Best Kalamazoo County Grants for Nonprofits in Michigan

The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation provides grants to organizations focused on improving the lives of children in urban poverty in the U.S., India, and South Africa. They prioritize projects in education, health, and family economic stability. Grants typically do not exceed 25% of a project's budget or 10% of an organization's annual expenses. The foundation seeks to partner with organizations already making an impact, ensuring funding supports impactful social enterprises.

The Semnani Family Foundation, established in 1993, is dedicated to supporting marginalized communities worldwide through health, education, and disaster relief initiatives. Founded by Khosrow and Ghazaleh Semnani, it began by funding an orphanage in Romania. The foundation also operates locally, providing free healthcare through the Maliheh Free Clinic in Utah. Its commitment to human welfare drives impactful partnerships in countries such as Afghanistan, India, and South Africa, focusing on the most vulnerable populations.

Grantmaking

Funding Rooted in Relationships

Our grantmaking supports the work that helps people, families, and neighborhoods build healthy, equitable communities, across generations. It is strategic, relationship-centered, grounded in trust, and shaped by ongoing learning with our community partners.

We focus on work that addresses root causes, strengthens community-led solutions, and builds long-term capacity in Kalamazoo County.

Strategic Pillars

Our strategic pillars are based on what we’ve learned from community, nonprofit and elected leaders. We all share the vision for a Kalamazoo County that includes:

Nonprofit organizations and public entities serving Kalamazoo County, Michigan residents can seek support for arts, education, human services, community development, and health and well-being programs. Irving S. Gilmore Foundation supports a wide range of local initiatives that enrich Greater Kalamazoo; first-time or lapsed applicants must contact the program officer weeks before applying.

Kalamazoo County, Michigan graduating high school seniors planning full-time college enrollment can receive scholarship support for higher education costs through the Roy G. Walters Memorial Scholarship. Kalamazoo Community Foundation provides this one-time award of more than US $600 to students with financial need who are active in athletics, school, and community activities.

Graduate students pursuing master’s, Ph.D., medical, law, or other professional degrees who are from Kalamazoo County, Michigan can receive more than US $2,500 for education-related costs through the Benjamin & Cherie Gubin Scholarship. Administered by Kalamazoo Community Foundation, this one-time award supports students with at least a 3.0 GPA who demonstrate financial need.

Graduating high school seniors in Kalamazoo County, Michigan who are dedicated to competitive swimming or diving and plan to attend college can receive more than US $500 for higher education costs through the Bob Block Memorial Scholarship. With a mission to advance equity, Kalamazoo Community Foundation provides this one-time award to students demonstrating financial need and a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Current graduate students in veterinary medicine from Kalamazoo County, Michigan, or graduates of its high schools can apply for Kalamazoo Community Foundation’s Dominic & Barbara Court Family Scholarship; awards more than US $2,500 for tuition and related educational expenses. This one-time scholarship supports learners with demonstrated financial need through the foundation’s all-in-one application.

Students in Kalamazoo County, Michigan pursuing associate degrees or vocational/trade certifications can receive renewable, multiyear scholarships of more than US $1,000 to cover any part of their cost of attendance. The E. Earl Wright Scholarship from Kalamazoo Community Foundation supports graduating seniors and undergraduates with financial need, a minimum 2.0 GPA, and work experience.

Adult learners in Kalamazoo County, Michigan pursuing higher education, vocational training, or professional development for community service careers can receive more than US $500 to cover tuition, fees, housing, transportation, and other costs. Kalamazoo Community Foundation’s Enhancement Ministries Scholarship supports residents with financial need and at least five years of post-high-school work experience.

Black, Non-Hispanic/Latinx high school seniors in Kalamazoo County, Michigan pursuing post-secondary education can receive more than US $1,000 through the multiyear Eva L. Ozier Scholarship. With a mission to advance equity in education, Kalamazoo Community Foundation provides renewable support for tuition and other educational expenses, paid directly to the institution.

Adult learners in Kalamazoo County, Michigan who have had a two-year break in their education can receive the Eva L. Ozier Scholarship for Today’s Students to pursue associate, bachelor’s, or vocational/trade programs. Focused on higher education persistence, Kalamazoo Community Foundation offers this multiyear, need-based $1,000 award to support continued study and future opportunity.

Kalamazoo County, Michigan students pursuing higher education can receive scholarship support for tuition, housing, and other college costs through the Frank & Hildegarde Goodrich Family Scholarship. Kalamazoo Community Foundation provides one-time awards of more than US $2,500 for eligible juniors, seniors, and graduate students attending specified universities who demonstrate need, strong academics, and community involvement.

