Access Camps

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.

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Access Camps Grants Awarded

2024 - 2026

  • African Resource Center of West Michigan
  • All Good Sports
  • Beyond the City
  • Black Youth Creatives
  • Boys and Girls Clubs of Grand Rapids Youth Commonwealth
  • Camp Blodgett
  • Camp Shout Out
  • Camp Tall Turf
  • Code on Wheels
  • Conductive Learning Center
  • Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan
  • Girls Growing II Women
  • Grand Rapids Public Schools Foundation
  • Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities
  • IKUS Life Enrichment Services
  • Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind
  • West Michigan Center for Arts + Technology
  • West Michigan Community Tennis
  • Women on the MUV
  • YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids


2027-2029

Grant Partnerships

Grand Rapids Community Foundation requests funding proposals from programs aligned with our goal to ensure youth in Kent County have equitable access to summer camp experiences. Day and overnight camp programs that provide academic, social, and/or recreational opportunities are invited to apply. The application will be available in our online portal beginning on April 15, 2026.

  • Application Deadline: June 26, 2026

    Grant applications must be completed electronically using the online portal by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, June 26, 2026. Decisions will be announced by the end of September 2026.

  • Eligibility + Priorities

    More information about the Access Camps Grant Application can be found on the Request for Proposals document. This includes deadlines, funding priorities, application questions and contact information.

  • Funding Use

    Funding can be used to support scholarships, reduce program fees, cover transportation expenses for participants, and for program enhancements that ensure an inclusive and welcoming experience with a special focus on youth of color, youth who identify as LGBTQ+, and youth with disabilities.

  • Three-Year Funding

    Applicants are encouraged to apply for up to three years of summer programming, as additional opportunities to apply for Access Camps funding are not expected to be offered over the next three years.

Questions about Access Camps?

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