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 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 and 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
Dec. 2024
Supporting basketball programming for participants to develop physical abilities, learn the fundamentals of the game, and play in tournaments.
-
Code on Wheels
$5,000
Dec. 2024
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
Dec. 2024
Facilitation of Writing to Right Wrongs program at Southwest Middle High School - Academia Bilingüe.
-
Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities
$10,000
Dec. 2024
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
Dec. 2024
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
Dec. 2024
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
Dec. 2024
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
Dec. 2024
To continue supporting the fight for immigrant rights in our community.
-
No Surrender Running Club
$8,000
Dec. 2024
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
Dec. 2024
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
Dec. 2024
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.
Juan Olivarez is a community leader and philanthropist who believes in the purpose and potential of Somos Comunidad Fund!
Somos Comunidad Fund Donors July 1, 2026-June 30, 2026
- Dr. Ingrid Aguayo-Fuentealba and Dr. Chad Lingwood
- eMily Aleman-McAlpine and Joshua McAlpine
- Pamela Anderson
- Alexia Arizola
- Angel J. Barreto-Cruz
- Janey Berends
- Daniel Bomzer
- Eric Bouwens and Yenching Hsu
- Ingrid M. Brown
- Nuria Carassa
- Carola Carassa
- Patricia Castro
- Sergio Cira-Reyes
- Tammy Cole
- Huey G. and Mary Copeland
- Stijn Desmet
- Derek Duzan
- Giuliana and Aaron Estrada
- Brian and Beth Gardner
- Santiago Gayton
- Lucy Gilbert
- Michael and Rachel Goorhouse
- Grand Rapids Community College
- Alejandra Guillén
- Audra Hartges-Stern and Jeffrey Stern
- Michael Hearst
- Robert Heibel
- Moises Hernandez
- Jessica and Jill Hermann-Wilmarth
- Stephanie Nielsen
- Gabriela Hill
- David Hill and Elizabeth Kidd
- Davenport University
- Norma Jazwinski
- Alexis Jimenez
- Amber Jones
- Mr. and Mrs. William J. Lawrence III
- Michael Layton
- Sandra Y Daza Leon
- Timothy Lester
- Silvia Loureiro
- Ericka Lozano-Buhl
- Berani Maldonado-Torres
- Lisa Mange
- Terry McGovern and Carol Paine-McGovern
- Mark Miller and Patsy Allen
- Carla Villasana Moore
- Brent Morgensen
- Andrea Riley Mukavetz
- Kaitlin Munoz
- Sheona Joy Nidefski
- Lindsay Owens
- Samantha Perez
- Angela Reyna Perez
- Luis A. Perez
- Pimm and Vicki Poleni Pimm
- Claudia and Joe Pohlen
- WVGU Public Media
- Kristen Ramer
- Sarah Rasch
- Laci and Jonnathan Resendiz
- Noemi Reyna
- Kimberly Ridley
- Joanna Rodriguez
- Isabel Romero
- Jorge Rivera Salvatierra
- Marie and Brad Selleck
- Grant Stancliff
- Dr. Gary Stark and Dr. Kathleen Underwood
- Joel Stillerman
- Stacy Stout and Daniel Vallie
- Jan Strait
- Grace Swanson
- Erika Tellez
- Aaron Terpstra and Berniz Constanza Terpstra
- Joshua Teusink
- Bo Torres
- Erika VanDyke
- Cheri Williams
- John Williamson
- Lauren Williams
- Kate Pew Wolters
- Bridget Woudwyk
- Milinda Ysasi and Rafael Castanon
- Anonymous (3)