Midland’s Service Club Alliance simplifies grantmaking to better support local nonprofits

In Midland, community service has long been rooted in quiet commitment. Neighbors show up for neighbors, often without fanfare. For decades, local service clubs have carried that tradition forward through hands-on projects, fundraising, and grantmaking. In recent years, those efforts have become even more intentional through a collaborative model now known as the Service Club Alliance, a partnership that is reshaping how support reaches nonprofit organizations and, ultimately, Midland County residents.

The Service Club Alliance is a collaborative partnership among Midland area service clubs designed to coordinate efforts and simplify the grantmaking process for community organizations. Rather than requiring nonprofits to navigate multiple applications and timelines, the Alliance uses one shared application for organizations providing essential support to residents of Midland County. Once an organization applies, it is automatically shared with all participating service clubs for review and consideration. Nonprofits are encouraged to apply as needs arise and are not limited to a specific number of requests within a given period.

This collective approach reflects a shared commitment to ensure that community resources are allocated in the most effective and impactful way possible. While the Midland Area Community Foundation serves as the convenor of the Alliance, it does not make grantmaking decisions. Each service club independently determines how and when to award funding.

“The Service Club Alliance was formed as the result of a suggestion from one of the service clubs,” says Sharon Mortensen, President and CEO of the Midland Area Community Foundation. “There was interest in working together with other service clubs, particularly when it came to grantmaking.”

Mortensen explained that the Community Foundation was a natural home for the Alliance because of its role in building systems that support the broader community. “In terms of why it is hosted at the Community Foundation, we serve as conveners and look at ways to build systems and infrastructure to benefit our community,” Mortensen says. “We are grantmakers and often hear from nonprofits about their needs. This was a way to build on our strengths to benefit both service clubs and nonprofit organizations.”

One of the most meaningful benefits of the Alliance is the reduced burden on nonprofit organizations. “Honestly, one of the greatest benefits is that nonprofits only need to complete one application,” Mortensen shares. “This streamlines the process for nonprofits.” By reviewing the same applications, service clubs can also coordinate their efforts and make more informed decisions about how limited resources are distributed.

The collaboration extends beyond funding. Some participating clubs have begun working together on service projects, strengthening relationships and expanding their collective impact. One example highlighted by Mortensen involved members from several service clubs joining Midland Rotary in assisting with a cleanup at Grove Park.

“It has been wonderful to see service clubs coordinating and strengthening their impact in our community,” Mortensen continues.

At the core of the Service Club Alliance are the participating service clubs, each with deep roots in Midland and a distinct mission.

Kiwassee Kiwanis was founded in 1966 when members of the Midland Kiwanis Club formed a new club that met at noon. Sponsored by the original Midland Kiwanis Club, which was chartered in 1921, Kiwassee became the 217th Kiwanis Club chartered in Michigan. The name Kiwassee blends “Ki” from Kiwanis with “wassee” from the Tittabawassee River. The club’s first community project, ringing bells for the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign, remains an ongoing tradition and reflects a long-standing commitment to service.

The Exchange Club of Midland is part of a national, all-volunteer service organization for men and women who want to serve their community, develop leadership skills, and build meaningful relationships. Exchange focuses on identifying local needs and addressing them through service, partnerships, and advocacy.

The Kiwassee Kiwanis Foundation supports organizations and projects that focus on children and youth, with funding designated for capital projects only. Organizations must be tax-exempt to apply, and funding decisions are made by the Foundation’s Board of Directors. This approach allows the Foundation to invest in long-term infrastructure that benefits young people.

The Kiwanis Club of Midland and the Midland Kiwanis Foundation have been serving Midland County since 1921. Their work centers on improving the quality of life, particularly for young children, through both hands-on service and financial support. Guided by a vision of communities where all children are nurtured and supported, Midland Kiwanis partners with local organizations to create opportunities for learning, safety, and growth that foster long-term success.

The Midland Lions Club, chartered in 1933, is affiliated with Lions Clubs International. For more than 90 years, the Midland Lions Club has focused on humanitarian service, particularly sight-related programs that support individuals and families in the community. Members commit their time and resources to advancing the Lions mission at both local and global levels.

Part of Rotary International’s global network, The Rotary Club of Midland Morning brings together neighbors, professionals, and community leaders who are focused on creating lasting change locally and worldwide. The club actively welcomes guests and new members.

Midland Noon Rotary Club was founded in 1920 and has more than a century of experience supporting both community and global initiatives. Locally, the club supports grants, scholarships, fundraising efforts, and economic development projects. Members collaborate with other organizations to strengthen education, promote charitable giving, and revitalize shared community spaces, while also contributing to Rotary International’s broader global mission.

The Midland Rotary Foundation complements these efforts by awarding grants of up to $5,000 to benefit disadvantaged youth in Midland County. Priority is given to project-based funding, as ongoing operations are not typically supported. The Foundation uses the Service Club Alliance grant application process to improve access and coordination for nonprofit applicants.

The Noon Exchange Club focuses much of its work on the prevention of child abuse, a national Exchange project adopted in 1979. Through evidence-based programs such as the Exchange Parent Aide home visitation model, members work directly with at-risk families. The club is also committed to Americanism, promoting pride in national heritage and gratitude to those who serve or have served in the armed forces, as well as youth development through scholarships, mentoring, and service recognition.

The Zonta Club of Midland, founded locally in 1947, is part of Zonta International, which began in 1919. The name Zonta, derived from Lakota Sioux, symbolizes honesty, trust, inspiration, and the ability to work together for service and understanding. Zonta International has contributed millions of dollars to projects benefiting women and girls around the world, and the Midland club continues that legacy through advocacy, funding, and hands-on service.

For nonprofit organizations serving Midland County residents, applying for support through the Service Club Alliance begins with a single application available online. The streamlined process reflects the Alliance’s core values of collaboration, efficiency, and shared responsibility.

Through the Service Club Alliance, long-standing traditions of service in Midland are being strengthened through partnership. By working together, service clubs are reducing barriers for nonprofits, maximizing community resources, and demonstrating that collective action can deepen impact. In a community where service has always mattered, the Alliance represents a thoughtful evolution focused on doing “more good” together.