Area nonprofits getting $44,200 in People Fund grants

BOYNE CITY — Great Lakes Energy’s People Fund program recently awarded nine grants totaling $44,200 to Northern Michigan nonprofit organizations, contributions made possible by Great Lakes members who voluntarily allow the electric cooperative to round up their monthly bills to the next dollar.

Organizations chosen this month by the People Fund’s board of directors to receive grants included Garfield Township Parks & Recreation in Fife Lake, which was awarded $2,500 for picnic tables and grills; the city of Boyne City, granted $10,000 for a community pavilion; Otsego County Library, which was awarded $2,500 for equipment for its Vanderbilt branch; HeadWaters Land Conservancy in Gaylord, selected to receive $1,000 for materials for wildlife exhibits; Huron Pines Resource Conservation & Development Council Inc. in Gaylord, awarded $10,000 for towards removal of the Song of the Morning Dam in the Pigeon River system; Raven Hill Discovery Center in East Jordan, awarded $5,200 for renovation of electrical and heating systems in a one-room schoolhouse; Pigeon River Country Association in Grayling; granted $7,000 for building renovations, contingent on securing the building lease; The Manna Food Project in Harbor Springs, awarded $5,000 for the Backpack for Kids program; and The Nehemiah Project, Petoskey, granted $1,000 for computers and computer desks.

More than $2.7 million in grants have been awarded since 1999 to charitable and community organizations throughout Great Lakes Energy’s 26-county service area, which stretches along the western side of Michigan.

“The average contribution to the People Fund is less than 50 cents per month,” said Great Lakes Energy president/chief executive officer Steve Boeckman. “It’s one of the easiest ways our members can show their commitment to local communities by rounding their bill to the nearest dollar.”

Great Lakes Energy members can enroll in the People Fund by calling (888) 485-2537 or visiting gtlakes.com. The program uses 100 percent of the funds collected for grants.

Nonprofit organizations in the Great Lakes Energy service area can apply for a grant through the People Fund by calling Great Lakes Energy, (888) 485-2537, extension 1313. The next grant application deadline is Oct. 1.