Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation

10/22/2026

Camp Daggett’s magical Frog Pond area is back! After being heavily damaged from fallen trees in the 2025 Ice Storm, they received an Emergency Response Grant to preserve and protect wildlife while restoring the area. Camp Daggett enlisted the help of The Watershed Council and Firman Irrigation & Firman Tree Service to help with the restoration, and this summer after it was complete, campers were once again able to explore the area and connect with nature.

Our Emergency Response Fund was created after the Ice Storm and continues to assist organizations affected by and responding to emergencies.

10/20/2026

Toasting to tomorrow with our Legacy Society! This month, we hosted our annual John S. Clark Legacy Society Event at Petoskey Farms Vineyard and Winery. We had a wonderful time sharing gratitude, building community, and connecting over our love for Northern Michigan.

Our Legacy Society is a group of generous folks who have planned a gift to support our community by including the Community Foundation in their will, trust, or estate plan. If you would like to become a member of the John S. Clark Legacy Society or learn more about planned giving, visit phsacf.org or give us a call.

10/20/2026

We're proud to partner with Northern Shores Community Development, a certified Native Community Development Financial Institution, to support small businesses in Emmet County.

Northern Shores Community Development, Inc., a Certified Native CDFI, is excited to announce a new partnership with the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation!

Together, we’re expanding access to affordable business lending for small businesses, entrepreneurs, and underserved borrowers in Emmet County—helping local dreams grow and strengthening our community.

Miigwetch to the Community Foundation for investing in opportunity and a brighter future!

Pictured: Shanna Shananaquet, Executive Director of Northern Shores Community Development, Inc., and David Jones, Executive Director of the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation.

10/15/2026

Community investment in water safety is making a positive impact in Northern Michigan. When people in our community saw a need for greater water safety, they came together to do something about it. Over the past year, local residents, schools, first responders, and community partners have worked to bring water safety education and new resources to Northern Michigan, including life-ring stations at Sturgeon Bay Beach. Each station includes a life ring with an attached tow rope and instructional signage, to serve as emergency equipment for someone on shore to use if a swimmer is in trouble. Bob Pratt, Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project Co-Founder, demonstrated how to use the life-rings at the Life Ring Dedication Ceremony held on Wednesday, September 2, at Sturgeon Bay Beach.

Earlier this year, Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project presented water safety lessons to first responders and students in Alanson and Pellston. We’re grateful to all the community partners working to support water safety and education and for the opportunity to support these two projects through grants. Read the full story here: https://www.phsacf.org/resources/news/two-grants-great-impact

10/13/2026

Here’s a look at an afternoon art walk celebrating a few recent projects from the City of Petoskey. Our staff recently met up with The City of Petoskey Mayor John Murphy, Petoskey Parks and Recreation Director Kendall Klingelsmith, and consultant to the Petoskey Arts Commission Sheila Ruen, to take a tour of the new art at Petoskey’s Bayfront Park. Our art excursion started with the Wheelway Art Gallery, a collection of 20 paintings along the waterfront all painted by local artists. Artworks included sunflowers, turtles, scenes from Little Traverse Bay and more!

Next stop on the tour: the Friendship Bench, a sculpture bench created by Gillie and Marc Art of Sydney, Australia.

The Wheelway Art Gallery and the Friendship Bench projects were both supported by the Hal and Gail Willens Family Fund and the Fund for the Community.

10/12/2026

Our office will be closed October 12 through October 14 for staff professional development.

Photo: Waugoshance Point in the fall, photographed by Charlie MacInnis.

10/07/2026

There’s a new trail stop in town! This beautiful trailhead facility in Pellston is now open and ready for use throughout all four seasons. The Village of Pellston brought together multiple project partners to support the construction of a pavilion with family restroom facilities along the North Western State Trail that runs from Petoskey, through Pellston, all the way to Mackinaw City. The facility features water-efficient fixtures, environmentally friendly materials, and includes accessible units to accommodate individuals with disabilities.

Located on the corner of Main and Milton Street, the new pavilion will serve travelers on the trail all year long, whether on foot, on bikes, snowmobiles, and more!

This project was supported in part by a $15,000 grant from the Community Foundation’s Fund for the Community.

Top of Michigan Trails Council

10/05/2026

We have a new group of top-tier listeners in our community, thanks to this three-day professional development course from the Chapman Foundation for Caring Communities! This course helped 21 local professionals develop and strengthen their skills for improved listening and people-centered leadership.

Thanks to our partner Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce for helping create a more welcoming and supportive community.

09/24/2026

This month we welcomed new and returning members of our Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) to another year of youth leadership and philanthropy. Each year, YAC members meet at the beginning of the school year for an orientation to welcome new members, learn practical leadership and communication skills, and plan for the upcoming year.

This year’s orientation was hosted by Camp Daggett, and their team led the YAC in a wide range of team building exercises. YAC members also had the chance to see the results of a few past grant awards firsthand (youth ropes course harnesses and helmets, life jackets, and more)! Swipe to see photos from the day or see even more on our website! https://www.phsacf.org/resources/news/2026-2027-yac

09/23/2026

Last call for the Fall 2026 Grant Cycle! Interested in applying for a grant? Email [email protected] or call 231-348-5820 by the end of the day tomorrow! Eligible organizations will then be invited to submit a grant application, due October 1, 2026. Swipe to see more information about funding amounts and eligibility. Find more information at phsacf.org.