MANISTIQUE — The Schoolcraft County Community Foundation Board of Directors approved two mini grants totaling $2,802 in its spring grant round on May 2. The board also awarded the annual Prine, Villemure and Hughes Scholarships.

Both grant awards were made from the applicants’ own funds. The SCCF board awarded the full amount that each group requested, which is the full amount available for granting in 2022. Eva Burrell Animal Shelter was granted $2,121 from the Humane Society Fund for the spay and neuter program, and the Manistique Area Schools and Public Library was granted $681 from the Library Fund to help bring author/horse trainer Nancy Bailey for one day of the Summer Reading Program.

There were 15 applicants for the $500 Hughes Scholarship. The scholarship gives preference to Gulliver residents, and one applicant who met all the criteria is also from the Gulliver area. The scholarship was awarded to Alyssa Ecclesine who plans to attend Bay de Noc Community College to study nursing radiology.

There were also 21 applicants for the $2,000 Prine Scholarship. That award is split, with $1,000 given in the first semester and the other $1,000 given in the second semester if the student shows a class schedule and maintains a 3.5 GPA. Duncan MacKinnon of Germfask is this year’s recipient. He plans to attend Michigan State with a major in Chinese and/or international relations to become a foreign diplomat.

There was one application for the $500 Villemure Scholarship. It was awarded to Connor Noble of Manistique who plans to attend Bay de Noc Community College to study fabrication.

In addition to 15 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.

Over the years, the foundation has given more than $194,000 to local organizations and individuals in grants and scholarships.

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.