Search Through Grants for International Development in Michigan in the U.S.

Assisting Our Neighbors In Need

We are investing in what’s most important to Michigan – its people, our planet and Michigan’s prosperity. We award grants for capital funding and innovative projects and campaigns that align with our priorities for each.

Grant seekers are encouraged to review our priorities and ensure projects/programs align with the outcomes we seek. Metrics related to outcomes will be requested within the grant application.

Check Your Grant Request Against These Standards

People

Will your project/program contribute to reducing poverty levels/ALICE numbers in Michigan through increased high school graduation rates; increasing the STEM/skilled labor talent pool; or supporting our most vulnerable residents and providing them with pathways to self-sufficiency?

Planet

Will your project/program protect/preserve or restore land, freshwater bodies, or air quality in Michigan?

Prosperity

Will your project/program contribute to Michigan’s economy by creating safe, desirable neighborhoods, supporting job growth and entrepreneurs, or attracting visitors?

What type of projects does the Consumers Energy Foundation fund?

The Consumers Energy Foundation funds capital projects and provides program and operation support in alignment with our commitment to Michigan’s people, planet and prosperity. Our priorities include reducing poverty levels/ALICE numbers in Michigan by focusing on basic needs, education and workforce readiness; protecting/preserving Michigan’s land, water & air; and economic development by focusing on neighborhood revitalization, job growth, and arts and culture.

Program Overview 

The main objective of the foundation is to carry on the legacy of Joseph and Vera Dresner by supporting the work of organizations in our focus areas. It was the Dresner’s mission that the foundation would provide a channel to improve the lives of people and animals in their communities. 

The foundation’s approach empowers community members to benefit from the grant investments that we make. We partner with organizations that are committed to creating opportunities for the underserved in our communities. Those partners include a wide-range of entities, including hospitals, community centers, and other nonprofits. 

Our goal is to provide organizations with the necessary resources, so they can continue offering services to those most in need. We seek to test innovative approaches, determine lessons from current commendable activities, and promote the adoption of creative thinking on a broad scale through direct grant making and support for research and other ventures that advance community support. 

We Offer 3 Types of Support: 

• Project – Development of new programs, expansion of existing programs, or continuation of sustainable, recognized effective current programming. 
• Capital – Equipment purchase, acquisition, construction and/or renovation of facilities. 
• Funding for special circumstances, in support of existing grantee  programs, will be considered on a case by case basis. Please note the foundation will not accept unsolicited proposals for this type of support. 

Our Focus Areas Include: 

Health 

We fund projects that support institutions conducting medical research and clinical trials specifically related to Myelodysplastic Syndromes. We also fund projects that improve access to health care and health outcomes. Click here to view information about the Foundation's Myelodysplasia Research Grant.

- support for programs that improve the health outcomes of vulnerable people, particularly underserved, low-income individuals who don’t have adequate access to health care. 

The foundation is equally interested in efforts that have broad and meaningful impact and focus on intervention and prevention beyond the boundaries of any one disease. 

Therefore, we seek to support a network of hospitals and community-based organizations that work to improve the health outcomes of these individuals through enhanced access to health care.

Youth and Family 

It is critical that disadvantaged, underserved, and special needs children have access to programs that allow them to learn and foster important life skills. We help organizations develop and sustain programs that empower children and their families and offer opportunity to improve their lives. 

– support for youth programs that foster self-empowerment and self-esteem through academic, artistic, personal or social enrichment. 

Regardless, if a child lives in poverty or has a chronic disease, it is essential that they have access to programs that encourage self-expression and move their lives forward in a meaningful way. Therefore, we support organizations that empower children and optimize their development by providing access to programs that promote academic, artistic, personal and social enhancement opportunities. 

– support for programs that reinforce families. 

We are also interested in organizations that support youth through the provision of services that strengthen their families such as, but not limited to, workforce development, housing and family food assistance.

Animal Welfare 

We work with animal care organizations to make certain that they have the resources needed to ensure the best care and secure shelter for animals and offer corresponding public education initiatives.

– support for state-of-the-art facilities and services and corresponding public education initiatives.  

The foundation works with animal welfare organizations to make sure they have the resources they need to advance their work. We are interested in supporting state-of-the art facilities and services. Animal welfare efforts that the foundation will consider are, but not limited to, providing adequate treatment resources, upgrading equipment, improving and maintaining facilities, aiding in the shelter of animals in communities, and public education initiatives.

The Allen Foundation, named in honor of William Webster Allen, operates under the laws of the State of Michigan with offices in Midland. Grants are limited under the terms of the foundation's charter to projects that primarily benefit programs for human nutrition in the areas of health, education, training, and research.

Policies and Priorities

• To make grants to fund relevant nutritional research.
• To support programs for the education and training of mothers during pregnancy and after the birth of their children, so that good nutritional habits can be formed at an early age.
• To assist in the training of persons to work as educators and demonstrators of good nutritional practices. 
• To encourage the dissemination of information regarding healthful nutritional practices and habits. 
• In limited situations to make grants to help solve immediate emergency hunger and malnutrition problems.

The connections between diet and health remain a basic and primary priority, and consideration has always been given to projects that benefit nutritional programs in the areas of education, training, and research.

Low priority has traditionally been given to proposals that help solve immediate or emergency hunger and malnutrition problems. The foundation welcomes proposals that develop and advance:

• the inclusion of mandatory courses in nutrition in medical schools;
• bringing the promise of nutrigenomics or nutritional genomics to realization; and
• the promotion of environmentally sound, economically viable, socially responsive, and sustainable food and agricultural systems.

Community Builder Grants

Greater Toledo Community Foundation is a public charitable organization created by citizens of our community to enrich the quality of life for individuals and families in our service area. The Foundation serves northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan with a particular emphasis on the greater Toledo area. Grants from the Community Builder grant program support a variety of services in the fields of education, social services, physical and mental health, neighborhood and urban affairs, natural resources, and the arts.

