Search Through Preservation Grants in Michigan in the U.S.

Program Focus: American Heritage

Adolph and Ginger Meyer were significant collectors of Americana, especially the fine, handcrafted furniture and decorative items developed by early Americans. The Meyers appreciated these items because, to them, Americana expressed a sense of artistic freedom and was constructed or created with integrity and individuality.

Over the years, the Americana Foundation has supported organizations and institutions that preserve, protect, and promote expressions of America’s heritage as a bridge to understanding place and identity and as a means of celebrating the craftsmanship and creativity of early American artisans.

Our Current Focus

Our current priority in the American Heritage program area is to support projects and programs across the US that seek to broaden the inclusivity of early American art and the early American historical narrative to “tell the full story of” the American experience. We look to support organizations and projects that elevate those whose perspectives have been traditionally underrepresented, especially people of color, Indigenous people, and women. Furniture acquisitions and building restorations will not be a priority.

Example Projects

• Interpretation or reinterpretation of art, decorative arts, or other objects of early American material culture (“Americana”) and their placement on public display for the appreciation and understanding of present and future generations.
• Internships, fellowships, apprenticeships, and other career development opportunities for people interested in the curation, conservation, preservation, or restoration of Americana.

• Exhibits, visual media, interactive experiences, and other educational programs that contribute to better understanding or “tell the full story” of the American experience.

Fred and Barbara Erb Family Foundation

The Fred and Barbara Erb Family Foundation continues the legacy of two lifelong Southeast Michigan residents who were deeply committed to their community. Since 2008, the Foundation has awarded over $180 million to initiatives Fred and Barbara cared about most—supporting the environment, arts and culture, jazz education, sustainable business, and Alzheimer’s research.

In 2022, the Foundation made the strategic decision to spend down all assets by 2034, enabling bold investments in projects that address pressing needs and drive lasting change. It remains dedicated to working closely with its partners, fostering collaboration and continuing its commitment to meaningful progress.

Our Mission, Vision, and Values

The Fred and Barbara Erb Family Foundation envisions a flourishing, healthy, and resilient Great Lakes ecosystem and a culturally vibrant, sustainable Southeast Michigan. Toward this end, we strengthen the cultural and environmental organizations that share our vision to make this a reality for generations to come.

Grant Program Area: Democracy

Promote voter engagement and fair election administration by:

• Enabling voters in Southeast Michigan to register and turnout to vote in every election.
• Ensuring free and fair election administration through advice and counsel to election administrators, support for legal issues, and efforts to combat misinformation.
• Protecting voter access to the ballot, particularly for those who have been historically targeted by voter suppression efforts.
• Upholding the foundations of American democracy and the Constitution by supporting efforts that preserve the rule of law and the proper functions of government.

Program Areas 

We have a passion for investing in four key program areas.

Building Community

As place-based funders, we are focused on building on the strength and vibrancy of our community. Our grantees prioritize listening to the lived experiences of our neighbors to understand the root causes of their challenges, learning what they need to thrive, and partnering to build new systems or approaches for a better future.

Our grantmaking priorities currently include: 

• Ensuring access to affordable housing for all
• Encouraging well-planned development to create strong city centers and vibrant neighborhoods
• Fostering public-private partnerships to leverage capital investments that enhance local and regional impact
• Supporting workforce development

Children & Families

Children are our community’s future. Their success is our community’s success. To raise tomorrow’s thinkers, creators, and problem solvers, our community needs a healthy, stimulating, and nurturing environment for all children and families living here today. We bring time, organization, partnership, and new pathways to these challenges, supporting those making systemic changes with an emphasis on early childhood care and education.

Our grantmaking priorities currently include: 

• Ensuring access to high-quality child care and preschool programs
• Ensuring all children have the opportunity to reach their full potential
• Leveraging community systems that ensure students and schools are successful
• Partnering with parents to ensure families thrive

Community Arts

Arts and culture are key indicators of community health and powerful tools for self-expression. By partnering with organizations that focus on listening to our neighbors and supporting creatives with fresh approaches, we ensure the arts and cultural offerings are accessible and reflect the community.

Our grantmaking priorities currently include: 

• Supporting an arts and cultural community that is strong, diverse and valued by local residents
• Improving inclusion and access to high-quality arts and cultural experiences and education for under-resourced populations
• Supporting collaboration and capacity building for arts and culture organizations

Environment

From the Great Lakes to bike trails and greenways, Michigan’s natural resources are beloved by all who live here, yet they’re always under pressure. By bringing many voices to the table and supporting changemakers in this area, we can help balance everyone’s interests while protecting and connecting the wild places so important to our home.

