Foundation reveals 2021 scholarship, grant opportunities
In 2020, the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation ( MPACF) awarded more than $ 1 million through scholarships and grants benefitting local students, charitable organizations, schools and units of government.
“At a time when our community needed more support than ever, the assets entrusted to us here at the Community Foundation allowed us to hit the million dollar mark for the second consecutive year,” Executive Director Amanda Schafer said.
According to a press release from MPACF, the organization has granted more than $9 million total since it was founded in 1990.
“Let’s see if we can reach that $10 million mark in 2021,” Schafer said.
MPACF is now accepting applications for over 100 scholarship opportunities. Most are available to local students who will complete
their senior year of high school or GED this spring. There are also two music scholarships for younger students, and more than a dozen scholarships for students already enrolled in, or planning to return to, some form of higher education. Frequently asked questions and a link to the online application system can be found at www. mpacf.org. Potential applicants are encouraged to attend a virtual Scholarship Information Session on Thursday, Jan. 14 at 4 p.m. The session will be recorded for future viewing. More information will be shared on the Foundation’s Facebook page over the coming weeks.
The 2021 scholarship application deadline is March 3.
MPACF is also accepting applications for its first of two annual competitive grant cycles. Charitable organizations, schools, and units of government may apply.
Though all program types are encouraged, the Community Foundation’s Board of Trustees is most interested in ideas that address one of the greatest concerns expressed in Isabella County’s most recent Community Needs Assessment:
Lack of jobs that pay enough to live oncrime, violence, or bullying.
Potential grantees are encouraged to attend a virtual Grantseeker Information Session with Program Officer Jaimie Capen- Cascaddan on Wednesday, Jan. 13. Visit www.mpacf.org to register for the 10 a.m. or the 3 p.m. session. Both will last approximately 2 hours. The first grant application deadline is Wednesday, May 19.
For information about starting or contributing to an endowed fund, which makes these annual opportunities possible, contact Executive Director Amanda Schafer at (989) 773-7322.