Emphasis is placed on programs that will: Create safe, positive living environments; Enable families to develop the skills/resources needed to support and nurture each member; and Foster the development of responsible young people who are capable of achieving their fullest potential.

The Community Builder grant program offers grants of up to $25,000 in the following three categories:

• to provide seed money for new, innovative programming that addresses unmet community needs,
• to expand successful programming in order to reach unique audiences, or
• to provide capacity building benefits to existing nonprofit organizations. 

Greater Toledo Community Foundation is a public charitable organization created by citizens of our community to enrich the quality of life for individuals and families in our service area. The Foundation serves northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan with a particular emphasis on the greater Toledo area. Grants from the Community Impact grant program support a variety of services in the fields of education, social services, physical and mental health, neighborhood and urban affairs, natural resources, and the arts.

The Community Impact grant program provides seed money for new, innovative programming that addresses unmet community needs or expands successful programming to reach unique audiences.

Emphasis is placed on programs that will: Create safe, positive living environments; Enable families to develop the skills/resources needed to support and nurture each member; and Foster the development of responsible young people who are capable of achieving their fullest potential. 

Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) supports initiatives for community and neighborhood development, health and human services, arts and culture, education and environment. The company matches its employees’ charitable giving to those initiatives and also conducts an annual workplace giving campaign for the United Way. Financial support is provided to the activities of nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations in communities served by WPS. Most of the charitable support is through the WPS Foundation, funded by stockholders of WEC Energy Group.

Contributions are made in the following categories:

• Arts & Culture: Arts and culture add to the richness of life in our communities. We support projects that promote diversity and make the arts accessible to all people. This includes theater, dance, music and museums.
• Community & Neighborhood Development: Communities become stronger when neighbors work together. We support nonprofit organizations dedicated to community improvement.
• Education: Lifelong learning helps ensure a strong future for our communities and their economies. We contribute to programs that complement our company's educational programs and philosophies, including opportunities for minorities and women. We support partnerships between businesses and educational institutions, career planning and youth mentorship.
• Environment: As a company, we protect and encourage the wise use of natural resources. We also support others' efforts for the betterment of fish and wildlife, water and air quality, forests, energy efficiency, renewable energy and recycling.
• Human Services & Health: The physical and emotional well-being of everyone in our communities is a measure of the health of the communities. We support programs that serve limited-income, senior and handicapped individuals, and those emphasizing wellness.

History

WPS Foundation was incorporated in 1964, funded with paper company stocks and bonds repurchased by WPS in the late 1920s. The transfer of the certificates, accomplished over a four-year period, gave the foundation a financial base of $2 million. The resulting tax credits increased the value of WPS stock by $.20 per share, and gave the company a consistent means of contributing to charitable, educational and scientific organizations. Over the past 30 years, the foundation's stocks and bonds were redeemed, and the money has been used to buy mutual funds.

The foundation is a strong supporter of capital projects, the United Way and start-up programs in communities served by the four energy companies in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan.

Each region the energy companies serve has a Contributions Committee of local employees from a cross-section of departments. Donation requests for a region are sent to the region's Contributions Committee, which reviews the requests based on the needs and issues in the community.

The Gerber Foundation's Mission

The mission of The Gerber Foundation, to enhance the quality of life of infants and young children in nutrition, care, and development, has remained the guiding beacon for Foundation giving throughout its history. Accordingly, priority is given to projects whose primary beneficiaries are young children from birth to three years of age. The Gerber Foundation expects its grant dollars to significantly impact issues facing infants and young children. Through our grant-making efforts, we are committed to improving the health and well-being of the youngest members of our society. The Foundation maintains three primary focus areas for its grant-making:

• Pediatric Research: The primary focus, supported by over 70% of grant-making, is applied research focused on health and nutritional issues affecting infants and young children. Research projects aimed at finding solutions to common every-day issues and problems regarding children’s health and nutrition are sought. Of particular interest are those offering a substantial promise of meaningful advances in prevention and treatment of diseases and those with broad applicability to the general population.
• West Michigan Grants: West Michigan grants are focused on youth programs supporting the growth and development of children from 0-18 years of age within 4 counties in West Michigan – Lake, Muskegon, Newaygo, and Oceana Counties. Specific areas of focus within youth programming include early childhood growth and development to assure children are ready for school by age 5; development of parenting skills; STEM education; health and dental care; and several historically supported programs such as 4-H, summer camps, and general support programs.
• Scholarships: College scholarships are provided to students graduating from select high schools in Newaygo, Muskegon, and Oceana Counties. Students must be graduating seniors at the time of application. Scholarships support education beyond high school in traditional colleges or universities as well as trade schools or support for certification exams.

Research Grants: Pediatric Research

Pediatric Research Focus Areas

The Foundation’s mission focuses on infants and young children. 

The Foundation is particularly interested in fresh approaches to solving common, everyday problems or emerging issues within our defined focus area. Projects should focus on issues faced by care providers that, when implemented, will improve the health, nutrition and/or developmental outcomes for infants and young children. The board is particularly looking for practical solutions that can be easily and rapidly implemented on a broad scale with a predictable time frame to clinical application.

Major target areas for research include:

• New diagnostic tools that may be more rapid, more specific, more sensitive, less invasive
• New treatment regimens that are improved or novel, less stressful or painful, more targeted, have fewer side effects, provide optimal dosing
• Symptom relief
• Preventative measures
• Assessment of deficiencies or excesses (vitamins, minerals, drugs, etc.)
• Risk assessment tools or measures for environmental hazards, trauma, etc.

Note that the Foundation is looking for projects that will result in ‘new’ information, treatments or tools that will result in a change in practice. The board rarely funds projects that are focused on sharing current information with parents or caregivers (parent or provider educational programs).

