MARQUETTE, Mich. –
The Superior Health Foundation concluded its spring grant cycle on May 7th, announcing over $325,000 in funding distributed across twelve grants to agencies located in or serving the Upper Peninsula. The projects vary from substance use disorder treatment and recovery to supporting older adults with dementia, as well as a comprehensive wellness and food access program in one of the UP’s tribal communities, among others.
“We are thrilled to announce these awards, which provide needed funding for some of the most innovative and supportive health programs happening across the U.P.,” said Superior Health Foundation CEO Megan Murphy. In this cycle, the Alzheimer’s Association – Greater Michigan Chapter received $16,575 in funding to support program expansion into the Western Upper Peninsula. Lac Vieux Desert Health Center received a $55,000 grant to support community nutrition and wellness education, as well as the development of a youth wellness advisory council. A complete list of grant recipients is available below.
SHF awarded another $57,000 in grants from its Care Access Grant program. This program addresses the unmet medical needs of uninsured, underinsured, and medically vulnerable individuals in the Upper Peninsula. The funding supports organizations offering direct cash assistance to help alleviate healthcare costs for these residents. This year, the Foundation chose seven new organizations to receive funding.
Additionally, SHF has provided over $58,000 in equipment grants and $25,000 to support community health pilot projects. It also distributed $30,000 worth of AEDs to 30 nonprofits across the UP and has provided $17,500 in direct assistance to individuals through its Breast Health Fund and another $5,000 through its Organ Donation Fund, bringing the total health-related giving to date in 2025 to $520,000.
The mission of the Superior Health Foundation is to proactively support organizations and initiatives across the Upper Peninsula to improve health and well-being. For more information, please visit www.superiorhealthfoundation.org or contact [email protected].
2025 SPRING GRANT RECIPIENTS
Alzheimer’s Association Greater Michigan Chapter – Dementia Risk Reduction and Support Program – $16,575
Catholic Social Services of the Upper Peninsula – Elizabeth’s House Enhanced Recovery Services – $19,800
Chippewa County Health Department – Managing Hepatitis C in Chippewa County – $25,000
Courage Incorporated – Courage Incorporated 2025-2026 Adventure Season – $4,000
Great Lakes Recovery Centers, Inc – Detox Unit Program Development – $50,000
Hannahville Indian Community – Three Fires Recovery House Ceremonial Lodge – $43,752
Lac Vieux Desert Health Center – Lac Vieux Desert Harvest Health Grant – $55,000
Special Needs Are Awesome People (SNAAP) – SNAAP activities, events, and promotion – $10,478
Superior Connections Recovery Community Organization – Recovery Support Services – $18,595
Trillium House – Caregiver Support: A sustainable workforce development plan promoting job satisfaction & safety – $49,718
UPCAP – UPCAP Rural Veteran Oral Health Access – $25,000
Women’s Center – Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program (SANE) – $8,013
2025 CARE ACCESS GRANT RECIPIENTS
Blood Cancer Foundation of Michigan – Ensuring Financial Stability for Michigan’s Upper Peninsula Blood Cancer Patients – $10,000
Delta Area Transit Authority – Expanding Access to Medical Transportation for Medically Vulnerable Residents of the Upper Peninsula – $4,000
Delta County Cancer Alliance – Travel for a Cancer Cure – $10,000
Lions of Michigan Service Foundation, Inc. – Michigan Upper Peninsula Hearing Improvement and Eye Care Project – $9,150
New Day Foundation for Families – Family Support Services for Upper Peninsula Cancer Patients – $10,000
Northwoods Airlifeline, LTD – Free Air Transportation to Distant Medical Care for UP Resident – $10,000
Unite UP – Enhancing Pediatric Mental Health: Parent Only Sessions – $4,000
2025 EQUIPMENT GRANTS
Chippewa Luce Mackinac Community Action Agency – iPads for Aides Electronic Visit Verification Compliance and Impart Alliance Training – $6,021
Escanaba Elks Lodge 354 – StairLift – $7,500
Gogebic Medical Care Facility – Gogebic Medical Care Facility Broda WC-19 Compliant Transport Wheelchair Purchase – $5,559
Lake Antoine Park Partners – Everyone Plays! Accessible Swing at Lake Antoine Park, Iron Mountain, MI – $3,750
Lake Superior Life Care & Hospice – Bereavement Counseling and Hospice Family Support Room – $4,548
Marquette Area Public Schools – Racing Wheelchair Stationary Indoor Roller Trainer for Physical Education class and Student Athletes – $1,686
Marquette County Health Department – Marquette County Health Department Dental Outreach Program Toothbrush Project – $2,500
Menominee Delta Schoolcraft Community Action Agency/Human Resources Authority, Inc – Adult Day Care Center ADA Accessible Bathroom Addition Project – $3,599
Northern Michigan University – Balance tracking force plate system for NMU Concussion Research Clinic – $3,375
Special Olympics Michigan, Area 36 – 2025 Medical Backpacks – $790
Superior Central – Superior Central Playground – $3,750
Superior Hills Association of Parents and Educators – Superior Hills Elementary School Accessible Playground Structure – $7,500
Township of Powell – Ambulance Service – Powell Township EMS Cardiac Monitor – $7,500
2025 COMMUNITY HEALTH PILOT GRANTS
DAR Boys & Girls Club – The Creative Clubhouse: Art Therapy for Youth Prevention – $10,000
Marquette Alger Resolution Service (MARS) – Health Care Mediation Pilot Project – $5,000
Marquette District of St. Vincent de Paul – Medical Equipment Loan Program; Marquette District of St. Vincent de Paul – $1,969
UP Children’s Therapy – Pilot School Year Speech Therapy and FUNctional Skills Program – $10,000 Alger Transit Authority
2025 AED RECIPIENTS
American Legion Reino Post 21
Baraga County Road Commission
Calumet High School
Calumet Township
Carney-Nadeau Public School
Cedar Tree Institute
City of Marquette Downtown Development Authority
Copper Country Gymnastics
Episcopal Association for College Work
Escanaba Rotary Trust Fund for Children with Special Needs
Escanaba Seventh Day Adventist Pantry
Hancock Fire Department
Hanka Homestead Museum Association
Houghton County Fair
Knights of Columbus Council 2894
Laird Township
L’Anse Township
Marquette Hope
Marquette Yacht Club
Munising Memorial Hospital
North Central Area Schools
North Dickinson County School
Propylon Nonprofit Housing
Rock Lions Club
Sault Ste Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians
Schoolcraft County Fair
St. Louis the King Catholic Church
Trillium House
William Bonifas Fine Arts Center