Search Through Grants for Youth Programs in Michigan in the U.S.

Providing grants and programs to children, youth and women to enhance their health, safety, and well being and provide development opportunities in the areas of education, art, literature and music to improve their quality of life.

Our Mission

Started in 2006, the Karen Colina Wilson Foundation has as its mission statement “Making a positive difference in the lives of woman and children.” Programs to enhance the health, welfare, safety and well-being of children, youth and women and for development opportunities of women and children in areas of education, art, literature and music are the primary focuses of this foundation. The geographic area of preference is the Southern and Western Wayne County (Michigan) area, with additional support in communities where trustees live. Typical grant amounts range from $500.00 – $10,000.00. We often offer matching grants, thereby encouraging groups to broaden their scope of funding.

Vision

To make a positive difference in the lives of children, youth and women.

Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation

Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. believed effective change should make an impact from the start, yet carry long into the future. To do both, he earmarked a portion of his estate and the eventual sale of his beloved Buffalo Bills to fund his namesake foundation. The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation began operations in 2015 to continue his legacy—one of generosity and innovation, healthy risk taking and collaboration, and an unshakeable community focus.

And today, his hand-picked Life Trustees have determined to focus the efforts of the foundation on Mr. Wilson’s home and adopted home regions of Southeast Michigan and Western New York.

With a structure that dictates spend-down of our funds by 2035, we match the urgency that people in need feel every day and focus on collaborative investments that consider both immediate impact and long-term benefit.

Our time is short. But with collaboration, vision and a healthy dash of courage, transformation that shifts the very foundations of our communities is possible.

Grantmaking Focus Areas

Active Lifestyles

By supporting access to safe spaces and programs that get kids physically active and moving, the Foundation aims to introduce lifelong healthy habits through its Youth Sports & Recreation grantmaking. Spanning all generations, the Foundation’s investments in Parks, Trails & Green Design looks to connect people and communities to each other, nature and recreation.

Preparing for Success

Strong work ethic, confidence and a desire to learn are attributes that can be instilled at a young age and carried through adulthood. Our Preparing for Success focus area is centered on providing the communication, teamwork and critical-thinking skills people need to grow and adapt throughout their life and career.

Caregivers

There are more than 40 million family members - spouses, daughters, sons, grandchildren - and friends in the United States caring for older adults, a number that will grow dramatically in the coming years. The Foundation aims to elevate caregivers’ critical roles by highlighting the often-hidden value and contributions they make to families and communities every day.  

Entrepreneurship & Economic Development

Several years into recovery after a decades-long economic slide in both Southeast Michigan and Western New York, the Foundation’s investments in Entrepreneurship and Economic Development look to leverage this momentum by spurring small business growth, place-based community and economic development, and talent attraction and retention. 

Foundation Initiative: Nonprofit Support & Innovation

Without strong, healthy nonprofits that have the resources and support to meet their mission, none of the work the Foundation invests in across its focus areas can happen. While the Foundation works with individual grantees to help them build their own capacity through project-specific grants, it also is taking a sector view of nonprofit support as a special initiative of the Foundation in order to help strengthen communities.

Our Mission Statement

The von Voigtlander Family Foundation, an irrevocable charitable trust under Michigan law was created by Jeff and Kathleen Von Voigtlander.

Our mission is to make the world a better place by being part of the building and strengthening of those in need of assistance.

Animal Rescue and Service Animals: To support programs that rescue, rehabilitate, and provide a safe haven for animals in need, advocating for their well-being and a compassionate approach to animal welfare. Through education, outreach, and partnerships, we aim to raise awareness about the importance of responsible pet ownership, promote adoption, and ensure that all animals are treated with kindness, respect, and dignity. Additionally, we are dedicated to highlighting the essential role of service animals in enhancing the lives of individuals with disabilities, fostering independence and improving quality of life.

Parks and Recreation Preservation : To preserve and protect the integrity of parks and recreational spaces for current and future generations. Through conservation efforts, community partnerships, and advocacy, we are dedicated to maintaining natural landscapes, ensuring access to outdoor recreation, and promoting sustainable practices that enhance the health and well-being of people and the environment.Support for Veterans and Their Families:To honor and support veterans and their families by supporting comprehensive services, resources, and opportunities that foster healing, resilience, and a successful transition to civilian life. We are dedicated to addressing the unique challenges they face through programs that promote mental health, financial stability, career development, and community connection, ensuring they receive the care, respect, and recognition they deserve for their sacrifice and dedication.

Youth: To empower and inspire the next generation by providing support for youth with the tools, mentorship, and opportunities to realize their full potential. We are committed to fostering resilience, leadership, and education, creating a supportive environment that equips young individuals to thrive, grow, and make a positive impact on their communities.

