Best Grants for Preschools

At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues.

Spencer Weersing Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of Sally Weersing and family, who established the Spencer Weersing Memorial Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. Spencer Weersing was a respected dentist and citizen of Montague, an avid sailor, a world traveler, and beloved friend of the entire community. He was an inspiration to everyone whose life he touched. With memorials received in his memory, Dr. Weersing's family has established this scholarship to memorialize his devotion to life and to pass on his exemplary community spirit. The Spencer Weersing Memorial Scholarship will help Muskegon County high school graduates attend the University of Michigan, beginning a legacy in Dr. Weersing's name to grow in the hearts and minds of the youth of the community he so loved and supported.

Community Foundation for Muskegon County

At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues.

The mission of the Community Foundation is to engage donors and connect them with opportunities to make a lasting impact, build community endowment, provide leadership on key issues, and make grants that reflect the communities we serve.

Scholarships

Our scholarship funds seek to empower and encourage Muskegon County residents to pursue their dreams, hone in their gifts, and give back to our community.

If you’re a high school or homeschooled senior, current college student, early college senior, or adult learner, the Community Foundation for Muskegon County may have a scholarship for you. We manage one of the largest scholarship programs in our area, with over $1 million committed to students in over 500 new and renewed scholarships awarded each year.

John and Ruth Schrier Hope College Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of Rosaline M. Smith, who established the Darrell H. and Rosaline M. Smith Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. Rosaline a former Treasurer for the City of Muskegon, and Darrell Smith, a longtime employee of the Muskegon Post Office, who cared deeply for each other and shared more than 50 years of marriage. Music was something they loved and had very much in common. The Darrell H. and Rosaline M. Smith scholarship was created to honor Darrell, who is no longer with us, and to provide a helping hand to graduating seniors of any Muskegon County high school who have demonstrated academic achievement and will pursue a music degree.

Community Foundation for Muskegon County

At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues.

The mission of the Community Foundation is to engage donors and connect them with opportunities to make a lasting impact, build community endowment, provide leadership on key issues, and make grants that reflect the communities we serve.

Scholarships

Our scholarship funds seek to empower and encourage Muskegon County residents to pursue their dreams, hone in their gifts, and give back to our community.

If you’re a high school or homeschooled senior, current college student, early college senior, or adult learner, the Community Foundation for Muskegon County may have a scholarship for you. We manage one of the largest scholarship programs in our area, with over $1 million committed to students in over 500 new and renewed scholarships awarded each year.

JJohn E. and Bernice L. Sydnor Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of Bernice Sydnor, who established the John E. and Bernice L. Sydnor Memorial Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. John E. Sydnor made community and education his lifetime passions. He served a long list of civic organizations, including the Community Foundation as a Trustee and supporter. His 38-year career as an educator has left a permanent mark of excellence on his community. The Foundation was one organization to which John chose to leave a contribution. The John E. Sydnor Memorial will present scholarships to African-American students graduating from Muskegon County high schools and attending an accredited college, university or technical/trade school. The youth and educators of John Sydnor's community will feel his strength forever, as this gift to Muskegon keeps John Sydnor's passion for education alive.

At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues.

Sidney and Ann DeBoer Geriatric Nursing Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of Andrew, John and Samuel T. DeBoer, who established the Sidney and Ann DeBoer Geriatric Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. Sidney and Ann DeBoer began their involvement in the care of Muskegon's elderly in 1956 when they began the DeBoer Nursing Home. Both retired in the mid 1970s, and Sidney DeBoer died in 1987. Over the years, they have given financial support to a number of nursing students at Muskegon Community College. The Sidney and Ann DeBoer Geriatric Nursing Scholarship was established in 1994 by Andrew, John, and Samuel DeBoer, sons of Sidney and Ann DeBoer, in honor of their mother's 80th birthday. The scholarship will continue the DeBoers' tradition, started long ago, of supporting the educational pursuits of Muskegon County nursing students at Muskegon Community College.

At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues.

