This grant supports a People of Color Caucus Fellow based in Grand Rapids to support the work, relationships, and community-building efforts to address racial inequalities through community organizing.

The grant is a partnership with the work of the American Arab Intellectual Property Association as they support the revival of traditional knowledge of Arab culture, including traditional food, customs, traditions and crafts.

This grant supports the Welcome Plan Coordinator as they work on core functions and focus areas to improve new Americans’ education outcomes, maximize economic potential and engage communities.

To provide pro bono immigration legal services to immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers.

This grant award aids in continuing the community school model, which benefits our Challenge Scholars cohorts at Union High School through strategies designed to increase student attendance and well-being. This partnership was made possible by the Challenge Scholars Fund.

To implement a series of activities to support post-secondary decision-making and reduce summer melt among graduating seniors in the 2023 Challenge Scholars cohort. This partnership was made possible by the Challenge Scholars Fund.

To empower youth and families with financial literacy through culturally responsive education.

This grant award supports AQUME Foundation’s work to establish and provide in-depth resources to communities of color to learn about and create intergenerational wealth. They do this through philanthropy, estate planning, hands-on educational workshops, networking, BIPOC leadership cultivation, and more. This partnership was made possible by the George M. Ames Fund, Fund for Economic Prosperity, and Social Venture Investors Fund.

Through educational events, the Coalition for Community Owned Safety raises awareness about the City of Grand Rapids’ collective public safety problems, the community’s story, and residents’ solutions for those problems. This partnership was made possible by the George M. Ames Fund.

This grant supports I Belong Strong, a new program from Grand Rapids African American Health Institute to provide resources supporting culturally competent mental health services to Black veterans in Kent County who are recovering from mental illnesses and substance use disorders. This partnership was made possible by the Cecilia Hoagland Fund for Local Veterans.

Has Heart Coffee Shop was awarded this grant to open and operate a coffee shop and creative studio for veterans at Veteran's Memorial Park. This partnership was made possible by the Cecilia Hoagland Fund for Local Veterans.

This grant provides operating support of their drop-in program for veterans, which provides mental health services, resource navigation, social engagements and fellowship, addiction resources, and sober self-help avenues. This partnership was made possible by the Cecilia Hoagland Fund for Local Veterans.

Puertas Abiertas provides culturally specific mental health support for Latinx women and their families, who are survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and/or sexual abuse.

General support. This partnership was made possible by the Arthur H. Holmes Handicap Fund.

Support for Our Neighbors. This partnership was made possible by support from the Fund for Neighborhoods.

In support of the State of Michigan Office of Foundation Liaison.

In support of efforts to raise money for the Lyoya family.

To support ongoing work of dismantling racial discrimination by building internal capacity, education strategies, and accelerating change in key areas including criminal justice, health care, education, climate, and the economy.

To support ongoing capacity to build a collective movement of public and private organizations aimed at ensuring all children in Kent County have an equitable path to economic prosperity through quality education, and family and community support.

Making Mexican History in West Michigan.

To provide culturally effective solutions for older adults experiencing depression, isolation, and chronic health care issues through programming, transportation, meals, health services, and enrichment activities. This partnership was made possible by the Lucy E. Barnett Trust for the Elderly.

To support youth experiencing homelessness through the Youth Stability Fund. This partnership was made possible by the Kathryn L. Adamson Fund for Children, Hydro-Chem Systems Fund for Children, Needy Children Field of Interest Fund, Homeless Prevention Endowment Fund, and Kenneth M. Sweers Fund for the Homeless.

Equipping boys and men of color with financial education, healthy behaviors, strong relationships, and reducing barriers to access and opportunity.

To support We Are Water, an environmental education course with an emphasis on the Grand Rapids area watershed in partnerships with Blandford Nature Center and LGROW. This partnership was made possible by the Charles Evenson Fund for the Environment.

To empower students to become advocates by fostering their voice through 1-1 and small group support, identifying opportunities, and creating space for students to use their voice to hold education systems accountable. This partnership was made possible by the Challenge Scholars Fund.

