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Celebrate local impact with the Carter Wickwire Philanthropy Award. Discover scholarship and grant opportunities for Jackson's non-profit organizations. Carter Wickwire Philanthropy Award For the Foundation’s 70th Anniversary in 2018, we began a new tradition that honors the past while recognizing our present day philanthropists. The Carter Wickwire Philanthropy Award honors a living individual or couple for their contribution to help grow the Jackson Community Foundation’s impact in Jackson County through philanthropy. The following Individuals are past recipients that have exemplified the meaning of philanthropy by dedicating their time and talent to better our community. We would like to congratulate our past recipients: 2018 Carlene Walz Lefere, 2019 Georgia and Travis Fojtasek, 2020 Anthony “Tony” Hurst, and 2022 Dr. Jerry Booth, 2023 Jim and Joyce Grace. Click the link below to read their nomination form and find out why they were so deserving of this award! Jim and Joyce Grace Dr. Jerry Booth Carlene Walz Lefere Anthony “Tony” Hurst Georgia and Travis Fojtasek Dr. Kevin Lavery

Stay updated on grant opportunities and community endowment funds for local non-profit organizations in Jackson, MI, with our media release for grantees. Grantee Forms & Information Press Release Press releases are a great way to share news about the grant with our community. Please email a press release announcing your grant and your upcoming work to local media. Choose at least one organization from the list that is most relevant to your organization. When sending the release to your local media contacts, we recommend including it in the body of the email instead of as an attachment. Social Media - Spread the Good News! We'd want to publicize your work! If your organization uses Facebook: 1. Like us on Facebook 2. Post your media release and any photos on your page and tag us in your message by adding @jacksoncommunityfoundation. 3. We will then share it on page as well. If your organization does not use social media, now is a great time to consider jumping on board and sharing news with your network! Pictures We love photos! We encourage you to submit photographs to the Foundation that tell the story of how your grant provided for the community. These photos may be used on our website, in annual reports and other appropriate publications which will further publicize the good work of your organization. We welcome digital (preferably high-resolution) or hard copy (which we can scan and send back to you). By sending us a picture, the Foundation will assume you have received permission for use of the photograph for marketing purposes. Logo If you would like to feature our logo on print or online materials relating to your grant, we would be happy to provide you with a high-resolution file. Please contact our Marketing & Communicatons Director, Lisa McDaniel, at lmcdaniel@jacksoncf.org . Include a note briefly describing the materials and how you plan to feature the logo, and she will send you the file Media List

Learn about the Myer and Lois Franklin Scholarship, fostering educational access for all in Jackson, MI, through the Jackson Community Foundation. Myer and Lois Franklin Scholarship Myer and Lois Franklin, life long residents of Jackson, Michigan, were highly appreciative of the success they enjoyed as a result of the opportunities afforded them in the Jackson community. In order to give back to others, they chose to leave a legacy of education. As strong believers in the powe r of education, the Myer and Lois Franklin Charitable Trust was established to be utilized as a vehicle for providing scholarships to residents of Jackson County. The ability to give back to the community and the right to an education for all was of extreme importance to the Franklins. They created the trust to provide scholarships embracing all members of the Jackson community no ma tter what their background in an effort to promote acceptance and access to education to those seeking same. All s cholarship recipients are expected to be a role model for the Jackson community and to demonstrate the qualities and perform the activities which enabled them to be selected as an outstanding scholarship recipient. Application Deadline: When we receive 200 completed applications or February 12, 2025, whichever comes first. Eligibility Requirements: Resident of Jackson County, Michigan Those enrolled in the Jackson County Early College may apply in their 13th year of after Previous recipients are encouraged to reapply, however renewal is not guaranteed Renewable: Yes Scholarship Award: Between $1,000 - $5,000 Scholarship Use: Tuition and fees Application

