(Chelsea Update would like to thank D&B Strategic Marketing for the information in this story.)
The Chelsea Community Foundation (Chelsea Foundation) awards grants to nonprofit organizations that in turn strengthen Chelsea and benefit its residents.
Grant awards typically range from $5,000 to $25,000. Chelsea Foundation also provides grants that help build organizational capacity, with awards ranging from $1,000 to $5,000.
The Chelsea Foundation will award grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, government entities, school districts, and universities that provide programs that serve the area defined by the Chelsea School District. Organizations must have an independent certified financial audit. Evaluation criteria include: sustainability, regional impact, leverage, and collaboration to create a lasting impact.
Guidelines for Grantmaking and how to apply can be found at Grant Applications. The Chelsea Community Foundation typically has two grant cycles each year.
In 2020, the Chelsea Community Foundation’s Advisory Committee recommended grants of $170,000 to several key Chelsea nonprofit organizations. Before the pandemic, the Chelsea Education Foundation received a grant to support their strategic planning efforts. The committee then recommended several grants to respond to the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Those recipients include: Faith in Action, UMRC Foundation, Chelsea Senior Center, St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea, St. Louis Center, Purple Rose Theatre, Silver Maples of Chelsea, Chelsea District Library, Chelsea School District, SRSLY, #WhyYouMatter WAVE (Washtenaw Area Value Express), and to Chelsea Area Festivals & Events (CAFE).
Anne Mann, committee chair, said in a press release, “Chelsea Community Foundation’s ability to be responsive and agile is assisted by the affiliation with The Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan. The affiliation allows us to maintain Chelsea’s hometown feel, with the efficiencies of a larger foundation resources.”
Day to day support is provided by Surabhi Pandit, senior program officer, and Randy Ross, associate director, Donor Engagement. The Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan invests independently in Chelsea nonprofit organizations. Recent recipients include St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, UMRC Foundation, and the 5 Healthy Towns Foundation.
The Chelsea Community Foundation is a permanent charitable endowment totaling more than $2.5 million created through gifts from generous individuals, families, and businesses who care about Chelsea.
The Chelsea Community Foundation has provided more than $1.8 million in grants to nonprofit organizations to address community needs and opportunities that improve the quality of life in the City of Chelsea and surrounding areas. The Chelsea Community Foundation is an affiliate of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan. For more information, please visit www.chelseafound.org.
Nonprofit Organizations interested in applying for a grant can contact Surabhi Pandit, [email protected] or 313-961-6675 extension 123 or apply online at Grant Applications. Anyone interested in making a gift to the Chelsea Community Foundation may do so by contacting Randy Ross, [email protected] or 313-961-6675, extension 118, or by visiting www.chelseafound.org.