To support continued engagement in the Michigan Partnership for Equity and Opportunity, a statewide coalition of civil rights, social justice, civic, and business leaders working to promote educational equity for all Michigan students. This partnership was made possible by the Challenge Scholars Fund.

Juneteenth Community Blood Drive.

To support participants in Cure Violence, a program focused on violence interruption and reduction.

Support for three-year strategic priorities to empower the Hispanic community to achieve equity, self-sufficiency, and personalized prosperity.

To provide low-cost and pro-bono immigration legal services.

To support a revolving bail fund organized through a community collective.

To support technical assistance for the City of Grand Rapids participatory budgeting process. This partnership was made possible by the Kent County COVID-19 Recovery Fund.

To support the Kent County Education Justice Initiative, which will develop grassroots leaders and design structures that support those leaders in applying their gifts to hold education systems accountable to their constituencies. This partnership was made possible by the Challenge Scholars Fund.

To support growth to serve more women with increasingly diverse and enhanced services.

This grant supports the Participatory Budgeting process, ensuring residents determine how public funds are spent to improve their neighborhood. This partnership was made possible by the Kent County COVID-19 Recovery Fund.

This grant supports the pre-development of a permanent location which will provide an opportunity for an expanded permanent exhibit dedicated to telling the story of African Americans, specifically hometown heroes, provide space for programming, and allow the organization to host pop-up and traveling exhibits.

This grant supports organizational capacity and infrastructure as GAAH engages with neighbors through arts and humanities to cultivate curiosity, creativity, and trusting relationships in ways that validate them as they forge new pathways. They provide community art classes, after-school and summer tutoring and academic support, and teen leadership opportunities. This partnership was made possible by the Leonard and Eileen Newman Fund for the Arts and the Robert D. Mieras Fund for Dance and Music.

This grant supports language interpretation services for mental health providers and clients.

The Each One Teach One program is an intensive mentoring program focusing on parent engagement for youth returning to the community from residential placement, jail, or prison. This program supports youth with culturally appropriate mental health and mentoring services by pairing them with an adult advocate with similar lived experiences to help navigate their psychosocial development, economic realities, and self-discipline.

Organizing Congolese community activities in support of the Lyoya family.

Support for African refugees and immigrants listening sessions and space for processing grief.

In support of the Lyoya family.

To offer additional community healing sessions for processing trauma and loss in collaboration with the Black Impact Collaborative.

To facilitate the discussion and awareness of trauma and its various symptoms and to provide human and material resources for families to address unresolved trauma.

Support for the Therapy Assistance Fund, implementation of listening sessions to develop strategic goals and increasing staff capacity.

To support advocacy, education and convening of partners around fair lending and economic empowerment for low- to moderate-income households.

To continue relief lending efforts for excluded entrepreneurs of color negatively impacted by COVID-19.

To support programming, coordination, designers, and brand ambassadors for an online Grand Rapids/West Michigan history map and digital application. This partnership was made possible by the Estate of Annette Richards.

Supporting FitKids360's transition to becoming an independent nonprofit organization, which will expand their programmatic and organizational capacity. This partnership was made possible by the Elizabeth J. Steed Johnson Fund for Healthcare and Community Health.

Ongoing support for the community school model in the 14 GRPS partner schools, with an emphasis on implementing new family engagement strategies and increasing student attendance. This partnership was made possible by the Healthy Youth & Healthy Seniors Fund, Cherry (Mrs. James) Carpenter Fund for Children, and George M. Ames Fund.

To provide strategic executive leadership support.

To provide technology and training as well as end-of-life and estate planning for Black elders. Additionally, providing protection amidst pandemic conditions for incarcerated individuals and reintegration support for Black people who are incarcerated in Greater Grand Rapids. This partnership was made possible by the Lucy E. Barnett Trust for the Elderly and the Gordon and Mary Bowman Fund.

