MARQUETTE — The Superior Health Foundation invites non-profits with a health-centered mission to submit a funding partnering request to be part of the SHF’s 2021 annual gala celebration.

The Superior Health Foundation annual gala is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 11, in the ballroom on the campus of Northern Michigan University in Marquette.

With COVID-19 and the worldwide pandemic, the event is subject to change. In the event a live gathering cannot be held, SHF will again throw a live virtual event.

Proceeds from the gala will benefit SHF. In addition, the SHF Gala Planning Committee will select two health-centered projects of $10,000 or less in the Upper Peninsula and award those monies at the gala. SHF will ask the agencies receiving funding to invite employees and guests to the gala.

There have been many unforeseen challenges due to COVID-19. Yet, many Upper Peninsula health-centered non-profits have responded with innovative, engaging ways to continue their work.

Thus, the 2021 Gala Committee recommended providing funding to two initiatives that were developed because of the changes to the operating environment and will be sustained or expanded as we work through the pandemic.

The project must align with SHF’s mission, which is “to assist with unmet health care needs, with health education, and with programs and research on preventing illness and promoting health.”

“For many organizations, COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on their delivery of critical services and on their personnel and those they serve,” said Jim LaJoie, executive director of the Superior Health Foundation. “That’s why our Gala 2021 efforts will be focused on providing funding to two organizations to help them enhance and/or expand on operational ideas and/or projects they developed during this unprecedented time.”

The Superior Health Foundation will accept applications through 5 p.m. Eastern time Friday, Dec. 18, and will select two non-profit projects by late December. These projects will then be forwarded to the SHF Board of Directors for approval in January.

An on-line application form is available on the home page of the Superior Health Foundation website at www.superiorhealthfoundation.org.

In 2020, SHF awarded $10,000 in funding to both Great Lakes Recovery Centers and the Healthy Youth Coalition of Marinette & Menominee Counties for projects that addressed mental health needs in the Upper Peninsula.

For more information, call the Superior Health Foundation at 906-225-6914 or email shf@superiorhealthfoundation.org.