Economic Prosperity
Careers + Financial Prosperity
We invest in workforce development that results in sustainable, living wage jobs with competitive benefits. We also seek to increase access to capital and opportunities for historically under-resourced entrepreneurs.
Recent Grants From This Area
Recipient
Amount
Date
Purpose
-
West Michigan Center for Arts + Technology
$200,000
Dec. 2020
To advance meaningful data collection, evaluation of adult workforce development programs and to support Community Catalysts cohorts.
-
Women's Resource Center
$150,000
Dec. 2020
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.
-
Rende Progress Capital
$250,000
Jun. 2020
To provide flexible capital for excluded entrepreneurs facing the economic consequences of COVID-19. This partnership was made possible by the Kent County COVID-19 Recovery Fund and Fund for Community Good.
-
Grand Rapids Urban League
$150,000
Apr. 2020
To provide trusted employment, youth development, and health education supports in communities of color.
-
Heart of West Michigan United Way
$50,000
Apr. 2020
Kent County Coronavirus Response Fund to meet immediate needs related to the COVID-19 pandemic. This partnership was made possible by the Lucy E. Barnett Trust for the Elderly.
-
Hispanic Center of Western Michigan
$25,000
Apr. 2020
To support the distribution of funds through the La Lucha Fund.
-
La Lucha Fund
$100,000
Apr. 2020
To provide direct financial support to people who are undocumented or mixed status families in Kent County in partnership with Movimiento Cosecha, Grand Rapids Area Mutual Aid Network and LatinxGR.
-
West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation
$150,000
Apr. 2020
To help Latinx owned businesses navigate the economic consequences of COVID-19. This partnership was made possible by the Kent County COVID-19 Recovery Fund and Fund for Community Good.
-
Women's Resource Center
$9,000
Apr. 2020
To pursue relocation opportunities that better position the organization to address growing demand for services.
-
Start Garden
$300,000
Jun. 2019
Supporting Start Garden 100 to ensure that we are creating entrepreneurship opportunities in Grand Rapids, with a specific focus on people of color and women entrepreneurs.
-
Project GREEN
$200,000
Apr. 2019
Advocacy, education and convening of partners in the community around fair lending and economic empowerment for low- to moderate-income households.
-
Midwest Tech Project
$10,000
Feb. 2019
Addressing equity in the technology industry by engaging millennials, women, parents, students and community organizations to assist in the development of an effective tech-talent pipeline in West Michigan.
-
Grand Rapids Nehemiah Project
$150,000
Oct. 2018
Supporting the “Ignite: The Movement” capital campaign to purchase and renovate 1530 Madison Ave to create a permanent, sustainable, and multi-use space created through an economic and racial equity lens.
-
The Right Place Foundation
$50,000
Aug. 2018
Support for participation in an Inclusive Development Lab where outreach and research exercises will lead to a compelling business case for inclusion.