adult action groups supporting youth
• Up to $500 per rolling calendar year

Priority Areas

MACF aligns all grants with Midland County's Four Focus Areas:

1. Building our Livelihood: Economic development, infrastructure
2. Developing our Talent: Education, youth development and engagement, talent attraction/retention
3. Caring For our People: Human and social services, poverty alleviation, housing, mental and physical health, public safety
4. Enriching our Community: Arts, culture, entertainment, recreation, diversity, community leadership, environment

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not explicitly documented in public materials. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Director of Community Impact to discuss project eligibility.

Governance and Leadership

Board Officers

• Board Chair: Bill Garchow
• Vice Chair: Debbie Stephens
• Secretary: Ann Holmon
• Treasurer: Lou Mencia

Staff Leadership

• President & CEO: Sharon Mortensen
• Chief Financial Officer: Kyle Fahrner
• Youth Action Council Coordinator: Sara JacobsCarter (sjacobscarter@midlandfoundation.org)
• Director of Community Impact (primary contact for grant applicants)

Leadership Philosophy

Sharon Mortensen has articulated the Foundation's collaborative approach: "Working in collaboration is the best way to move the needle on health issues in our community." She emphasizes inclusivity: "Our vision is that Midland is an inclusive community, that we welcome all, we wrap our arms around all, and we can listen and learn from all." On the Foundation's role, she states: "We're not just an ATM. We're about developing leadership."

The Foundation honors its original trustees' vision, with founding trustee Ann Smock noting: "I choose to share this information in the hopes that it might stir others to see that their philanthropic actions... do make a difference."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Application Platform: GOapply (online application system)

Pre-Application Steps:

1. Review specific grant program guidelines on the Foundation website
2. Attend monthly Q&A Zoom session (first Wednesday of each month at 3 PM)
3. Contact Director of Community Impact for guidance (989-839-9661 or info@midlandfoundation.org)
4. Ensure project aligns with one of the Four Focus Areas
5. Prepare project budget using Foundation templates

Application Requirements:

• Detailed project proposal
• Project budget
• Organizational information and documentation of 501(c)(3) status (or educational/governmental entity verification)

Decision Timeline

Community Investment Grants: Quarterly review cycle with deadlines typically on the 15th of January, April, July, and October. Board of Trustees approves grants following each deadline, with announcements made within the same quarter.

Hemlock Semiconductor CARE Grants: Three annual cycles with deadlines at the end of January, May, and September.

Youth Action Council Grants: Monthly review during academic year (September-May).

Grant Reporting: Beginning in 2024, MACF schedules conversations with all grantees in lieu of written reports. Conversations occur after grant funds have been spent and timing depends on each grantee's award timeline.

Success Rates

Specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed. However, recent quarterly data shows:

• Q4 2024: 7 grants awarded totaling $108,000
• Q3 2024: Multiple grants totaling $300,000+
• Q2 2024: 11 grants awarded totaling $250,000+ (including 3 Youth Action Council grants)

The Foundation awarded $5.2 million through 113 grants in their most recent reporting period.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly documented. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Director of Community Impact to discuss feedback and reapplication opportunities. The quarterly structure allows organizations to reapply in subsequent cycles.

Application Success Factors

Foundation-Specific Priorities

Alignment with Four Focus Areas: MACF explicitly states that projects must align with at least one of the Four Focus Areas. Recent successful grants demonstrate this alignment:

• Building our Livelihood: Midland County Agricultural & Horticultural Society received $60,000 for Fair Center renovation
• Developing our Talent: Girls on the Run received funding for updated curricula across 2024-2025
• Caring For our People: Family and Children's Services of Mid-Michigan received $60,000 for mental healthcare recruitment/retention; Midland County Habitat for Humanity received $60,000 for affordable housing furnishings
• Enriching our Community: Temple Beth El received $5,000 for security enhancements; Carpenter Street Community Garden received $10,000 for raised beds

Collaborative Approach: Sharon Mortensen emphasizes: "Working in collaboration is the best way to move the needle." Applications demonstrating partnerships or collaborative impact are valued.

Community Transformation: The Foundation's mission focuses on "long-term transformation" rather than short-term fixes. Projects showing sustainable, systemic impact align with this priority.

Accessibility to Support: The Foundation explicitly states: "The Community Foundation is here to help guide and support your organization through the grant process." Taking advantage of pre-application consultations and monthly Q&A sessions demonstrates engagement and can strengthen applications.

Youth Voice and Leadership: With the Youth Action Council reviewing approximately $100,000 annually, projects that benefit young people or include youth participation align with Foundation values.

