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Seventeen projects have been awarded approximately $150,000 through the Region 2 MiFamily Engagement Center’s 2026–27 Mini-Grant Program!

Schools, libraries, and community organizations across Northwest Michigan are putting family engagement into practice through initiatives focused on literacy, attendance, family leadership, student well-being, and more.

Below are the grant awardees:

Equitable Family Engagement: Guided by Parent Voice
Help Me Grow Char-Em | $7,420

Help Me Grow Char-Em has been awarded $7,420 to support “Equitable Family Engagement: Guided by Parent Voice.” Parent leaders help identify needs, shape decisions, plan and host activities, and guide the use of resources alongside community partners. Stipends, childcare, mileage reimbursement, accessible resources, and peer-to-peer connections reduce barriers to family leadership while recognizing families’ time and expertise. The project provides an opportunity to learn from an approach that moves beyond family participation toward shared leadership and authentic partnership.

Expanding Family Engagement in Early Childhood
Communities In Schools of Northwest Michigan | $11,170

Communities In Schools of Northwest Michigan has been awarded $11,170 to support “Expanding Family Engagement in Early Childhood.” Building on trusted relationships through Central Lake Early Opportunities (CLEO) and the Mancelona Early Childhood Program, families will help identify learning priorities, select resources, shape programming, and lead or co-lead activities. Family Share & Tell, family learning opportunities, and use of the Early Childhood Wing will create multiple ways for families to contribute their knowledge and experiences while strengthening connections among families, children, educators, and the community.

Indigenous Culture, Education & Family Engagement
Title VI Indigenous Culture and Education Consortium | $10,000

The Title VI Indigenous Culture and Education Consortium has been awarded $10,000 through a partnership between MiFamily Engagement Centers Regions 2 and 3 to support “Indigenous Culture, Education & Family Engagement.” The project builds on the knowledge and strengths of Indigenous families, Elders, cultural knowledge keepers, educators, and community partners across four school districts. Through family and community gatherings, cultural and language learning, land-based experiences, and other opportunities, families and community members will contribute their knowledge and help shape programming while strengthening students’ identity, belonging, learning, and connection to community.

Family Learning Adventures
East Jordan Elementary School | $7,000

East Jordan Elementary School has been awarded $7,000 to support “Family Learning Adventures.” Families will learn and practice literacy and math strategies alongside their children through hands-on activities, with resources to continue learning at home. Building on family feedback and local learning data, the project will reduce barriers through shared meals, childcare, flexible activities, and community partnerships while strengthening families’ confidence in supporting learning.

Growing Together: Families as Partners in Learning
Central Day Care Center | $5,000

Central Day Care Center has been awarded $5,000 to support “Growing Together: Families as Partners in Learning.” Through hands-on early childhood learning experiences, families will explore strategies and resources they can use to support their children’s learning and development at home. Flexible opportunities and take-home materials will help make participation accessible while strengthening connections between families and the classroom.

Little Learners
PoWeR! Book Bags | $8,000

PoWeR! Book Bags has been awarded $8,000 to expand access to books and literacy materials in languages other than English through its “Little Learners” project. Building on established partnerships with trusted community programs, the project responds to family feedback by increasing access to materials that reflect the languages and needs of families across the region. The work supports early literacy while strengthening families’ access to resources they can choose and use with their children at home.

Nature Play with Little Big
Petoskey District Library | $1,920

Petoskey District Library has been awarded $1,920 to support “Nature Play with Little Big.” Children and caregivers will read, explore, and learn together through nature-based experiences designed to spark curiosity and strengthen early learning. The project will extend learning beyond the library by giving families ideas and experiences they can carry into their own backyards and community spaces.

Building Mighty Bucks
Pine River Area Elementary School | $2,000

Pine River Area Elementary School has been awarded $2,000 to support “Building Mighty Bucks.” Through shared meals, practical learning, and peer conversation, families will have opportunities to connect, share experiences, and strengthen their confidence and support networks. The project takes a strengths-based approach that recognizes families’ existing knowledge and expertise while intentionally reducing barriers to participation.

