Need funding for a community project?

Crowdgranting could help fund that project.

Crowdgranting is a program set up through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) in partnership with Michigan Municipal League and Detroit based fundraising platform, Patronicity, “Patronicity is a civic crowdfunding & crowdgranting platform. We bring together local citizens and sponsors to support great initiatives in their communities.” So what does that mean for you?

Your community project could be on its way to 50:50 funding match. Communities or non-profits may apply for up to a $50,000 MEDC match to support projects that “activate a public space, from bike trails, to pocket parks, to public sculpture projects, they contribute to a strong quality of life, help attract and retain talent, and grow stronger local economies.” Once the project is approved by the MEDC, the campaign for support from citizens can begin. Projects will receive the match if and only if, the community raises their goal amount in 30-60 days.

Michigan State University Extension partner Northern Lakes Economic Alliance (NLEA) has had success with helping communities with their crowdgranting projects since its inception. The NLEA has assisted completing three projects totaling more than $157,000. One project was the Ellsworth Community Square- a vacant area in the middle of downtown to be turned into a green public space. Second was the Petoskey Community Trail- an in-town Petoskey trail system on property shared by the future Petoskey Community Athletic Complex, and third was a trailhead north of Petoskey.

If you or your community has a project they’d be interested in learning more about funding options through crowdgranting, contact the NLEA at 231-582-6482 or info@northernlakes.net.

MSU Extension has had a unique relationship with the regional economic development organization NLEA for more than 20 years. Recognizing the strength of combining resources, this partnership focuses on economic development, entrepreneurship growth and community infrastructure throughout a four-county region in the northwest Lower Peninsula, specifically Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan and Emmet counties. As a result, the NLEA utilizes resources offered through MSU Extension as it provides leadership to state-wide programs sponsored by MSU Extension.

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