Environmental Hazards (Nutrient Competitors)

The Foundation is interested in projects that evaluate the effects of environmental hazards on infants and young children. Applied research projects that document the impact of, or ameliorate effects of, environmental hazards on the growth and development of infants and young children are the focus of this area of interest.

Typical projects funded in this area of interest may include projects aimed at:

• Exposures and their effects on infants and toddlers
• Methods to lessen the effects of exposures

Note that the Foundation does not restrict this area to the ‘natural environment’ but considers exposures within the infant’s or toddler’s environment, whether manmade or natural. These exposures may be caused by hazards within the NICU environment (noise, light, medical equipment, etc.), the home environment (carpeting, plastics, etc.), or exposures from breastmilk caused by parental behavior (marijuana, drugs, etc.).

The Gerber Foundation's Mission

The mission of The Gerber Foundation, to enhance the quality of life of infants and young children in nutrition, care, and development, has remained the guiding beacon for Foundation giving throughout its history. Accordingly, priority is given to projects whose primary beneficiaries are young children from birth to three years of age. The Trustees of The Gerber Foundation expect the Foundation’s grant dollars to make a significant impact on issues facing infants and young children. Through our grant-making efforts, the Trustees are committed to improving the health and well-being of the youngest members of our society. The Foundation maintains three primary focus areas for its grant-making:

• The primary focus, supported by over 70% of grant-making, is applied research focused on health and nutritional issues affecting infants and young children. Research projects aimed at finding solutions to common every-day issues and problems regarding children’s health and nutrition are sought. Of particular interest are those offering a substantial promise of meaningful advances in prevention and treatment of diseases and those with broad applicability to the general population.
• West Michigan grants are focused on youth programs supporting the growth and development of children from 0-18 years of age within 4 counties in West Michigan – Lake, Muskegon, Newaygo, and Oceana Counties. Specific areas of focus within youth programming include early childhood growth and development to assure children are ready for school by age 5; development of parenting skills; STEM education; health and dental care; and several historically supported programs such as 4-H, summer camps, and general support programs.
• College scholarships are provided to students graduating from select high schools in Newaygo, Muskegon, and Oceana Counties. Students must be graduating seniors at the time of application. Scholarships support education beyond high school in traditional colleges or universities as well as trade schools or support for certification exams.

Research Grants: Pediatric Research

Pediatric Research Focus Areas

The Foundation’s mission focuses on infants and young children. Accordingly, priority is given to projects that improve the nutrition, care and development of infants and young children from the first year before birth to three years of age.

The Foundation is particularly interested in fresh approaches to solving common, everyday problems or emerging issues within our defined focus area. Projects should focus on issues faced by care providers that, when implemented, will improve the health, nutrition and/or developmental outcomes for infants and young children. The board is particularly looking for practical solutions that can be easily and rapidly implemented on a broad scale with a predictable time frame to clinical application.

Major target areas for research include:

• New diagnostic tools that may be more rapid, more specific, more sensitive, less invasive
• New treatment regimens that are improved or novel, less stressful or painful, more targeted, have fewer side effects, provide optimal dosing
• Symptom relief
• Preventative measures
• Assessment of deficiencies or excesses (vitamins, minerals, drugs, etc.)
• Risk assessment tools or measures for environmental hazards, trauma, etc.

Note that the Foundation is looking for projects that will result in ‘new’ information, treatments or tools that will result in a change in practice. The board rarely funds projects that are focused on sharing current information with parents or caregivers (parent or provider educational programs).

Pediatric Health

Promoting health and preventing or treating disease is the primary focus of this target area. Of particular interest are applied research projects focused on reducing the incidence of serious neonatal and early childhood illnesses, or improving cognitive, social and emotional aspects of development.

Typical projects funded in this area of interest may include projects aimed at:

• Better diagnostic techniques (more rapid, specific, sensitive, or less invasive)
• Better treatment (improved, less stressful or painful, optimal dosing, fewer side effects)
• Symptom relief
• Preventive measures

General Grantmaking Guidelines

The Community Foundation is a public charity organized as a collection of permanent endowments. The income from these endowed funds is awarded through a grant application process to provide charitable funding to nonprofits classified by the IRS as 501(c)(3) organizations and other eligible entities (such as municipalities, schools and faith-based organizations), for projects that predominantly benefit residents of Clinton, Eaton and Ingham Counties, Michigan.

Capacity-Building Grants

Capacity Building grants help an organization increase its sustainability and effectiveness by strengthening its internal systems. Capacity Building strengthens an organization so it can grow its impact and accomplish its mission. The Foundation does this by partnering with our Capacity Building grantees and other experts in organizational management. Capacity grant amounts vary.

Examples of Capacity Building issues include:

• Board Development
• Fundraising Planning
• Governance Models, Executive Leadership Development
• Long-range Planning, Succession Planning
• Staff Training and Development
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Training

The Gerber Foundation's Mission

The mission of The Gerber Foundation, to enhance the quality of life of infants and young children in nutrition, care, and development, has remained the guiding beacon for Foundation giving throughout its history. Accordingly, priority is given to projects whose primary beneficiaries are young children from birth to three years of age. The Trustees of The Gerber Foundation expect the Foundation’s grant dollars to make a significant impact on issues facing infants and young children. Through our grant-making efforts, the Trustees are committed to improving the health and well-being of the youngest members of our society. The Foundation maintains three primary focus areas for its grant-making:

• The primary focus, supported by over 70% of grant-making, is applied research focused on health and nutritional issues affecting infants and young children. Research projects aimed at finding solutions to common every-day issues and problems regarding children’s health and nutrition are sought. Of particular interest are those offering a substantial promise of meaningful advances in prevention and treatment of diseases and those with broad applicability to the general population.
• West Michigan grants are focused on youth programs supporting the growth and development of children from 0-18 years of age within 4 counties in West Michigan – Lake, Muskegon, Newaygo, and Oceana Counties. Specific areas of focus within youth programming include early childhood growth and development to assure children are ready for school by age 5; development of parenting skills; STEM education; health and dental care; and several historically supported programs such as 4-H, summer camps, and general support programs.
• College scholarships are provided to students graduating from select high schools in Newaygo, Muskegon, and Oceana Counties. Students must be graduating seniors at the time of application. Scholarships support education beyond high school in traditional colleges or universities as well as trade schools or support for certification exams.