Our grantmaking priorities include: 

• Preserving and restoring significant lakes and streams in Lake Michigan’s sub-watersheds
• Expanding and connecting regional trails and greenwaysl
• Protecting critical lands including farmland, parkland, and natural habitat areas

Inquiries are accepted by the foundation throughout the year. Once you have completed the online inquiry process, you can expect to hear from us within 30 days.

Fund for Community Good

With our Fund for Community Good (unrestricted) and field of interest fund assets, we seek out and respond to requests for resources from partners who share our commitment to becoming actively anti-racist.

Systemic and institutional racism is present in every issue our community faces. Thanks to the generosity of donor partners, we continue to provide financial support across a broad spectrum including education, the environment, health, the arts and social engagement, neighborhoods and economic prosperity.

In all instances, we continuously assess how we work and with whom we partner, in order to dismantle barriers to equity and justice.

Funding Priorities

Education

We strive for equitable educational attainment when race, ethnicity, and first generation status are not predictive of post-secondary enrollment, persistence, and degree or credential attainment.

Health

We invest in culturally effective solutions that lead to equitable health outcomes and well-being.

Neighborhoods

We seek to create greater access to housing prosperity for all who call Kent County home. We invest in the production and preservation of equitable, stable, quality, affordable housing in historically under-resourced neighborhoods.

Arts + Culture Engagement

We invest in opportunities that seek to sustain arts and cultural opportunities to advance equity and are led by or primarily reach communities of color. We also invest in leaders and networks that inspire, grow and connect movements aimed at advancing equity.

Economic Prosperity

We invest in workforce development that results in sustainable, living wage jobs with competitive benefits. We also seek to increase access to capital and opportunities for historically under-resourced entrepreneurs.

Environment

We invest in efforts led by those most affected by environmental injustice and that ensure equitable environmental benefit.

The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation, has charter goals to improve the educational, religious, economic and cultural lives of Michigan’s people as those needs can be defined in a world which constantly presents new or different challenges and opportunities. The Foundation can only make grants to 501(c)(3) or governmental organizations located in Michigan. The Foundation trustees carefully consider proposals submitted, and look for programs where their contribution can be leveraged. Organizations requesting funding for a new program should be sure that they have planned for that program’s future self-sufficiency.

Program Priorities

Since the needs, desires and capabilities of Michigan’s people and their organizations are constantly changing, there is no fixed or steadfast priority in the Foundation grant making decisions. However, within its charter and philosophy the trustees tend to support organizations that:

• Have clearly stated objectives, strong and purposeful management and are publicly accountable.
• Have needs which are in areas not normally funded by governmental or public financing.
• Are not hesitant to explore, initiate, volunteer, or execute original ideas or concepts.
• Are willing to collaborate with other persons or organizations to give synergy to achieve a common objective or goal.
• Have purposes which tend to advance private enterprise and the preservation of a free, open and self-resourceful society.

The Jeffris Family Foundation invites applications for grants from the Jeffris Heartland Fund, to support the development of important historic preservation projects in the states of Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin.The decision to pursue a grant from the Jeffris Heartland Fund must be made in consultation with a Director of the Foundation to discuss your project and request a Jeffris Heartland Fund application form.Directors can also assist grant-seekers with the application process, provide related technical assistance to guide wise and constructive use of the grant funding, and administer grants once awarded. Applications, once invited, are accepted at any time.  Award notices are issued within approximately 30 days of receipt of the application.Grants will be made in the range of $5,000 to $50,000 to cover 50% the cost of an Historic Structure Report, and must be matched dollar-for-dollar with cash from sources unrelated to the Jeffris Family.

Historic Significance of the Site

• Priority will be given to sites of documented national and then state historic significance. Sites with local significance only will not be eligible for funding.
• Priority will be given to sites associated with prominent figures of national, regional, or statewide importance, or with events of national, regional, or statewide significance.
• Priority will be given to sites with significant architectural merit, including association with designers of national, regional, or statewide importance.
• Priority will be given to sites with strong elements of the decorative arts.
• Priority will be given to projects involving historic resources that are extremely rare and/or unique.
• Priority will be given to projects with a high degree of historic integrity, and to work relating to the restoration of original elements. While work to accommodate contemporary usage is acceptable, all work on the property must conform to The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.

