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.