West Michigan Grants

West Michigan Grants

West Michigan Youth Programs

As the birthplace of the Gerber Foundation, the foundation supports a variety of youth programming within a 4-county area that includes Lake, Muskegon, Newaygo, and Oceana Counties in West Michigan. Grants are geared towards projects serving youth from 0-18 years of age.

A special emphasis is placed on projects focused on the following major target areas:

Health, Nutrition, & Dental Issues

Early Childhood Services & Literacy

Parenting Education

Education
(Including Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts/Agriculture, and Math)​

Life Experiences
(Camp Scholarships, Agricultural Science Education, 4-H and FFA)

Info & Requirements

Grants are to fund programming, generally limited to one-year commitments, and are normally under $10,000, with the average grant size being less than $5,000. Programs that are collaborative and that have support from the broader community are encouraged.

Although the Foundation prefers to fund programming only, capital campaign requests are considered, from time-to-time, on a very limited basis. Please contact the Foundation before applying for capital campaign funding.

  • Agencies must be located in or directly serving youth from one of the 4 counties indicated above.
  • Grantees must be a public non-profit (with a 501c3 determination letter from the IRS) or governmental entity in order to apply.

Contact the Foundation office to discuss your project with Foundation staff:

Applying for a West Michigan Grant

Deadlines for Applications are March 15 and September 15 of each year at 4pm.
Results may be expected by the end of April and October, respectively.

Apply Online

The following information will be needed as you complete your grant proposal. Grants under $2,000 have a shortened application process based on the amount entered. While requests for capital projects are seldom made, you may contact the Foundation to discuss your need for support and guidance on your request.

All applications must be completed through our online system.

Project Information:

  • Project description
  • Goals and objectives (overall goals and measurable objectives)
  • Statement of need and issue being addressed (why is this program important and how will it create the change needed)
  • Target population
  • Methodology (expected activities)
  • Expected impact and outcomes (long and short term)
  • Evaluation plan with measures for assessing project impact and outcomes
  • Involvement of other community organizations and description of their involvement
  • Start and End dates of project
  • Nature of project (one-time or ongoing)
  • Plan for acknowledging Foundation support

Optional Items:

  • Relevant news articles
  • Organizational newsletters
  • Any other information you wish to be considered

Organization Information:

  • Mission
  • Brief description of current programs, activities, and populations served (demographics and numbers)
  • Annual organizational budget

Budget Information:

  • Line item budget, including any in-kind support for the project
  • Line item sources of income to cover the anticipated expenses

Required Attachments:

  • Board roster with names and affiliations
  • Most recent annual report, if applicable
  • Letters of support or collaboration from participating organizations named in the grant proposal.

Recent Awards:

Early Childhood/Literacy

We are committed to ensuring that every child is ready to enter kindergarten and is provided with a nurturing and safe childhood. To that end, we fund numerous avenues for early literacy, safety education, and other programs to make sure children are ready to succeed.
  • Grant Area District Library – Support for Youth Reading Clubs
  • Newaygo Area District Library – Purchase of Children’s Books
  • Community Foundation for Oceana County – Purchase of Children’s Books and Literacy Corners Expansion
  • United Way of the Lakeshore – Dolly Parton Imagination Library for Muskegon and Oceana Counties

Parenting

Committed, nurturing, and loving parents are not a guarantee in this world. But they are a necessity for healthy, well developed children who are ready to learn.

Education (STEM)

Not limited to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics education – we prefer to focus on Strategies That Engage Minds.
  • Michigan State University – 2024 Osteochamp Scholarship for Newaygo County Student
  • Michigan 4-H Foundation – Newaygo and Lake County 4-H Days at Legends Ranch
  • Newaygo County RESA – Newaygo County FIRST Middle and High School Robotics Teams
  • Heritage Museum of Newaygo County – Children’s Educational Programming
  • West Michigan Symphony – Support for Link Up Beginner Music Education Program
  • FIRST in Michigan – FIRST in Michigan Discover Program in Lake County
  • National Inventors Hall of Fame, Inc. – Camp Invention STEM Program

Health/Nutrition/Dental Care

  • hand2hand – Weekend and Extended Break Food for Newaygo County Students
  • Trinity Lutheran Church New Era – Baby Pantry and Reading Room Support
  • Hospice of Michigan – Support for Camp Good Grief
  • Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital – 2024 Junior Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports Camp Scholarships
  • Kids Food Basket – Sac Suppers for Muskegon County Students
  • National Kidney Foundation of Michigan – Regie’s Rainbow Adventure Education Program

Life Experience

There are some general youth programs that have been a part of the Foundation’s interest since the establishment of the Foundation. These provide opportunities for children to experience things outside of their normal activities. Support includes camp scholarships, the local Agricultural fair and 4-H activities, a variety of TrueNorth Youth Programs and Services including: Children’s Christmas, Coats for Kids, Tools for Schools, Children’s Car Seats, and TrueMentors.
  • Fremont Public School FFA – 2024 Washington Leadership Conference Scholarships
  • Michigan 4-H Foundation – Newaygo County 4-H Remote Control Spin Club
  • Odd Fellow and Rebekah Camp of Michigan – 2024 Summer Camp Scholarship Program
  • Muskegon YMCA – 2024 Camp Pendalouan Scholarship Program
  • Special Days Camps – Camp Scholarships For Children With Cancer
  • Camp Henry – 2024 Summer Camp Scholarship Program
  • TrueNorth Community Services – 2024 Camp Newaygo Scholarships
  • City of Fremont Police Department – Newaygo County Shop With A Cop Program
  • Operation Warm, Inc. – Coats and Shoes for Muskegon Children
  • TrueNorth Community Services – 2024 TrueNorth Youth Program Support

General Youth

  • Shelby Township – Support for Shelby Township Community Park

Foundation
Est. 1952

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