Areas of Focus:

Youth - Assisting our youth is an important facet of our Foundation’s mission. Providing scholarships to deserving students in need, supporting our public schools, and assisting programs and camps for disadvantaged children are ways that we strive to help our youth. Supporting these programs can benefit those with and without disabilities by giving them a sense of accomplishment and inclusion.

Animals - Pets are important members of many families. Our Foundation seeks to support animals of all kinds, from relocation and homing efforts, to assistance after natural disasters, to training service animals to assist with disabled members of our community.

Conservation -Our Foundation strives to support our community recreations areas, such as bike and hike trails. In addition to the many health benefits that these areas provide, such as reducing obesity and diminishing chronic diseases, recreational areas provide social benefits and support for our youth. Reducing crime and uniting families are some of the social benefits, and decreasing drug and alcohol use are ways that these areas support our youth population.

Military Veterans - Supporting those who have served is extremely important to the members of our Foundation. This includes the families of veterans, who are advocates in assisting veterans in getting the services they need and deserve. Supporting the training of service dogs for our veterans suffering from PTSD or other physical and mental disabilities is something we are all passionate about.

Community

Wolverine Worldwide has a heritage of engaging with and serving the communities in which we live and work. As champions for positive change, it is our responsibility to enrich our global communities by giving our time and resources to make the world a better place.

As a company providing innovative footwear, apparel and accessories to consumers around the world, Wolverine Worldwide takes seriously its commitment to make the world a better place.

Founded in 1959, the Wolverine Worldwide Foundation represents our commitment to societal betterment, based on the idea that intentional support fosters stronger communities and more inclusive futures. We believe it’s our responsibility to improve our worldwide communities through dedicated time and contributions.

The Foundation stands on three pillars reflecting our brands, consumers, and employees.

Healthy Lives & Outdoors

Promoting healthy lifestyles and fostering a deep connection with nature. We do this through community programs and outdoor activities, we empower individuals to lead healthier, more active lives while appreciating and experiencing life outside.

Diversifying Trades & Talent

Committed to fostering diversity in skilled trades and industry talent by providing opportunities and resources to cultivate belonging in the workforce. We do this through education, mentorship, and community partnerships, we aim to create a more inclusive workplace.

Industry & Community Giving

Advancing industry causes through community programs, we ensure access to proper footwear, promote dignity, and foster long-term positive change and development. While focusing on the communities and regions we are in, we achieve this through planned giving, sustaining and growing community programs, and engagement opportunities.

The Grand Haven Area Community Foundation will consider grants that seek to enhance the quality of life and promote a healthy, inclusive, collaborative, and diverse community in Northwest Ottawa County.

Arts & Culture

We believe that a community that embraces culture and the arts enriches all lives. We give priority to projects that:

• Bring regional and national art and cultural experiences and opportunities to the community ;
• Supports programs that deliver arts and cultural experiences to under-served populations of the community;
• Support the collaboration and growth of local arts and cultural organizations within the community.

Diversity & Inclusion

We believe that a community’s effectiveness is enhanced when individuals with diverse backgrounds and perspectives are engaged throughout the community.

We give priority to projects that: 

• Address equity, diversity, and inclusion within the community; 
• Involve and empower the inherent worth and dignity of all people;
• Promote and sustain a sense of belonging within the community.

Economic and Community Betterment

We believe that energetic, vibrant communities are vitally important to the livelihood of all residents of Northwest Ottawa County. We encourage projects that:

• Support cooperation among municipalities, especially in the areas of recreation, transportation, as well as consolidated planning;
• Support the revitalization and beautification of areas of commerce in our region.

Education

We believe that the youth of Northwest Ottawa County are our future. It’s important to us that we are serving all students of the community. Priority will be given to projects that:

• Address the barriers preventing students from pursuing post-secondary education opportunities;
• Improve student access to the necessary academic, social, and emotional resources required to reach their full potential;
• Support access to and participation in quality preschool programs, particularly those in under-served populations.

Environment

We believe that effective outreach should extend not only to our social community, but to our physical community as well. Priority will be given to environmentally focused projects that:

• Center on the preservation of natural green space and “smart land use” planning;
• Address critical water quality issues, including: near shore health, sustainability of wetlands, and non-source pollutants. Lake Michigan, the Grand River Watershed, Spring Lake, and local creeks and streams are of special concern;
• Promote environmental sustainability through alternative energy initiatives and recycling projects.

Health & Human Services

We believe that a successful, inclusive, and collaborative community should provide opportunities for people to live healthy and fulfilling lives. We give priority to projects that:

• Support access to physical and mental health services;
• Promote healthy lifestyles and relationships for all ;
• Address priorities based on data gathered through Community Needs Assessments and Community Health Improvement Plans;
• Support local health initiatives that are endorsed by multi-sector collaboration;
• Address human needs for underserved populations.