Student Led Conferences
Forest Area Middle/High School | $2,500

Forest Area Middle/High School has been awarded $2,500 to develop Student Led Conferences. The project will shift the traditional conference model toward a shared conversation in which students, families, and educators discuss learning, strengths, progress, and goals together. By building student ownership and creating a more active role for families, the model connects family engagement directly to teaching and learning while creating a practice that can be sustained within the school.

Family Bridge Program
Cadillac Area Public Schools | $5,000

Cadillac Area Public Schools has been awarded $5,000 to support the family engagement components of the Family Bridge program. Building on established Coffee and Chats and family learning opportunities, the project will create spaces for relationships, two-way communication, shared learning, and family-informed resources. The work will strengthen connections among families, schools, and the community while exploring how family engagement contributes to family confidence, stronger relationships, and school practices.

School Success Partnership Program
Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency | $30,000

Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency has been awarded $30,000 to support the School Success Partnership Program. Through relationship-centered, individualized support, families will identify their strengths and priorities, set goals, address barriers, and make decisions alongside School Success Liaisons. Building on established community partnerships, the program recognizes families as essential partners in supporting their children’s learning and school success.

Enhancing Family Engagement & Attendance
Communities In Schools of Northwest Michigan | $25,000

Communities In Schools of Northwest Michigan has been awarded $25,000 to support “Enhancing Family Engagement & Attendance.” Through trusted relationships with school-based Site Coordinators, families will work collaboratively to identify barriers to attendance, set goals, and develop individualized Attendance Success Plans. The project positions families as partners in addressing chronic absence and will contribute learning to broader regional and statewide efforts to strengthen attendance through family engagement.

Creating Connections
Child & Family Services of Northwestern Michigan | $25,000

Child & Family Services of Northwestern Michigan has been awarded $25,000 to continue “Creating Connections.” This relationship-based initiative partners with families involved in the child welfare system to strengthen connections with their children’s schools. Families identify their own priorities and receive individualized coaching and support to navigate school relationships, address barriers, and build confidence as partners in their children’s education. Learning from the project’s first year will guide its expansion and continued improvement.

Stronger Together: A Day of Wellness, Connection & Support
Charlevoix Elementary School | $1,820

Charlevoix Elementary School has been awarded $1,820 to support “Stronger Together: A Day of Wellness, Connection & Support,” part of its broader Success Starts Here initiative. The event will create a welcoming space for families to connect, access supports, and strengthen relationships within the school community. The project builds on strong family participation while emphasizing accessibility, inclusion of extended family members, and the strengths families bring to their school community.

Compass Family Nights
Petoskey United Methodist Church | $3,000

Petoskey United Methodist Church has been awarded $3,000 to support Family Nights through its Compass After School Program. Building on feedback from participating families, these gatherings will provide welcoming, flexible opportunities for families to share meals, spend time together, and build relationships with other families. The project recognizes relationships, belonging, and peer-to-peer connection as important foundations for family and child well-being.

Growing Together in a Digital World
Leelanau Montessori Public School Academy | $3,500

Leelanau Montessori Public School Academy has been awarded $3,500 to support “Growing Together in a Digital World.” Families and educators will explore media literacy, technology, and child well-being together in a thoughtful, nonjudgmental environment. Family questions and experiences will help shape the learning, creating opportunities for families and educators to problem-solve together and consider approaches that reflect families’ individual values and needs.

Next Gen Presents Pulse: Dance of the Earth
Great Lakes Center for the Arts | $6,000

Great Lakes Center for the Arts has been awarded $6,000 to bring Pulse: Dance of the Earth to families and students through its Next Gen program. The project will use the performing arts to engage students and families in conversations about technology, nature, social connection, and well-being. A Tech Time-Out Challenge and related school and family resources will extend learning beyond the performance, creating opportunities for classrooms and families to reflect, talk, and be more intentional in how we use our time and experience the world around us.