GRANTS

Our Funding Priorities

Friends of Lake Leelanau seeks to protect and preserve the health and beauty of Lake Leelanau and its surrounding watershed for future generations. Friends partners with people, organizations and institutions who share this goal.

Friends of Lake Leelanau operates within the model of trust-based philanthropy, which includes the practice of granting unrestricted funds that may be used for operating support, salaries or overhead. Friends trusts our grantees to ensure the funds are used where they are most needed and have the greatest impact.

Who We Fund

Typically, Friends funds organizations which have been recognized as tax-exempt under section 501 (c) (3) of the IRS code. In addition, Friends may consider grants to public or private companies or individuals with specific expertise in areas consistent with Friends’ mission.

Friends’ financial reporting requirements of prospective grantees align with the requirements of the Michigan Attorney General for charitable organizations:

  • Organizations with annual contributions under $250,000 must submit a Form 990, 990 PF or other 990-series return for the preceding tax year.
  • Organizations with annual contributions between $250,000 and $500,000 must submit a financial statement reviewed by an independent certified public accountant.
  • Organizations with annual contributions of more than $500,000 must submit a financial statement audited by an independent certified accountant

 

Group of men filling sandbags

Volunteers with the Lake Leelanau Lake Association filling sandbags.  The bags are used by the Association’s divers to hold down the burlap “blankets”, which are installed to control Eurasian watermilfoil (EWM) in Lake Leelanau.

Application Process

1

The first step in our application process is a conversation with one of our board members.

2

If the board member believes the request may be a fit, the organization will be asked to submit a two-page summary of a grant proposal to the board for its consideration.

3

After reviewing the two page proposal, if Friends is interested in encouraging an organization to submit a grant request, it will provide the applicant an outline for a grant proposal.

4

Applications must be submitted to secretary@friendsoflakeleelanau.org at least two weeks prior to Friends' quarterly board meetings.  Please see the calendar under the Resources tab for the meeting dates.

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