About Us

The Four County Community Foundation is a non-profit community organization, created by and for the people of the communities we serve. We are here to make a positive impact on our community.

Four County Community Foundation provides services to the villages and cities of Almont, Armada, Capac, Dryden, Imlay City, Metamora, Oxford, Richmond and Romeo, Michigan.

Community Grant Funds

Grants will be made to support progressive ideas in education, health, community, youth, and adult programs.

Four County Community Grants and Shelby Community Grants

Four County Community Funds are available for a variety of charitable purposes for non-profit organizations, public schools, and governmental agencies. Shelby Community Funds serve charitable purposes within the Shelby Community and northern Macomb County. Both funds respond to the current and emerging needs in our local communities.

Healthy Seniors/Healthy Youth Grants and Healthy Futures Grants

Tobacco settlement funds are available for projects that promote the health of seniors and youth, including health and nutrition, family counseling, smoking/vaping prevention and cessation, and mental health care.

21st Century Education Grants

Funds are available for area classroom teachers for educational projects in the classroom and in the field. Individual school funds for Almont, Armada, Capac, Dryden, Imlay City, and Romeo are also available. 

Jamie’s Smiles

Jamie’s Smiles’ mission is to supply supplemental funding to outstanding programs that benefit special needs children through grants and other financial means.

Jamie’s Smiles Endowment Fund grants are awarded annually to organizations in Macomb County serving children with special needs. 

Jamie’s Smiles Holiday Adoptions help children with special needs and their families.  Jamie’s Smiles works with the Macomb Infant Preschool Program (MIPP) to serve local families in need.

W.K. Kellogg – Youth Advisory Committee Grants

To introduce students (and their teachers and club leaders), to Four County Community Foundation and its work, YAC invites you to participate in its GRANT TANK program. We are offering grants up to $3000 for student-written/student-driven grant requests for programs which benefit our youth. Simply submit the fillable form and a short video describing your project. Be creative! Don’t pass up this awesome opportunity for your school or community!

Projects/programs we are most likely to approve will encourage young people to be involved in improving themselves, their community, and their school.

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

Capital Region Community Foundation

The Capital Region Community Foundation provides charitable funding to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations and other eligible entities, for projects and programs that predominantly benefit residents of Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham Counties, Michigan.

What We Believe

In our grantmaking, we work with partners whose programming, leadership, staffing, and volunteers reflect the diversity of the people they serve. Like the Community Foundation, our partners should authentically work to maximize access to services and achieve equitable practices for all people regardless of ethnicity, race, age, gender, sexual orientation, identity/expression, national origin, veteran status, marital status, income status and or philosophy/religion.

Grant Categories

The Community Foundation has four types of grants – Youth, Mini, Capacity Building, and Impact. The Foundation accepts applications from all eligible entities. However, we strongly encourage requests from small and mid-size nonprofits who are making a difference in underserved and/or diverse communities. You may apply in more than one grant category per year, but just one application per category, please!

Mini-Grants

Up to $5,000. Mini-Grants are perfect for smaller organizations that seek programming or project support. These opportunities are provided to donor-advised fundholders for consideration.

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 Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation was founded by Mrs. Eda U. Gerstacker in 1957, in memory of her husband. Its primary purpose is to carry on, indefinitely, financial aid to charities of all types supported by Mr. and Mrs. R.M. Gerstacker during their lifetimes. These charities are concentrated in the states of Michigan and Ohio.

More specifically, most charities are in Midland, Michigan, and Midland County, but also in greater Michigan. In Ohio, most grants are given to groups in Cleveland – the hometown of Rollin and Eda Gerstacker. Grants are also made to communities where major Dow operations are located.

Foundation Giving

The major share of Gerstacker Foundation giving in it’s 56-year history has gone to:

• Homes for the elderly
• Health care and research
• Research institutions
• Colleges and universities
• Youth work
• General community support

Granting Areas

Midland’s Downtown & Riverfront

To avoid the trend of downtown decline, the Gerstacker Foundation has taken a leading role in the renaissance of Midland’s downtown and riverfront. It and other contributors have realized a vision to transform downtown Midland into a vibrant hub of business and recreational activity. Attractions include the Tridge, Gerstacker Sprayground, Pere Marquette Rail-Trail, Riverside Place senior housing, Farmer’s Market, skate park, conference center and hotel, canoe livery and Currie Golf Course – all enjoyed by thousands of residents and visitors every year.

Affordable Housing

For most people, growing old means less income and mobility, which is why many move into senior citizen housing – if it’s available. Thanks in part to Eda Gerstacker’s determination, Midland County has outstanding, affordable housing for the elderly – including The King’s Daughters Home, Washington Woods, Riverside Place and Pere Marquette Senior Estates in Coleman. Senior housing remains a cornerstone of Gerstacker Foundation giving and has led to the support of related activities, such as the Affordable Housing Alliance, Habitat for Humanity and Midland Area Homes.

