Courtesy photo The Schoolcraft County Historical Society has begun a capital campaign to raise money to move the former Manistique Lumber Company warehouse building, next to the Siphon Bridge on River Street, to the society’s property on the corner of Deer Street and Weston Avenue. Darlene Furmanek from the historical society accepts a check for $1,500 from the Schoolcraft County Community Foundation to help pay for blueprints and foundation construction for the warehouse. The warehouse dates back to the 1880s and is one of the oldest buildings in the city. The historical society plans to use the building to display historical artifacts and exhibits that are currently inaccessible to the public.

MANISTIQUE — The Schoolcraft County Community Foundation is involved in a variety of projects ranging from a fund to help youth join Scouting to an effort to move a local historical building.

The Schoolcraft County Community Foundation announced a new fund has been added to its family of funds. The Schoolcraft County Scouting Endowment Fund was established by Dean and Barb Wood of Thompson in December.

Its purpose, according to the Woods, is to help pay registration fees for Schoolcraft County youth who want to join Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts.

As with all SCCF funds, the balance in the scouting fund must reach $5,000 before grants can be awarded from it. To help the fund grow quickly, the Woods have set up a large container at Woody’s Outpost, at the intersection of U.S. 2 and Little Harbor Road, Thompson, where people can leave returnable cans and bottles. Money from the returnables will be deposited into the scouting fund. As of Dec. 20, nearly $300 has already been raised through the returnable bottles and cans.

On Nov. 1, the community foundation awarded four mini grants totaling $7,446.

The SCCF board approved a recommendation from the Youth Advisory Committee to award $500 to Scouts BSA Troops 400 and 401 to help pay registration fees for youth joining Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts. Funding came from the Kellogg Fund.

The board also awarded $1,946 to the Manistique Housing Commission for six tables for the recreation area at Heritage House. Funding was divided between the Unrestricted Fund, $1,694, and the Senior Center Fund, $252.

In August, the community foundation applied to its umbrella organization, the Community Foundation of the Upper Peninsula, for a $5,000 Level Grant. That grant was received, and in November SCCF awarded $3,500 to the Manistique Downtown Development Authority for repairs to the boardwalk and $1,500 to the Schoolcraft County Historical Society.

The boardwalk, a popular walking path for locals and visitors alike, was badly damaged by high water levels and storms.

The historical society will use its grant to help pay for blueprints and the foundation to move the former Manistique Lumber Company warehouse building to the society’s property on the corner of Deer Street and Weston Avenue. The warehouse dates back to the 1880s and is one of the oldest buildings in the city. The historical society plans to use the building to display historical artifacts and exhibits that are currently inaccessible to the public. For more information on this project, visit the Schoolcraft County Historical Society at its new location at 215 1/2 South Cedar St., close to Putvin’s Drug Store.

In addition to 16 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 past decade, the foundation has given more than $181,000 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.