The Chelsea Community Foundation (CCF) awarded $25,250 to six local nonprofits during the fifth annual Ann Feeney Service Awards on September 24, 2026, at Robin Hills Farm. A $20,000 contribution from Chelsea Lumber Company provided the majority of the grant funding.
The event recognized the Chelsea Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2025 honorees, each of whom recommended a nonprofit to receive a $5,000 grant:
- Large Business Leadership: Zou Zou’s Cafe, represented by Marie-Anne Fody, selected Barn Sanctuary.
- Small Business Leader: The Lake House Bakery, represented by Keegan Rodgers, selected Chelsea Farmers Market.
- Nonprofit Business Leadership: Chelsea Senior Center, represented by Paul Schissler on behalf of Jennifer Smith, selected Chelsea Senior Center.
- Chelsea Citizen of the Year: Matt McKernan selected Chelsea Rotary.
- Chelsea Lifetime Achievement: Anne and Tim Merkel selected Chelsea Community Foundation.
- Newsletter sign-up drawing winner Nik Lulgjuraj directed an additional $250 to Faith in Action.
Named for Ann Feeney, the awards celebrate service and generosity that strengthen Chelsea. This year’s event also honored Robert “Bob” Lee Daniels for his lasting contributions as Chelsea mayor, a community leader, and a member of the CCF Advisory Committee.
During the evening, McKernan highlighted CCF’s $2.3 million investment in the community over the past 31 years. Income from its $3.5 million endowment supports local grants, but requests continue to exceed available funding. In the latest grant cycle, CCF received 18 applications requesting more than $325,000 and funded seven with $91,800, leaving more than $230,000 in unmet needs. A video featuring recent grant awardees was also shared; view on CCF’s website home page www.chelseafoundation.org.
To help close that gap, CCF introduced the 250 Club – Local Giving, Lasting Impact, which encourages annual gifts of $250. Donations at all levels, recurring gifts, and named endowments help sustain funding for Chelsea nonprofits.
Chelsea Lumber Company, Chelsea State Bank, Diane Kieliszewski, Anne and Tim Merkel, Matt and Laura McKernan, D&B Strategic Marketing, Anne and John Mann, Jodi Daniels, Kathleen and Jeff Daniels, and Eder & Diver Insurance Agency underwrote the event and evening grant awards. Their support helped CCF direct more resources toward community grants.
Photography courtesy of MC Creative Design & Photography.
www.mccreativedesignandphotography.com
Information about giving is available at chelseafoundation.org/give.