Upcoming Grant Application Timeline
We expect Black Legacy Fund will accept grant applications early in 2027. Updates will be shared when details are confirmed.
Black Legacy Fund
Continuing our legacy
Black Legacy Fund builds on the legacy of giving in Black communities in greater Grand Rapids. Support this cause today by contributing to Our Black Legacy Fund. Your gift will support the fund's endowment, as well as provide resources for immediate grantmaking directed by the Black Legacy Fund committee. This ensures your giving will help now and in the future. Click here to give today.
Celebrating Impact and Legacy
A legacy established in 2006
20th Anniversary Gala
On February 27, 2026 we will honor the tradition of philanthropy in Black communities in Kent County and look to the future together. Purchase a ticket to attend Black Legacy Fund's 20th Anniversary Gala.
2024 Grant Awards
Recipient
Amount
Date
Purpose
-
African Resource Center
$10,000
Supporting the SuccessNow Youth Empowerment program, to equip vulnerable African young adults (ages 18 -35) with social and vocational skills to contribute to Kent County's economic growth.
-
Asher Legacy L.I.F.E. Series
$19,500
The LIFE (Legacy, Inspiration, Fitness, Empowerment) Series, aims to increase and support Black women aged 50 and up in the Grand Rapids area.
-
Battle Ground JKD – Men’s Mental Health Event
$10,500
Supporting the Men's Mental Health Conference and monthly follow ups focused on supporting mental well-being.
-
Beyond the City
$33,000
Supporting the creation of spaces that nurture the dreams and aspirations of Black youth while helping them explore the diversity within Black cultures.
-
Community of Hearts
$20,000
Helping students develop the tools to be their own mental health advocates, reduce stress and anxiety triggers, and reinforce soft-solving skills and behavior.
-
Connect Café
$25,000
Supporting Connection Cafe to empower individuals with disabilities by providing comprehensive support services and resources.
-
Deborah's House
$20,000
The Deborah House invests in the well-being of single parents and low-income families.
-
Dynamic Dyad
$30,000
The Postpartum Peace Initiative provides monthly financial support to families in postpartum recovery, easing financial stress to foster healing.
-
GR MiFi
$40,000
Development and implementation of a Blueprint for African American Community Development in Grand Rapids.
-
Hues of Hospitality
$20,000
Hues of Hospitality provides opportunities for exposure, education, and advancement in the hospitality and tourism industry for underrepresented talent.
-
National Young Farmers, Co.
$21,716
Building capacity for the West Michigan Young Farmers Chapter to carry out programming, do outreach, and share our impact with the community.
-
Respite for Wives
$10,000
Supporting the Removing the Cape program, which helps women of color break the cycle of generational and inherited family trauma.
-
Sistas in Development
$40,000
To disassemble systems that have been intentionally designed to disproportionately affect youth of color in a detrimental manner.
-
S.W.A.G.
$20,000
To expand youth access to overnight camping, integrating it with comprehensive environmental education and allowing youth to engage fully with nature.
-
Taylor Made Re-Entry
$40,000
Providing rental assistance or emergency shelter for justice-impacted individuals for up to 6–8 months, supporting their reintegration into society.
-
The Sewing Academy
$22,000
The Sewing Academy empowers individuals through the art of sewing, fostering creativity and developing practical skills.
2024 Grantmaking Process
Black Legacy Fund's grant application opened in August of 2024. The Grant Application Guidelines shared about eligibility and the application timeline. The advisory committee reviewed applications to make grant award decisions. In a virtual event, we shared more about the process and grant award recipients and heard feedback from community members.
Support the Fund Today
Legacy is something that we are part of, something we are adding to.
Support this cause today by contributing to Our Black Legacy Fund. You will have the opportunity to choose an endowed gift or non-endowed. Both ways of giving will help now and in the future. Click here to give today.
