Upcoming Grant Application Timeline
Our LGBTQ Fund will accept grant applications in mid-2026. Updates will be shared when details are confirmed.
Our LGBTQ Fund
Supporting Wellness, Visibility and Access
Our LGBTQ Fund was established in 2014 to provide a safe, welcoming and healthy environment for LGBTQ+ communities in West Michigan by increasing wellness and prosperity levels, visibility, acceptance, support and access to resources. Show support today by contributing to Our LGBTQ Fund through a financial gift. You will have the opportunity to choose an endowed gift or non-endowed.
2024 Grant Awards
Recipient
Amount
Date
Purpose
-
AYA Youth Collective
$15,000
May. 2024
Direct cash payments to mitigate the needs of LGBTQ+ community members experiencing homelessness.
-
Grand Rapids Pride Center
$40,000
May. 2024
To create a learning cohort that will train mental health clinicians of color to specialize in providing treatment care for LGBTQ+ communities, with the goal of hiring one at GRPC.
-
Grand Rapids Trans Foundation
$30,000
May. 2024
To extend legal guidance, advocacy, and financial assistance to transgender and nonbinary residents seeking legal name change and document updates in Kent County.
-
Michigan Organization Adolescent Sexual Health
$15,000
May. 2024
Support an LGBTQ+ youth summit to create community and develop advocacy skills in youth to improve their school community.
Our Grantmaking Process
In 2024 Our LGBTQ Fund awarded $100,000 to community organizations with programming that addresses social determinants of health for LGBTQ+ communities. In a virtual event we shared more about the process and recipients, and heard feedback from community members.
Carol Sarosik & Shelley Padnos, fund founders
“When we initiated the fund, we hoped to increase awareness and acceptance of the LGBTQ community, and to begin to address the issues of youth homelessness. With the incredible generosity of the West Michigan community, we have experienced some positive impact, but we have a long way to go, and it is our hope that the fund continues to grow in size and impact.”
Support Us
As an advocate in the community, we need your help to make this happen.
Leadership Circle
Our LGBTQ Fund Leadership Circle is a great way to ensure the sustainability of the fund into the future.
Members of the Leadership Circle give a minimum of $2,500 (which may be pledged over five years) and advocate and share their enthusiasm about the fund with others. Interested in joining? Contact Jenine Torres today.
Our LGBTQ Fund Leadership Circle
Donors as of June 30, 2024
Our LGBTQ Fund Leadership Circle is a group of donors who are deeply committed to ensuring the sustainability of the fund into the future. They give a minimum of $2,500, which may be pledged over five years, and advocate and share their enthusiasm with others about the fund. If you are interested in joining the Leadership Circle, please contact Jenine Torres.
- Brian and Ronna Alexander
- Emily Ambs
- Anonymous
- Roger Arbury
- Mary Kay and Mark Baker
-
Ken Bandstra and Ken Terpstra
- Connie Bellows and Darlene Zwart
- Ricky Benavidez
- Laurel Blasi and Larry Nolan
- Thomas and Tracy Breihof Charitable Fund
- Duane Brown and Kevin Martin
- Christopher J. and Ann Marie Caldwell
- Timothy Chester and Henry Matthews
- Sue Conway
- Roger and Marcia DeKock
- Dennis and Merrit DeLano-Taylor
- The Dunes Resort
- Lucy Dyer Joswick and Scott Joswick
- Romeo Ferrer Jr. and Sam Curcuruto
- Fifth Third Bank
- Jason Franklin of the Ktisis Fund of RSF Social Finance
- Edwin Galka and Lawrence Holland
- Lawrence Gammons
- Mary, Duke, Libby and Benjamin Greene
- Graci Harkema
- Haworth, Inc.
