(Chelsea Update would like to thank Lauren Herrin for the information in this story.)
The Chelsea Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, made three grants in December, closing out its 2015 anniversary year by supporting nonprofits doing important work in the Chelsea area.
Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra received $10,000 over two years to expand its music performance, education and outreach programs throughout the Chelsea community.
The grant will make possible the expansion of existing popular programs, such as the orchestra’s chamber music concerts for seniors at Silver Maples of Chelsea, “Instrument Petting Zoo” at the Chelsea Farmers Market and youth concerts for orchestra students at Beach Middle School, and to add new community and school-based programs, including Kinder Concerts at the Chelsea District Library and teaching and performing residencies at Chelsea public schools.
Fair Food Network, the Ann Arbor-based national nonprofit, received $15,000 over three years to expand the DoubleUp Food Bucks healthy food incentive program in the community.
The program makes it possible for recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamp) benefits to have their expenditures on fruits and vegetables matched up to $20 per visit at participating farmer’s markets. A 2013 grant from the Chelsea Community Foundation helped bring DoubleUp Food Bucks to the Chelsea Farmer’s Market.
Lyndon Township received a $25,000 grant to build a sustainable mountain biking trail system in the Waterloo State Recreation Area. The project is being spearheaded by the Potawatomi Mountain Biking Association, which has worked with state, county and local entities to create numerous non-motorized trail networks throughout Washtenaw and Livingston counties.
Their goal for this project is five trail loops that will ultimately connect to the Potawatomi Trail in the Pinckney State Recreation Area. Mountain biking is one of the fastest growing sports in Michigan, and the Potawatomi Trail currently attracts cyclists from nearby states and Ontario. Extending the trail’s connectivity into the Waterloo Recreation Area is expected to create significant economic impact for Chelsea over time.
Chelsea Community Foundation Committee Chair Peter Feeney, said, “These three grants share a common theme of building on relationships and assets that improve the quality of life in Chelsea. Investing in the arts, in recreation and in ensuring that residents have access to fresh, healthy food, are examples of how we fulfill our mission of using charitable dollars to improve the quality of life for our neighbors.”
The Chelsea Community Foundation is a permanent community endowment with assets in excess of $2 million, thanks to strong local support and prudent financial management. It is guided by Chelsea’s civic leaders, who care deeply about the community. To date, more than $1.25 million has been awarded to local nonprofits to address emerging community needs and opportunities.
For more information, visit www.chelseafound.org.