Sidney and Adelaide Slater Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of Sidney and Adelaide Slater, who established the Sidney and Adelaide Slater Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. Although we were never privileged to know them, Sidney and Adelaide Slater were well aware of the Community Foundation and its ability to carry out their charitable objectives. Their will established an annuity trust for a sole beneficiary and stated that, upon the death of that beneficiary, the remainder of the estate should go to the Community Foundation to establish the Sidney and Adelaide Slater Education. This scholarship will be used to help Muskegon County's needy and deserving students attend college, ensuring that the ideals that were important to the Slaters will endure for many years to come.

At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues.

Sherman R. Poppen Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of Sherman R. Poppen, who established the Sherman R. Poppen Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. Nancy Poppen was an artist who wanted children to explore and develop their talents in the fine arts. Prior to her death, in 1993, she established a fund in her name to provide "individualized arts opportunities" for Muskegon Public Schools students in grades three through 12. Her husband, Sherman Poppen, has watched the talents of over one hundred students develop over these last few years. Feeling the need to continue to support their talents, he established the Sherman R. Poppen Scholarship Fund to provide scholarships for Muskegon High School graduates who have participated in programs funded through the Nancy K. Poppen Fund. Now these students, pursuing arts studies at accredited colleges and universities or under the tutelage of master artists, can be assured of continued support and backing.

Navigant Credit Union 

Navigant Credit Union is the longest-operating, member-owned credit union in Rhode Island. Since its founding in 1915, Navigant Credit Union has been dedicated to providing its members with unparalleled financial products and services, while working every day to stay committed to the financial well-being of the families, businesses and communities we serve. 

Navigant Credit Union Charitable Foundation Grant

For over a century, Navigant Credit Union has been committed to making a meaningful difference in the community. In 2017, we established the Navigant Credit Union Charitable Foundation to further amplify our impact in five strategic areas:

• Education & Financial Literacy: Organizational and capital support for programs, supplies, building products, sports facilities and teams.
• Social Services: Financial support for programs and organizations for children, veterans, hunger and housing.
• Public Health, Safety & Well-Being: Support for programs addressing public safety, emergency care and eradication of disease.

At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues.

Shantz Kaydon Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of Richard and Dolores Shantz, who established the Shantz Kaydon Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. Richard Shantz, President and CEO of Muskegon's Kaydon Corporation for many years, felt strongly about college and the value of an education. In the tradition of giving back to the community and the company that was good to him, Dick Shantz and his wife, Dolores, established the Shantz Kaydon Scholarship to benefit the children and step-children of employees of Kaydon Corporation in its Muskegon locations. This scholarship award of $12,000 over four years will help to ensure that a quality education is received by children of Kaydon Corporation employees far into the future.

At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues.

Sailor Classic Athletic Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of Don Trygstad, who established the Sailor Classic Athletic Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. Two men, with a commitment to Mona Shores and to athletes who learn and play on their athletic fields, started the Sailor Classic over a decade ago to raise money for items needed, that fall outside the Athletic Department's budget. In addition, the Classic gives the community an opportunity to celebrate all that the school does for kids. Most importantly, the Sailor Classic provides an annual scholarship to one male and one female student-athlete who are outstanding on the field, in the classroom, and in need of financial support.

At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues.

Rocket Scholars Foundation Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of the parents and alumni of Reeths Puffer Schools, who established the Rocket Scholars Foundation Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. The Rocket Scholars Foundation was created by parents and alumni with two purposes in mind:

• To continue to foster within the school system a culture of rigorous academic achievement for all students and
• To offer those students who have demonstrated high achievement, scholarships to help defray the increasingly expensive tuition costs at colleges, universities and accredited post-secondary vocational and technical schools.

At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues.

Robert A. and Clara C. Harrell Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of Robert A. and Clara C. Harrell, who established the Robert A. and Clara C. Harrell Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. Clara is from Muskegon and her husband Bob is from East Detroit. Clara went to Muskegon Community College where she earned her Nursing degree. The Harrell's believe that education is vital and is the gateway to students becoming what they dream they can be. This scholarship is for graduating seniors of any Muskegon County High School.

At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues.