Documented Application Tips

1. Attend Monthly Q&A Sessions: The Foundation offers informal Zoom meetings on the first Wednesday of every month at 3 PM to answer questions about grant processes.

2. Contact Staff Early: The Director of Community Impact is available for consultations about project eligibility and alignment with Foundation priorities.

3. Use Provided Templates: The Foundation provides budget templates to ensure applications are complete and well-organized.

4. Demonstrate County-Wide Impact: For programs like TOWN grants, the Foundation explicitly states the goal is "to support projects across the entire County of Midland."

5. Understand the Review Process: Community Investment Grants are reviewed by the Board of Trustees quarterly. Youth Action Council grants are reviewed by middle and high school students monthly during the academic year.

Recent Successful Projects

Examples of recently funded initiatives include:

• Children's Grief Center: $10,000 to expand peer support programming to 10 additional schools
• Team 2619 Robotics: $5,000 to outfit the Midland Robotics Center
• Clothing INC: $8,000 for operating costs
• Rayola Inc.: $2,000 for care packages for children in foster care
• Ten16: Funding for The BRIDGE Initiative capacity-building

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Leverage Pre-Application Support: MACF actively encourages applicants to seek guidance from their Director of Community Impact and attend monthly Q&A sessions—take advantage of these resources to strengthen your application and ensure alignment with priorities.

• Align Explicitly with Four Focus Areas: Every successful application demonstrates clear alignment with at least one of the Four Focus Areas (Building our Livelihood, Developing our Talent, Caring For our People, Enriching our Community). Make this connection explicit in your proposal.

• Think Collaboration and Transformation: Sharon Mortensen's emphasis that MACF is "not just an ATM" but about "developing leadership" signals preference for projects demonstrating collaborative partnerships and long-term, transformative community impact over short-term fixes.

• Multiple Grant Opportunities: Beyond the flagship Community Investment Grants (up to $60,000), explore specialized programs like Hemlock Semiconductor CARE Grants ($30,000), TOWN matching grants ($5,000), and Youth Action Council grants ($10,000) that may align with your project.

• Youth-Focused Projects Have Dedicated Funding: With the Youth Action Council distributing approximately $100,000 annually and reviewing applications monthly during the academic year, projects benefiting young people have multiple pathways to funding including student-led review processes.

• Quarterly Opportunities for Reapplication: With four annual deadlines (typically January 15, April 15, July 15, October 15), unsuccessful applicants can refine and resubmit relatively quickly compared to annual-only funders.

• Relationship-Building is Valued: The Foundation's emphasis on being "here to help guide and support" applicants and their vision for "an inclusive community" that "welcomes all" suggests building ongoing relationships with Foundation staff strengthens your positioning beyond a single application.

References

1. Midland Area Community Foundation Official Website - Homepage. https://www.midlandfoundation.org/ (Accessed January 2026)

2. Midland Area Community Foundation - Apply Page. https://www.midlandfoundation.org/apply/ (Accessed January 2026)

3. Midland Area Community Foundation - About Us Page. https://www.midlandfoundation.org/aboutus/ (Accessed January 2026)

4. Midland Area Community Foundation - Youth Action Council. https://www.midlandfoundation.org/initiative/youthactioncouncil/ (Accessed January 2026)

5. Midland Area Community Foundation - Cause IQ Profile. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/midland-area-community-foundation,382023395/ (Accessed January 2026)

6. "Midland Area Community Foundation awards over $100,000 to strengthen community." Catalyst Midland, 2024. https://catalystmidland.com/2024MACFgrants/ (Accessed January 2026)

7. "Midland Area Community Foundation Grants Over $300,000 in Third Quarter." Midland Area Community Foundation, 2024. https://www.midlandfoundation.org/story/3qgrants_2024/ (Accessed January 2026)

8. "Midland Area Community Foundation Grants Over $250,000 in 2024's Second Quarter." Midland Area Community Foundation, 2024. https://www.midlandfoundation.org/story/2024q2grants/ (Accessed January 2026)

9. "Midland Area Community Foundation awards $345K in quarterly grants." Our Midland. https://www.ourmidland.com/news/article/midland-area-community-foundation-awards-345k-20764464.php (Accessed January 2026)

10. Charity Navigator - Midland Area Community Foundation Rating. https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/382023395 (Accessed January 2026)

11. "Hemlock Semiconductor CARE Grants Strengthen Community Vitality." Hemlock Semiconductor. https://www.hscpoly.com/hemlock-semiconductor-care-grants-strengthen-community-vitality/ (Accessed January 2026)

12. "Applications open for Community Investment Grant (Michigan)." fundsforNGOs. https://us.fundsforngos.org/type-of-grantgrant/applications-open-for-community-investment-grant-michigan/ (Accessed January 2026)