Proposed Project and Plan

• Priority will be given to applicants that can best demonstrate that a Historic Structure Report or other detailed planning study for which funding is being requested is critical to the accurate and appropriate restoration of the property.
• Priority will be given to applicants that can best demonstrate their intended use will be financially viable and operationally sustainable over time.
• Priority will be given to applicants that can assure that the project will fully comply with The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties through review and oversight by a local historic preservation commission, state historic preservation office, or preservation consultants thoroughly familiar and experienced with those standards.

 Organizational Excellence

• Priority will be given to applicants who can demonstrate a pattern of programming and services connected to the site and their stated mission (e.g. educational programs, events, hospitality).
• Priority will be given to applicants who demonstrate a broad base of membership and community support.
• Priority will be given to applicants with demonstrated success in past capital fundraising efforts.

Our Mission

The purpose of the Michigan Botanical Foundation (MBF) is to provide support for Michigan botanical research, educational publications, and related activities that enhance the knowledge and preservation of Michigan’s flora.

Funding Goals

To help achieve the mission of the Foundation, grants will be made to support endeavors, both research- and community-based, that are consistent with the mission of the Foundation.  We are interested in funding the following types of projects:

• Research projects which involve the study of Michigan plants including but not limited to: (a) state or federally listed (rare, threatened, or endangered) species; (b) competition between invasive and native species; and (c) floristic surveys;
• Environmental projects which have one or more of the following features: (a) the project will raise public awareness of Michigan's flora; (b) the project involves preservation, reclamation, or restoration of native habitat; (c) the proposed uses of the project site and access to it will result in public education;
• Educational efforts such as workshops, institutes, conferences, and exhibits which hold the promise of increasing public awareness and knowledge of Michigan's flora. Student scholarships to attend valuable botanical conferences and educational programs are also considered for funding.

These grants will be made on a case-by-case basis upon application to the Foundation when adequate funding exists. Applications for grants must be shown to have educational value with respect to Michigan's flora and may be funded in whole or in part.

Grant Amount

MBF makes grants in the range of USD $100.00 – USD $1,500; however, exceptions may be made.

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.

• The Foundation will strive to support public education through grants to education institutions for scholarships, extracurricular programs, athletics, technology, and motivational speakers for assemblies, as well as other educational needs.
• We will strive to make a difference in the lives of under-privileged, disabled and terminally ill children through grants to hospitals and other public charities for medical research, education, and programs dedicated to helping such children achieve their dreams.
• Since recreation and the preservation of land for the enjoyment of everyone ties to the well-being of both young and old, the Foundation will make grants to those public charities that work to protect our parks and recreational areas.
• We will also make grants in support of programs at public charities that are dedicated to the rescue and protection of animals due to disaster, abandonment, or abuse, as well as the training of dogs for special needs children and the disabled.
• The Foundation will focus on supporting our military and veterans affairs programs.

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.

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.

Americana Foundation Grant

The Americana Foundation was established by Adolph and Ginger Meyer to support, through philanthropy, their varied personal interests. A Detroit area industrialist, Adolph Meyer believed in the American ideals of hard work and self-reliance and held a deep respect for early American farmers, craftsmen, and artists. Ginger Meyer was an avid gardener, award-winning floral arranger, and an active contributor of time and funds to a variety of charitable causes.

This dedication to education and agriculture includes preservation of their 160-acre historic farmstead in southeast Michigan, Tollgate Farm, which provides unique hands-on learning on a working farm in an urban setting. 

The Foundation provides its support mainly through financial grants. Some limited technical assistance in the form of consulting services to the board, staff and volunteers of recipient organizations is available. The technical assistance is provided to assist the recipient group in organizational management and strategic planning.

Our Mission

The Americana Foundation supports the sustainable development of agriculture and community food systems, the protection of natural resources, and an inclusive narrative of early American art and history.

Program Focus: Agriculture and Natural Resources

Adolph and Ginger Meyer believed that farmers were the backbone of America and that farming and the production of food “always will be a required function if any of us are to survive." The Meyers had a lifelong interest in honoring America’s agrarian traditions and were committed to ensuring that people in Michigan maintain a close connection with the land, and with farmers and other producers of our food.