Family Services

Today’s families face a growing number of social and economic challenges that can’t be resolved through government funding alone. To help address those challenges, the Gerstacker Foundation contributes heavily to organizations that unite families, prevent violence, address disabilities, stop substance and physical abuse, and promote educational opportunities. Examples include the Foundation’s support of three Midland-area community and family centers: the David Reece Memorial Fund, the Ten-Sixteen Treatment Centers and the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault.

Local Schools

Inspiring and maintaining a love for education is no easy feat. It’s made easier, however, with contributions from the Gerstacker Foundation, which has a long history of supporting K-12 education in Midland and other communities. Foundation funding enables the school system and teachers to initiate projects that would not otherwise be possible. These range from unique teaching activities and a new auditorium, to science additions, stadium upgrades and school renovations.

Higher Education

Eda Gerstacker, a teacher by profession, firmly believed in the value of a quality college education. In this spirit, the Gerstacker Foundation has supported more than 30 public and private colleges and predominantly African American colleges. Most college grantees are in Michigan and range from Albion, Alma and Northwood University to Michigan State University and the University of Michigan. Ohio colleges include Hiram and Wooster.

Faith-Based Initiatives

Although the Gerstacker Foundation is not affiliated with any single religious group, it applauds activities that benefit our communities and give our youth self-confidence and respect for others. It therefore supports several faithbased organizations that have similar goals, including the Salvation Army, SpringHill Camps, University of Michigan Hillel, Young Life, St. Brigid Catholic Church and the Bethany Presbyterian Church in Cleveland – an inner-city mission church that Eda Gerstacker attended.

Youth Activities

The work of the Gerstacker Foundation has always been focused on children, preparing them for lives of useful service. This has been done by funding activities that inspire leadership, and that also help troubled youth find the way. Examples include the Midland Soccer Complex, the Michigan 4-H Foundation, the Starr Commonwealth for Boys, Eagle Village,Big Brothers Big Sisters in the Heart of Michigan, and The ROCK Youth Center.

Health Care and Advanced Research 

Two areas of major support from the Gerstacker Foundation are health care and advanced, non-profit research. The Foundation believes immediate care for physically and mentally impaired people is just as important as innovative research for future cures and treatments. More than 30 diverse health care organizations benefit from Gerstacker funding. These range from its largest grantee, MidMichigan Health, to the Association for Children’s Mental Health, Neighborhood Clinic, Arthritis Foundation, National Parkinson Foundation and Alzheimer’s Association.

Environment and Conservation

The Gerstacker Foundation is a strong believer in progress, but not at the expense of the environment. For this reason, the Foundation supports more than a dozen programs that educate the public and preserve the environment for centuries to come. Programs range from the Chippewa Nature Center and The Nature Conservancy to a unique Wildlife Recovery program, the Saginaw Bay Watershed Initiative, Little Forks Conservancy, Ducks Unlimited and American Farmland Trust.

Arts & Culture

To encourage creativity and provide enriching experiences, the Gerstacker Foundation supports a number of cultural endeavors in Midland and other communities. These include the Midland Center for the Arts, Matrix:Midland, Tridge Summer Concerts, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Brazosport Fine Arts Council (in Texas), The Dairy Center for the Arts (Boulder), Chinese Cultural Ongoing Program (Midland) and Michigan Jazz Trail Festival.

Public Service

The men and woman in public service work hard to enhance their communities, sometimes putting their own lives at risk. To support public service and fill the gaps in limited budgets, the Gerstacker Foundation offers funding to many worthy groups and programs, including the Michigan State Police, Midland County firefighters, Midland County Law Enforcement Center, Midland County D.A.R.E. group and the Bay Area Narcotics Enforcement Team.

Public Policy Intiatives

To preserve our democratic freedoms and way of life, the Gerstacker Foundation supports a variety of nonpartisan think tanks and other groups at the national and state levels. These organizations objectively evaluate public policy issues, and share their findings with decision makers and the public to help people make informed decisions. Grantees range from the American Enterprise Institute and the Mackinac Center for Public Policy to Economics America of Michigan, Chemical Heritage Foundation and the Heritage Foundation.

R. E. Olds Foundation Mission

The R.E. Olds Foundation is committed to the Greater Lansing community through the support of community-based education programs, focusing on youth and families, animal welfare, and environment issues.

Grantmaking Guidelines 

We offer challenge grants to encourage nonprofits to broaden and strengthen their fundraising.

Due to the enormous needs and limited funds, grant support focuses on community-based education programs that benefit children and families, animal welfare, and environmental issues.

Kids need to play.