Rich McCarthy Oakridge Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of Nancy McCarthy, who established the Rich McCarthy Oakridge Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. Rich McCarthy knew what matters most in life. His philosophy was: "One hundred years from now, it will not matter what kind of car I drove or what kind of clothes I wore. All that will matter is that I made a difference in the life of a child." His family members, who have established the Rich McCarthy Oakridge Scholarship in his memory, say he far surpassed his goal affecting the lives of scores of young people. The teaching veteran and coach had a rich career at Oakridge as well as several other area schools. Although he struggled with severe health problems for many years he is remembered by wife Nancy as "always smiling; his greatest joy was making people laugh." The scholarship will benefit students of Oakridge Schools.

At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues.

Richard and Betty Cawein Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of Dick and Betty Cawein, who established the Richard and Betty Cawein Scholarship Fund of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. In nearly 48 years of marriage, Dick and Betty Cawein had 28 different addresses but they found their way back to the place they really loved, their hometown of Muskegon. After a career in the Navy, Dick was a shop teacher at Mona Shores. Betty was involved with St. Jean?s Church and the Muskegon Garden Club, but they both felt very strongly about education. Dick passed away in 1993 and Betty in 2015, but their love for Muskegon and their passion for education lives on in the Richard and Betty Cawein Scholarship Fund, created with a bequest from Betty?s trust. It will help support students pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree who are doing two years at MCC and then going on to one of Michigan's public colleges/universities or Notre Dame or Duke.

At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues.

Reverend Moses J. Jones Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of Reverend Moses J. Jones, who established the Reverend Moses J. Jones Endowment Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. Born in 1898, Reverend Moses J. Jones was one of Muskegon's most beloved ministers. The Pastor of John Wesley A.M.E. Zion Church of Muskegon for 36 years, he founded the Urban League of Muskegon and received numerous honors including the Ambassador of Goodwill Award. Reverend Jones committed his life to building racial harmony in Muskegon. He helped establish this Scholarship in 1982 to make awards to deserving youths based on their contributions to their community, school, and church. Through this, Reverend Moses J. Jones continues to support the values of community awareness and harmony by granting the lasting gift of education to Muskegon-area youth. Reverend Jones died in 1989. His legacy lives on through this fund.

At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues.

Raymond and Teresa Cioe Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of Raymond and Teresa Cioe, who established the Raymond and Teresa Cioe Scholarship Fund of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. Ray and his sisters, Teresa and Angela, lived together and were known as frugal, saving every cent they could. Angela passed away many years ago, Teresa worked for Muskegon Federal Savings and Loan and Ray worked for years at Continental Motors. 'Though never married, the Cioes loved children and had a life-long vision of helping students who chose to receive a faith-based education. Ray left Continental Motors to pursue a degree that would allow him to teach. In 1954, he began teaching at Catholic Central, also serving as the School's business manager, business teacher, athletic director, football, basketball and golf coach. Recognizing Ray's dedicated service to Catholic Central athletics, in 1993 he received the Muskegon Area Sports Hall of Fame Distinguished Service Award. At Teresa's death, the Cioe's estate plan directed that a portion go to the Community Foundation to establish the Raymond and Teresa Cioe Fund which will present scholarships to Muskegon Area students who wish to attend independent colleges such as Notre Dame, Aquinas or Albion.

At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues.

Ravenna Community Educational Foundation Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of many people in the Ravenna Community, who established the Ravenna Community Educational Foundation Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. Dolores E. (Dee) Swanson gave the initial gift to start this back in December 2006. At that time it was a Build A Fund, but a gift from Rudolph and Ruth Lonnee put it over the top late in 2007. The Ravenna Community Educational Foundation intends to use it to enhance the quality of education through educational opportunities by generating and distributing financial and other resources for the benefit of the students and staff of the Ravenna Community Schools.

At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues.

Nan Riekse Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of Nan Riekse, who established the Nan Riekse Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. Nan Riekse has a lofty dream; it is her desire to inspire. By establishing the Nan Riekse Scholarship and the Nan Riekse Donor Advised Funds, she has taken an important step toward realizing her dream. Her Scholarship will support non-traditional students attending Muskegon Community College who have financial need. Her scholarships will target adult women who may be attending school after raising their children or perhaps rebuilding their lives following a divorce. The Donor Advised Fund will be used to benefit local churches and a senior care center. Nan is an outstanding example of the "Power of One".