Pediatric Research Focus Areas

The Foundation’s mission focuses on infants and young children. The Foundation is particularly interested in fresh approaches to solving common, everyday problems or emerging issues within our defined focus area. Projects should focus on issues faced by care providers that, when implemented, will improve the health, nutrition and/or developmental outcomes for infants and young children. The board is particularly looking for practical solutions that can be easily and rapidly implemented on a broad scale with a predictable time frame to clinical application.

Major target areas for research include:

• New diagnostic tools that may be more rapid, more specific, more sensitive, less invasive
• New treatment regimens that are improved or novel, less stressful or painful, more targeted, have fewer side effects, provide optimal dosing
• Symptom relief
• Preventative measures
• Assessment of deficiencies or excesses (vitamins, minerals, drugs, etc.)
• Risk assessment tools or measures for environmental hazards, trauma, etc.

Note that the Foundation is looking for projects that will result in ‘new’ information, treatments or tools that will result in a change in practice. The board rarely funds projects that are focused on sharing current information with parents or caregivers (parent or provider educational programs).

Novice Researcher Grant

Applications for Novice grants follow the same process as regular grants and are limited to no more than $30,000 in total (inclusive of indirects). They are identified by the amount requested in the application.

The mission of The Gerber Foundation, to enhance the quality of life of infants and young children in nutrition, care, and development, has remained the guiding beacon for Foundation giving throughout its history.

The Gerber Foundation's Mission

The mission of The Gerber Foundation, to enhance the quality of life of infants and young children in nutrition, care, and development, has remained the guiding beacon for Foundation giving throughout its history. Accordingly, priority is given to projects whose primary beneficiaries are young children from birth to three years of age. The Trustees of The Gerber Foundation expect the Foundation’s grant dollars to make a significant impact on issues facing infants and young children. Through our grant-making efforts, the Trustees are committed to improving the health and well-being of the youngest members of our society. The Foundation maintains three primary focus areas for its grant-making:

• The primary focus, supported by over 70% of grant-making, is applied research focused on health and nutritional issues affecting infants and young children. Research projects aimed at finding solutions to common every-day issues and problems regarding children’s health and nutrition are sought. Of particular interest are those offering a substantial promise of meaningful advances in prevention and treatment of diseases and those with broad applicability to the general population.
• West Michigan grants are focused on youth programs supporting the growth and development of children from 0-18 years of age within 4 counties in West Michigan – Lake, Muskegon, Newaygo, and Oceana Counties. Specific areas of focus within youth programming include early childhood growth and development to assure children are ready for school by age 5; development of parenting skills; STEM education; health and dental care; and several historically supported programs such as 4-H, summer camps, and general support programs.
• College scholarships are provided to students graduating from select high schools in Newaygo, Muskegon, and Oceana Counties. Students must be graduating seniors at the time of application. Scholarships support education beyond high school in traditional colleges or universities as well as trade schools or support for certification exams.

Research Grants: Pediatric Research

Pediatric Research Focus Areas

The Foundation’s mission focuses on infants and young children.

The Foundation is particularly interested in fresh approaches to solving common, everyday problems or emerging issues within our defined focus area. Projects should focus on issues faced by care providers that, when implemented, will improve the health, nutrition and/or developmental outcomes for infants and young children. The board is particularly looking for practical solutions that can be easily and rapidly implemented on a broad scale with a predictable time frame to clinical application.

Major target areas for research include:

• New diagnostic tools that may be more rapid, more specific, more sensitive, less invasive
• New treatment regimens that are improved or novel, less stressful or painful, more targeted, have fewer side effects, provide optimal dosing
• Symptom relief
• Preventative measures
• Assessment of deficiencies or excesses (vitamins, minerals, drugs, etc.)
• Risk assessment tools or measures for environmental hazards, trauma, etc.

Note that the Foundation is looking for projects that will result in ‘new’ information, treatments or tools that will result in a change in practice. The board rarely funds projects that are focused on sharing current information with parents or caregivers (parent or provider educational programs).

Pediatric Nutrition

These programs respond to a long-time interest of the Foundation in assuring adequate nutrition for infants and young children. Projects include applied research that evaluates the provision of specific nutrients and their related outcomes in infants and young children.

Typical projects funded in this area of interest may include projects aimed at:

• Benefits or side effects of supplementation of a specific nutrient
• Effects of deficiencies or excesses of a specific nutrient
• Timing and dosing of supplementation
• Issues related to general growth and feeding

The Pokagon Fund History

The Pokagon Fund has its roots in an agreement made on March 13, 2000 (as amended), between the City of New Buffalo, New Buffalo Township, and the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians. This agreement called for the establishment of a nonprofit entity to receive and distribute a percentage of the net win from certain games at the Four Winds Casino Resort – New Buffalo, which is owned by the Pokagon Band.  

Our Beliefs

The founders of The Pokagon Fund believe that encouraging the development of the communities bordering the Band Trust Land Consolidation sites is a wonderful opportunity to create a better place for all residents to thrive.

The Fund provides strategic grant support to initiatives that help reduce the burden of poverty, strengthen our local schools and student achievement, enhance the success of our residents, and provide vital support to our rural communities.

Focus Areas

Education

The Pokagon Fund’s commitment to education is reflected in the awarding of more than $2.5 million in grants and scholarships to the New Buffalo and River Valley school systems — more than 10% of the $23 million that has been awarded by the fund to date. Consistent with its belief that education is an area of greatest need for residents, one of our key goals is to help our youngest children have a successful educational experience.