To support the Statewide Equity Fund designed to advance equitable strategies to address systemic challenges laid bare by the COVID-19 pandemic. This partnership was made possible by the Kent County COVID-19 Recovery Fund.

Enhance Latino Business and Economic Development Center efforts to reduce economic disparity, increase civic engagement, and offer leadership development in the Latino community.

To support the launch and operations of Housing Kent, a community-led effort to drive equitable system change in housing. This backbone organization specifically focuses on addressing the disparate outcomes for Black and Latinx residents in our community.

Investment in a collaborative program that provides grants for consulting services to meet technical and organizational capacity needs for nonprofits in Kent County. 

To uplift African voices in decision-making spaces by supporting advocacy and community organizing for better outcomes in health, economics, and education through programming, resource connection, and networking.  

To support expanded stakeholder engagement in Grand Rapids Public School's Strategic Planning process. This partnership was made possible by the William H. and Inetta P. Martindill Fund.

To support a place-based community improvement initiative that empowers those who live in the neighborhood to direct their own solutions.

Capacity building to expand performing arts programming and services that empower youth to raise awareness of social issues. This partnership was made possible by the Fund for Arts and Social Engagement and the Leonard and Eileen Newman Fund for the Arts.

A free 3-day camp experience for up to 12 middle-school students that helps equip them for community organizing, activism and advocacy. 

For program expansion to provide immigration legal services and education for low-income individuals.

To support the continuing development of a gender and racially diverse technology talent pipeline in West Michigan that provides equitable onramps for skill building, employment and entrepreneurship.

To empower teens to take control of their finances through culturally responsive financial education. This partnership was made possible by the George M. Ames Fund.

Transitional housing support for women and children experiencing homelessness. This partnership was made possible by the Kenneth M. Sweers Fund for the Homeless.   

To ensure access to healthy food and consumer choice in grocery options. This partnership was made possible by the Armand F. Gretchen B. Burch Fund.    

To support the Black and Disability Civil Rights Exhibition. This partnership was made possible by Leonard and Eileen Newman Fund for the Arts.    

To create a more inclusive performing arts community for kids and adults. This partnership was made possible by the Leonard and Eileen Newman Fund for the Arts.   

Enhance the organizational capacity and full potential for sustainability while meeting the needs of responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. This partnership was made possible by the Kent County COVID-19 Recovery Fund and Fund for Community Good.

Part of an ongoing relationship to promote post-secondary readiness, access, and success for all students. The support includes funding for Challenge Scholars programming at Harrison Park, Westwood Middle School, and Union High School.

To sustain art programming for youth in the Grandville Avenue neighborhood. This partnership was made possible by the Leonard and Eileen Newman Fund for the Arts.   

For the development of a performing arts space. This partnership was made possible by Leonard and Eileen Newman Fund for the Arts.   

To grow artists who educate audiences about social justice through the performing arts. This partnership was made possible by the Leonard and Eileen Newman Fund for the Arts.    

For the growth and development of youth in the arts. This partnership was made possible by the Leonard and Eileen Newman Fund for the Arts. 

To empower youth through music, academic, and leadership development. This partnership was made possible by the Robert D. Mieras Fund for Dance and Music.   

Transitional housing support for women experiencing homelessness after aging out of foster care. This partnership was made possible by the Homeless Prevention Endowment Fund.  

For the Southeast Farmer’s Market. This partnership was made possible by the Armand F. and Gretchen B. Burch Fund and the Gordon and Janet Moeller Food Security Fund.   

Supporting a comprehensive program for Latina women and their families by providing culturally competent advocacy and services. This partnership was made possible by the Fund for Health, Emma Sherwood Evans Disbursing Account, and Fund for Community Good.

To support the Cesar Chavez Farmer’s Market. This partnership was possible by the Gordon and Janet Moeller Food Security Fund.   

Facilitate improvement of resident’s access to cost-effective housing repairs. This partnership was made possible by the Fund for Neighborhoods and Fund for Community Good.