The Skatepark Project believes encouraging free play and providing youth with opportunities to develop active, healthy lifestyles are key to ensuring their well being. With childhood obesity rates more than tripling since 1980*, access to parks is no longer a luxury—it’s essential to the health of our children.

Children in low-income families are particularly at risk, in part because they have fewer opportunities to participate in organized sports leagues and activities. Fighting obesity has become a critical national priority, with long-term health risks including—but not limited to—heart disease, high cholesterol, depression, and even cancer**. More importantly, healthier kids are happier.

Two of the nation’s most prominent advocates for youth have joined together to address this issue. The Skatepark Project has partnered with the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation to promote the creation of free, public skateparks in the 16 counties of Southeast Michigan and Western New York served by RCWJRF.

With grant funds of up to $250,000, the Built to Play Skatepark Program supports community groups and municipalities seeking to create free, public skateparks that serve low-income communities. Built to Play Skatepark Grants also include an additional $50,000 to fund processes and design features that lessen the environmental impact of the skatepark. The Built to Play Skatepark Program also provides advisory services and advocacy training to assist groups in organizing and managing their efforts.

While we realize that not every community can afford to build a world-class skatepark, we believe that every community deserves a quality facility created by experienced skatepark contractors. We believe that a small, excellent skatepark is better than a large, flawed one. We also believe that local officials should treat public skateparks the same way they treat public basketball courts or tennis courts, meaning that anyone may show up and use them during regular park hours, unsupervised. We know that kids everywhere love their local skateparks and that more skateparks will result in even more healthier, happier kids. 



The Built to Play Skatepark Program primarily considers skatepark projects that:

• are designed and built from durable, low-maintenance materials by qualified and experienced skatepark contractors.
• include local skaters in leadership and volunteer roles throughout the planning, fundraising, and design process.
• will serve low- to middle-income areas and/or areas with a high population of “at-risk” youth.
• can demonstrate a strong grassroots commitment to the project, particularly in the form of fundraising by local skateboarders and other community groups.
• encourage skaters to look after their own safety and the safety of others without restricting their access to the park or over-regulating their use of it.
• are open during daylight hours, 365 days a year.
• don’t charge an entrance fee or require registration.
• are in areas that currently have no accessible skateboarding facilities
• are committed to a process that minimizes the environmental impact of the skatepark.

Supply Vs. Demand

As the benefits of skateparks are felt within a community, the demand for grants from the Built to Play Skatepark Program will become increasingly competitive across the region. If your proposed skatepark does not reflect the priorities outlined above, your project is unlikely to receive a grant through this program.

All Built to Play Skatepark Grant Applicants will receive a detailed review of their projects, whether a grant is awarded or not.

Focus of Built to Play Skatepark Grants

The principal focus of Built to Play Skatepark Grants is to encourage and facilitate the design, development, and construction of new quality skateboard parks and facilities, located in eligible communities in the 16 counties served by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation. Skatepark projects in communities outside this service area or those seeking funds for anything other than the construction of a skateboard park may not apply for a Built to Play Skatepark Grant. Built to Play-funded skatepark projects must also incorporate processes and design features that minimize the environmental impact of the skatepark.

More information about The Skatepark Project’s Skatepark Grant program can be found here.

We are Stronger Together

2020 was a year like no other. It offered us a unique opportunity to demonstrate the strength of H.B. Fuller’s values, particularly the power of collaboration and courage. Our focus on taking care of employees, solving customers’ challenges in new ways, and supporting our communities when they need us most never faltered.

Our commitment to STEM education and youth leadership development did not waver, and we created a new funding focus to address racial inequities in the areas of employment, education and safety. Additionally, employees around the world took part in company-sponsored matching programs and a variety of virtual or socially-distanced volunteer opportunities to amplify their impact on issues they care about.

Overall, the gifts of time, talent and financial resources provided by H.B. Fuller and its employees in 2020 had an immeasurable effect on communities around the world.

STEM and Youth Leadership Grant

H.B. Fuller’s philanthropic vision is to help young people grow into productive, successful adults.

H.B. Fuller Company Foundation grants are strategically focused in two areas:

• STEM education – youth education initiatives in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM)
• Leadership development for youth – organizations and programs that help young people become successful, productive adults

About the Oleson Foundation

Gerald and Frances Oleson started The Oleson Foundation in 1962 — a foundation that was designed to continually perform good works in Northwestern Lower Michigan.

The foundation is so organized that it may accept contributions from any individual or organization.

Income from assets of the foundation as well as principal must be used “exclusively for charitable, religious, scientific, literary, or educational purposes either directly or by contributions to organizations” carrying out such activities.

Funding Priorities

The Oleson Foundation’s interests are broad but reflect the wishes of our founders, Gerald and Frances Oleson, to help people help themselves and give the greatest good for the greatest number. We are looking for sustainable, collaborative projects and programs that improve the quality of life for our area residents. 

