The Leelanau nonprofit, New Community Vision (NCV), is one of multiple organizations announced on Dec. 10 to receive a $50,000 grant from Rotary Charities of Traverse City. NCV, like other organizations named, is a recipient of Rotary Charities fall 2024 grant awards, where a total of $350,000 was invested to regional nonprofits and collaboratives.
According to the press release, the grant to NCV will go towards supporting the acquisition of over 200 acres of land on the Leelanau Peninsula. The former Timber Shores campground, a critical property that includes wetlands, wooded dunes, and a cold water trout stream, will find its new purpose as a nature preserve, with a dedicated 24 acre section allocated for a future attainable housing development.
“We are thrilled to receive a grant from Rotary Charities. Their generous and timely support of our community-wide effort is helping to make our vision a reality,” said NCV board president John Sentell.
NCV has been making “good progress” to complete fundraising to purchase the property by the end of the year. As of Sept. 18, the group said they had a little more than $300,000 left to raise against the challenge. An exclusive option agreement and extension secured last year gave NCV more time to raise funds through the summer. The nonprofi t has been working diligently since 2023 to fundraise and acquire the former campground with a mission to ultimately preserve and restore the lakeshore property in Leelanau Township.
Part of the former Timber Shores property is pictured in 2023. Courtesy photo
