PARTNERS in progress

Here’s a recent sampling of grant partnerships approved by our Board of Trustees and by grantmaking committees that target specific identity-based causes.

FUND FOR COMMUNITY GOOD + FIELD OF INTEREST FUNDS

In October, our Board of Trustees approved one grant partnership of $10,000 to support Samaritas’ ability to launch the Gateways for Growth Welcome plan. This plan will create opportunities to welcome immigrants, foster economic growth and promote inclusion for all Grand Rapids residents. This partnership, like many that preceded it this year, is possible due to our donor partners’ generous support.

IDENTITY-BASED FUNDS

These examples of identity-based grantmaking come from volunteerled committees. View the full lists of grant partnerships and learn more about these committees at grfoundation.org.

African American Heritage Fund

The African American Heritage Fund builds on the legacy of giving in Black communities in greater Grand Rapids. Created in 2006, AAHF has traditionally focused on providing education and job opportunities for Black youth. While continuing to support education, AAHF is now exploring alternative ways to support programs, leaders and organizations to increase opportunity, relationships and wealth for Black people in greater Grand Rapids. Learn more about recent grant partnerships with our African American Heritage Fund at grfoundation.org/AAHF.

New City Neighbors, Summer Farm-to-Table Online Gardening Club

Nonprofit Partner Spotlight: New City Neighbors, Summer Farm-to-Table Online Gardening Club.

This grant partnership helped New City Neighbors engage Black youth in six summertime online farm-to-table classes. The classes focused on food sovereignty and the historical role of African Americans in agriculture. It provided opportunities for students to interview and build deep connections with Black and Latinx agricultural and business leaders in farming, an industry that is predominantly white-owned.

Our LGBTQ Fund

Our LGBTQ Fund is a regional fund that helps provide a safe, welcoming and healthy environment for the LGBTQ community in West Michigan. It does so by increasing wellness and prosperity levels, visibility, acceptance, support and access to resources. Its vision is to create equal opportunity for the LGBTQ community. Currently, the fund focuses its grantmaking on solutions for youth experiencing homelessness. It targets nonprofit partners who work to increase service providers’ capacity, and it leverages relationships within the LGBTQ community and with allies. Learn more about recent grant partnerships with Our LGBTQ Fund at grfoundation. org/LGBTQFund.

Nonprofit Partner Spotlight: Grand Valley State University, Expanded LGBTQIA+ Education Track Training.

Expanding the LGBTQIA+ Education Track Training program equips youth-serving agencies in Kent and Ottawa Counties with knowledgeable staff who can create atmospheres of inclusion and equity for LGBTQIA+ youth. This grant partnership demonstrates critical collaboration between donor partners, area organizations and the Community Foundation. A Grand Haven Area Community Foundation gift and individual donor contributions helped expand the grantmaking capacity of Our LGBTQ Fund to make this partnership possible.

Youth Field of Interest Fund

High School students throughout greater Grand Rapids make up Grand Rapids Community Foundation’s Youth Grant Committee. During the school year, YGC members meet and assess youth issues, develop a request for proposals process to address those needs, follow up with previous grantees, conduct interviews and site visits and present grant recommendations to the Community Foundation’s Board of Trustees. Learn more about recent grant partnerships and the Youth Grant Committee at grfoundation.org/YGC.

Oakdale Neighbors, Learning Cafe: Robotica Summer Camp

Nonprofit Partner Spotlight: Oakdale Neighbors, Learning Cafe: Robotica Summer Camp.

The Youth Grant Committee was particularly impressed by how Oakdale Neighbors engaged students in their program throughout the entire process, from grant writing and meetings to implementing grant dollars. The grant partnership provided college-bound elementary students the opportunity to learn robotics, build teams and demonstrate their knowledge through competitions and workshops for younger students.