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 review our open grant application!

Give Now Apply for a Grant

Grant Application Open Through April 22, 2024

Our LGBTQ Fund is now accepting applications for funding from community organizations with programming that addresses social determinants of health for LGBTQ+ communities. Learn more about the feedback and factors which will influence the grant process and grant award decisions.

Apply for a Grant
  • Read the Grant Application Guidelines here

    In our Grant Application Guidelines you can read about eligibility, timeline and the application questions. Click here to view.

  • Information Session about the Application

    On March 25, staff and volunteers will host an informational session about the grant application and its guidelines. You can register for the informational session here here. Attending or viewing the session is not a requirement to apply or be awarded a grant.

  • Brigham Consulting Report

    Our 2022 and 2024 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.

Our LGBTQ Fund

Grant Applications 2024
March 1

Grant Applications Opened

Our LGBTQ Fund grant round application portal opened in Grant Central on March 1.

In our Grant Application Guidelines you can read about eligibility, timeline and the application questions. Click here to view.

Apply for a Grant
March 25

Optional Zoom Session to Learn More About Grant Application

On March 25, staff and volunteers will host an informational session about the grant application and its guidelines. You can register for the informational session here here. Attending or viewing the session is not a requirement to apply or be awarded a grant. A recording of the session will be available on this webpage afterwards for those unable to attend.

Register for the Info Session
April 22

Grant Application Deadline

Our LGBTQ Fund grant applications will close on April 22, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.

May 2 - May 20

Advisory Committee Reviews Applications

Our LGBTQ Fund's advisory committee will review all grant applications and may request additional information from applicants while they make decisions about grant awards.

June 3 - 7

Grant Awards Announced

All applicants will be notified about funding decisions during the week of June 3 -7.

Grant Round Follow Up
2024-2025

Grant Projects in Progress

Learning will be shared with community via ongoing engagement.

June 10

Community Gathering for Feedback

Community will be invited to come and hear a review of the grantmaking process and funding decisions, share feedback for future grant rounds and identify future engagement touchpoints.

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.

Join the Leadership Circle

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.

A photo of Carol Sarosik & Shelley Padnos, fund founders

Carol Sarosik & Shelley Padnos

fund founders

2022 Grant Awards

Recipient

Amount

Date

Purpose

  • Grand Rapids Pride Center

    Amount Awarded: $25,000

    Date Awarded:

    The Direct Cash Transfer Project will be used to help eliminate barriers within LGBTQ+ communities especially those in poverty experiencing unstable housing.

  • New City Neighbors

    Amount Awarded: $10,000

    Date Awarded:

    To provide leadership development opportunities for LGBTQ+ youth coupled with meaningful youth employment and one-on-one mentoring.

  • Puertas Abiertas

    Amount Awarded: $40,000

    Date Awarded:

    Puertas Abiertas seeks to re-establish its support groups for LGBTQ+ Latinx youth and expand its 1:1 culturally sensitive counseling services.

  • Grand Rapids Mutual Aid Network

    Amount Awarded: $25,000

    Date Awarded:

    To provide mutual aid and direct giving support to LGBTQ+ communities.

Grants Awarded in 2020 + 2018

Recipient

Amount

Date

Purpose

  • Grand Valley State University

    Amount Awarded: $25,000*

    Date Awarded: 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.

  • West Michigan Partnership for Children

    Amount Awarded: $60,000

    Date Awarded: 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.

  • Grand Rapids Pride Center

    Amount Awarded: $1,500

    Date Awarded: Mar. 2020

    Technology updates to move support groups and information sharing to virtual platforms, in response to COVID19.

  • Arbor Circle

    Amount Awarded: $45,000

    Date Awarded: 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.

  • Grand Rapids Trans Foundation

    Amount Awarded: $2,500

    Date Awarded: Dec. 2018

    Trans Education Fund (Learning for Life): To expand Grand Rapids Trans Foundation's current Academic Scholarship program.

  • Out on the Lakeshore

    Amount Awarded: $12,500

    Date Awarded: 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.

  • Grand Valley State University

    Amount Awarded: $40,000

    Date Awarded: 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

Donors as of September 1, 2023

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.

