PA R T N E R S
in Progress
Grand Rapids Community Foundation’s Board of Trustees recently approved $1,312,500 in grant awards from the Fund for Community Good and Field of Interest funds. These partnerships demonstrate the power and adaptability of unrestricted resources put to use in Kent County. They would not be possible without the generous, flexible support from donor partners and the strength of nonprofits in our community. CAMP ALWAYS RISING YOUTH VOICES, $10,000
Camp Always Rising Youth Voices is a free three-day camp experience for up to 12 middle-school students that helps equip them for community organizing, activism and advocacy.
GRAND RAPIDS AFRICAN AMERICAN HEALTH INSTITUTE, $750,000
GRAAHI leads efforts to achieve positive outcomes for all communities, especially healthcare parity for African Americans. This grant partnership will enhance GRAAHI’s organizational capacity and potential for sustainability, as they seek to ensure that all people have optimal health care, while responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. This grant was made possible with support from the Kent County COVID-19 Recovery Fund.
IMMIGRANT ASSISTANCE CENTER OF WEST MICHIGAN, $25,000
This grant partnership will support the expansion of Immigrant Assistance Center of West Michigan’s work to provide immigration legal services and education for low-income individuals.
THE MIDWEST TECH PROJECT, $150,000
This grant partnership will support continuing development of a gender and racially diverse technology talent pipeline in West Michigan that provides equitable onramps for skill building, employment and entrepreneurship.
PUERTAS ABIERTAS, $17,500
Puertas Abiertas is a support, intervention and prevention program aimed at improving community wellbeing and reducing the cycle of domestic abuse. This grant partnership will support a comprehensive program for Latina women and their families by providing culturally competent advocacy and services. This grant was made possible with support from the Fund for Health and Emma Sherwood Evans Fund.
PARTNERS in community | 6
TREETOPS COLLECTIVE, $100,000
Treetops Collective works to connect refugee women with people, resources and opportunities to enhance their ability to flourish for generations to come. This grant award supports the Concentric: Multiplying New American Leaders program, which was developed to increase the impact of New American leaders through training and mentorship while sustainably growing their holistic model.
URBAN LEAGUE OF WEST MICHIGAN, $250,000
The Urban League of West Michigan is dedicated to creating systemic changes that eliminate racism and make Grand Rapids a more just place to live and thrive. This grant partnership will support their execution of the Cure Violence program for the
City of Grand Rapids. Cure Violence is a unique, interdisciplinary, public health approach to violence prevention and intervention.
YOUNG MONEY FINANCES, $10,000
Young Money Finances uses a culturally sensitive approach to educate youth on financial literacy. This grant partnership will help empower teens to take control of their finances. This grant was made possible with support from the George M. Ames Fund.
LEARNING WITH AND FROM
New Americans
When immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers can fully participate in their communities, they enrich our region’s cultures, traditions and creativity. This aligns well with Grand Rapids Community Foundation’s hope to create an inclusive economy and thriving community. With the Biden-Harris administration’s plan to increase the annual refugee admission cap from 15,000 to 125,000, grant partners like Justice for Our Neighbors and Immigrant Connection are adapting, pivoting resources and embracing new collaborations to make the greatest impact for vulnerable populations. And partners like Treetops Collective are shifting programming structures to amplify the voices and experiences of refugee leaders helping their neighbors adapt to and thrive in Kent County. According to the Kent County Welcome Plan, the top priority for new Americans is the freedom to work in their desired profession. The plan also includes goals such as “Increase connectedness among and between communities to foster a deeper sense of belonging in Kent County” and “Connect community members to existing engagement opportunities that will help to make Kent County an inclusive place for all.” The Community Foundation’s investments with grant partners support a small piece of a broader strategy to welcome and include new Americans in Kent County. JUSTICE FOR OUR NEIGHBORS is a national organization that provides free or low-cost immigration legal services to vulnerable immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers. Their clients need affordable legal representation to help them pursue citizenship, adjust immigration status, seek asylum, flee domestic violence, prepare for deportation and apply for DACA. The JFON Grand Rapids office must increase staff capacity to handle far more clients. “With the tenfold increase in the number of refugees to be allowed into the country, we’re preparing for a significant upsurge in refugee green card applications,” says Becky Beauchamp, executive director. “Our attorneys are determining which of our clients can benefit from the recently-announced massive change in deportation policy to keep families together.”