Supporting Concentric: Multiplying New American Leaders program, increasing the impact of New American leaders through training and mentorship while sustainably growing their holistic model of connecting women to resources and opportunities. 

To increase access to African history taught through storytelling and traditional African drum and dance artistry. This partnership by Robert D. Mieras Fund for Dance and Music.   

To address equitable COVID-19 vaccine access for older adults. This partnership was made possible by the Lucy E. Barnett Trust for the Elderly. 

To support the doula program and improve birth outcomes in communities of color. This partnership was made possible by the Elizabeth J. Steed Johnson Fund for Healthcare and Community Health. 

To support the Mizizi Maj Mentoring healing through the arts program. This partnership was made possible by the Leonard and Eileen Newman Fund for the Arts. 

To provide cultural competency and implicit bias training to front-line and executive staff. This partnership was made possible by the Patricia Haan Timmer Fund for Downtown Charities. 

To create safe and affirming spaces for LGBTQ+ community members. This partnership was made possible by the Social Venture Investors Fund and the Elizabeth J. Steed Johnson Fund for Healthcare and Community Health.

Part of an ongoing relationship to promote post-secondary readiness, access, and success for all students. The support includes funding for Challenge Scholars programming at Harrison Park, Westwood Middle School, and Union High School.

For the growth and capacity building of the FitKids360 program. This partnership was made possible by the Elizabeth J. Steed Johnson Fund for Healthcare and Community Health. 

To support, empower and advocate for Latinx communities in West Michigan by building internal capacity, strengthening their planning, and continuing their important work. 

To provide low-cost legal services to elderly immigrants to secure legal status, citizenship, and family unity. This partnership was made possible by the Lucy E. Barnett Trust for the Elderly.

For the launch of the Clinicians of Color directory and the developing network of mental health professionals of color. This partnership was made possible by the Elizabeth J. Steed Johnson Fund for Healthcare and Community Health.

To transition to a new permanent location to continue youth employment, training, and mentoring through good food in an inclusive space. 

To support BIPOC entrepreneurs by increasing access to financial, social, and intellectual capital.

Implementation of an evidence-based violence prevention model that frames community violence as a public health issue. 

To support FutureNow!, a youth support program that focuses on ensuring participants are able to achieve academic excellence and flourish in community. This partnership was made possible by the William H. and Inetta P. Martindill Fund.

For Project 49507, a people of color-, LGBTQ- and youth-led project, rooted in collaboration, teaching students about housing discrimination, and organizing and commissioning community art for and by POC in the 49507 neighborhood. This partnership was made possible by the Leonard and Eileen Newman Fund for the Arts.

To provide legal services to immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers, to understand their choices and navigate the complex legal system. 

To advance effective and equitable justice policy, practices, and funding in the state of Michigan.

To support the community of practice as they work together to develop equity-conscious leaders and address racial inequities

To work alongside community residents, Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Association and Grandville Avenue Business Association to address environmental justice and safety concerns on Grandville Avenue.  This partnership was made possible by the Charles Evenson Fund for the Environment.

For development of a community Health Information Hub to provide health education for communities of color.

To support organizations working together to implement best practices for providing in-person, academic support of K-12 students and families doing virtual learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Organizations include Baxter Community Center, Boys and Girls Clubs of Grand Rapids Youth Commonwealth, Bridge Street Ministries, Grandville Avenue Arts and Humanities, New City Kids, The Other Way Ministries and YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids.

To advance meaningful data collection, evaluation of adult workforce development programs and to support Community Catalysts cohorts. 

To ensure continued support for women facing the greatest barriers to attaining employment and economic independence.  This partnership was made possible by the George M Ames Fund and Fund for Community Good.

To launch the Gateways for Growth Welcome plan to integrate immigrants, foster economic growth and promote inclusion for all Grand Rapids residents.

To embed and lead with equity in City and City-influenced policies, practices, contracts and programming related to the Grand River restoration project. This partnership was made possible by the Charles Evenson Fund for the Environment, The J. Leslie Livingston Memorial Fund, and Fund for Community Good.