PARTNERS in Progress

Since February, Grand Rapids Community Foundation’s Board of Trustees has approved $1,325,000 in grant partnerships from the Fund for Community Good. These partnerships are made possible through the power of unrestricted giving— donor partners who donate their resources and entrust them to be used flexibly for generations to come. The partnerships would not be possible without the power of our local nonprofit sector’s ability to respond to the most current pressing needs.

GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOLS, $240,000

This grant partnership with Grand Rapids Public Schools is part of an ongoing relationship to promote post-secondary readiness, access and success for all students. It includes funding for Challenge Scholars programming at Harrison Park, Westwood Middle School and Union High School.

HEART OF WEST MICHIGAN UNITED WAY, $200,000

In March 2021, COVID-19 relief bills approved resources for emergency rental assistance in Kent County. HWMUW entered a relationship with other partners as the fiduciary for our local efforts. This recoverable grant partnership was provided to create immediate access to resources for them to distribute funds as swiftly as possible to prevent eviction. This maximized their ability to ensure that access and resources will reach as many people as possible. This partnership is a recoverable grant, meaning the funds will be returned to the Community Foundation by March 2023.

HISPANIC CENTER OF WESTERN MICHIGAN, $125,000

The Hispanic Center of Western Michigan educates, advocates for and empowers Latinx communities in West Michigan. For nearly 50 years, it has offered services to individuals and families. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hispanic Center has focused their programming on crisis response, including translation, food services and more. This grant partnership will help them build internal capacity, strengthen their planning and continue their important work.

IMMIGRANT CONNECTION AT CITY LIFE CHURCH, $350,000

Immigrant Connection works to build a flourishing community by providing low-cost legal services to immigrants. They have recently formed a collaboration with Senior Neighbors to provide refugees over 60 years old with legal assistance to secure medical waivers so that they can continue receiving disability benefits. This grant partnership supports their growing capacity needs as the organization expands its services. The Lucy E. Barnett Trust for the Elderly provided significant support for this grant partnership.

NEW CITY NEIGHBORS, $150,000

New City Neighbors provides youth employment, training and mentorship programs through their agricultural farm and café in the Creston neighborhood. The entrepreneurship program trains students to run all aspects of a restaurant, including cooking, customer service, food systems, healthy eating, marketing and more. NCN has been establishing new practices to become actively antiracist and focused on diversity, equity and inclusion. This grant partnership supports their ability to relocate to a new, permanent location that aligns more closely with those values.

SEEDS OF PROMISE, $10,000

Seeds of Promise is a resident-led organization committed to well-being and successful, sustainable health outcomes in the Southtown Community, especially for communities of color. This grant partnership supports the continuous home improvements of owner-occupied housing by creating access to cost effective repair options.

START GARDEN, $250,000

Start Garden serves entrepreneurs in ideation and start-up phases of business ownership. They have a specific focus on making wealth creation and resources more accessible to Black, Indigenous and other people of color. This grant partnership supports a new technology platform and mentorship program. Both will keep aligning resources, such as financial capital, social capital, technical assistance and physical space, with BIPOC entrepreneurs’ needs and reduce barriers to access.