Making change since 1922

Our Grand Rapids Community Foundation

For West Michigan to grow and prosper, we must ensure that everyone can apply their talents and creativity to fuel our future. By connecting across perspectives and overcoming inequities, we can build and sustain an inclusive economy and thriving community. 

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Chal Schol Union 704

Gifts, Growth, Grants + Leadership

We Love Our Community!

As Kent County's philanthropic leader, the grants we award each year are made possible by financial gifts from donors—people who care about the greater Grand Rapids community and want to see it thrive. Our endowment relies on donor gifts and market growth for its success.

We lead by bringing people together to solve complicated community problems, realizing that for some issues there are no immediate solutions or simple answers.

By The Numbers

Community Impact

  • Our Assets: $331.8 million

    Our assets grew to $331.8 million in fiscal year 2016-2017. This is as large as we've ever been!

  • Grants and Scholarships for our Community

    In 2016-2017 we awarded grants and scholarships in excess of $13 million to nonprofits and students in West Michigan.

  • For more details about our work, you can download the 2016-2017 annual report below.

    GRCF Annual Report 2016-2017

Philanthropists Among Us

The Community Foundation wraps up all the things we care about—education, health and children. It's here to enrich our community, and that’s important to us. We’ve been involved with the Community Foundation for many years and see good things happening. The people who work there and those who support it are powerhouses.

Phil and Kathy Vogelsang
Learn About Our Donor Groups

Welcome

If You're Looking for a Grant or a Scholarship, You're in the Right Place

  • Apply for Funding

    Each year we make grants to support nonprofits in Kent County, perhaps your project could be one of them. The application for our main grantmaking pool is open year-round. Grants from this fund are awarded six times per year after review by our staff, volunteer Community Action Committee and Board of Trustees.  

    Check out the guidelines, process and other funding opportunities below. 

    Apply for Funding

  • Apply for Scholarships

    Since 1945, Grand Rapids Community Foundation has been a major scholarship provider in Kent County, awarding more than $1 million every year to hundreds of students pursuing a higher education.

    Apply for Scholarships

Community Happens Here

Learn More About us and the Work we do

  • Hp Mural

    People Make it Happen Here

    Wondering who does all the magic behind community philanthropy in Kent County? Meet the staff of the Community Foundation.

    Our Staff

  • Banner Community Leadership 2X

    Community Leadership

    While making grants to nonprofits is core to our work, there's something else we do that sets us apart—we call it Community Leadership.

    Our Initiatives

  • Banner Building

    We Are Here!

    Located in the heart of the Arena District of Grand Rapids, our building is accessible and open to nonprofits looking for a space for a gathering.

    Find us

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