Grants Awarded

Sandcastles Children’s Museum wishes to thank all Grantmakers who have generously supported us. Each year our Grants Committee submits several proposals - some for programming and exhibits and others for capital expenses and infrastructure. We welcome all suggestions for grant sources! Grant funding is vital to our continued success.

Grants and Gifts Awarded in 2022

• Community Foundation for Mason County - $5,000 for Michigan Woodlands exhibit and programming

• Great Lakes Energy People Fund - $5,000 for Hola! Spanish language buttons and programming

• Pennies from Heaven - $3,200 for summer STEM programming

Grants and Gifts Awarded for 2020 and 2021 (some implemented in 2022)

• Community Foundation for Mason County - $5,000 for 3D Printing workshops and exhibits

• CFMC Wish List request ($499) granted by Carol Nelson for sensory kits and noise cancelling headphones

• Hardman Construction - $5,000+ for Building Foundations exhibit

• Great Lakes Energy People Fund - $2,100 for Drones workshops

• Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs - $3,567 for STEAM Week workshops

• Ludington & Scottville Area Chamber of Commerce - $500 for Covid relief

Grants Awarded for 2019

• Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs - $3,600 for Arts and Technology Workshops (Digital Photography, Photoshop, Stop Motion Animation, Chroma Key Video Production)

• Grants Lakes Energy People Fund - $870 for SoftZone Tunnel Maze Climber for infants and toddlers

• Community Foundation for Mason County - $5,000 for renovation of 3rd floor office for exhibit space and addition of an accessible restroom

Grants Awarded in 2018

• OXYChem - $500 for Chemistry for Kids Workshops

Grants Awarded in 2017 for 2018

• Community Foundation for Mason County - $5,000 for Infant/Toddler Discovery Zone exhibit.

• Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs - $3,865 for Arts and Technology Workshops (Stop Motion, Chroma Key, and Digital Photography)

Grants Awarded in 2017

• Great Lakes Energy - $794 for Grandpa's Little Farm (Barn and Animals)

• Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs - $3,000 for Arts and Engineering and Chroma Key and Stop Motion Animation Video Production workshops

• OXY Chem - $1,000 for Dot and Dash Robotics workshop

• Chemical Bank Foundation - $1,000 toward Cogworks Free Standing Gears Exhibit

2016 Special Gift

• Spectrum Health Ludington - $19,685 for our Hospital Nursery Exhibit

Grants Awarded in 2016

• Community Foundation for Mason County - $2,500 for renovation of staff and volunteer offices.

• Community Foundation for Oceana County - $600 for free admissions for Oceana families.

• Community Foundation for Mason County - $12,000 for repairs to roof and facade; assists us in meeting our required match for the facade grant.

• Great Lakes Energy People Fund - $1,647 for Dream It! Build It! KEVA planks traveling exhibit

• Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs - $2,110 for Chroma Key (Green Screen) Video Production workshops

Awards in 2015

• State of Michigan Community Block Grant Program - $60,000 for repair of the facade of our building. A match of $26,572 is required.

• $50,000 Challenge Grant from an anonymous donor for Vision 2020. Funds were matched by the end of June 2015.

• OXYChem - $2,650 for LEGO WeDo Robotics Workshops

Awards in 2014 for 2015

• Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (Holland Area Arts Council Regranting Agency) - $2,050 for Stop Motion Animation workshops in summer 2015

• Great Lakes Energy People Fund - $4,000 for Phase 1 of Vision 2020 (renovation and safety upgrades of second floor)

• Community Foundation for Oceana County - $2,000 for Phase 1 of Vision 2020

• Community Foundation for Mason County - $6,000 for Phase 1 of Vision 2020

• Paine Family Foundation - $25,000 for Phase 1 of Vision 2020

2014 Grants

• Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs - $2,773.50 to support our Puppet Playhouse, puppet shows, puppet workshops, and Fun Friday puppet presentations.

• The Community Foundation for Mason County - $4,290 to fund ROV Challenge - 6 workshops, 6 reusable ROV kits, and water tanks for launching the ROVs.

• The Paine Foundation and Tom and Laura Paine - $7,387 to support free admissions for all Head Start and Great Start children and a parent (includes Head Start in Mason, Lake, Oceana, and Manistee Counties). This grant was awarded in 2013 for 2014-15.

2013 Special Gift

• The Youth Advisory Council, Community Foundation for Mason County, donated $500 to Sandcastles in memory of Mike Oakes, Director of the CFMC, mentor of the YAC, and good friend of Sandcastles.

2013 Grants

• PNC Foundation - $4,500 for our new Musical Playground exhibit. It was our Friday Light Live and Art Fair exhibit this year.

• The Alfred L. and Constance C. Wolf Aviation Fund - $1,500 for Take Flight! (The exhibit includes our plane, flight simulator, control tower, hangar, and conveyer.)

• Community Foundation for Mason County - $4,500 for the "destinations" and activities for Take Flight!, our new Aviation and Travel exhibit.

• Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs - $1,495 for summer programming in the arts.

• Grant Awarded in 2012 for 2013

• Great Lakes Energy (People Fund) - $2,500 for airplane exhibit for 2013 (Take Flight!)

2012 Grants

• Community Foundation for Mason County - $4,845 for the Handicapped Accessible Restroom

• Gerber Foundation - $2,000 for the Handicapped Accessible Restroom

• Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs (Holland Regrant Agency) - $1,700 for 3 arts programs

2012 Special Gift

• Local Charity Runs - $2,070 from the Friday Night Live 5K and Fun Run

2011 Grants

• Consumers Energy Foundation $20,000 for Capital Campaign

• Community Foundation for Mason County $3,000 for SMART Table

• Great Lakes Energy $1,500 for SMART Table

• Walmart $1,000 for SMART Table

2010 Grants

• Community Foundation for Mason County

• Michigan Council for the Arts, Holland Regrant Agency

• The Paine Foundation

• Home Depot $3,210 gift card for renovation

• Pere Marquette Watershed Council

2010 Special Gift

• Don and Bobbie Clingan - The Badger PlayShip

2009 Grants

• Meijer Foundation

• Community Foundation for Mason County $3,000 for a new water table

• Great Lakes Energy Foundation (The People Fund)

2008 Grants

• Community Foundation for Mason County

• Michigan Arts and Humanities Council

• Epworth Foundation

• Hall Foundation

• Paine Foundation

2007 Grants

• Community Foundation for Mason County

• Epworth Foundation

• Rotary Club of Ludington $2,500