Poverty Reduction

Statistics reveal the rates of poverty in Berrien County for both the overall population (17.7%) and for children (26.2%) exceed state and national levels. Approximately one in five local families is food insecure, and over 10% of the households in Berrien County have annual incomes of less than $15,000. The Pokagon Fund has committed to using its resources to provide food to the needy and help reduce the overall poverty rate by supporting community resource and referral services.

Community Vitality

Fostering community vitality involves improving the quality of life, lifting the spirits and increasing the happiness of a community. The Pokagon Fund contributes to large and small projects that enrich and enhance the lives of Harbor Country® residents. These may range from larger, collaborative efforts with our local municipalities to build parks and expand conservation areas to smaller projects that enhance the local capacity.

Pokagon Band Grants

The Pokagon Fund’s Grants for Communities surrounding Band Trust Lands (“Band Grants”) are awarded for projects that directly benefit the following communities or their residents: Hartford, Michigan; Dowagiac, Michigan; or South Bend, Indiana.

Community Grant Fund

Grant decisions will be made by our employee Community Grant Councils (CGC) based in each of the regions in which MGM Resorts International operates domestically. Each CGC meets and evaluates grant proposals from nonprofit agencies in its respective region to determine how the community grant funds will be allocated.

Funding Areas

The Program will give priority to funding for agencies/projects/programs that provide services in the following focus areas:

• Affordable Housing
• Economic Opportunity/ Workforce Development
• Education K-12
• Family Services
• Food Insecurity
• Health and Wellness
• Homelessness
• Services for Seniors
• Services for Veterans and Military Families

MGM Resorts Foundation grants are for a one-year period and do not automatically renew.

Albion Community Foundation 

Mission

The Albion Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community foundation. Our mission is to strengthen the greater Albion area by cultivating community assets to enhance our quality of life. Over the years, our mission has evolved to include three central tenets: community improvement, cultural heritage, and youth development. To advance these priorities, we maintain an endowment comprised of over 60 funds that distribute grants with the purpose of serving specific needs in the community. Since our founding, we have granted over $3.7 million to charitable causes in our community, not including the $3.7 million restoration of the Historic Bohm Theatre.

James C. Kingsley Youth Fund

The purpose of the fund is to celebrate the life of James C. Kingsley, husband, father, grandfather, friend, and the longest serving judge on the Calhoun County, Michigan Circuit Court bench. As a result of Jim’s lifelong commitment to justice and community service, and his love of Albion, this fund is established to meet local youth needs and encourage youth development in the community of Albion and its surrounds.

About

The Michigan Health Endowment Fund is a philanthropic foundation that works to improve the health and wellness of Michigan residents while reducing healthcare costs.

The Health Fund supports organizations across Michigan, from grassroots groups addressing local health challenges to large agencies working in every county. From the urban streetscapes of downtown Detroit all the way to the rural corners of the Upper Peninsula, our partners are doing innovative, evidence-based work to improve the health and wellness of Michigan residents.

Behavioral Health RFP

The Health Fund’s Behavioral Health Initiative aims to improve access to high-quality mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) care for Michigan residents with an emphasis on children and older adults. As the initiative works to improve access to care, we endeavor to bridge health equity gaps, advance integrated care, increase cost-effectiveness, and strengthen the behavioral health workforce.

Funding

You may apply for a one- or two-year grant. The Behavioral Health Initiative anticipates making grants ranging from $50,000 to $500,000. We welcome proposals toward the smaller end of that range.

Priorities

The Behavioral Health Initiative is interested in funding new projects that address:

• Implementation of innovative care delivery models
• Multi-sector responses aimed at developing and strengthening collaboration to support efficient entry to care
• Use of innovative technology to improve access to care and/or quality of care
• Implementation of team-based approaches to care, including integration at the point of care, sharing health information among providers, and increased provider consultation
• Projects that focus on behavioral health improvements for foster and adopted children

Troy Community Foundation Grant

The Troy Community Foundation (TCF) seeks to empower the residents of Troy, MI through community development and citizen-driven ideas to drive positive change. To develop a community means developing those within it, and TCF realizes that a community is only as strong as its residents. We believe the most effective way to improve overall quality of resident life is through enhancing community, opportunities, and resources. In doing so, a virtuous cycle of continual community improvement is created. 

Our focus resides on 4 key areas:

• Arts & Culture: The manifestation of the creativity and experiences of Troy residents. Troy’s unique music, poetry, art, as well as resident ideals, intellectualism, and backgrounds all echo the internal makeup of the City, and play a role in our unique culture.
• Health & Recreation: Maintaining an active lifestyle remains a vital part of the longevity and overall happiness of a community. The ongoing commitment of residents to healthy lifestyles is directly affected by a community’s engagement in resident wellness and the resources they provide to enable it.
• Youth & Seniors: An investment in the future generation of residents who will continue to sculpt Troy’s culture, community and daily life. Their education, resources, and experiences are investments – both in individuals and in the future of the City. Providing a comfortable lifestyle for seniors, as well as shaping the City to support this lifestyle, will only further encourage people to make a long-lasting home in the city of Troy.
• Beautification: A city is much greater than solely the sum of its parts, and the aesthetic environment of any area reflects the culture and the residents who live there. Investing in the external beauty of the city draws new companies and citizens, creates a lively and pleasant environment, and mirrors the internal beauty of the people of the City of Troy.

We believe these areas form the core of any community, and that by devoting resources to these areas, we can aid in making Troy a flourishing and exceptional city for all those who live in it. 

Funding

Generally, $250-$2000, though each grant application is reviewed on its own merit.