Over the years, Americana has supported projects and programs designed to create rural and urban landscapes in Michigan where the community is connected to the food system, land, and nature; where agricultural producers are prosperous and focused on sustainability, and where agriculture and natural resources support public health, diverse business opportunities and livable communities for all.

Geographic Focus: Geographic Focus: Nonprofit organizations doing work that impacts Michigan are eligible to apply.

Our Current Focus

Our current priority in the Agriculture and Food Systems program area is to support projects and programs that work to transform food systems in Michigan so that they focus on growers, processors, and distributors and provide healthy and culturally appropriate food through ecologically sound and sustainable methods. The goal is for all Michiganders - rural and urban - to be connected to a sustainable local food economy. The program area seeks to benefit those who traditionally have lacked power over and resources to access healthy locally or regionally produced food.

Example Projects

• Connecting Michigan farms and food businesses with new markets, consumers, and communities.
• Empowering Michigan communities to shape the food systems that provide their food.
• Creating opportunities for small-scale and marginalized Michigan farmers and food businesses.
• Supporting systems designed to increase access to healthy, culturally appropriate, locally grown food for Michigan communities.
• Increasing the resilience of the food system in Michigan to the impacts of climate change.

Agricultural Conservation Easement Program

The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) protects the agricultural viability and related conservation values of eligible land by limiting nonagricultural uses which negatively affect agricultural uses and conservation values, protect grazing uses and related conservation values by restoring or conserving eligible grazing land, and protecting and restoring and enhancing wetlands on eligible land.

Agricultural Land Easements 

NRCS provides financial assistance to eligible partners for purchasing Agricultural Land Easements that protect the agricultural use and conservation values of eligible land. In the case of working farms, the program helps farmers and ranchers keep their land in agriculture. The program also protects grazing uses and related conservation values by conserving grassland, including rangeland, pastureland and shrubland. Eligible partners include Indian tribes, state and local governments and non-governmental organizations that have farmland or grassland protection programs.

Under the Agricultural Land component, NRCS may contribute up to 50 percent of the fair market value of the agricultural land easement. Where NRCS determines that grasslands of special environmental significance will be protected, NRCS may contribute up to 75 percent of the fair market value of the agricultural land easement.

Benefits

Agricultural Land Easements protect the long-term viability of the nation’s food supply by preventing conversion of productive working lands to non-agricultural uses. Land protected by agricultural land easements provides additional public benefits, including environmental quality, historic preservation, wildlife habitat and protection of open space.

Battlefield Preservation Fund

Grants from the Battlefield Preservation Fund will serve as a catalyst to stimulate efforts to preserve battlefields, viewsheds, and related historic structures and to leverage fund-raising activities.

Eligible Activities

National Trust Preservation Fund grants are awarded for planning activities and education efforts focused on preservation. Grant funds can be used to launch new initiatives or to provide additional support to on-going efforts.

Planning

Supporting existing staff (nonprofit applicants only) or obtaining professional expertise in areas such as architecture, archaeology, engineering, preservation planning, land-use planning, and law. Eligible planning activities include, but are not limited to:

• Hiring a preservation architect or landscape architect, or funding existing staff with expertise in these areas, to produce a historic structure report or historic landscape master plan.
• Hiring a preservation planner, or funding existing staff with expertise in this area, to produce design guidelines for a historic district.
• Hiring a real estate development consultant, or funding existing staff with expertise in this area, to produce an economic feasibility study for the reuse of a threatened structure.
• Sponsoring a community forum to develop a shared vision for the future of a historic neighborhood.
• Organizational capacity building activities such as hiring fundraising consultants, conducting board training, etc.

Education and Outreach

Support for preservation education activities aimed at the public. The National Trust is particularly interested in programs aimed at reaching new audiences. Funding will be provided to projects that employ innovative techniques and formats aimed at introducing new audiences to the preservation movement, whether that be through education programming or conference sessions.

Assets for Thriving Communities

Community assets that are available to everyone are the building blocks of a fair, thriving, and resilient region. Our Assets for Thriving Community grants support the infrastructure & initiatives our neighbors need. We are here to help you build Community Assets.

What We Fund

We support initiatives that develop, strengthen or build community assets that are available to all, or make an existing asset more widely available. This category is intended for projects that have done significant groundwork prior to application to engage the community, establish working relationships with stakeholders, and execute research to inform strategy. 

