PARTNERS in Progress

Unrestricted resources from our Fund for Community Good and resources from our Field of Interest funds are making an impact throughout community. Since the beginning of our fiscal year in July 2023, Grand Rapids Community Foundation has awarded $3,963,304 in grant awards to 15 organizations serving Kent County from these funds. The grants listed below are generously supported by our donor partners who invest in unrestricted and Field of Interest funds.

A GLIMPSE OF AFRICA, $110,000

A Glimpse of Africa fosters essential community programs that voice, advocate for and address African refugees' and immigrants' needs and disparities. This grant supports their participation in collaborative efforts and community engagement for the African community in West Michigan.

AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION FUND OF MICHIGAN, $60,000

The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan was established in 1959 to defend our civil liberties. This grant supports their ability to provide a unique training opportunity for new civil rights lawyers and develop a talent pipeline for attorneys of color.

ANISHINAABE CIRCLE, $10,000

Anishinaabe Circle works to provide and promote the physical, emotional, spiritual and mental welfare of Native American communities. This grant supports the development of a community-informed strategic framework for the future of the organization.

AQUME FOUNDATION, $600,000

AQUME Foundation, established in 2021, provides tools, access and financial investment in organizations led by people of color. This grant supports AQUME Foundation’s work to center economic justice and racial equity in philanthropy.

BAXTER COMMUNITY CENTER, $450,000

Baxter Community Center offers a child development center, a holistic health center, a free food and clothing marketplace, dental care and out-of-school time programming for elementary and middle school students. This grant supports Baxter’s transition into a workplace culture focused on helping employees thrive financially and professionally.

THE DEBORAH HOUSE, $10,000

The Deborah House is a safe haven for single pregnant mothers and their children. They provide housing for young mothers while they receive encouragement, social support and mentoring. This grant supports health equity, well-being and stability for women and children, particularly women of color, in Greater Grand Rapids.

EDUCATION TRUST-MIDWEST, $15,000

This grant partnership supports the work of the Michigan Partnership for Equity and Opportunity, a statewide coalition of civil rights, social justice, civic and business leaders working to promote equitable education policy and resource allocation for all Michigan students. This partnership was made possible by the Challenge Scholars Fund.

FITKIDS360, $50,000

This grant continues support for FitKids360’s transition to becoming an independent nonprofit organization. FitKids360 is dedicated to improving children’s health and well-being. This grant was made possible by the Elizabeth J. Steed Johnson Fund for Healthcare and Community Health and the William H. and Inetta P. Martindill Fund.

GRANDVILLE AVENUE ARTS AND HUMANITIES, $10,000

Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities strives to provide an environment of care and belonging for children and adults living in the Grandville Avenue neighborhood and beyond. This grant supports their general operations and was made possible through funding provided by Consumers Energy Foundation.

GRAND RAPIDS AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM & ARCHIVES, $10,000 and $600,000

Grand Rapids African American Museum & Archives describes its mission as collecting and retelling the rich, colorful stories that compose the historic African American tapestry of living in Grand Rapids. The organization received two grant awards supporting their general operations as they acquire and move into a new building. The $10,000 grant was made possible through funding provided by Consumers Energy Foundation.

IMMIGRANT ASSISTANCE CENTER, $125,000

Immigrant Assistance Center, one of the only nonprofit organizations providing immigration services led and founded by a woman of color, provides equal access to affordable legal services in Kent County. This grant supports their ability to offer reduced-fee immigration legal assistance.

NONPROFIT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FUND, $100,000

This grant to the Nonprofit Technical Assistance Fund invests in a collaborative program of local grantmakers to address the needs for consulting services and technical and organizational capacity needs in Kent County.

OUR COMMUNITY’S CHILDREN, $198,304

This grant supports a partnership between our Challenge Scholars program and the T2C Studio to provide high school and college students with ongoing activities to aid postsecondary decision making, reduce summer melt among graduating seniors and support post-secondary persistence. This partnership was made possible by the Challenge Scholars Fund.

OUR MENTAL HEALTH COLLECTIVE, $300,000

Our Mental Health Collective connects individuals and families of color with culturally responsive and affirming mental health providers of color. This grant will help the organization grow, form a staff structure and expand their directory, community advocacy committee and programming for clinicians.

URBAN CORE COLLECTIVE, $360,000, $400,000 and $555,000

Urban Core Collective is a collective effort of local organizations to facilitate access to education, health and economic prosperity for our neighbors.

• One grant provides general operating support for the Urban Core Collective’s work for community organizing, emerging leaders and social change.

• A second grant benefits organizers, movement leaders and nonprofit organizations that are collectively working to ensure residents are actively engaged and informed throughout the 2024 election cycles.

• The third grant continues the Community Foundation’s support for the Education Justice Team’s organizing and base-building work and is made possible by the Challenge Scholars Fund.