MANISTIQUE — In spite of the COVID-19 shutdown, the Schoolcraft County Community Foundation was able to award spring mini-grants, scholarships and two special Covid-specific grants in May.

Laurie Jasmin, board president, said it’s important for SCCF to support the community in these hard times. Students, especially, are struggling to find money to attend college next fall, she noted.

The SCCF board held a virtual meeting on May 4, with trustees voting by e-mail. The board awarded three mini-grants totaling just under $3,900.

Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital was awarded $1,323.74 to help purchase an electrostatic spraying system to help fight the spread of infections such as Covid-19.

Eva Burrell Animal Shelter was awarded $1,700 to help purchase materials to improve the dog kennel area, and for the spay/neuter fund.

The Community Foundation for Delta County was awarded $875 to help pay for the Delta Regional Child Advocacy Center to provide ongoing trauma-focused training and development to children, families and professionals. The program serves Schoolcraft County as well as Alger, Delta and Menominee counties.

Only one Prine Scholarship was awarded this year. The $2,000 scholarship went to Patrick McNamara. He plans to attend Eastern Michigan University.

The $500 Villemure Scholarship was awarded to Ryan Taylor. He has been accepted to Bay College’s welding certificate program.

The $500 Hughes Scholarship was awarded to Payton Hoholik. She has been accepted to Grand Valley University.

SCCF later learned that the Community Foundation of the Upper Peninsula had applied to DTE Foundation for a Covid-19 related grant and been approved. SCCF’s share of that grant was $3,125. The grant award stipulated that the funding must be used for Covid-19 expenses.

SCCF received two applications and held a virtual special meeting on May 13. Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital received $1,756 for a respirator and filter, similar to a haz-mat suit. The Schoolcraft County Medical Care Facility was awarded $1,300 to purchase Covid-19 supplies.

In addition to 12 designated, or “donor advised,” funds, the community foundation may provide mini-grants from an unrestricted fund. The community foundation awards grants twice a year, in May and November. Deadlines for applications are March 31 and September 30 of each year. Applicants are asked to use the SCCF application form, which can be downloaded from our Facebook page or picked up at the Pioneer Tribune office.

For more information on contributing to the Schoolcraft County Community Foundation or applying for a mini-grant, write to the foundation at P.O. Box 452, Manistique, MI 49854 or e-mail at sccommunityfoundation@gmail.com.