Additional Funds

Funds With a Targeted Purpose

In addition to our Fund for Community Good (unrestricted) and field of interest fund grantmaking, we also administer many funds that are designated to a specific purpose. Learn more about what these funds look for and the application deadlines below.

Building the Capacity of Nonprofits

The Nonprofit Technical Assistance Fund for Kent County is a collaborative program designed to address the need for capacity building and technical assistance among nonprofits in Kent County. Grants of up to $10,000 are available from the NPTA Fund to help pay for consulting services.

It is expected that the improvements funded by the NPTA Fund will result in a higher level of capacity, which will, in turn, contribute to a higher, sustainable level of community service to residents of Kent County.

Learn More

Grants for Youth, by Youth

Our Youth Grant Committee has awarded more than one million dollars to local nonprofits supporting programs for youth. Approximately $45,000 in grants is available annually.

Additionally, our regional affiliate foundations have YGCs in Ionia, Hudsonville-Jenison Sparta and Wyoming.

The YGC is comprised of public, private and home-schooled high school students from the greater Grand Rapids area. During the school year, members meet and assess youth issues, develop a request for proposals process to address those needs, follow up with previous grantees, conduct interviews and site visits and present grant recommendations to the Foundation's Board of Trustees.

Youth Grants

Supporting Student Success

The Challenge Scholars Dream Fund supports projects that benefit students and graduates of Union High School in the classes of 2020-2028. These grants create strong relationships or supportive transitions, encourage high quality teaching and learning, build financial stability for students or encourage community-led, mutually accountable systems. If you are a Challenge Scholar, a parent, a teacher or a community partner, these grants are for you.

Dream Fund

Connecting Kids to Summer Experiences

Access Camps was established through the estate of Mary Ives Hunting and the Youth Enrichment Fund. It is designed to improve equitable access for academic, social and recreational opportunities. This funding is directed to day and overnight camp programs serving Kent County youth, with emphasis on those that have an inclusive and welcoming experience for youth of color, youth who identify as LGBTQ+ and youth with disabilities.

Access Camps

Community-specific Grantmaking

If you have a program aimed at impacting a specific geography in our region, you may be a good fit for one of the Community Foundation's regional affiliate funds. These funds each have their own grant application and grantmaking timeline.

Select the geographic area to the right to view their guidelines and previously funded projects.