Community Foundation grants boost area programs

A Dalton Township park, a Love Inc. money management program, a national journalist's visit here and support for a "sustainability" movement were all given a boost in the latest round of funding from the Community Foundation for Muskegon County.

The Community Foundation provided $151,910 in grant awards in this year's final funding round recently approved by the board of trustees. Combined with an early funding round, the foundation awarded $367,910 in "open competitive" funds in 2006.

The Community Foundation continues to help support a regional bike path system by granting money for development of Beegle Park on Tyler Road in Dalton Township. Dalton Township received $10,000 for the transformation of Beegle Field into a fully improved recreational facility.

Arn Boezaart, foundation vice president for grant programs, said foundation trustees see the development of Beegle Park assisting the Berry Junction Trail, a nonmotorized trail that will link Whitehall with North Muskegon. Beegle Park's proximity to the Berry Junction Trail provides a "trailhead" with parking for riders and walkers, Boezaart said.

The foundation has joined a West Michigan foundation coalition to support the growing regional pathways system. The Berry Junction Trail is a key link between the Hart-Montague Trail to the north of Muskegon and the Musketawa Trail to the southeast.

"These trails are not only for local use but they also enhance our recreational draw and our tourism industry," Boezaart said.

The foundation also granted $10,000 to Love Inc. for its New Directions program, which will provide personal money management education and counseling for those of lower-income levels.

The Muskegon Area Intermediate School District received $6,000 to bring in NPR's Juan Williams -- the radio network's senior news analyst, a former television broadcaster and writer for the Washington Post. Besides working with the schools, the intermediate school district will join with community groups to provide a public lecture in the Frauenthal Theater and possible links to the annual Unity Breakfast. The Williams visit is being planned for February or March 2007, Boezaart said.

The Community Foundation will kick off the Muskegon Area Sustainability Coalition with $3,000 to support its development efforts. The foundation is joining the Muskegon Area Chamber of Commerce, Grand Valley State University and local cities to develop the coalition.

Sustainability is a movement that supports communities, organizations and private enterprises embracing economic success, environmental stewardship and social equity. The coalition is preparing to launch its initiatives in mid-November and will have a partnership with a similar organization in Grand Rapids, Boezaart said.

Among other grant awards, the foundation gave $15,000 for the Sacred Suds program in McLaughlin Neighborhood, $20,000 for the United Way of the Lakeshore's Lights On After School program, $6,833 to support the Muskegon County Cooperative Extension Service's master gardener coordinator, $4,000 for the Mission for Area People's medical support fund, $5,000 for the Muskegon County Museum's medical history exhibit and $16,305 to the Hume Home for building improvements.

The Community Foundation is a $100 million local endowment that supports community development, the arts, education, human services and the environment. In 2005, the foundation gave away $3.2 million in grants and scholarships.