A collaborative effort, led by the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation (GTRCF), aims to bolster the prosperity and well-being of residents in 10 counties in Northwest Michigan.

Formed in 2019 and launched publicly last week, the Community Development Strategy and Coalition is a partnership between 25 business, nonprofit and government agencies dedicated to improving social, environmental and economic outcomes for Northwest Michigan residents. GTRCF is providing the administrative and facilitation support for the coalition.

“Looking back at other regional community development efforts here and around the state and country it’s easy to put together a coalition,” Dave Mengebier, president and CEO of GTRCF told the Traverse City Record Eagle. “What’s harder is actually moving the needle on these kinds of societal, economic, environmental and development issues.”

The coalition has launched a 10-year community development plan based on a regional scorecard it developed to gauge the region’s economic, societal and environmental outcomes. Based on current scorecard results, the coalition was able to guide its work and focus through 2030.

“Our vision is by creating a coalition of business, government and nonprofit leaders and organizations who agree to work together on a set of measurable and meaningful goals, we will overcome the barriers that are inhibiting our region’s progress,” Mengebier told CMF.

With a particular focus on Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska and Leelanau counties, the coalition will engage in the following activities to achieve its goals:

• Advocate for community projects with elected officials and through ballot initiatives.

• Seek out and facilitate joint funding opportunities for community development.

• Consult with experts on issues important to the region’s well-being.

• Engage the community in the coalition’s work and progress.

Some current coalition member initiatives include the Creative Coast podcast highlighting local art and artists, securing funding for a new Bay Area Transit Authority headquarters and transfer center and working with other authorities from around the Great Lakes to ensure environmental sustainability.

Through this collaborative effort, the coalition hopes to partner and utilize the expertise, resources and leadership of each of its members to improve the quality of life in Northwest Michigan. In particular, Mengebier has seen the impact community foundations can have in bringing together leaders from across sectors to support the well-being of community residents.

“What we’ve learned from the process of pulling together the coalition and scorecard so far is that we, and by extension other community foundations, are well-positioned to lead collaborative efforts like this because we’re seen as objective and neutral partners without a vested interest beyond improving the quality of life for the people and communities we serve,” Mengebier told CMF.

Want more?

Learn more about the Community Development Strategy and Coalition.

Read about the coalition in the Traverse City Record Eagle.