To honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., the Michigan Community Service Commission (MCSC) is offering MLK Day service grants to support volunteer projects that respond to community needs such as food insecurity, recent disasters, activities that promote Equity and Social Justice, and projects around climate change. Eligible organizations include nonprofit and faith organizations, municipalities, schools and universities.
Funding is based on the quality of the project to meet community needs and for the project to create significant volunteer involvement with a special emphasis on youth engagement at all levels of the activity from planning, coordinating and implementing. Priority is given to organizations expressing interest in promoting the use of InnerView with your contacts at local high schools. InnerView is a youth service platform connected to the UN Global Goals and students recording their service with InnerView are eligible to earn the Governor’s Youth Service Award. Learn more about InnerView at www.InnerView.org There is not a match requirement, but additional sponsors are encouraged. Additionally, reviewers will evaluate applications based on use of partnerships, equitable geographic representation and adherence to COVID-19 safety guidelines. Grant awards are available as follows:
$1000 grant to engage 101 volunteers or more
$750 grant to engage 76 to 100 volunteers
$500 grant to engage 50 to 75 volunteers
$250 grant to engage 26 to 50 volunteers
$100 grant to engage up to 25 volunteers
Steps to take in designing your project:
Create Project Plan. Develop a plan to address a community need. Projects will focus one or more of following areas: disaster services, economic opportunity, environmental stewardship, education, healthy futures, racial equality, diversity, equity and inclusion, and veterans and military families. Safety guidelines need to be followed to ensure all involved in the project are safe. Those who encounter others must follow all Center for Disease Control and State of Michigan safety guidelines.
Design Project Budget. Develop a list of all supplies needed and the costs. Grants are not awarded for staff salary, items volunteers can bring from home (markers, crayons, rakes, etc.,) expensive equipment, gift cards, volunteer meals and there should be an explanation as to how reusable items (i.e., yard equipment) will be stored and available for future service. Funds are reimbursed after the event when proof of expenses and project results are submitted. Awarded organizations must register as a vendor of the state to receive payment.
Timelines. Complete grant applications should be received by December 16, 2022. Based on availability, a more competitive round 2 may be offered and the deadline is January 6, 2023. Projects should be held between January 7 and January 23, 2023. MCSC Staff may need further clarification on projects and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
