Next Grant Awards Expected in 2027
Somos Comunidad will accept grant applications in 2027. Updates will be shared when details are confirmed.
Somos Comunidad Fund
Centering community voice
Somos Comunidad Fund, led by community volunteers, was established to support Latinx focused and driven initiatives. Informed by Latinx communities in Kent County, the advisory committee strives to create an adaptable approach to balance support for immediate needs while addressing root causes of inequity. Support this cause today by contributing to Somos Comunidad Fund. Your gift will support the fund's endowment, as well as provide resources for immediate grantmaking. This ensures your giving will help now and in the future.
2024 Grant Awards
Recipient
Amount
Date
Purpose
-
Cambiando Vidas Sedientas
$10,000
Supporting basketball programming for participants to develop physical abilities, learn the fundamentals of the game, and play in tournaments.
-
Code on Wheels
$5,000
Code on Wheels Clubs at The Dock Ministries and Godwin Heights offer Latinx youth hands-on coding education, tech skills, and career exploration.
-
Diatribe
$8,000
Facilitation of Writing to Right Wrongs program at Southwest Middle High School - Academia Bilingüe.
-
Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities
$10,000
To build environments of curiosity and creativity with our neighbors to cultivate inclusion and justice with a focus on K-12 youth.
-
Immigrant Assistance Center of West Michigan
$15,000
Pro bono services to clients who would not otherwise be able to afford legal services in the greater West Michigan Community.
-
Kent School Services Network
$5,000
Establishing the Familia Fund to provide emergency support for families who are undocumented and face significant challenges when trying to access assistance programs.
-
Michigan Immigrant Rights Center
$10,000
Provide direct immigration legal services that will lead to immigration status for immigrants and farmworkers who are undocumented in Kent County.
-
Movimiento Cosecha GR
$10,000
To continue supporting the fight for immigrant rights in our community.
-
No Surrender Running Club
$8,000
Supporting equitable pay for Spanish-speaking coaches, who boost program access and provide safe, inclusive spaces for Latinx youth and families.
-
Reyna's Gallery Latino Cultural Art
$11,000
Arte, Cultura y Discapacidad GR is an advocacy and arts program designed for Latinx parents with children who have physical and/or intellectual disabilities.
-
Roosevelt Park Ministries
$8,000
Providing quality, multi-level, in-person, ESL literacy training for Latinx communities in Grand Rapids and neighboring communities.
Our Grantmaking Process
Somos Comunidad Fund accepted applications for funding from community organizations in October 2024. $100,000 was awarded for programming that serves Latinx communities.
In a virtual event, we shared more about the process and recipients, and heard feedback from community members.
I am looking forward to two to three decades from now, when people will look at this as the beginning of a different way of doing philanthropy.
Carlos Sanchez, former Somos Comunidad Advisory Committee chairperson
Somos Comunidad Fund Donors July 1st, 2022-June 30th, 2023
- Anonymous (2)
- Mr. David A. Baker
- Amanda Berry
- Ms. Bonnie L. Blandford
- Brett Bradshaw
- Kaylee Moreno Burke
- Milinda Ysasi Castanon and Rafael Castanon
- Soyla Castillo
- Tom C. Clinton
- Huey G. and Mary Copeland
- Evelyn Esparza-Gonzalez
- Giuliana and Aaron Estrada
- Frey Foundation
- Terry Gates
- Mike and Rachel Goorhouse
- Megan Grimaldi
- Kevin and Laura Harmelink
- David Hill and Elizabeth Kidd
- Win and Kyle Irwin
- Matthew and Keri Jaynes
- Sharnita Johnson
- Marta Johnson-Ebels
- Lucy Dyer Joswick and Scott Joswick
- Marlene Kowalski-Braun
- Mr. and Mrs. William J. Lawrence III
- Lettie Lundman
- Janis Lunquist and Michael May
- El Granjero Mexican Grill
- Mark Miller and Patsy Allen
- Mr. Marc Mitchell and Dr. Brandy Lovelady Mitchell
- Ciciley and Louis Moore
- Juan and Mary Olivarez
- Terry McGovern and Carol Paine-McGovern
- Cynthia Pimm and Vicki Poleni Pimm
- Claudia and Joe Pohlen
- John and Ann Puckett
- Ms. Lupe Ramos-Montigny
- Alexis and Brandon Reame
- Laci Reséndiz
- Rogelio Rodriguez
- Leslee Rohs
- Elizabeth Rosario Law, PLC
- Celeste Sanchez-Lloyd and Robert Lloyd
- Mary Scanlan and Alain Gadeau
- Shaun and Ruth Shira
- Ryan and Emily Slusarzyk
- Lisa Sostecke DDS
- Ms. Stacy Stout
- Jan Strait
- Jenine and Jose Torres
- Betsaida Valdivia
- Erika VanDyke
- Andy and Tracy Van Solkema
- Danielle Veldman
- Lynn Verdusco
- Larry and Lee Nelson Weber
- Michael and Mary Alice Williams
- Marilyn and Garrett Zack