At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues.

Peter J. & Barbara J. Kutches Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of the Barbara Kutches, who established the Peter J. and Barbara J. Kutches Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. Pete and Barbara Kutches are well known figures in the Muskegon area, even though they both grew up in Escanaba. Pete was a coach in the area stretching over 4 decades at Muskegon High School, Muskegon Catholic Central, and finally Reeths-Puffer before retiring in the late 1990's. He was best known as a football coaching winning state championships as a head coach at MCC and R-P, the only coach in the state of Michigan to do so. Barbara was a nurse for several years at Mercy Hospital, serving as a time as the director of nursing. They shared 62 years of marriage, 5 children, 15 grandchildren, and soon-to-be 15 greatgrandchildren. Pete was the 10th of 13 kids in his family and the only one to go on to get a college degree because of a scholarship he was awarded. Because of this, Pete and Barbara both felt stongly that they wanted to provide that opportuntity to area youth, specifically in the areas which they felt rewarded by in their careers - education and nursing. 

Healthy Living in Rural Delaware: Diabetes Wellness Program

Overview

The State of Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Public Health, seeks professional services to provide up to 500 rural Delaware residents with diabetes will receive continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices, when not otherwise covered by insurance, to support real-time monitoring and timely adjustments in health behaviors and medication use.

Rural Community Health Hubs

Overview

The State of Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Public Health, seeks professional services to address identified disparities by establishing a coordinated network of mobile health units (Component A) and brick and mortar health hubs (Component B), integrated with community-based healthcare systems, that deliver comprehensive, evidence-based healthcare services directly to underserved rural communities.

Treatment Alternative Program

Overview

The Division of Care and Treatment Services is seeking applications for funding to implement a Treatment Alternative Program for people in the criminal justice system with substance use concerns. This program is designed to enhance community safety by providing focused treatment interventions for participants as a voluntary alternative to conviction while fostering recovery and accountability. It targets the underlying causes or unmet needs that lead to criminal justice system involvement.

Program requirements

A Treatment Alternative Program must follow all the standards in Wis. Admin. Code ch. DHS 66. The standards include identifying and providing resources for people in the criminal justice system eligible for services under Wis. Admin. Code § DHS 66.06 that meet the individual's needs specific to their offense and risk level while minimizing risk of re-arrest.

A majority of granted funding (at least 75%) must be used to provide treatment services as outlined in Wis. Stat. § 46.65.

Drug Checking Technologies Program

The Division of Care and Treatment Services invites agencies currently participating in the DHS Naloxone Direct Program to apply to receive drug checking technologies at no cost for community distribution. The drug checking technologies available through this program include fentanyl test strips, fentanyl test strip kits, xylazine test strips, and xylazine test strip kits. 

Background

Drug checking technologies are an evidence-based method to prevent overdose deaths by educating people about the substances they are using.

Program overview

This DHS Drug Checking Technologies Program will provide:

• Test strips packaged in boxes of 100.
• Test strip kits individually packaged in a plastic zip bag with three fentanyl test strips or xylazine test strips, three mixing cups, three sterile waters, and three 10 mg scoops. 

EMS Leave Behind Program: Fentanyl and Xylazine Test Strip Kits

The Division of Care and Treatment Services is providing fentanyl and xylazine test strip kits kits to Wisconsin EMS agencies operating leave behind programs.

Program overview

Drug checking technologies like fentanyl and xylazine test strip kits are an evidence-based method to prevent drug overdose deaths by educating people about the substances they are using.

Leave behind programs allow EMS professionals to share (“leave behind”) overdose prevention tools and resources with patients and/or their social networks (family, friends, roommates, etc.) at the scene of care or after a hospital transport. Leave behind programs also offer opportunities to provide connections to local treatment providers and overdose prevention organizations. This model presents an opportunity to provide the supplies and support people who use substances need to prevent and reduce health and safety complications.