- Mike Hoffman and Michael Doriean
- Sue Hood and Anne Vlcek
- John Hunting
- Roberta King and Mike Miesch
- David Klinzing, Todd Theisen, Patrick Tischler
- Mira Krishnan and Teri Jourdan
- Marilyn Lankfer and Jeff Schad
- Brett Leingang and Eric Icard
- Emily Loeks
- Janis Lunquist and Michael May
- Max Matteson and Bud Baty
- Jill May
- Michele McIsaac and the Eleveld Family
- Tom Merchant
- Debra L. Minton and Terri Osborne
- Mark Nettleton
- Shelley Padnos and Carol Sarosik, Fund Founders
- Bill Padnos and Margy Kaye
- Mitchell and Karen Padnos
- Douglas and Nancy Padnos
- Wally Petersen and Mike Tischleder
- Dottie Rhodes
- Richard A. Roane and Leandro Robles
- L. Howard Rochte and Russell J. Lamesfield
- Mary Ann Sabo and Jeff Ott
- Richard Lord* and Brian Schipper
- Matthew and Kate Schmid
- Jim Sellman
- Diana R. Sieger
- Brent and Diane Slay
- Deanna and Jamie Smith
- Aimee Sterk and Joe Kurnik
- George Stoutin and Dave Heilman
- Betty Stremich and Nancy Sojka
- Doug and Alix Thompson
- Robert and Colleen Tobin
- Kevin Toler and Joseph Trudeau
- Scott Urbanowski
- Steve Villa and Malcolm MacLeod
- Lynn Warshaw and Vicki Esch
- Karin and Steve Waterbury
- Elizabeth Welch and Brian Schwartz
- Kate Pew Wolters
- Bruce C. Young
*Deceased
Our LGBTQ Fund Donors as of July 1, 2023- June 30, 2024
- Brian and Ronna Alexander
- Emily Ambs
- Anonymous (4)
- Paul Asselin and Jack Sytsma
- Mary Kay and Mark Baker
- Ken Bandstra and Ken Terpstra
- William J, Barrett
- Connie Bellows and Darlene Zwart
- Richardo Benavidez
- Lynne Black
- Ben Boerkoel
- Scott and Gigi Branc
- Thomas and Tracy Breihof Charitable Fund
- The Brooks Family
- Debra and John Byl
- Timothy Chester and Henry Matthews
- Mike Clawson and John April
- Paul Cook and Andy Brookhouse
- Lisa Cooper
- Steven and Christine Crandall
- Roger and Marcia DeKock
- Dennis and Merritt DeLano-Taylor
- Paula and Michael Freed
- Nancy Garber
- Linsey Gleason
- Kailyn Hamm
- Haworth, Inc.
- Eric and Annette Hendrickson
- Ginger Hensley
- Jay and Jessica Heyenburg
- James V. Higgins and Kathleen Delp Higgins
- David Hill and Elizabeth Kidd
- Randy and Carol Hoekstra
- Mr. Mark Holzback and Mr. Dana Friss-Hansen
- Charissa Huang
- Dr. John Ivancich
- Lucy Dyer Joswick and Scott Joswick
- Karen A. Kania and Margaret H. McClue
- Brett Karhoff
- Ruth and Carl Kelly
- Raymong Kennedy and Tyllor Parker
- Mike Kerkorian and Christopher Penzien
- Jan Koopman
- John and Melinda Kopec
- Scott and Linda LaFontsee
- Marilyn Lankfer and Jeff Schad
- Claire and Debbie Larson
- Rabbi and Dr. Albert Lewis
- Tracy Lunquist
- Sam and Jean Martin
- Brad and Wendy McGinnis
- Jennifer McKay
- Brian Merucci
- Joseph and Gretchen Murphy
- New Urban Home Builders, LLC
- Daniel Padnos and Dex Phillip Family Fund
- Douglas and Nancy Padnos
- Hannah Padnos
- Bill Padnos and Margy Kaye
- Terry McGovern and Carol Paine-McGovern
- Joan Panopoulos
- Mr. Ward Paul and Mr. Charles Schoenknecht
- Jim and Marie Preston
- Milt and Barbara Rohwer
- Mary Ann Sabo and Jeff Ott
- Sabo PR
- Matthew and Kate Schmid
- Colweck-Silverstein Family Fund
- Corinne Sprague and Scott Curtis
- Sandra Thieda
- Doug and Alix Thompson
- Colleen and Bob Tobin
- Nancy Toledo
- Jenine and Jose Torres
- Jaye Van Lenten and Janette Tazzia
- Scott and Melissa VanderLeek
- Carl and Sandra VerBeek
- Steve Villa and Malcolm MacLeod
- Lizzie Williams and Steve Faber
- Williams Group
- Mark W. Yonkman and Andrea C. Yonkman
- Marilyn and Garrett Zack
- Karen Zivi and Michael Moody
*Deceased