The Chelsea Community Foundation (CCF) awarded $25,250 to six local nonprofits during the fifth annual Ann Feeney Service Awards on Sept. 24 at Robin Hills Farm. A $20,000 contribution from Chelsea Lumber Company provided the majority of the grant funding.
Scenes from the fifth annual Ann Feeney Service Awards on Sept. 24, 2026. Photos: MC Creative Design & Photography
The event recognized the Chelsea Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2025 honorees, each of whom recommended a local nonprofit to receive a $5,000 grant from the foundation:
- 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 a former Chelsea mayor, community leader, and 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:
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. Information about giving is available at chelseafoundation.org/give.
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.
About the Chelsea Community Foundation
The Chelsea Community Foundation is a permanent charitable endowment created through gifts from individuals, families, and businesses that care about Chelsea. The Chelsea Community Foundation has given more than $2.3 million in grants to Chelsea nonprofit organizations to address community needs and opportunities that improve the quality of life in the City of Chelsea and the surrounding areas. The Chelsea Community Foundation is an affiliate of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan. For more information, visit chelseafoundation.org.
