Grand Traverse Band awards $911,000 through 2% allocation to 57 recipients

The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians has distributed roughly $911,000 to 57 local applicants through its 2% allocation program, using gaming revenue generated during the second half of 2025. The funding round supports governments and nonprofits across six northern Michigan counties: Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Grand Traverse, Leelanau, and Manistee.

The 2% allocation program, in operation since 1994, has returned funds to the region for essential services, infrastructure improvements, and community-based programs; the Band reports the program has distributed more than $47 million in 2% payments since its inception. This round’s funds originate from gaming revenue earned in the second half of 2025 and were earmarked for specific local projects and equipment purchases.

Local recipients named in the distribution include Acme Township, which will use its award to support two projects at the township’s newly acquired town hall; Blair Township Emergency Services, which will use its allocation to purchase ballistic protective vests and helmets; East Bay Charter Township, which received funding to support the Elders Advisory Organization and to purchase a powered stair chair for East Bay Ambulance; and Elk Rapids High School, which will use its award to support its "Project Graduation" program.

Reporting from the community indicates some variation in how the total was described: a Traverse City Ticker Facebook post stated the distribution totaled about $911,000 to 57 applicants, while other local coverage summarized the round as "more than $900,000." A full disbursement list is referenced in the Band’s announcement via a linked PDF that lists additional recipients and award descriptions; that PDF will provide the authoritative breakdown of award amounts and the complete list of 57 applicants.

Public reaction to the announcement showed active engagement in local social channels: the Traverse City Ticker post recorded 78 total reactions and one comment, in which Bruce Anderson wrote, "Thank you from all of us at Mt. Holiday." That comment signals gratitude from a local entity but does not, on its own, confirm Mt. Holiday’s presence on the official recipient list.

For Grand Traverse County entities, the grants in this round include public safety investments in Blair Township and medical-equipment support for East Bay Ambulance, as well as municipal facility work in Acme Township and school programming support at Elk Rapids High School. Journalistic follow-up should obtain the Band’s PDF of full disbursements to confirm dollar amounts per recipient and to identify any additional Grand Traverse County awardees not named in initial summaries.