Black Legacy Fund donors as of July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023
- Andrew and Sonja Acosta
- Tonya Adkins-McKeever
- Ms. Emily Aleman-McAlpine
- Anonymous (15)
- Mr. and Mrs. Maurice A. Barnes
- Mercedes Barragan
- Nikeidra Battle-Debarge
- Ken Betz* and Pat Brewer
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
- Shawndea Boyd
- Barbara Bradley and Ronald Feenstra
- Brenda Brame
- Ms. Teresa Branson
- Eric and Maleika Brown
- Bobbie Butler
- Kyle and Juliann Caldwell
- Jessa Challa
- Veneese Chandler
- Molly and Colin Chelovich
- Sergio C. Cira-Reyes
- City of Grand Rapids
- Craig and Alison Clark
- Duriel Sr. and Shannon Cohen
- Huey G. and Mary Copeland
- Corewell Health
- Janean and Michael Couch
- Michelle Covington
- Brenda Cox
- Gwendolyn D. Dawkins
- Diatribe
- Paul T. and Celeste Doyle
- Jermale and Anissa Eddie
- Taylor Ellison
- Ryan and Danielle Engle
- Essential BLK GRL
- Lynne Ferrell-Robinson and David Robinson Jr.
- Wardell and Shaundra Frazier
- Frey Foundation
- Sharhonda Fudge
- Arlen and Sandra Gaddy
- Synia and Johnnie Gant-Jordan
- Rasheda Gibson
- Bing and Jean Goei
- William Gonzalez
- Grand Valley State University
- Phillip and Vanessa Greene
- Derether Greer
- Jaila Hall
- Graci Harkema
- Kevin and Laura Harmelink
- Sierra Hatfield
- Kirk and Tatum Hawkins
- David Hill and Elizabeth Kidd
- G & K Hoffman
- Victor J. Holt
- Preston and Sylvia Hopson
- Ms. Margaret P. Idema
- Michael Davis and Michael Inge
- Andrea Inostroza Castro
- Win and Kyle Irwin
- Ellen M. James
- Matthew and Keri Jaynes
- Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy
- Jennifer Kimball James
- Pastor Brad and Christy Knetsch
- Cris and Tom Kutzli
- Nakia Kyler
- Ben Langston
- Mr. and Mrs. William J. Lawrence III
- Ashley and Ryann Lee
- Ms. Emily Loeks
- James and Tiffany Logan
- Janis Lunquist and Michael May
- Tracy Lunquist
- Chandra Macon
- Bill and India Manns
- Dr. Ralph E. Mathis
- Brian and Aimee McCants
- Jazz and DL McKinney
- Diane McMillan and Robert B. Hurd, Sr
- Tom Merchant
- Michigan Nonprofit Association
- Will and Alexandra Miller
- Mr. Marc Mitchell and Dr. Brandy Lovelady Mitchell
- Denavvia Mojét
- Danah Montgomery
- Ciciley and Louis Moore
- Nancy L. Morales
- Sheona Nidefski
- Terry McGovern and Carol Paine-McGovern
- Nikeyia Perkins
- Jenny Peterson
- Janis Petrini
- Claudia and Joe Pohlen
- John and Ann Puckett
- The Rapid
- Mrs. Carole C. Redwine
- Nastaciea Robert
- Latasha Robertson-Crump
- The ROCK Neighborhood
- Milt and Barbara Rohwer
- Patrick Roscoe
- Matthew and Kate Schmid
- Jenni Shaffer
- Shaun and Ruth Shira
- Percell and Harriet Singleton
- Ryan and Emily Slusarzyk
- J. Patrick and Kathleen M. Smith
- Peggy J. Smith
- Lisa Sostecke DDS
- Rebecca Spann
- Stryker Employee Matching Gift Program
- Kamara Sudberry
- Eddie T.L. Tadlock
- Jim and Pat Talen
- Bradley J. and Jennifer J. Taylor
- Aleka Thrash
- Jenine and Jose Torres
- Selma Tucker
- Robert and Sandra Upton
- Erika VanDyke
- Vanguard Funds Employee Matching Gift Program
- Andy and Tracy Van Solkema
- Beca Velazquez-Publes
- Iman Verser
- Williams Group
- Reneé Williams
- Kurt and Sally Yost
- Jonse and Allen Young
- Leslie Young-Martin
- Marilyn and Garrett Zack
*deceased
Sponsorship Requests
Have an opportunity that you are interested in Grand Rapids Community Foundation sponsoring? Learn more about our sponsorship application process!
Send us a message!
New name, same legacy
Our Black Legacy Fund
Over the last few years, the African American Heritage Fund committee members have been exploring the strengths, values and guiding posts of the fund's purpose. Through working with a consultant and deep conversations among the committee members, we are proud to announce the African American Heritage Fund has transitioned its title to our Black Legacy Fund. This intentional renaming is meant to honor the heritage of ancestors, invite a more inclusive understanding of Black communities in Kent County and create a legacy for future generations.