Rotary Charities of Traverse City increases equitable access to the waterfront
This month we’re sharing the newest video from our rural philanthropy video series featuring Rotary Charities of Traverse City.
This month we’re sharing the newest video from our rural philanthropy video series featuring Rotary Charities of Traverse City.
Rotary Charities entered into a collaborative effort with multiple organizations to operate a campus at the Discovery Center and Pier, focusing on history, education, recreation and stewardship for the community.
After several years, Rotary Charities had the opportunity to buy the nearby abandoned coal dock from the city of Traverse City.
“We were really interested in taking down the barbed wire that had been there for so many years and letting people out on to the pier,” Marsha Smith, executive director, Rotary Charities of Traverse City said.
They used $1 million toward the purchase of the coal dock, further transforming the area and providing greater public access to the water.
“Providing folks access to the water, who don’t have access to the water and to programs which will help teach them how to sail on the water, all those kinds of nonprofit community benefit things that we’re going to provide here are very different than a government or even a commercial marina could provide,” Smith said.
Check out their story in our newest video!
This video is the latest in our rural philanthropy video series featuring innovative work underway by members serving rural communities.
The CMF Rural Philanthropy Affinity Group led the development of this series, so members can learn from their peers about the creative and innovative solutions happening in Michigan’s rural places to improve the lives of its residents.
Each month CMF will share a new story from a foundation working in a range of areas. Stay tuned for next month as we share a story from Pennies from Heaven, a CMF member working in Mason County.
Watch January’s video: Sturgis Area Community Foundation