What We Fund and How to Apply

Apply for Grants

Social Venture Investors (SVI)

Nonprofit Technical Assistance Fund

Philanthropy Links

To apply for a grant, please follow these steps:

1. Select the right fund. Determine if the Fund for Community Good (general fund) or a special fund is best for your program.

2. If you're applying for the Fund for Community Good, review the requirements and identify the right category.

3. Submit a pre-application

If you have any questions about the grant application process or if you'd like to speak with a program officer about your program, please email or call 616.454.1751.

1. Select the right fund.

Grand Rapids Community Foundation operates over 400 funds and awards grants to a wide range of nonprofit organizations in Kent County. Below you will find the six categories that guide our Fund for Community Good (general fund) grantmaking decisions. Click the link under each category to find the appropriate fit for your program.

If the Fund for Community Good is not right for your program, we also offer special funds that follow different criteria including Social Venture Investors (SVI), Excellence in Education, Access Camps, Nonprofit Technical Assistance Fund, Youth Funds, and Community Funds.

2. If you're applying for the Fund for Community Good, review the requirements and identify the right category.

Fund for Community Good General Requirements

Funding is not available for one-time, special or annual events, annual operating funds, political or religious causes, or endowments.
To be considered for a grant an organization must:

Have a current 501(c)(3) nonprofit designation from the Internal Revenue Service or be a governmental organization located in Kent County and serve local residents.
Have the support of their board of directors and executive director for the submitted project(s).
Have a sustainability plan in place for the proposed project.
Be able to demonstrate diversity of race and ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, ability and gender in their boards, staff and constituents.
Seek other sources of funding and inform us of the status of those requests.