$342,100
Donated

Communities In Schools of Northwest Michigan (CIS) was selected as our May 2026 recipient. On Tuesday, July 21st, we delivered our collective gift totaling $25,800 which will be used to help ensure that CIS programming continues at participating schools.

In partnership with local public schools, CIS places caring professionals directly in schools, connecting students and families with the relationships, resources, and opportunities they need to overcome barriers and achieve their full potential. Services range from academic and attendance interventions to provision of basic needs like food, hygiene products, and clothing. CIS currently serves students and families in eight districts including four in Antrim County, including Elk Rapids Public Schools.

Our December 2025 collective gift was awarded to the Antrim Women’s Alliance's Antrim Scholars program. Our $28,000 gift plus a $5,000 matching grant from the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation brought the total gift to $33,000.

The Antrim Scholars program supports first-generation and economically disadvantaged students in Antrim County as they prepare for, enter, and succeed in college. The program offers college prep support including long-term mentorship, access to resources like tutoring and SAT prep, help finding scholarships and financial aid, and a $1,000 scholarship upon completion.

Our August collective gift of $33,000 was presented to Grand Traverse Industries (GTI). This donation will support GTI's mission to provide meaningful employment, skill-building, and community inclusion opportunities for adults with disabilities, empowering them to live more independently. The funds will specifically assist with
transportation expenses for clients at the Mancelona center, enabling them to travel to work sites
and participate in community outings.

Our May collective gift of $26,400 will allow the pantry to increase food offerings to people in and around Alba, restock supplies after the ice storm from earlier this year and purchase a new refrigerator.

Our December collective gift of $30,2000 will be applied toward the capital campaign for the new ERDL building. ERDL Director Pam Williams said, "We are grateful to the Elk Rapids 100 Women Who Care for their generous donation to our A Library for Everybody campaign. Their support brings us closer to creating a more accessible and inclusive library that will impact our entire community now and for generations to come."

Our August collective gift of $25,200 will help

Do a Little Good meet immediate needs in our
community, including childcare, veterans’ and school lunch debt AND launch a 24/7 food pantry
to provide access to free supplemental food.

So far, they have used a portion of our gift to replace
worn out camping gear, and plan to apply the
remainder towards larger expenses such as their
pontoon boat and trailer. Expanding programming is also a priority.

With our donation, Kristin Molby was able to fully cover the cost of a new 4-horse trailer. It will be used to take the animals to local schools and volunteer events. 

Our donation will be used towards providing 160 Antrim County children with one new, age-appropriate book from birth through their 5th birthday, at no cost to the families. 

Our gift will be used to help meet a growing need for food and supplies resulting from the end of COVID supplemental support. A portion of the gift will also be used toward the purchase of a generator to protect ACTS' food inventory.

Our gift will be used to support Community Based Instruction field trips involving Sunrise Academy (the alternative high school) and the ERHS Transitions Class (special education students). By creating a school store and coffee cart operated by students in these programs, the project will provide ongoing funding for this collaboration, helping to ensure that at-risk students build important relationships while reinforcing functional academics that they can use in the community and workforce.

Our gift will be used to construct a Learning Playground where children can play and learn alongside their families at the Moms & Tots Center. 

Our gift will be used to support their many community efforts, including their Student Lunch Fund which pays off outstanding lunch debt in Antrim County schools and establishing their Childcare Scholarship Fund which helps Elk Rapids School District families obtain affordable childcare.