EMS agencies interested in distributing fentanyl and/or xylazine test strip kits to community members as part of a leave behind program are invited to complete the application form linked in the "solicitation links" section to be considered for this DHS EMS Leave Behind Program.

Applicants accepted into this DHS EMS Leave Behind Program will receive test strip kits at no cost.

FFY 2027 FoodShare Outreach Partner Solicitation

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) relies on its partnerships with state and local agencies, advocates, employers, and community- and faith-based organizations to help conduct outreach to low-income people who are not currently enrolled in FoodShare but may be eligible for the program. Under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Outreach Program, administrative costs for FoodShare outreach may be eligible for reimbursement at a rate of 25% of the expenditures. Partners are encouraged to submit outreach project proposals to DHS each year for reimbursement consideration under the SNAP Outreach Program.

Nevada's RHT Funding Opportunities

The Nevada Health Authority (NVHA) is currently seeking applicants for initiatives funded through the Nevada Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP).

These funding opportunities support Nevada’s statewide effort to improve rural health access, strengthen healthcare infrastructure, expand workforce capacity, and implement innovative care delivery models.

The Rural Health Transformation Program is supported through a federal cooperative agreement authorized under Public Law 119-21, Section 71401, and administered in partnership with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Request for Applications (RFA):

Rural Health Transformation Program, Nevada Rural Health System Flex Fund, BP1, Round 1

To bolster and modernize the state’s rural health care infrastructure through investments that enhance and modernize local rural health care infrastructures. 

Bolster and modernize the state’s rural healthcare infrastructure with new investments in items like technology, equipment, supplies, mobile units, emergency services, etc. 

Nevada's RHT Funding Opportunities

The Nevada Health Authority (NVHA) is currently seeking applicants for initiatives funded through the Nevada Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP).

These funding opportunities support Nevada’s statewide effort to improve rural health access, strengthen healthcare infrastructure, expand workforce capacity, and implement innovative care delivery models.

The Rural Health Transformation Program is supported through a federal cooperative agreement authorized under Public Law 119-21, Section 71401, and administered in partnership with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Request for Applications (RFA):

Rural Health Transformation Program, Nevada Workforce Recruitment & Rural Access Program (WRRAP)

To increase access to specialty services by incentivizing rural hospitals, clinics, or health care providers in the recruitment and retention of new primary and preventative healthcare provider hires within their practices and facilities

Multiple strategies will be employed to address immediate and long-term provider gaps, including new incentives for providers to live and serve in rural areas of the state, tuition aid with commitments to serve rural Nevada, and a rural physician residency program.

Nevada's RHT Funding Opportunities

The Nevada Health Authority (NVHA) is currently seeking applicants for initiatives funded through the Nevada Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP).

These funding opportunities support Nevada’s statewide effort to improve rural health access, strengthen healthcare infrastructure, expand workforce capacity, and implement innovative care delivery models.

The Rural Health Transformation Program is supported through a federal cooperative agreement authorized under Public Law 119-21, Section 71401, and administered in partnership with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Request for Applications (RFA):

Rural Tribal Health Transformation Program

To improve health outcomes for Nevada’s Tribal Nations by strengthening health systems and addressing historic gaps in access to care through more reliable, innovative and sustainable care.

The Nevada Health Authority (NVHA) invites Nevada’s 28 federally recognized Tribal Nations, Bands, and Councils to join in a collaborative effort to strengthen and modernize health care infrastructure across our shared rural landscapes. This funding opportunity, supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025), is dedicated to honoring Tribal self-determination while improving health quality and access for all indigenous communities in Nevada. By leveraging Nevada grant #RHTCMS332074-01 (CMS Rural Health Transformation Program), NVHA aims to support Tribal-led initiatives that modernize infrastructure and ensure sustainable, culturally resonant care.

These Rural Tribal Health Transformation resources are dedicated to Nevada’s sovereign Tribal Nations. To further support Tribal community vision, Tribes are encouraged to pursue both this dedicated funding and the State’s broader Rural Health Transformation Program opportunities – outlined under four primary initiatives as shown in Section 1 of this RFA. These programs are designed to be complementary, allowing for a multi-layered investment in Tribal health infrastructure.