The Worthington Family Foundation 2019 distribution was divided among the following organizations:

The Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies in Mancelona, MI offers environmental education to K-12th grade students in the Grand Traverse Bay region. The Environmental Education Program uses field courses to help students develop the knowledge, skills, and character they need to be effective environmental stewards.

They are awarded $22,820.00 to expand their environmental education program. They will enhance their Restoration Ecology for Young Students (REYS) program to concentrate on two areas: Understanding Ecology and Understanding Research. Understanding Ecology will focus on developing foundational understandings of watersheds, groundwater, ecosystems, ecosystem services and threats, and the benefits of native plants. The Understanding Research portion of the program will focus on helping students understand how to conduct controlled investigations, how to develop testable questions, how to conduct authentic research to answer real-world problems, and will culminate with students implementing their research to restore habitat they visited in the fall.

The Ecology Center in Ann Arbor, MI is a nonprofit organization that produces environmental education programs and resources which are age−appropriate, engaging, and substantive. They have been a state and regional leader in environmental education. The $32,500 awarded to the Ecology Center in 2019 will be used to assist you in support of: 1) meet the material needs to deliver 450 classroom programs and teacher trainings; 2) purchase professional air monitoring and medical diagnostic equipment to complete development of school-based citizen science programming; and 3) hire technical support to complete an online resource where students can collaborate to investigate Michigan's air quality.

The Grass River Natural Area in Bellaire, MI is a nonprofit organization that is charged with protecting the extremely fragile and important Grass River watershed. The $19,345.37 awarded to the Grass River Natural Area in 2019 will be used to purchase resources, expand their intern program, and assist in naturalist funding.

The Inland Seas Education Association in Suttons Bay, MI mission is to inspire Great Lakes curiosity, stewardship, and passion in people of all ages. They are celebrating their 30th year of operation. Through hands−on experimental learning activities aboard a traditionally rigged tall ship schooner, participants gain the knowledge to understand the commitment for the long−term stewardship for the Great Lakes. The $20,000 award to Inland Seas Education Assocication is to support their scholarship program so classrooms can attend this program.

The Leelanau Children's Choir in Leland, MI an audition based, county wide choral program for singers age 8 through high school graduation. Their $4,250 grant will enable them to replace some of their old costumes.

Michigan Opera Theater in Detroit, MI provides students opportunities for exploring the arts through a variety of high quality and affordable education and outreach programs. Each year, thousands of elementary school students experience opera and the arts through programming that Michigan Opera Theater designs specifically for young children. Michigan Opera Theater was awarded $35,000 to:

• Provide tickets and transportation for hundreds of students to come see the MOTCC production of The Very Last Green Thing at the Detroit Opera House.
• Provide touring children's operas and workshops to reach students in low−income schools and under−served communities.
• Underwrite a school workshop in conjunction with youth touring performances
• Underwrite the cost of marketing materials dedicated to reaching more teachers and schools with comprehensive information on MOT’s children’s opera programs.

The Michigan State University Opera Theater of Lansing, MI is an ensemble of the Michigan State University College of Music, designed to provide vocal music students with high−level educational training through varied performing experiences. MSU Opera Theater was awarded $31,500 to support costumes, musical support, marketing, and their outreach program for their two production’s: Orpheus in the Underworld and La Clemenza di Tito.

The Old Town Playhouse Children's Theater in Traverse City, Michigan, is a volunteer based organization promoting quality community theatre experiences for the people of Northwest Michigan by providing educational opportunities and entertainment in the theatrical arts. They were awarded $44,038 which will be used to:

• Continue their current program that includes:
  • classes and camps
  • a ticket discount for families of students in their programs
  • scholarships
• Continue to help schools bus students to specially planned daytime performances of youth shows
• Continue their branding and marketing campaign

Pewabic Pottery was founded by Michigan artist Mary Chase Perry Stratton in 1903 during the arts and crafts movement. Pewabic is a National Historic Landmark, non−profit ceramic arts education organization, a historic working pottery and an American heritage site. Pewabic Pottery is dedicated to supporting and promoting ceramic art and artists, as well as preserving Pewabic Pottery's century−old heritage. Pewabic Pottery was awarded $50,000 to provide art and culture experiences to Detroit′s underserved children and youth through productive and long−term collaborations with Detroit Public Schools and community centers. These funds allow Pewabic to maintain the equipment, staff, and resources needed to successfully inspire children to see the world in new ways through the medium of clay.