About

Through its grantmaking and other policy-focused efforts, the Foundation seeks to:

• Racial Equity: Incorporate the voices of, and achieve more equitable outcomes for, Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) communities in the Great Lakes region.
• Economic Mobility: Improve the ability of individuals in the Great Lakes region to move up the economic ladder within a lifetime or from one generation to the next.
• Next Generation: Incorporate the voices of, and improve outcomes for, the next generation of Great Lakes residents, defined as young people born after 2000.

Education & Economic Mobility Grants

The mission of the Education & Economic Mobility Program is to close income and race disparities in college and career success through equitable access to high-quality education. We invest in local, state and federal policies that aim to ensure historically underserved young people 1) have effective educators; 2) graduate high school with academic and career momentum; and 3) attain affordable college credentials with economic value. In the short term, we will invest in research, policy development, and advocacy to help young people recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Effective Educators

Evidence is clear that teachers and principals are the main in-school driver of student success. Yet, young people of color and those from underserved communities often have inexperienced, unqualified, or ineffective educators. To ensure historically marginalized students have top-notch and diverse educators, the Foundation invests in research, policy development, advocacy, and technical assistance to: 1) use data to better align educator supply and demand; 2) diversify the educator pipeline; 3) build strong pathways from high school into teaching; and 4) spread innovative school staffing models that attract educators, boost retention, and improve student outcomes. Our investments focus on Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota and national efforts.

College and Career Readiness

There is overwhelming evidence that a college degree significantly improves life outcomes. Yet not enough high school students—especially young people of color and those from underserved communities—are prepared to succeed in post-secondary. To help students get on the right path, the Foundation supports federal and state policies to: 1) align K-12, higher education, and workforce systems; 2) increase access and success in rigorous courses; and 3) increase access to high-quality work-based learning activities connected to careers with family-sustaining wages.

Post-Secondary Success

A post-secondary degree remains the surest path to social and economic mobility. Yet colleges fail to enroll and graduate students of color and students from low-income households at the same rate as White and wealthier students. This contributes to racial and socioeconomic disparities in education and career outcomes. To address these disparities, the Joyce Foundation supports federal and state policies that: 1) scale proven student support models to improve community college outcomes; 2) preserve access for students of color and rural students to affordable, high- quality public college options and labor markets that require college degrees; 3) seek racial and family income representativeness at selective public universities; and 4) narrow gaps in post-graduate financial outcomes for students of color and low-income students.

Background

The Habitat grant program provides funding to preserve essential habitat; protect, restore, and stabilize important fish habitats; and increase habitat availability. The GLFT pursues these efforts through investments in specific places with a degraded or vulnerable habitat, connectivity enhancements, and use of decision-support tools that suggest optimal strategies for investing in habitat. The RFP is planned for release annually in the winter.

The GLFT prioritizes its investments in capital projects such as fish passage, dam removal, and land acquisition to projects where the habitat opportunity is prime, other funders are contributing, long-term management is assured, and the proposed project has the strongest community support and interest.

Funding Priorities

The Trust’s priorities for the Habitat Protection and Restoration grant category are:

• Projects that offer an increase in long-term, sustainable, natural reproduction for species now supported by hatchery production—project benefits should be targeted toward salmonids and nonsalmonid predator game species.
• Projects that offer secondary benefits—for example, improved sea lamprey management or protection of state-listed threatened or endangered species—may be supported at a greater funding level.
• Applicants that use the Great Lakes Aquatic Habitat Framework (GLAHF), the Great Lakes Fishery Commission Barrier Removal Collaboration Suite, Fishwerks, existing field inventories, or similar tools to identify appropriate projects or as part of their proposed scopes of work.

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.

The Carls Foundation has broadly defined charitable purposes, but the principal purpose and mission of the Foundation as outlined by its donor-founder and its Trustees is children's welfare and preservation of natural areas.

Programming Interests

The Carls Foundation has broadly defined charitable purposes, but the principal purpose and mission of the Foundation as outlined by its donor-founder and its Trustees is as follows:

• Children’s Welfare (primarily in Michigan) including:
• Health care facilities and programs, with special emphasis on the prevention and treatment of hearing impairment;
• Recreational, educational and welfare programs especially for children who are disadvantaged for economic and/or health reasons; and
• Preservation of natural areas, open space and historic buildings and areas having special natural beauty or significance in maintaining America’s heritage and historic ideals, through assistance to land trusts and land conservancies and directly related environmental educational programs.

