Canal Run

U.P. KIDS named as Canal Run Gives Back 2025 Partner

The 2025 Canal Run will be a benefit event for U.P. KIDS, an organization that builds brighter futures by caring for children. 

U.P. KIDS was founded in 1899 as an orphanage in the Copper Country, providing a home and school to children from the Upper Peninsula. Their mission remains the same - Caring for children. Building brighter futures. They have foster care, adoption and family assistance services, a post adoption resource center, a Big Brothers Big Sisters program, a Read to Ride program, and more programs and services that will help our next generation thrive. Learn more about the work they do at upkids.com. 

Canal Run Gives Back has provided $27,500 in funds to nonprofits who serve Baraga, Houghton, Keweenaw and Ontonagon counties since it was started in 2011. 

Should we support your organization next year?

If you’re interested in receiving funds, make sure your organization or project meets the following criteria:

• All funds must be donated to a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
• All funds must be used in the four-county area.
• All funds must be used for projects, not promotion of the organization.

If you think your organization fits the criteria and you’re interested in partnering with us, email hello@canal.run and let us know you’re interested. 

Past Donations

TOTAL DONATED: $27,500

2024: Copper Country Humane Society

Copper Country Humane Society is an animal shelter that offers so much more to the Copper Country community. All of the services the Copper Country Humane Society provides can be found at cchumanesociety.com. 

2023: 31 Backpacks

31 Backpacks is a 501(c)3 organization based in Hancock that is focused on helping make sure no kid in Michigan’s Copper Country goes hungry. Learn more by following them on Facebook! 

2022:

Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly

Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly is a local non-profit, volunteer-based organization, committed to relieving isolation and loneliness among the elderly. Learn more at https://houghton.littlebrothers.org/. 

2021:

Omega House

Omega House is located in Houghton, and since 2005 has offered a peaceful, homelike environment for terminally ill people and provides end-of-life care that emphasizes compassion, independence, respect and dignity. In cooperation with local hospice programs, Omega House provides residents with exceptional care and attention 24-hours a day, seven days a week.

2017:

BHK Child Development

BHK Child Development serves Baraga, Houghton and Keweenaw counties by building a foundation of knowledge and skills through education, leadership and collaboration. It’s vision is to be rooted in community, BHK is the visionary leader maximizing potential and inspiring growth.

Copper Country Senior Meals

Copper Country Senior Meals has been Caring for the Copper Country’s Seniors since 1973. It is a home delivered and congregate meal service. The meals are designed to provide 33% of the daily nutritional requirement. For people 60 and over, that are able to drive, congregate meal sites are situated throughout the area, providing an opportunity for social interaction.

Copper Country Habitat for Humanity

Copper Country Habitat for Humanity has been serving the Copper Country since 1994. It is a locally run affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization. Habitat for Humanity works in partnership with people in need to build and renovate decent, affordable housing.

Swedetown Trails Club

Swedetown Recreation Area is 1900 acres of rolling, primarily wooded land set aside for public use by Calumet Township. It offers outstanding year-round trails for all ages and abilities. The four season Swedetown Chalet is owned by Calumet Township, providing a welcoming starting point for trail adventures. The Swedetown Trails Club (STC), a nonprofit organization, partners with Calumet Township to maintain and improve the trail system and facilities.

2015:

Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly

Provides friendship and services for lonely and isolated elderly people age 60 and older residing in the Copper Country – transportation, firewood, holiday meals, birthday celebrations, food pantry staples each month and fun activities. . Reach 1,300 elderly residents every year. Funding will be spend on direct service to the elderly through their Friendly Visiting program, Holiday Dinners and Social Events.

Copper Country Humane Society

Dedicated to the welfare and humane treatment of animals.  CCHS provides services for Keweenaw, Baraga and Houghton Counties plus the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community.  100% of the money needed for vet care, spay/neuter and medical needs for the 900 animals CCHS cares for annually is raised through monthly fundraising events and private donations.

2014:

Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly

Provides friendship and services for lonely and isolated elderly people age 60 and older residing in the Copper Country – transportation, firewood, holiday meals, birthday celebrations, food pantry staples each month and fun activities. . Reach 1,300 elderly residents every year. Funding will be spend on direct service to the elderly through their Friendly Visiting program, Holiday Dinners and Social Events.

Copper Country Autism Awareness

Helps families in the Copper Country living with autism spectrum disorders. Looking for funds to assist the CCISD and local school district special education classrooms obtain items helpful in the education of children affected by autism.

Dan Schmitt Gift of Music & Education Fund

Provide free and low cost instruments, music lessons and education emphasizing sustainable, positive outdoor activities for youth. Currently began working with students from Horizons on farm projects – making maple syrup and apple tree pruning. Funds for a small vat for final syrup boiling, a fruit ladder, stage for major fundraiser (Farm Block Fest).

UP Kids/Big Brothers Big Sisters

Help children to realize their potential and build their futures by providing mentors. Funds would be used for the Copper Country Activities (holiday parties, summer picnics, programs) and Scholarship Fund.

Love, Inc.

This organization partners with local churches to help those in need with food, personal care items, furniture/appliances, linens, clothing, household goods and financial counseling. They are currently out of space to store their donations and items. Many items are stored in boxes making it difficult on the volunteers. They would like to purchase materials to build shelving units. They have volunteers to build shelves but are short on finances.

2013:

Superior Search and Rescue

Superior Search and Rescue is a ground-based, volunteer organization assisting law enforcement agencies in finding missing persons. The group provides their radio services at many local events, including the Canal Run.

31 Backpacks

31 Backpacks works with local school districts to send home backpacks full of food every Friday for students who have been identified by administrators and teachers as being in need.

Hancock Fire Department

The Hancock Fire Department has been a longtime supporter of the Canal Run by providing volunteers. The department provides protection for the city of Hancock, and helps support other local fire departments as well.

Copper Harbor Trails Club

The Copper Harbor Trails club works hard to build new trails, host world-class events and maintain the Copper Harbor Trails, which they tout as being some of the best trails in the world.

2011:

Ryan Street Community Garden

The Ryan Street Community Garden provides Hancock residents the opportunity to grow healthy, affordable, fresh vegetables, fruits, flowers and herbs for their households. It also serves as a place for social interaction and creates a beautiful and educational landmark in the community demonstrating ecologically-sound and climate appropriate practices.

Baraga County Shelter Home

The mission of the Baraga County Shelter Home, Inc., a non-profit organization, is to provide a Shelter Home for victims of domestic violence and their children. Also, to assist these victims in obtaining information about and advocacy with, legal services, financial assistance, provide for emergency medical needs, and housing if applicable.

Friends of the Porkies

The Friends of the Porkies is a nonprofit organization that represents the interests of all users of the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. The Park has a breathtaking 60,000 acres of natural beauty located in Ontonagon County in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. A drive from Ontonagon along the shoreline of Lake Superior for about 20 minutes will bring you to the “Porkies.”

Goodwill Farm Association

Good Will Farm program is housed in a colonial house situated on two acres of land in the middle of the Michigan Tech campus. A former garage on the property at one time was converted into a hospital through generosity of Mr. Benedict. Presently the building houses a two-room school which is supervised by the Houghton-Portage Township School District. The district employs certified Special Education staff to work with the youth. The youth are eligible to participate in all the regular and extra-curricular programs which are available in the area to local high school students.

Omega House

Omega House provides a residential, homelike environment where terminally ill people may live fully during their final days, free from pain and isolation and supported physically, emotionally, and spiritually by professional and volunteer caregivers, along with family and friends.