At Ally, our purpose is to advance economic mobility and reduce inequities through innovative philanthropy and programing that inspires social change, with a focus on:

• Affordable Housing
  • To impact affordable housing, we make grants to nonprofit organizations that focus on expanding access to quality affordable housing and enabling pathways toward permanent housing solutions.
• Financial Education
  • To impact financial education, we make grants to nonprofit organizations that focus on providing underserved communities with the tools and resources that address key financial concepts to help end disparities and advance economic mobility.
• Workforce Development
  • To impact workforce development, we make grants to nonprofit organizations that focus on providing individuals with access to college and career pathways that will help advance economic mobility in underserved communities.

Our philanthropic giving strategy is aligned to these focus areas to increase impact through purposeful collaboration and community engagement.

Kantzler Foundation Grant

About

The Kantzler Foundation is the largest private charitable foundation in Bay County, Michigan. Since its inception in 1975, its governing board has distributed over $9 million in grants to support worthwhile programs and projects in the Greater Bay Area. Nearly every area resident has been touched by the beneficial investments this foundation has made in our community. The work of the foundation has been a testament to the enormous impact that one generous individual can have on a community long after his death.

Mission Statement

The Kantzler Foundation provides financial support for charitable projects and programs that directly benefit the residents of Bay County, Michigan, in areas such as:

• Education
• Science
• Arts
• Culture
• Human Services
• Conservation
• Beautification
• Recreation

While the Foundation has supported requests for equipment, programming, planning, scholarships, and specific operating expenses on a case by case basis, the primary focus has been directed toward the development or acquisition of tangible community assets, attractions and facilities.

The Foundation seeks opportunities to support projects which benefit large population segments and contribute to a master plan for a safe, healthy, and vibrant community. Kantzler Foundation resources are used to encourage and reward coordination and collaboration between and among organizations.

 AmeriHealth Caritas Foundation Grant

Mission and Focus Areas

The AmeriHealth Caritas Foundation is dedicated to preventing and mitigating adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), which will help drive positive outcomes for children's health and help set a stronger foundation for a lifetime of wellness. In addition to preventing and mitigating ACEs, it promotes protective and compensatory childhood experiences (sometimes referred to as “PACEs”), which can counteract the effects of ACEs.

Grants are made based on three pillars:

• Empowered families - Work to ensure that families have the resources they need to thrive through:
  • Skills development
  • Safe communities
  • Stable housing
  • Connection to vital resources
• Healing behaviors - Work to ensure that families can meet challenges and improve well-being by addressing:
  • Mental health
  • Substance use
  • Physical abuse and violence
  • Emotional abuse
• Access to health care - Work to ensure that families receive equitable, high-quality services, including:
  • Better access to care
  • Culturally-appropriate services
  • Maternal health

Learn more about these pillars and the Foundation's commitment to addressing aces.

To promote these pillars, the Foundation prioritizes nonprofit organizations that work to end ACEs by supporting families and children and equipping them for an emotionally healthy future.

Get more information about the types of projects the foundation funds.

Funding

The Foundation expects to make one-year project-specific grants totaling up to $1.945 million, with awards ranging from $100,000 to $250,000.

Community Impact Guidelines

About Funds Available

A portion of funds awarded during the Community Impact grant cycle is set aside specifically for programs addressing health for youth under the age of 18 and senior citizens, as well as broad reaching, community wide health-related programming.

About Allocation Decisions

All charitable projects are eligible for funding, and nonprofits are encouraged to apply for funding. In 2019, the NCMCF Board of Directors identified several grantmaking priorities. Preference may be given to projects aligning with these priorities:

• Health/Human Services
  • health/wellness,
  • human trafficking prevention,
  • mental health care,
  • senior programs,
  • substance abuse help, and
  • suicide awareness
• Education
  • workforce development,
  • skilled trades,
  • financial education,
  • early literacy
• Community Improvement
  • trails and bike paths,
  • community spaces, and
  • quality child care
• Environment
  • clean drinking water
  • invasive species control, and
  • recycling initiative;
• Youth Arts Programming and Education

The Wege Foundation’s main focus is Western Michigan, mainly in Grand Rapids. Peter M. Wege, founder of the family foundation, feels strongly about keeping the mission local because it honors the wishes of his father Peter Martin Wege, who created the Foundation’s resources. Peter Martin Wege founded Metal Office Furniture, today’s Steelcase, in 1912.

Program Areas We Fund

The Wege Foundation’s Grants Policy, as amended on April 23, 2020, established four “pillars” and established target grantmaking allocations for each of these topics of interest:

• Arts & Culture (20%)
• Environment (35%)
• Education (25%)
• Community Health & Wellbeing (20%)

In addition, The Wege Foundation has long embraced certain cross-cutting themes applicable to all four pillars, such as requiring LEED certification for capital grants and a commitment to helping the under-resourced and marginalized. The Foundation has clarified these cross-cutting themes and developed results-oriented goals for each of the pillars to focus its grant making, provide better guidance to potential applicants and enhance evaluation.

As with the grantmaking allocations among the pillars, these themes and goals are intended as “targets” to guide the Grants Committee and staff in recruiting and reviewing grant applications. The Foundation will continue to be flexible and strategically opportunistic in funding initiatives that forward Mr. Wege’s goal that Grand Rapids become “the best medium-sized city in the United States ” and that export effective programs from Grand Rapids to other communities.

Our Mission

We created the Walters Family Foundation to build a legacy of family stewardship. Our family believes in the relationship between our communities and our natural environment and we are committed to supporting projects that encourage and preserve their mutual, lasting vitality.

