Grant Application for
North Central Michigan College
Mission Statement:
Mission: To provide exceptional, accessible, relevant higher education to the benefit of all.
Vision: To become the premier student-centered college, as partners on the learning journey.
Fiscal agent if applicant is not tax exempt:
Tax ID Number:
38-2910328
Contact First Name:
Contact Last Name:
Miranda
Fisher
Address:
1515 Howard Street
Email:
Phone Number:
2314201178
Website:
Project Name:
First Dental Hygiene Training Program and Low Cost Clinic North of Big Rapids
Project start and end dates:
August 4, 2026
April 30, 2027
Amount Requested:
$
5000
Project Description:
NCMC is launching Northern Michigan’s first Dental Hygiene Program & low-cost community clinic to address critical workforce shortages & barriers to oral healthcare. This 16-chair teaching clinic will provide $50 cleanings, increasing access for uninsured & underinsured residents while creating a pipeline of highly trained dental hygienists earning over $55/hour. The program directly responds to local need, dental positions have remained unfilled for over 18 months & regional healthcare partners report that many emergency room visits are related to preventable dental pain. By expanding preventative care, the program will help reduce ER congestion and improve community health. Located on Charlevoix Ave, the clinic will be accessible & highly visible. Through partnerships with Dental Clinics North, patients will be referred appropriately, ensuring comprehensive, coordinated care. This initiative represents a transformative investment in health, workforce development, & economic vitality.
Goal of the Project
How many people will you reach?
5000
What percentage are female?
60
If your program serves both males and females, how will Hestia funds specifically target women and girls?
While the clinic will serve all community members regardless of gender, Hestia funds will be intentionally directed to support women through the Dental Hygiene Program, an industry that is 99% female in Michigan.
We are currently launching the program, but eventually funding will expand to provide scholarships and tuition support for female students, including single mothers, career changers, and first-generation college students. These resources will remove financial barriers and allow more women to enter a high-wage, high-demand field with starting wages exceeding $55/hour.
Support from Hestia will help create flexible, family-sustaining career pathways for women. Dental hygiene offers predictable schedules, part-time or full-time options, and strong work-life balance, allowing women to remain active in their families and communities while achieving economic independence.
By investing in this program, Hestia will directly empower women to build stable, rewarding careers while addressing a critical regional workforce shortage. This is a long-term investment in women’s economic mobility, leadership, and community wellbeing across Northern Michigan.
How are recipients identified or selected to receive services? Is financial need considered?
Recipients are identified through both the academic program & the community clinic, with emphasis on financial need & access. Students will be admitted through NCMC’s standard academic admissions process. Once enrolled in prerequisite coursework, financial need will be assessed. Students demonstrating need will be prioritized for scholarships through the NCMC Foundation. Additional barriers, including childcare, transportation, & returning-to-school status, will be considered. For the clinic, patients will be served with a focus on individuals who are uninsured or underinsured. NCMC will collaborate with community partners, including Dental Clinics North, to identify and refer patients who face barriers to care. Priority populations will include low-income families, children, veterans, and single parents. By integrating financial need into both student support & patient services, NCMC ensures equitable access while directly addressing gaps in oral healthcare & workforce development.
What do you hope to achieve? What difference will this make in the lives of women and girls?
How will this project meet Hestia's mission statement?
Through North Central Michigan College’s Dental Hygiene program, we aim to expand access to high-wage, flexible careers that support economic self-sufficiency for women in Northern Michigan. Dental hygiene offers strong earning potential and adaptable schedules, making it an ideal pathway for women balancing education, caregiving, and family responsibilities. This program will allow more women to remain in their communities while building stable, independent futures.
It will also significantly improve access to affordable, preventative dental care, an area where women and children are disproportionately impacted. When care is unaffordable, it is often delayed, leading to more serious health issues. Our teaching clinic will provide accessible services, supporting early intervention and healthier families.
By improving oral health, we also address broader conditions such as heart disease and diabetes, while reducing preventable emergency room visits. This project advances Hestia’s mission by creating sustainable career pathways for women and improving the health and well-being of women and girls across our region.
How will you evaluate or measure your success:
North Central Michigan College will measure success through outcomes tied to workforce advancement and community impact. Key indicators include enrollment and graduation rates for women, job placement, and starting wages—demonstrating progress toward economic self-sufficiency.
We will partner with regional dental professionals to track job demand and gather employer feedback to ensure graduates meet workforce needs. We will also measure the number of patients served through our teaching clinic, focusing on women and children with limited access to care.
In the short term, success includes securing funding and unlocking the $2 million Herrick Foundation match. A grant from Hestia will be leveraged to double its impact while advancing opportunities for women and girls.
Grant Project Budget Form
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