GAYLORD — The March 28-30 ice storm caused millions of dollars in damages and affected residents, businesses and organizations.
In a bid to help community service groups that were affected by the storm, the Otsego Community Foundation has unveiled a grant opportunity program.
Targeting public service organizations, including nonprofits, schools and government entities, the community foundation (OCF) program aims to restore and strengthen the groups so they can continue serving the community in both immediate recovery and long-term preparedness.
“Over the past five years, nonprofits and other community organizations serving Otsego County have stepped up to respond to challenges from Covid-19, the 2022 tornado and now the ice storm. The OCF recognizes the heavy lift and while the available funding may not single handedly be the answer, it is our goal that it will help make them whole again,” Dana Bensinger, executive director of OCF, said in a statement. “In the first few weeks following the ice storm the focus was on awarding grants to organizations so they could help others with basic needs such as shelter, heat and food. Now it’s time to help the helpers.”
This was made possible by the donors who have contributed to the OCF’s Disaster Response Fund (DRF). The DRF provides a centralized opportunity for donors to invest in disaster response efforts and a support mechanism for nonprofit organizations responding to a crisis. Grants are awarded to organizations addressing emergency relief, intermediate recovery and long-term rebuilding. The fund was established in June 2024 by the OCF board of directors as part of disaster preparedness efforts.
Since March 31, 215 individual donors have contributed $395,000, which has allowed the Disaster Response Fund to award $90,500 in emergency grants and allocate additional funds to partners to assist with debris clean-up, small business support, unmet needs for individuals and other disaster-related challenges.
Public serving organizations may apply for grants ranging from $500 to $5,000, based on demonstrated need and impact. The group must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, school or government entity and must serve Otsego County. It has to demonstrate how the storm affected operations.
Funding can be used to support operational needs, program expansion, infrastructure repairs, staff support and other unexpected costs from the storm.
Grant applications will be accepted until June 25. Due to limited funding, the OCF reserves the right to close the application process early. Additional funding may become available during later grant cycles.
Those who have been awarded a grant will be notified by July 21. Successful grant proposals will succinctly articulate the impact on operations as a result of the disaster and how these funds will support the organization’s capacity and recovery efforts. Applications are reviewed by a committee composed of OCF board members and volunteers. To continue developing and sharing community stories to understand disaster effects, success stories of funding use will be expected within six months.
Interested organizations can visit the Otsego Community Foundation website to apply. For questions or assistance with the grant or to learn more about capacity support opportunities, email DeLayni Brown or call (989) 731-0597.
— Contact Paul Welitzkin at pwelitzkin@gaylordheraldtimes.com.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: After ice storm, new Otsego Community Foundation grant program aims ‘to help the helpers’
Reporting by Paul Welitzkin, The Petoskey News-Review / The Petoskey News-Review
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