  • Brian and Ronna Alexander
  • 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
  • Todd Theisen, David Klinzing and Patrick Tischler
  • 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, 2022- June 30, 2023

  • Emily Ambs
  • Anonymous
  • Paul Asselin and Jack Sytsma
  • Mary Kay and Mark Baker
  • Ken Bandstra and Ken Terpstra
  • Kim Billings
  • Ben Boerkoel
  • Thomas and Tracy Breihof Charitable Fund
  • The Brooks Family
  • Debra and John Byl
  • Campit Outdoor Resort
  • Marsha Caspar and Glenna DeJong
  • Timothy Chester and Henry Matthews
  • Cigna Employee Matching Gift Program
  • Roger and Marcia DeKock
  • Dennis and Merrit DeLano-Taylor
  • DTE Energy Foundation
  • Romeo Ferrer Jr. and Sam Curcuruto
  • Anonymous
  • Jason Franklin of the Ktisis Fund of RSF Social Finance
  • Arthur H. Frederick
  • Paula and Michael Freed
  • Frey Foundation
  • Lawrence Gammons
  • Linsey Gleason
  • Mary, Duke, Libby and Benjamin Greene
  • Jana and John Hanson
  • Kevin and Laura Harmelink
  • Audra and Jeffrey Hartges-Stern
  • Haworth, Inc.
  • Jason Herlands and Gen Kobayashi
  • David Hill and Elizabeth Kidd
  • Sue Hood and Anne Vlcek
  • Heather Huber Homes
  • John Hunting
  • Win and Kyle Irwin
  • Lucy Dyer Joswick and Scott Joswick
  • Daniel Kantorowski
  • Margy Kay and Bill Padnos
  • Mike Kerkorian and Chris Penzien
  • John Kershek and John Potter
  • Roberta King and Mike Miesch
  • Walter J. Klimek
  • Aaron E. Koehn
  • Michael E. Kooistra
  • Jan Koopman
  • Marilyn Lankfer and Jeff Schad
  • Mr. and Mrs. William J. Lawrence III
  • Brett Leingang and Eric Icard
  • LinkedIn Employee Matching Gift Program
  • Arend and Nancy Lubbers
  • Janis Lunquist and Michael May
  • Tracy Lunquist
  • Sam and Jean Martin
  • Jill May
  • Jennifer McKayTom Merchant
  • Mr. Marc Mitchell and Dr. Brandy Lovelady Mitchell
  • Open Systems Technologies Inc.
  • Enid Packard
  • Douglas and Nancy Padnos
  • Hannah Padnos
  • Bill Padnos and Margy Kaye
  • Terry McGovern and Carol Paine-McGovern
  • Joan Panopoulos
  • Ward A. Paul and Charles G. Schoenknecht
  • Wally Petersen and Mike Tischleder
  • Mr. and Mrs. William P. Peterson
  • Claudia and Joe Pohlen
  • Marge Potter
  • Jim and Marie Preston
  • John and Ann Puckett
  • Rebel
  • Mary A. Roeser
  • Milt and Barbara Rohwer
  • Anonymous
  • Mary Ann Sabo and Jeff Ott
  • Annie Sammons
  • Shaun and Ruth Shira
  • Jackie Sirianni
  • John Slater and Michael Penrod
  • Ryan and Emily Slusarzyk
  • Deanna and Jamie Smith
  • Ms. Linda A. Smith
  • Lisa Sostecke DDS
  • Aimee Sterk and Joe Kurnik
  • Stryker Employee Matching Gift Program
  • Sandra Thieda
  • Colleen and Bob Tobin
  • Kevin Toler and Joseph Trudeau
  • Jenine and Jose Torres
  • Timothy Tuthill
  • Scott Urbanowski
  • Lou VanderHave
  • Erika VanDyke
  • Jaye VanLenten and Janette Tazzia
  • Carl and Sandra VerBeek
  • Lynn Warshaw and Vicki Esch
  • Richard Waskin and W. Larry Hanlin
  • Karin and Steve Waterbury
  • Elizabeth Welch and Brian Schwartz
  • Williams Group
  • Bruce C. Young
  • Marilyn and Garrett Zack
  • Karen Zivi and Michael Moody

*Deceased


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