Opportunities to collaborate and share resources are the factors driving Northern Michigan University to hold a public forum on Monday, Jan. 25, to explore the potential of a community grants office. The forum will be held from 5-6 p.m. in the Charcoal Room of the University Center.

NMU President Fritz Erickson is exploring the potential for a community grants office that would offer grant writing and submission support to community agencies. Support would include identification of funding opportunities, proposal development and tracking and post-award management. A community grants office in partnership with NMU would facilitate collaborations among university and community entities.

"This has win-win potential," Erickson said.

NMU has a Grants and Contracts Office that provides grant administration support to the entire campus. The office has a staff of 2.5. None of the duties the current office undertakes will change.

The forum is meant to be an open discussion to explore the idea of a community grants office. No definitive decisions have been made, and Erickson noted it is up to the community-Marquette, Ishpeming, Negaunee and others in the greater Marquette area-to decide whether this is a worthwhile endeavor to pursue.

Please direct questions to Erica Goff, director of the NMU Grants and Contracts Office, at efranich@nmu.edu or 906-227-2456.