Explore scholarship and grant opportunities in Jackson, MI. The Jackson Community Foundation connects you with local non-profit organizations for support. JCF COMPETITIVE SCHOLARSHIPS CLOSED UNTIL FALL 2026 IMPORTANT: We made applying easier! Your application gives you access to 30+ different scholarships. Eligibility requirements vary from minimum GPA, area of study, new graduate or returning learner, financial need, etc. If you meet the eligibility requirements for any of our scholarships, you will automatically be added to that scholarship's pool of candidates (with the exception of the Bernice Barabash Sports Scholarship - see below) saving your time searching which scholarship you should apply for. Required Documents: 1 Letter of Recommendation Transcript Proof of FAFSA completion *Please note The Bernice Barabash Sports Scholarship (for students in grades 7-12 who play hockey, including home-schooled students) does have a separate application process. OPEN OPEN JCF COMPETITIVE SCHOLARSHIP Now Accepting Applications. To learn more about any of our scholarship history, eligibility requirements, or to donate to an individual scholarship, click here: Scholarships DEADLINE: Closed until Fall 2026 READ MORE ***The Jackson Legacy Scholarship Fund includes many sub funds from individual and families that chose to align their funding with this scholarship. Legacy Scholarship Sub Funds MYER AND LOIS FRANKLIN SCHOLARSHIP The Jackson Community Foundation administrates the Myer and Lois Franklin Scholarship for the Franklin family. Therefore, this scholarship have a separate application process than the JCF Competitive Scholarships. Deadline: Closed until Fall 2026 Required Documents: Two Letters of Recommendation Transcript JAMES L. AND MARY L. GEISMAN FUTURE LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIP TRADES PROGRAMS Eligibility: Proof of acceptance to an accredited college or university, a trade school, or a certificate program (i.e. EMT, phlebotomy, etc.) Who can apply? Students and returning learners beginning in the ninth grade living within 50 mile radius of Jackson including home-school students. Open For TRADES ONLY APPLICATIONS July 1st - August 15th at 5PM. READ MORE Congratulations 2026 Scholarship Recipients! Check out this year's recipients here!

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Discover grant opportunities and scholarship options for local non-profit organizations through the Jackson Community Foundation in Jackson, MI. Community Impact Program & Operational Support Grants The Jackson Community Foundation's Grant Committee prioritizes funding for programs, services, and systems change initiatives that provide opportunities for learning, action, and advocacy aimed at advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in Jackson County. This grant is funded by the Community Needs Endowment Fund. In this grant round, we are accepting program and operating grant applications. Though they share the same deadline, each grant type has a separate application and budget form. Applicants can only submit one application in this grant round. Beginning in 2022, the JCF Grant Committee is pleased to operate under our new “Community Needs Endowment Fund Grantmaking Priority, Aims and Guidelines.” Before applying, we strongly encourage all applicants to read through this document which can be found below in “Grant Information and Resources.” Program Gra nt Bu dget Form Sample Program Grant Application PROGRAM GRANT: Limit requests to $20,000 for programs benefitting the residents of Jackson County, Michigan. Nonprofit 501(c)3 organizations, school districts, governmental entities (for programs, goods or services that are not funded through taxpayer dollars), and churches (for nonreligious purposes) are eligible to apply. OPERATIONAL SUPPORT GRANT: T he Operational Support Grant was created to address the operational needs of nonprofit organizations. Operational Grant Amounts: Nonprofits with an annual budget under $150,000 may apply for up to $10,000. Nonprofits with an annual budget between $150,000 and $500,000 may apply for up to $15, 000. Nonprofits with an annual budget over $500,000 may apply for up to $20,000. Operational Support Grant Budget Form Sample Oper ational Support Grant Application OR APPLICATION: Program & Operational Support Grants ***Please note we are using a new grant application system. You will be required to set up a user ID and password. Upon login, look under the opportunities tab to access both applications.*** Grant Information and Resources GRANT ROUND 1: Application Opens: Mid-February 2025 Deadline: March 3rd at 5PM Award Notification: By early June 2025 GRANT ROUND 2: Application Opens: Mid-July 2025 Deadline: September 8th at 5PM Award Notification: By early November 2025 General Grant Application Documentation: Whether reques ting a Program Grant or Operational Support Grant, applicants need to up load: Completed JCF Grant Budget Form. Last fiscal year-end financial statement, Form 990, or audit. This fiscal year's most recent monthly or quarterly financial statement. Community Needs Endowment Fund Grantmaking Priority, Aims and Guidelines FAQs Contact Stephanie Schiro, Grant Program Director at 517-787-1321 or sschiro@jacksoncf.org GOapply user guide

Get involved with Jackson Community Foundation! Find news on local non-profits, community endowment funds, and scholarship and grant opportunities in Jackson. 2026 Impact Stories & Highlights January Newsletter March Newsletter April Newsletter May Newsletter June Newsletter July Newsletter 2026 Class of 1985 Scholarship: Supporting Students Who Don't Always Get Seen Read More 2026 Donor Advised Funds Combat Local Food Insecurity Read More 2026 Check Out How We did in 2025! Read More