The Sawyer J. Boyd
Creatives Grant

Grant Cycle Opens May 1 through June 30, 2024 | Apply Here

What is The Sawyer J. Boyd Creatives Grant?

The Sawyer J. Boyd Creatives Grant is The Sunset Project's lead creative advancement opportunity for aspiring youth aged 16 to 23, providing individuals with the purchase of goods and/or services to expand their creative passion, hobby, or career.

Named in honor of Sawyer Boyd, this grant focuses on the creative development of youth throughout Northeast Michigan. By offering financial assistance, professional guidance, and personal mentorship, The Sunset Project looks to change how creatives in our service region achieve short and long-term success.

Who is Sawyer Boyd?

Sawyer Boyd was an exceptionally creative individual from the greater Northeast Michigan region who had a passion for photography, videography, art, cartography, and beyond.

Tragically, Sawyer took his own in the Fall of 2016, leaving behind the memories of his creative passions and abilities. Through The Sawyer J. Boyd Creatives Grant, The Sunset Project hopes to keep those memories alive and channel them into a driving force for the betterment of Northeast Michigan's creative youth.

What Makes This Grant Unique?

Unlike a typical scholarship or grant, the Sawyer J. Boyd Creatives Grant hopes to foster and promote long-term guidance and mentorship, in addition to funding, for local creatives in the Northeast Michigan Region.

Following recipient selection, The Sunset Project team establishes multiple one-on-one meetings where we consult with the inviduals on how best their creative endeavor could benefit from an influx of funding. The Sunset Project team then uses the information gathered, along with collaborative research and recommendations from the recipient, to purchase the goods and/or hire the services that best fit their needs.

Once purchases have been made, The Sunset Project team commits to three follow-up meetings (one per month) to ensure recipients are getting the most out of their grant funding. In addition, industry professionals are often connected with recipients to help them further their pursuits, helping to foster lasting mentorship and career development assistance for recipients.

The Sunset Project believes this is the most effective way to promote growth for future creatives and ensure the equipment or materials being purchased benefit recipients as much as possible.

What Project Types are Eligible for Funding?

Film, photography, graphic design, fashion, art (painting, sculpting, etc.), woodworking, creative writing, music, and more! At The Sunset Project, we aren’t interested in limiting creative endeavors – as long as justification can be provided, we’re open to hearing any and all project proposals!

Who is Eligible to Apply?

Any creative individual who is currently residing in or previously from Northeast Michigan aged 16-23. Your current or previous residence (within five years of May 1 of the current cycle year) must be from one of the seven counties in our service region (Alpena, Alcona, Presque Isle, Iosco, Oscoda, Montmorency, and Ogemaw Counties).