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. Or, if you represent a community organization aligned with our values, please connect with us!
Here’s what you need to know
Our LGBTQ Fund’s current volunteer recruitment will prioritize BIPOC LGBTQ community members, people who live throughout the West Michigan region, including the Lakeshore, youth (25 or under), folks over 50, and folks with intersectional identities: Black, Indigenous, people who identify as disabled, trans, gender non-conforming, nonbinary, etc.)
Please complete and interest form by April 7, 2023 by clicking here.
Our LGBTQ Fund Advisory Committee meets monthly for one hour on the 3rd Thurs. of each month. Click here to read a position description for advisory committee members. Click here to read the fund's purpose, vision and committee discussion agreements
Our 2022 grantmaking process and priorities were informed by feedback gathered at community engagement sessions. See the whole report here. Then consider watching the recording of the community debrief after grants were awarded by clicking here.
Grand Rapids Community Foundation staff will be in touch no later than the week of April 10. Should the committee decide your experiences are a good fit for the needs of the committee, we will invite you to attend a follow-up meeting taking place on Thursday, April 20. If you have any questions in the meantime please contact Chantal Pasag at CPasag@GRFoundation.org
Current Committee members include Ricardo Benavidez (Co-Chair), Teri Jourdan (Co-Chair), Jill May, DL McKinney, Austin McNeal, Emily Ambs, Jill May, Graci Harkema, Stephanie Myott-Beebe
Support Us
Our LGBTQ Fund Leadership Circle is a great way to ensure the sustainability of the fund into the future.
To join the Leadership Circle, complete these simple steps: give a minimum of $2500, which may be pledged over five years, and advocate and share your enthusiasm with others about the fund. If you are interested in joining the Leadership Circle, please contact Jenine Torres.
2022 Grant Awards
Our LGBTQ Fund accepted applications for funding from community organizations with programming that addresses social determinants of health for LGBTQ+ communities. After a competitive application process, the committee awarded a total of $100,000 funding to four organizations.
In our Grant Application Guidelines you can read about eligibility, timeline and the application questions. Click here to view.
Our 2022 grantmaking process and priorities were informed by feedback gathered at community engagement sessions. Brigham Consulting detailed the process and themes from those sessions. See the whole report here.
On October 19, we hosted an informational session about the grant application and how community listening informed our current grantmaking process, you can watch the informational session here. Viewing the session was not a requirement to apply.
Grants Awarded in 2020 + 2018
Amount
Date
Purpose
$25,000*
Aug. 2020
Expansion of LGBTQIA+ Education Track Training, to equip agencies in Kent and Ottawa Counties with knowledgeable staff who can create atmospheres of inclusion and equity for LGBTQIA+ youth.
*Made in partnership with $7,500 from Grand Haven Area Community Foundation.
$60,000
Aug. 2020
Supporting the Foster Care A.L.L.Y Project, to build the foundation and infrastructure for a Kent County foster care system that welcomes and affirms LGBTQ+ youth and families.
$1,500
Mar. 2020
Technology updates to move support groups and information sharing to virtual platforms, in response to COVID19.
$45,000
Dec. 2018
LGBTQ Youth Host Home Housing: Arbor Circle’s Host Home Housing Program serves to stabilize and house homeless LGBTQ+ identified youth through connection and housing with safe and affirming adult hosts.
$2,500
Dec. 2018
Trans Education Fund (Learning for Life): To expand Grand Rapids Trans Foundation's current Academic Scholarship program.
$12,500
Dec. 2018
OOTL: At Home In Ottawa County: To facilitate a collaborative and educational process of serving Ottawa County's LGBTQ youth through an active, growing, and visible organization, Out On The Lakeshore.
$40,000
Dec. 2018
LGBTQIA+ Social Justice Education Track: Youth serving organization participation in The Social Justice Institute’s LGBTQIA+ Social Justice Education Track, which offers a progressive learning opportunity for community stakeholders and organizations who seek to enhance their awareness, knowledge, and skills to advance full LGBTQIA+ inclusion and equity.
Our LGBTQ Fund Leadership Circle
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 $2500, 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.
*Deceased
Our LGBTQ Fund Donors as of July 1, 2021- June 30, 2022
*Deceased