Grand Rapids Community Foundation

Grand Rapids Community Foundation is Kent County’s philanthropic leader. By connecting people, their passions and our region’s resources, we have worked toward an inclusive and equitable West Michigan . For nearly a century, the Community Foundation has used the tools of philanthropy to respond to community needs. Today, to carry out our North Star and overcome racial, social and economic inequities, we must respond with intention and care. Our partners inspire, motivate and guide our work.

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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: $428 million

    Through our permanent endowment we are moving toward a brighter future and managing Grand Rapids Community Foundation's long-term growth and stability.

  • Grants and Scholarships

    In 2020-2021 we awarded $19 million in grants and scholarships to nonprofits and students in West Michigan.

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

Looking for a Scholarship or Grant Partnership? You're in the Right Place!

  • 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

  • Apply for Funding

    All across Kent County, we are committed to creating a community that aggressively seeks to put an end to inequity. Since 1922, thanks to the generosity of donor partners, we have awarded over $245 million in grants to benefit our community. 

    Apply for Funding

Community Happens Here

Learn More About us and the Work we do

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    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

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    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

  • Covid 19 Community Response Fund 9

    COVID-19 Recovery

    While our community continues to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and its long-term impacts, Grand Rapids Community Foundation is committed to maintaining our near 100-year legacy of responding to the community’s most pressing needs. Our focus is to address the deep and historic racial, social and economic inequities that exist in our community and are intensified in times of crisis. Our response efforts will continue to remain fluid as we adapt to emerging needs.

    COVID-19 Recovery

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