Program Areas

• Art
  • to provide access to arts and culture in all its forms, especially to our youth, and ensure that artistic opportunities, programs and events flourish in Northern Michigan.
• Education
• To provide high quality educational opportunities for all students and to encourage communities to make education a priority for the region.
• Environment
• To provide protection and stewardship of our precious natural resources including watersheds, wetlands, farmland, forest land and the overall protection of the Great Lakes. 
• Community Development
• To provide recreational, cultural and special projects that assist our communities to grow and prosper with respect to our natural resources.
• Health & Human Services
• To provide assistance to people in need and to have high quality health care available to all communities. 

The Berrien Community Foundation's "For Good" Grants

The “For Good” Grants will be open for two cycles per year and will be available in two sizes:

• the "For Good" Major, ($1,501-$15,000)
• the "For Good" Minor, (up to $1,500)

The "For Good" Minor has a shorter, simpler form geared toward organizations with a smaller request and the "For Good" Major is a more standard length grant application. Organizations can receive one grant per calendar year.

Grants are reviewed in the following areas each year: 

Arts

Arts & Humanities: Programming that opens opportunities for more residents to participate in and experience the arts in our community. Supports historical preservation programs and projects. 

Children

Nurturing Our Children: Programs that help provide nurturing to the young children of our community. 

Community Improvement and Special Needs

Community Development: Addresses emerging community needs and issues that will help aid in the long-term overall planning and development of Berrien County. 

Education

Quality Education: Programs to enhance and encourage continuing quality education.

Environment

Environmental and Animal Protection: Programs to protect and enhance understanding of our environment and for the humane treatment of animals.

Health

Healthful Living: Programs to enhance the health of Berrien County residents and educating people to make healthy choices. 

Seniors

Senior Empowerment: Programs to improve the quality of life for Berrien County senior citizens. 

Youth Leadership and Development

Youth Leadership and Development: Programs that enhance the quality of life for Berrien County youth while helping them to make positive life choices and encourage positive peer pressure. 

Youth Leadership and Development grants are reviewed by our Youth Advisor Committee TEAM (Teens Exhibiting Able Minds). These grant applications require a presentation to the committee. TEAM is most interested in programs that promote positive decision making skills and encourage positive peer pressure. Specifically, programs that address:

• Drug abuse and alcohol prevention and awareness
• Teen sex and pregnancy prevention
• Positive entertainment and recreation for youth such as
• Summer programs, Extra curricular programs, After-school programs
• Mental and physical health issues in youth such as
• Depression and suicide, Bullying, Obesity

Keller Foundation Grant

The Keller Foundation has a key interest in supporting programs and services for children and families living in the community around the Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Academy. However, the Keller Foundation is not limited to donations in this geographical area. 

Since its inception in 1980, the Keller Foundation has awarded almost $7 million in grants to over 150 different nonprofit organizations, mainly in the Grand Rapids area. The primary focus of the Keller Foundation is to encourage innovative programs for core city youth of Grand Rapids, Michigan. 

Focus Areas

Since its inception in 1980, the Keller Foundation has awarded almost $7 million in grants to over 150 different nonprofit organizations, mainly in the Grand Rapids area. The primary focus of the Keller Foundation is to encourage innovative programs for core city youth of Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The Keller Foundation provides grants in primarily five focus areas:

• Cultural 
• Education
• Environment
• Health
• Human Services

Grant giving in these focus areas support such programs as:

• Exposure to visual and performing arts 
• Opportunities for access to cultural and environmental centers/programs
• School readiness programs
• Programs that provide safe, nurturing environments for children
• Tutoring for children
• Literacy programs for children and adults
• In-school enrichment programs
• After-school programs
• Teacher enrichment programs
• Effective parenting programs

Key Geographic Focus

The Keller Foundation has a key interest in supporting programs and services for children and families living in the community around the Martin Luther King (MLK) Jr. Leadership Academy. MLK is a K-8 school in the Grand Rapids Public Schools system and is located on Logan Street in southeast Grand Rapids.

The Foundation currently supports several programs serving children attending MLK and their parents/families:

• Tutoring Center and Other Enrichment Activities:
  • The Keller Foundation supports the First United Methodist Church (FUMC) Tutoring Center at MLK. It offers a Tutoring program and provides a variety of enrichment activities for the kids attending the school. Enrichment activities are varied and diverse and provide opportunities for the children to experience extracurricular activities that are often available to their peers in more affluent communities. These include opportunities for the kids to experience the Grand Rapids Ballet, the Meijer Gardens, JohnBall Zoo, Blandford Nature Center, the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum, and the Grand Rapids Art Museum. In addition, the Tutoring Center organizes opportunities for the kids to earn Merit prizes, which inspire and celebrate kids’ educational achievements; and family events, which help foster deeper parental involvement in their children’s learning and school activities.