Background

Created in 1998 to provide financial support and recognition to individuals and groups seeking to preserve historic Michigan architecture, the grant is for “bricks and mortar” projects.

Ralph and Jeanne Graham and Carl Roehling founded the award to honor David Evans, FAIA, a talented and generous preservation architect. Since its founding, the award has been granted to preservation projects throughout Michigan. Today, $30,000 is granted annually by a jury based on the merits of the project. The application period starts the first of the new year and submissions are due by March 17th of the same year.

Criteria for Selection

Creativity

The project demonstrates a creative solution to a preservation problem that includes both environmental sustainability and economic model that will extend the building’s life.

Community

The final result must benefit the community with which it resides aesthetically and functionally. It should increase the visibility of historic preservation and be an educational influence. It should be impactful.

Quality

The project should be an example of preservation excellence in process and principles. It must be a model for others to follow.

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

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. 

Bell's Brewery

Bell’s has been creating unique and inspired craft beer in Michigan for more than three decades. The first Michigan brewery to open an onsite pub and sell beer by the glass, Bell’s has grown to become a premier craftbrew destination for the Great Lakes region and beyond.

Grassroots Small Grant Cycle

Focus Area—Water Stewardship

The communities in which we brew our beer are intrinsically bound to the Great Lakes watershed. Since water makes up over 90% of our beer, we approach our role as stewards sincerely. We aim to take only what we need and mitigate any environmental impacts from its use.

This means we work continually to reduce water consumption and ensure that water leaving our brewery will not compromise the quality of our local watershed or ultimately the Great Lakes watershed.

Of course, we can do everything within our power to reduce the quantity and preserve the quality of the water we use, but that alone won’t sustain or rebuild the country’s many threatened waters.

We are a small splash in a giant pond, and we want to make our splash ripple.  So that our ripple might expand beyond the lakes and rivers in our backyard, we offer support for water projects across our geographic funding area.

We Are Looking to Fund

• Projects that strengthen and protect ecosystem health and biodiversity.
• Projects that improve the use of water resources for the protection and benefit of public health and frontline communities.
• Projects that promote resiliency and adaptation in the face of climate-related water risks.

Grassroots grants range in size from $500 to $5,000.

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

Margaret Toth Fund Grant Guidelines

Greater Toledo Community Foundation is a public charitable organization created by citizens of our community to enrich the quality of life for individuals and families in our service area, which includes northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan (Monroe and Lenawee Counties).

The Margaret Toth Fund of the Greater Toledo Community Foundation seeks proposals from nonprofit organizations that provide services for the blind or visually impaired and their caregivers. 

Funds are limited, will be awarded on a competitive basis, and should not be depended upon as an annual source of support.

Greater Toledo Community Foundation

Greater Toledo Community Foundation is a public charitable organization created by citizens of our community to enrich the quality of life for individuals and families in our service area, which includes northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan (Monroe and Lenawee Counties). 

Our Mission

Toledo Community Foundation, Inc., dba Greater Toledo Community Foundation, is a public, charitable foundation which exists to improve the quality of life in the region by:

• Providing a flexible, informed, effective means for donors to achieve their charitable goals in perpetuity;
• Addressing the changing needs of the region through efficient, prudent, high impact grantmaking;
• Serving as a source of information about and as a catalyst in shaping the region’s response to those needs; and
• Facilitating the work of other grantmaking organizations in order to achieve effective and efficient grantmaking practices.

Toth Fund for the Blind

The Toth Fund for the Blind of the Greater Toledo Community Foundation seeks proposals from nonprofit organizations that provide services for the blind or visually impaired and their caregivers. Funds may be used to provide education, training and support services that enable the blind or visually impaired to live as independently as possible. Funds may also be used for prevention efforts to preserve sight or delay vision loss. Applicant organizations should have a demonstrated track record of providing services that benefit the visually impaired. This grant opportunity is intended to support existing services. 

Your Keweenaw Community Foundation

We are a non-profit, community organization created by and for the people of Houghton and Keweenaw counties. We are here to help our donors help the community. For good. For ever.

Houghton County Historical Preservation Fund

The Keweenaw Community Foundation is currently soliciting applications for grants under the Houghton County Historical Preservation Fund. The purpose of the Houghton County Historical Preservation Fund is to support local historical preservation and education projects or activities related to the Houghton County of Michigan.