LANSING, Mich. — Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) has awarded $79,872 in its 12th round of COVID-19 Response Grants to 13 organizations in Michigan. With this round of grants, MCAN has surpassed a half million dollars invested across Michigan to help high schools, Local College Access Networks, community-based nonprofit organizations and higher education institutions support emergent postsecondary projects and programs in their communities. MCAN is partnering with other funders to co-sponsor these grants.
The grants were announced by MCAN in early April 2020 to demonstrate MCAN’s responsiveness to and support of communities affected by the global health pandemic that continues to have a major impact in Michigan, predominantly in minority communities MCAN serves.
Thus far, MCAN has awarded 100 COVID-19 Response Grants totaling $569,562.
“Since April, MCAN has taken on the responsibility of funding impactful postsecondary attainment initiatives across the state of Michigan,” said Ryan Fewins-Bliss, executive director of MCAN. “The global health pandemic has disproportionately affected populations traditionally prevented from accessing higher education, including low-income students, first-generation college-going students and students of color. I’m proud that we have the capacity to rapidly mobilize resources and act as a support to schools and organizations. I also want to acknowledge all the funding partners who have joined us in co-funding some of these grants."
The following COVID-19 Response Grants have been awarded in this round:
ACEA Academic and Career Education Academy (Midland, Mich.)
Awarded $1,000
ACEA Academic and Career Education Academy will use its grant to provide Chromebooks to high school juniors and seniors who don’t have a reliable computer. In addition to using them for coursework, students will be encouraged to use the computers for SAT prep, college applications and online mentoring.
Allegan County Area Technical & Education Center (Allegan, Mich.)
Awarded $2,500
Allegan County Area Technical & Education Center will use its grant to help students transition from career technical education into relevant college programs. Advisors will assist students with postsecondary planning, including filing the FAFSA and applying to college.
Baldwin College Access Center and Promise (Baldwin, Mich.)
Awarded $10,000
Funded by the Kresge Foundation
Baldwin College Access Center and Promise will use its grant to install public Wi-Fi hotspots throughout Lake County and the Baldwin Community Schools district, with a focus on high poverty areas, to improve access to online learning and other digital resources.
Boys & Girls Club of Lansing (Lansing, Mich.)
Awarded $2,500
Boys and Girls Club of Lansing will use its grant to support its Victors in Postsecondary Success program, which helps economically disadvantaged high school students prepare for college through mentoring, workshops and academic planning.
Bridges of Hope Allegan County (Plainwell, Mich.)
Awarded $2,500
Funded by the Kresge Foundation
Bridges of Hope Allegan County will use its grant to support its Crossing the Bridge to College program, which provides mentorship and other resources to economically disadvantaged community members who are seeking a college education.
Communities in Schools of Michigan (Lansing, Mich.)
Awarded $6,500
Communities in Schools of Michigan will use its grant to provide students in its Grads 2 Go program with Chromebooks and Wi-Fi hotspots, allowing them to access valuable online mentoring and college planning resources offered by the organization.
Glen Oaks Community College (Centreville, Mich.)
Awarded $9,956
Funded by the Kresge Foundation
Glen Oaks Community College will use its grant to purchase nine laptops and 10 Wi-Fi hotspots to help students access online learning and other digital resources. This effort will focus on economically disadvantaged students in the college’s TRIO and dual enrollment programs.
Gogebic Community College (Ironwood, Mich.)
Awarded $9,916
Gogebic Community College will use its grant to improve FAFSA completion rates in its service areas through online and in-person events, as well as an advertising campaign that includes social media, posters in high schools, and direct mail materials.
Kensington Woods Schools (Lakeland, Mich.)
Awarded $2,500
Kensington Woods Schools will use its grant to purchase 20 TI-Nspire graphing calculators for in-school and at-home use to help high school juniors and seniors prepare for the SAT.
Lenawee Now (Adrian, Mich.)
Awarded $10,000
Funded by the Kresge Foundation
Lenawee Now will use its grant to reach out to students who have delayed the decision to go to college due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Its goal is to connect these students with employers who offer tuition assistance, allowing them to earn college credits while working.
Midnight Golf Program (Bingham Farms, Mich.)
Awarded $10,000
Funded by the Kresge Foundation
The Midnight Golf Program will use its grant to support its College Success Program. This grant will directly support 200 Detroit-area students who will participate in a 30-week program designed to help them build academic skills and navigate the college application and selection process.
Pinckney Community Schools (Pinckney, Mich.)
Awarded $10,000
Funded by the Kresge Foundation
Pinckney Community Schools will use its grant to provide access to Nepris software for its students and teachers. This software connects educators with a network of professionals in a wide variety of industries, allowing students to explore a variety of career options.
Redford Union High School (Redford, Mich.)
Awarded $2,500
Redford Union High School will use its grant to support its Panthers Go to College program. This program includes incentives for attending college-going activities or completing college application tasks, as well as micro-scholarships to help alleviate college-related expenses.
$79,872 awarded to 13 organizations across Michigan in support of postsecondary attainment efforts