• Other Programs at MLK:
  • The Foundation also supports several organizations providing various in-school and after-school programs or services for kids attending MLK.

Funding

The Keller Foundation awards an average of 30 grants each year. Grants range in size from $2,500 up to $50,000. Awards are relative to the size and scope of the project as well as its potential to impact our focus community.

2025 Funding Priorities

All youth related programs and services should be addressed through the TAG Grant.

Basic Needs and Rights

We strive to ensure that the county’s residents have access to social and health services, stable housing, job training and education.

Priority is given to programs that:

• Promote individual and family economic security
• Increase housing stock
• Decrease homelessness through programs that promote diversion and intervention
• Improve access to healthcare and human services
• Promote healthy relationships and address domestic violence
• Support education with access to training, employability skills, and self-care. 

Arts and Culture (performing art, historical organizations, etc.)

We strive to ensure that the county’s residents can access arts and culture experiences to educate and improve overall quality of life.

Priority is given to programs that:

• support and encourage the community to take advantage of the vast variety of arts and cultural programming
• community art and music festivals
• public art projects, performing arts, visual arts, and dance

Environment and Conservation (outdoors/nature)

We strive to foster understanding of and promote action on the relationship between the health of the natural world and the health and well-being of our residents.

Priority is given to programs that:

• Preserve and protect environmentally significant lands, waterways, and wildlife habitats – for the benefit not only of the ecosystem, but for the health, livelihood, and enjoyment of residents;

Economic Development and Placemaking (community enhancements)

We strive to ensure that Allegan County is a place that people want to live in, that families can thrive, and that grown children want to return to raise their families.

Priority is given to programs that:

• Create new, outdoor public spaces and destinations in a community on unused or underused sites.
• Support economic development.

Animal Welfare (care and protection)

We strive to ensure adequate protection, care and humane treatment of animals and wildlife.

Priority is given to programs that:

• Provide support of veterinary care for domestic animals, including spay and neuter services, for low-income families and abandoned pets
• Encourage responsible pet ownership and the adoption of abandoned animals
• Support of healthy wildlife as well as their natural habitats
• Make positive, therapeutic connections between people and animals

Capacity and Sustainability (developing and strengthening skills for growth and adaptability)

We strive to support local nonprofits to reach their goals and maintain long-term sustainability.

Priority is given to programs that:

• Improve efficiency through the implementation of technology (hardware, software, cloud-based and implementation costs)
• Enhance staff development

Our Vision

The Heart of Cook will be a leader in furthering education, supporting human services, and protecting the environment through a continued commitment to local communities in the AEP service area (Southwest Michigan and Northwest Indiana (La Porte, St. Joseph, and Elkhart Counties)).

Guidelines & Funding Emphasis

Our three primary funding areas are:

• Furthering Education
• Supporting Human Services
• Preserving and Protecting the Environment

We take special pride in supporting organizations and projects in which our employees participate or take a leadership role. The partnership of corporate contributions and employee initiatives typically results in improved outcomes. 

Furthering education

To promote economic development and provide for a well-trained and available work force in the area, we will provide grants to programs that build work skills and to educational organizations and projects that supplement professional development for educators and volunteers. Projects that specifically target science and mathematical disciplines, as well as development in impoverished communities are given priority.

Human services

Strong families are the building blocks for successful communities and businesses. We will provide grants to programs and organizations that nurture children and youth, help foster independence for those in need, ensure safety and support of older individuals, and teach parenting skills.

Protecting the environment

As an energy provider located in a particularly beautiful and unique ecosystem, we recognize the importance of protecting, restoring and enhancing our natural surroundings. We provide grants to organizations and projects supporting these types of environmental activities. 

The Dedicated Grant Program is comprised of four Field of Interest Funds which each have their own unique purpose and geographic area covered within Washtenaw County. For 2025, AAACF will distribute over $60,000 in competitive grants to local nonprofits delivering services aligned with each Fund's purpose.

Funds included in the 2024 Dedicated Grant Program

African American Endowment Fund

This fund will award grants that seek to improve the physical, economic, social, and educational conditions that affect the quality of life for African Americans in the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti area.

Barden Family Fund for Enhancing Community

This fund will award grants that support efforts by Washtenaw County organizations serving veterans and their families; programs for aviation education, awareness and promotion; activities that carry out the Catholic ideals of service and social justice; and/or efforts at building community, including service clubs.

Dexter Community Fund

This fund will award grants that work to enrich the quality of life within the Dexter community (services/programs for seniors, mental health services for youth and adults, improved outdoor recreational opportunities, services/programs for teens, services/programs for people who are homebound, programs to enhance arts and culture).