The Walters Family Foundation seeks to strengthen Michigan communities through:

• Conserving our natural environment
• Celebrating arts and culture
• Advancing economic vitality
• Empowering people to reach their full potential through innovative learning initiatives

Walters Family Foundation Fund

Funding Priorities

• Natural Environment: Investing in projects that improve the vitality of Michigan’s lakes, rivers and waterways, as well as regional and community efforts to preserve our shared water resources.
  • Priorities:
    • Protecting and restoring Michigan’s watersheds, wetlands and shorelines.
    • Preserving and restoring Michigan’s rivers and streams.
    • Developing green stormwater infrastructure.
• Learning Initiatives: Expanding and enriching learning opportunities for underserved children and youth that prepares them for academic achievement and career success.
  • Priorities:
    • Broadening access and improving opportunities for high-quality infant, early care and learning.
    • Creating and supporting innovative programs for students to learn more effectively and boost their overall achievement.
    • Supporting creative pathways to college and career success.
• Economic Vitality: Building economically vibrant communities by funding innovative initiatives that foster entrepreneurship, advance projects of publicprivate partnerships and enable underserved young adults to advance from lower-skilled jobs or unemployment. 
  • Priorities:
    • Developing sustainable, market-driven models that build opportunities and networks for aspiring entrepreneurs.
    • Advancing workforce development efforts that position underserved young adults ages 18-35 to successfully find midlevel skilled jobs.
    • Initiating or completing challenging projects through creative public-private alliances
• Arts and Culture: Broadening access to arts and cultural initiatives for underserved children, youth and families that stimulates and inspires overall achievement and life success.
  • Priorities:
    • Generating greater student and parent engagement in the arts to boost achievement.
    • Developing critical life skills and/or improving academic performance through innovative arts programming within institutions, organizations and neighborhoods.
    • Supporting collaborations between arts and cultural institutions that deepen learning.

Funding

A minimum grant request of $25,000

ABOUT ROOTED IN JUSTICE

“Rooted in Justice” is a funding program designed to help amplify youth voices and actions in the environmental and food justice movements.  Rooted in Justice supports community-based organizations and groups that manage established, youth-led, urban greening programs within a justice framework as a core part of their work, with two-year grants of $25,000/year.  

Rooted in Justice recognizes the importance and undeniable right of every young person to have the ability to develop their own relationship with the environment, be it through growing food, spending time with nature, creating community green spaces, or becoming environmental stewards. Rooted in Justice also honors the power and possibilities that arise when young people collectively work to be change-makers in their communities.

Rooted in Justice supports organizations, groups, collectives, and programs that work with young people between the ages of 12 to 20 in youth-led programming for communities or cultures which have historically or currently experience:

• A lack of access to land or nature;
• Agricultural oppression and/or neglect;
• Food apartheid; and/or
• Other forms of injustice based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics and disability.

Rooted in Justice awards a small number of grants each year with applications due in the fall and decisions made the following spring. Final grant decisions are recommended to the Cedar Tree board via a participatory grantmaking process with outside reviewers who have experience in youth-led urban greening, as well as food or climate justice programming. So far the program has awarded multi-year grants to 21 organizations and one-time grants to 10 additional organizations since 2021. 

Definitions

Rooted in Justice grants support organizations or programs that include all four of the elements described below: social justice, youth-led, urban greening, and cohort-based youth work. We articulate our understanding of those terms below in an effort to provide a guide for prospective organizations to use in determining whether their program is a good fit. However as we continue our work towards questioning and dismantling some of our preconceived notions, we recognize that these are not finite definitions and encourage prospective applicants who still feel their work may be a good fit to describe in their proposals why this is the case.  

Social Justice-Based Programs

Programs dedicated to creating equitable outcomes for communities directly affected by different aspects of injustice by:

• Sharing and redistributing power and resources;
• Amplifying voices and leadership;
• Tackling root problems through ongoing engagement and collaboration to find solutions, organize against oppression of all kinds and create mechanisms for change; and
• Developing a critical analysis with youth and community members.

Youth-Led

The development of youth leadership skills is a core part of programs funded by Rooted in Justice. Young people have the opportunity to play a role in the planning and decision-making for their program and may help shape the internal workings of the organization. Examples of youth-led programs include programs where participants: 

• Managing a portion of their programming budget;
• Co-facilitating program activities, meetings and gatherings;
• Shape their own programming and/or organizational strategic planning;
• Have regular and end-of-program opportunities to provide program feedback and evaluation; and
• Have opportunities for personal and/or professional growth within the program and organization.

Urban Greening

For the purpose of this grant we define “urban greening” as any activity that creates a mutually beneficial relationship between city dwellers and their environments. Programs that are a strong fit for Rooted in Justice will have many opportunities for youth to be outdoors.  Project settings can include, but are not limited to: 

• Urban and aquaponic farms
• Greenhouses and rooftop gardens
• Community gardens, green spaces, and rain gardens
• Composting sites
• Land conservation efforts
• Urban forests
• River or other water restoration  

Cohort-Based Youth Works

Rooted in Justice looks to fund organizations that build community with cohorts of youth through intentional, recurring programming. This grant is intended to support programs that offer youth significant learning and leadership opportunities as a group and as individuals. Priority will be given to organizations that have program infrastructure that supports a cohort of youth over time.  Drop-in programming, one-time conferences, or individual internships are not a good fit for Rooted in Justice.  

Youth Budgeting

As part of grant proposal, all Rooted in Justice grantees must share a plan to allocate a portion of the grant funds for youth participants to manage. What do we mean by this? We ask applicants to specifically set aside some amount of grant funds for youth to allocate to priorities of their choosing.  For example, youth participants can use their allocated funding to:

• Fund an entrepreneurial endeavor;
• Design the brand or swag for their group;
• Hire a speaker or outside expert to teach a new skill;
• Purchase supplies for a community-based art project;
• Host a celebration for their families, friends and neighbors;
• Pay for transportation to programming, special events, or conferences; and/or
• Any other youth-led activity the group may find beneficial.

Use of Funds

Rooted in Justice funding must be used for project support of existing youth led, urban greening, social justice work and associated general operating expenses. Operating expenses can include anything from program costs like staff salaries and youth stipends to organizational sustainability needs like major equipment purchases and leadership/staff training. If your organization’s entire mission is youth led, urban greening, social justice work, the Rooted in Justice grant can be general support. 

