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.
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!
2022 Grant Awards
Recipient
Amount
Date
Purpose
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Grand Rapids Pride Center
$25,000
The Direct Cash Transfer Project will be used to help eliminate barriers within LGBTQ+ communities especially those in poverty experiencing unstable housing.
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New City Neighbors
$10,000
To provide leadership development opportunities for LGBTQ+ youth coupled with meaningful youth employment and one-on-one mentoring.
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Puertas Abiertas
$40,000
Puertas Abiertas seeks to re-establish its support groups for LGBTQ+ Latinx youth and expand its 1:1 culturally sensitive counseling services.
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Grand Rapids Mutual Aid Network
$25,000
To provide mutual aid and direct giving support to LGBTQ+ communities.
2022 Grant Awards
Our LGBTQ Fund accepted 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 influenced the grant process and grant award decisions.
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Brigham Consulting Report
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.
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Information Session about the Application
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.
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Community Debrief Sessions
After grant awards were announced, the committee hosted a community debrief session. During this session, staff and volunteers explained the process, the award decisions and invited feedback about the process. Read a summary by clicking here.
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.
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.
Grants Awarded in 2020 + 2018
Recipient
Amount
Date
Purpose
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Grand Valley State University
$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. -
West Michigan Partnership for Children
$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.
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Grand Rapids Pride Center
$1,500
Mar. 2020
Technology updates to move support groups and information sharing to virtual platforms, in response to COVID19.
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Arbor Circle
$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.
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Grand Rapids Trans Foundation
$2,500
Dec. 2018
Trans Education Fund (Learning for Life): To expand Grand Rapids Trans Foundation's current Academic Scholarship program.
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Out on the Lakeshore
$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.
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Grand Valley State University
$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
Donors as of June 30, 2022
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
- Dennis and Merrit DeLano-Taylor
- Mark and Mary Kay Baker
- Ken Bandstra and Ken Terpstra
- Connie Bellows and Darlene Zwart
- Laurel Blasi and Larry Nolan
- Thomas and Tracy Breihof Charitable Fund
- Duane Brown and Kevin Martin
- Christopher J. and Ann Marie Caldwell
- Mr. Timothy J. Chester and Mr. Henry Matthews
- Steve* and Sue Conway
- 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
- Graci Harkema
- Haworth, Inc.
- Mike Hoffman and Michael Doriean
- John Hunting
- Glen Johnson*
- Roberta F. King and Mike J. Miesch
- David Klinzing, Todd Theisen, Patrick Tischler
- Mira Krishnan and Teri Jourdan
- Marilyn Lankfer and Jeff Schad
- Emily Loeks
- Jan Lunquist and Michael May
- Max Matteson and Bud Baty
- Jill May and Jen DeHaan
- Michele McIsaac and the Eleveld Family
- Tom Merchant
- Debra L. Minton and Terri Osborne
- Mark Nettleton
- Douglas and Nancy Padnos
- Mitchell and Karen Padnos
- Shelley Padnos and Carol Sarosik
- Bill Padnos and Margy Kaye
- 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
- Brian Schipper and Richard Lord*
- Matthew and Kate Schmid
- Jim Sellman
- Ralph Siddell*
- Diana R. Sieger
- Brent and Diane Slay
- George Stoutin and Dave Heilman
- Betty Stremich and Nancy Sojka
- Robert and Colleen Tobin
- Scott Urbanowski
- Karin and Steve Waterbury
- Elizabeth Welch and Brian Schwartz
- Kate Pew Wolters
- Bruce Youn
*Deceased
Our LGBTQ Fund Donors as of July 1, 2021- June 30, 2022
- Emily Ambs
- Nathan W. Anderle
- Anonymous (5)
- Frederick J. Antczak and Deborah J. Hughes
- Mark and Mary Kay Baker
- Ken Bandstra and Ken Terpstra
- Mark Barrone
- Ms. Pamela Bayes
- Matt and Kristy Becker
- Mary Bejian
- Connie Bellows and Darlene Zwart
- John and Claudia Berry
- Kimerlee Billings
- Lynne Black
- Laurel Blasi and Larry Nolan
- Mike and Kelly Born
- Thomas and Tracy Breihof Charitable Fund
- The Brooks Family
- Aaron Carbaugh
- Ms. Janet Carbonneau-Jones
- Marsha Caspar and Glenna DeJong
- Paul Cook and Andy Brookhouse
- Roger and Marcia DeKock
- Dennis and Merrit DeLano-Taylor
- Steve Faber
- Romeo Ferrer Jr. and Sam Curcuruto
- Barbara and Leslie Frank
- Arthur Frederick
- G & D Builders
- Lawrence Gammons
- Haworth, Inc.
- Jason Herlands and Gen Kobayashi
- James V. Higgins and Kathleen Delp Higgins
- David Hill and Elizabeth Kidd
- Randy and Carol Hoekstra
- Dirk and June Hoffius
- Sue Hood and Anne Vlcek
- Sandra Hopwood
- John Hunting
- Win and Kyle Irwin
- Peter Jacob
- Vicki and Don Jansma
- Mark and Beth Johnson
- Lucy Dyer Joswick and Scott Joswick
- Mr. Brett M. Karhoff CPA
- Mary and Dan Karrip
- Mike Kerkorian and Chris Penzien
- Antionette King-Short
- Walter J. Klimek
- Michael E. Kooistra
- Jan Koopman
- Brianne Krull
- Peter Kurdziel
- James and Jennifer LaHaie
- Marilyn Lankfer and Jeff Schad
- Tracy Lunquist
- Sam and Jean Martin
- Austin McNeal
- Brian Merucci
- Mark Nettleton
- Open Systems Technologies Inc.
- Mrs. Enid Packard
- Daniel Padnos and Dex Phillip Family Fund
- Douglas and Nancy Padnos
- Hannah Padnos
- Terry McGovern and Carol Paine-McGovern
- Chris* and Joan Panopoulos
- Ward A. Paul and Charles G. Schoenknecht
- Pawpalace.com
- Mr. Mark B. Periard and Dr. Barbara Periard
- Mr. and Mrs. William P. Peterson
- Susan Pierson
- Jim and Marie Preston
- Rebel
- Timothy Reeder
- Matt Richenthal and Katherine Sage
- Richard A. Roane and Leandro Robles
- Milt and Barbara Rohwer
- John Paul Roselle
- Megan and Noel Rydecki
- Mary Ann Sabo and Jeff Ott
- Saugatuck LGBT Charitable Foundation
- Jim Sellman
- Shaun and Ruth Shira
- Colweck-Silverstein Family Fund
- Linda A. Smith
- Crystal Snider
- Judy Snider
- Ms. Ellen V. Sprouls
- Steve & Jason
- George Stoutin and Dave Heilman
- Philip and Dawnielle Streng
- Lon and Sandy Swartzentruber
- Kevin Toler and Joseph Trudeay
- Jenine and Jose Torres
- Selma Tucker
- Scott Urbanowski
- Lou VanderHave
- Erika VanDyke
- Jaye VanLenten and Janette Tazzia
- Carl and Sandra VerBeek
- Warner Norcross + Judd
- Lynn Warshaw and Vicki Esch
- Larry Hanlin and Dick Waskin
- Justin W
- Susie Ziegler
- Karen Zivi and Michael Moody
*Deceased