In 2001 the Benzie Audubon Club received a bequest from the Estate of Robert Lytle. With this gift the Club established the Robert Lytle Education and Environmental Fund. The Fund is adminstered by the Club to promote environmental education and to enhance the natural environment within the Benzie County area.

Each year the Club offers a limited number of mini-grants to further this goal. The Club awards such grants subject to the continued availability of funds and based on the following criteria:

• The funds must be requested for purposes of environmental education or for a project that in some way will enhance the natural environment of our area.

• The request must clearly state the amount requested, how the requested funds will be used, the number of people who will benefit from the activity, and the date the funds will be needed.

• If funding is also being requested from or is being supplied by other sources, this must be explained fully in the request.

• A completed application form must be submitted to the Club at least four months prior to the funding date.