Funding

Two Year Grant

• Rooted in Justice Grant awards are two-year grants of $25,000 per year.
• After the initial two year grant, grantees may be eligible for a third year of funding at the same or lower level through a simple renewal process.
• In the 2025-2026 grant cycle, the Cedar Tree Foundation expects to support 4 organizations with multi-year grant awards.

Funding for Professional Development

• Each Rooted in Justice grantee organization also has access to an additional $6,000 to support professional development opportunities identified by each organization.  Half of these funds must be used to directly support the professional development of youth. 
• Rooted in Justice grantees can request reimbursement from this professional development fund to attend conferences, hire consultants, purchase equipment or software that increases organizational capacity, or participate in any activities that strengthen youth programming or justice practice of program providers in support of their youth development programming. The funds set aside for youth professional development can be used for youth exchanges or youth participation in conferences and other professional development opportunities directly for youth.  

Community Professional Development Calls

• Cedar Tree works with grantee partners to assess their professional development interests and facilitates on-line gatherings of staff or youth for skill shares, trainings, and networking opportunities.
• These network calls will likely happen 2-3 times per year. 

Greater Toledo Community Foundation, is a public charitable organization created by citizens of our community to enrich the quality of life for individuals and families in our service area. The Foundation serves northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan with a particular emphasis on the greater Toledo area. The mission of The Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, Ohio is to live the Gospel in joyful servanthood among the people and as messengers of peace to commit themselves to works that reverence human dignity, embrace the poor and marginalized and respect the gift of all creation. Greater Toledo Community Foundation and the Sisters of St. Francis Foundation have partnered to support programming through the Sisters of St. Francis Foundation Donor Advised Fund (“Sisters of St. Francis Fund”).

Focus Areas

Consistent with their mission statement, grants from the Sisters of St. Francis Fund support a variety of organizations and programs which are working in one or more of the following areas:

• aiding in the fight against human trafficking and/or offering support to its victims;
• offering support to immigrants and refugees; and
• Advancing social justice and equal access to opportunity through other programs and strategies;
• Supporting efforts that advance, Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’ call to care for planet earth, our common home, by addressing climate change, pollution, or promoting sustainable lifestyles, offering ecological education and spirituality or community engagement and participatory actions.

• Human Trafficking –
  • funding will be awarded to support survivor-informed activities including, but not limited to, comprehensive service delivery; economic opportunity and asset-building programs; physical and mental health supports; education initiatives and/or other kinds of anti-trafficking efforts that reach for systemic solutions and promote the respect and dignity of all. 
• Immigrants & Refugees
  • funding will be awarded in a variety of areas including, but not limited to, citizenship and naturalization efforts; economic opportunity and asset-building programs; physical and mental health supports; diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives; civic participation activities; education and workforce development initiatives; workers’ rights and civil legal aid activities and/or other kinds of efforts that promote the well-being of immigrants and refugees. 
• Social Justice & Equal Opportunity
  • funding will be awarded in a variety of areas including, but not limited to, activities that promote equal access to housing, employment, education and health care; equitable and sustainable neighborhood development; civil and/or environmental justice work; and/or other approaches that promise to uplift the ability of marginalized or underserved communities to define their own futures and access opportunity. 
• Laudato Si’—
  • funding will be awarded in areas that address Pope Francis’ call to care for our common home.
  • These include the following areas
    • Cry of the Earth (climate change, pollution, forests, wetlands, species);
    • Sustainable Lifestyles (personal and community purchasing and lifestyle choices); Ecological Education (how nature functions and is connected, promotion of sustainability);
    • Ecological Spirituality (spiritual connection between humans and God’s creation) and
    • Community Engagement and Participatory Action (collaborative engagement between and among agencies with the Sisters of St. Francis).

The Sisters of St. Francis Fund envisions communities in which all members have equal opportunity to thrive. Grants are provided primarily for programming but, in limited cases, may support general operations or capital projects. The Sisters of St. Francis Fund anticipates making multiple awards ranging from $5,000 to $50,000. Grants are typically awarded for a one-year project period. Funds are limited and will be awarded on a competitive basis.  

Honda Corporate Funding

Honda’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) vision is to help people fulfill their life’s potential. We do this by supporting the communities where we live and work through financial contributions and the volunteer efforts of Honda associates.

Honda offers funding opportunities for programmatic support and community event sponsorships.

Programmatic Support

Honda and the Honda USA Foundation provide funding to nonprofit organizations and schools to support programs that align with our pillar award categories.

Year-over-year certain pillar award categories may not always be open for funding, are subject to change, and in some cases, Honda may extend invitation-only opportunities to select community partners.

Education Pillar Award:

As Honda strives to cultivate a future-ready workforce, we are seeking to support hands-on programs that provide manufacturing industry-relevant workforce pipeline initiatives focused on design, software/data analytics and artificial intelligence/machine learning/automation.

Our overarching goal is to inspire the next generation, fostering a resilient and innovative workforce that will drive our future success and contribute to economic prosperity within our communities where we live and work.

Only programs that strengthen the manufacturing workforce pipeline by preparing individuals for current operations and future innovations will be considered.

Honda Corporate Funding

Honda’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) vision is to help people fulfill their life’s potential. We do this by supporting the communities where we live and work through financial contributions and the volunteer efforts of Honda associates.

Honda offers funding opportunities for programmatic support and community event sponsorships.

Programmatic Support

Honda and the Honda USA Foundation provide funding to nonprofit organizations and schools to support programs that align with our pillar award categories.

Year-over-year certain pillar award categories may not always be open for funding, are subject to change, and in some cases, Honda may extend invitation-only opportunities to select community partners.

Environment Pillar Award:

Honda is working to reduce our environmental impact, which is central to our sustainability vision. Our approach focuses on three key areas: decarbonizing our products and operations, using clean energy, and using natural resources efficiently. Through education, awareness, and infrastructure programs, we are seeking to support programs within our communities that share our mission to protect the health of our planet.