Jr. League of AA/Parke Davis Pharmaceutical Research Domestic Violence & Dating Prevention Fund

This fund will award grants to nonprofits in Washtenaw County that work to end violence against women and children by supporting early intervention and prevention programs in the areas of domestic and dating violence.

Background

Every community faces unique barriers that require collaborative solutions to thrive. The Dow Promise Program supports educational and economic challenges Black youth and adults face in the United States by addressing community-identified needs and advancing equitable opportunities. Through grants of up to $10,000 towards social, economic or environmental initiatives, Dow Promise not only fosters a thriving community, but a shared future.

Since 2000, this annual competitive program has committed to uplifting communities in which Dow operates by supporting their needs and investing in positive social change for long-term success.

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

Amway Impact Grants

At Amway, we use the best of our business and the passion of our people to impact communities around the world. Amway is committed to providing community grants in support of non-profit organizations and the programs that focus on Health + Wellbeing and Empowerment. The Amway grant program is currently available to organizations in Kent County, Michigan.

Grant Focus Areas

Funding focus areas:

• Increase access to fresh, healthy foods
• Provide supplemental nutritional resources to families and children facing food insecurity
• Support optimal health for kids and their families through healthy eating education and training opportunities.
• Community Infrastructure and Programming support designed to encourage healthy and active lifestyles.
• Promote practices that strengthen mental wellbeing and foster a resilient, healthy mindset

Target audiences:

• Children
• Families and single parent households with school-aged children
• Rural and urban communities
• Traditionally underserved populations

Funding focus areas:

• Workforce & Entrepreneurship skill education
• Livelihood Education: Training and Development of life skills that support individuals to thrive (ex. financial literacy or basic management skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, etc.)
• Youth mentorship
• Youth leadership development
• Support addressing the individual and contextual barriers that hinder economic empowerment of marginalized and underserved populations

Target audiences:

• Women and girls
• Youth
• Traditionally underserved populations

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. 

Our Purpose

In 1963, residents established the foundation as a permanent source of community capital in Washtenaw County. Think of us as a savings account for the community, with proceeds from our funds distributed to support nonprofits through grants and students through scholarships.

In more technical terms, AAACF is a tax-exempt public charity that helps individuals, families, groups, and organizations accomplish their philanthropic goals. Through a core team of our staff, trustees, and hundreds of volunteers, AAACF connects people, charitable causes, and permanent capital for community impact.

Our Mission

The Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation enriches the quality of life in our region through its knowledgeable leadership, engaged grantmaking, and creative partnerships with donors to make philanthropic investments and build endowment.

Community Grantmaking

The Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation's Community Grantmaking Program seeks to increase opportunities for equity in education and to decrease racial and economic inequities throughout Washtenaw County by investing in community-based organizations, capacity-building programs, and/or services that support:

• Increase literacy efforts for marginalized youth in elementary to high school
• Providing mental health and wellness opportunities for marginalized youth from preschool to high school
• Mentoring programs that provide a holistic approach and empower marginalized youth from preschool to high school
• Educational programming to support those experiencing unemployment and/or economic hardship

Purpose

The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Funds were created to provide permanent, endowed support for programs and initiatives that reflect the personal passions of Mr. Wilson. Those areas of support are: Caregiving, Design & Access, Youth Sports, and Grosse Pointe Community Assets.

Background

On November 18, 2015, The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation announced a series of grants to fund projects and initiatives that reflect the personal passions of the late Ralph C. Wilson, Jr., a Detroit native and the founder and longtime owner of the Buffalo Bills professional football team.

The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation is dedicated primarily to sustained investment in the quality of life of the people of southeastern Michigan and western New York, reflecting Mr. Wilson’s devotion to his hometown of Detroit and the people of greater Buffalo, home of his Bills franchise. Among the grants announced were funds to create the permanent Legacy Funds at the Community Foundation, to align with some of the key priority areas of the Foundation in perpetuity.

The Community Foundation is honored that The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation trustees, as part of their investments, have chosen to work with the Community Foundation in this way, to permanently support organizations and causes that Mr. Wilson cared about so deeply. The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Funds support grants in separate key areas that honor the lifetime interests of Mr. Wilson:

• Grosse Pointe Community Assets Fund: support for projects of anchor nonprofit organizations that provide services and experiences to residents of the 5 Grosse Pointe communities, home to Mr. Wilson during his lifetime.

Key Facts

• Individual grants from each of the funds will typically range between $10,000 – $25,000. Grants from the Access and Design Fund may be up to $50,000.
• Most grants will be for a 12-month period. However, applicants may identify other time frames that would be more beneficial to spend the grant over. For example, if it is more beneficial to the proposed project to spread the grant over an 18- or 24-month period, please simply state that in the application.