Community Grant Program

Oryana Community Grant Program

Our Community Grant Program is a charitable giving program based on Cooperative Principle #7 which states: “While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of communities through policies and programs accepted by their members.” In each profitable year we have, Oryana has made a pledge to donate a portion of our end-of-year proceeds (pre-tax) to a non-profit organization in our community. As one of the benefits of becoming an owner of Oryana, member-owners have the opportunity to vote (one member, one vote), via ballot box in the store for the organization of their choice.

This year Oryana member-owners awarded $5500 to Grow Benzie. Grow Benzie is a community non-profit farmstead whose mission is to enrich the lives of Benzie County residents by fostering self-reliance through education in agriculture, nutrition, job training and life skills.

The next grant cycle will begin in the Fall of 2012. For more information contact Sandi at (231) 947-0191.

Here is a gracious thank-you letter sent by one of this year's finalists, The Leelanau Conservancy.