January 13, 2025 | By Emilie Jacques
Six organizations to advance outdoor recreation with funds from Copper Shores Community Wellness and Outdoor Recreation Fund
Keweenaw Community Foundation has announced the Fall 2024 Field of Interest Grants recipients, including those receiving the Copper Shores Community Health Foundation - Community Wellness and Outdoor Recreation Fund. This year the Community Wellness and Outdoor Recreation Fund had $40,000 available. The fund focuses on community projects that advance and upgrade outdoor recreation opportunities in the Copper Country and increase the overall wellbeing of community members.
2024 Wellness and Outdoor Recreation Fund recipients
Copper Country Ski Tigers - $5,000: Ski Equipment
The cost of skiing equipment can be steep, stopping people from enjoying the sport. To keep rental prices more affordable, Copper Country Ski Tigers is using the funding to purchase new skis, boots and poles in a variety of sizes for skiers.
Keweenaw Land Trust - $5,000: ADA Accessible Maintenance Initiative
Originally funded in 2012 by MDOT, Keweenaw Land Trust (KLT) brought ADA upgrades to Boston Pond and Paavola Wetlands. With new ADA regulations now in place, KLT is using funding to fix grading, restrooms and signage, once again bringing these locations up to standard.
Swedetown Trails Club - $5,000: Creating ADA parking spaces, sidewalk and connecting path to universal access trail
Swedetown Trails Club is using funding to improve ADA accessibility both in the chalet and on trail. Four van-accessible ADA parking spaces, a connecting sidewalk and a universally accessible (UA) path connecting to a UA trail are all in the works.
Third Coast Diving and Adaptive Recreation - $5,000: Copper Country SCUBA Discovery and Adaptive Diving
Third Coast Diving and Adaptive Recreation has been working with Houghton High School and their JROTC program to bring adaptive diving opportunities to kids, veterans and people with disabilities. They will be using funding to put more students through SCUBA certifications, ultimately to serve more people in the adaptive diving program.
Village of Laurium - $20,000: Get Active Initiative: Splashing Through Laurium
The Village of Laurium is bringing a UA splash pad to the Gipp Recreation Area as a part of their Get Active Initiative. The initiative aims to promote physical activity for everyone without worry of physical or financial ability.
In the Fall 2024 Field of Interest Grants cycle, Keweenaw Community Foundation awarded 17 different organizations across six funds, including the Community Wellness and Outdoor Recreation Fund.
Field of Interest Grants help support specific causes, populations and geographic areas that the many organizations across the Keweenaw service. Other grants include the Community Impact Fund, Kellogg Youth Endowment Fund, Keweenaw Cross Country Skiing Fund, Environmental Fund and Houghton County Historical Preservation Fund. In total, Keweenaw Community Foundation is awarding $63,050 in funding for community projects.
Keweenaw Community Foundation plans to begin the next grant cycle in February. To learn more about the Keweenaw Community Foundation and their grants, visit keweenawgives.org. To learn more about granting opportunities at Copper Shores, visit coppershores.org/grants.
Recreation Funding Available Through KCF Grant
