MENOMINEE, MICH. – The M&M Area Community Foundation (MMACF) has announced the distribution of more than $90,000 through its Fall 2025 Grant Cycle, supporting a wide range of nonprofit programs and community initiatives across Marinette and Menominee counties.
The foundation received more than 60 applications requesting over $500,000 in funding, far surpassing the amount available for distribution.
In addition to its fall awards, the foundation granted $12,700 earlier this year through its Women’s Giving Circle Fund, which focuses on programs serving women and girls in the region.
When combined with scholarships, donor-advised grants, designated fund distributions, and agency fund payouts, MMACF provided more than $880,000 in charitable support to the two counties in 2025.
“Our communities are facing a level of need we haven’t seen before,” said Ashley Berken, Executive Director of the M&M Area Community Foundation.
“We are honored to support so many impactful programs this fall, but the volume of applications — and the more than half a million dollars requested — shows how many organizations are stretching themselves to meet the growing needs of local families, youth and vulnerable populations. Every dollar we award represents a partnership with donors who care deeply about this region, and every application we are unable to fund reminds us how much more work there is to do.”
The Menominee County ISD Prevention Services Department, home to the Healthy Youth Coalition (HYC) and Communities That Care (CTC) coalitions, announced it received multiple grant awards totaling $47,210 from the M&M Area Community Foundation’s Fall Grant Cycle.
Earlier this year, the department and CTC’s largest funding source, the federal Drug-Free Communities (DFC) grant, shifted from a planned “recompete” to a full cancellation. This change resulted in a definite $125,000 loss for the 2025 – 2026 fiscal year, affecting youth substance use prevention initiatives, coalition operations and community engagement efforts.
Representatives said that the grants awarded by the M&M Area Community Foundation will allow the HYC and CTC coalitions to restore portions of their prevention action plans, maintain essential partnerships and continue serving youth, families and community sectors across Marinette and Menominee counties.
“We are incredibly grateful to the M&M Area Community Foundation for believing in our work,” said Karianne Lesperance, Executive Director for ISD Prevention Services.
“This support gives our department time to strengthen our sustainability plans and most importantly, to continue implementing prevention activities after losing our largest federal funding stream.”
The Prevention Services Department shared that the new funding will help support a portion of their operations and reinstate several evidence-based strategies that were previously on hold.
The ISD Prevention Services Department collaborates with 12 community sectors throughout Marinette and Menominee counties and is involved in all public-school districts throughout the two counties to prevent and reduce youth substance use.
“The M&M Area Community Foundation’s support is not just financial - it is a statement that prevention matters,” added Lesperance. “We look forward to continuing this partnership and making a meaningful impact on the well-being of our youth.”
Despite the substantial support received, the department still faces an estimated $70,000 funding gap for the year.
“We want to thank everyone who has reached out to donate, taken time to learn about our programs and financial challenges, or helped spread the word since the notice. Every dollar, every conversation and every opportunity truly counts right now.”
ISD Prevention Services Department projects that were funded include:
“Prevention work is foundational to the long-term health of our communities, and HYC and CTC continue to be powerful leaders in that effort,” M&M Area Community Foundation Director Ashley Berken said.
“The M&M Area Community Foundation is proud to support this vital work, especially during a time of uncertainty. Our youth, and the adults who support them, deserve every opportunity to thrive, and we are grateful for the partnership and dedication shown by the ISD Prevention Services team.”
Other organizations that received grant funding include: $6,000 — Marinette County Diversion Program, Marinette County District Attorney; $2,000 — Meat for pantry clients, Pastor Fred’s Food Pantry; $10,000 — DAR Boys & Girls Club; $2,440 — Storm Drain Art, City of Peshtigo; $5,433 — Supporting survivor mental health, Rainbow House Domestic Abuse Services, Inc.; $874 — Camp New Day U.P.; $241 — Back to School program, Crivitz Area Woman’s Club; $952 — Fire hose for new fire engine, Town of Peshtigo Fire Department; $6,000 — Drone program, Crivitz Police Department; $6,782 — LifePak integration initiative, Niagara Area Emergency Unit, Inc.; $5,000 — Christmas food baskets, Marinette Salvation Army; $2,000 — Marinette and Oconto Counties Literacy Council; and $655 — Grief kits, Crivitz School District.
Berken emphasized that although the Foundation is proud of the positive impact it can make through its grant programs, the community’s needs continue to outpace available resources. “As a Foundation, we are committed to being good stewards of every donor dollar entrusted to us,” she said. “But we also want the public to understand that when we receive over $500,000 in requests and can only meet a fraction of that need, there is a real opportunity for community members and businesses to step in and make a difference. Philanthropy at any level strengthens the services that make our counties healthier, safer and more resilient.”
Community members interested in supporting future grant cycles can contribute to the Foundation’s Community-Wide Field of Interest Fund, which provides flexible dollars to respond to emerging and critical needs across both counties.
Donations can be made online at mmacf.org/donate or mailed to: M&M Area Community Foundation, 833A 1st St., Menominee, MI 49858.
More information about the foundation’s grantmaking, fund types and community impact is available at mmacf.org.
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