Current graduate students of color in Library and Information Sciences with ties to Kalamazoo County, Michigan can receive more than US $2,500 to help cover tuition and other education-related costs. The Kalamazoo Community Foundation’s multiyear Kalamazoo Public Library Amanda Green Scholarship promotes diversity in the library profession and supports local students’ degree completion.

High-achieving students in Kalamazoo County, Michigan pursuing bachelor’s degrees in math, science, or engineering can receive more than US $2,000 through the renewable Kalamazoo Science Foundation Scholarship. Focused on higher education access, this Kalamazoo Community Foundation award supports tuition, fees, housing, and other education-related expenses for financially needy learners.

Kalamazoo County, Michigan students who are nontraditional or returning to higher education can access funding through the Leon A. Donald J. & Jean K. Schau Scholarship to cover any component of college or training costs. Administered by Kalamazoo Community Foundation, this renewable multiyear award supports residents and local high school graduates with financial need and work history.

High school seniors and current undergraduates from Kalamazoo County, Michigan, pursuing college or vocational programs can apply for the Love Where You Live Scholarship Fund, which supports post-secondary educational costs. Though aimed at individual students, nonprofits assisting local learners with access, persistence, or college preparation may guide eligible participants to this opportunity.

With a mission to support education access, Kalamazoo Community Foundation provides Kalamazoo County, Michigan students with renewable scholarships for vocational, technical, and degree-granting programs. Residents with financial need pursuing trade certifications, associate, bachelor’s, or graduate degrees can apply; funds are paid to institutions for tuition, fees, housing, transportation, and related educational costs.

Graduate students from Kalamazoo County, Michigan, or graduates of a Kalamazoo County high school can receive renewable multiyear support for full-time advanced degrees through the Myra P. Whalen Scholarship. Focused on higher education, Kalamazoo Community Foundation funding may benefit local nonprofits that assist students with college access, persistence, and graduate study preparation.

Students pursuing veterinary medicine who are residents or high school graduates of Kalamazoo or St. Joseph Counties can receive more than US $1,000 from the Nancy C. Niles Donovan Scholarship for education costs. Kalamazoo Community Foundation provides this one-time award for Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine tuition, fees, housing, and related expenses.

Graduating high school seniors in Kalamazoo County, Michigan, pursuing nursing or occupational therapy at Western Michigan University can receive up to US $2,000 through the Phyllis A. Nuyen Scholarship to help cover educational costs. Focused on higher education and college success, Kalamazoo Community Foundation supports local students preparing for critical healthcare careers.

Current undergraduate students from Kalamazoo County, Michigan attending Western Michigan University’s Haworth College of Business can apply for the Ronald C. Cavanaugh Memorial Scholarship, awarding more than US $1,500 for educational expenses. This one-time award supports tuition, fees, housing, transportation, and related costs for financially needy students with at least a 2.5 GPA.

Students in Kalamazoo County, Michigan who have experienced childhood abuse, abandonment, or neglect and demonstrate financial need can apply for the Montague Myers Scholarship, awarding more than US $1,000 for higher education costs. This multiyear support from Kalamazoo Community Foundation can help cover tuition, fees, housing, transportation, and related expenses.

Graduating high school seniors from Kalamazoo County, Michigan planning to attend Albion College full-time can receive renewable scholarship support for tuition, fees, housing, and other education costs. Kalamazoo Community Foundation’s William R. Steers Scholarship awards US $1,500 and requires county residency or graduation from a county high school, a minimum 3.0 GPA, and financial need.

Kalamazoo County, Michigan graduating high school seniors pursuing aviation or engineering at Western Michigan University can access funding through the William T. Nuyen Scholarship for education-related expenses; awards up to US $2,000 and is renewable. Students apply through Kalamazoo Community Foundation’s all-in-one scholarship application and must demonstrate financial need.

The Hansen Family Foundation Grant seeks to empower organizations that uphold the American values of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Focused on diverse causes like children, education, animals, environmental conservation, humanitarian efforts, and arts, the foundation is committed to supporting initiatives that create positive change. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits, while political campaigns and organizations with high budgets or overheads are ineligible. This grant fosters impactful contributions to society.

Beim Foundation provides Kalamazoo County, Michigan nonprofits and local governments with US $5,000 - US $15,000 for environmental education programs serving children and youth from under-resourced communities. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations must be located in and serve Kalamazoo County, and projects should address racial inequity, trauma, and offer trauma-informed, culturally competent services.