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.
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 summary statement
- Start and end dates of the project
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Target population:
- Total youth served
- Age range of youth served
- County of residence of youth served - Purpose statement
- Project activities
- Project impact in the long and short term
- Evaluation in the short and long term
- Community partners and organizations and their role
- Nature of project (one-time or ongoing)
Optional Items:
- Letters of support and collaboration
- 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
- Fremont Public Schools – Daisy Brook Elementary Math and Literacy Night
- Newaygo Area District Library – Update Children’s Collection Materials
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.
- Arbor Circle – Family Connections Parenting Program
Education (STEM)
Not limited to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics education – we prefer to focus on Strategies That Engage Minds.
- FIRST in Michigan – LEGO Discover Program for PreK Children
- Heritage Museum of Newaygo County – Children’s Education Program
- Michigan State University – 2026 OsteoCHAMP Scholarship
- Michigan 4-H Foundation – Newaygo County 4-H Fab Lab STEM Education Program
- Michigan 4-H Foundation – Oceana County Future First Responders: 4-H Youth Firefighter & CPR Training Program
- NC PEERS, Inc – 2025/2026 NC GEARS | NC COGS Robotics Program
- West Michigan Symphony – 2025/2026 Link Up Music Program for 3rd Grade Students
Health/Nutrition/Dental Care
- Baldwin Family Health Care – Youth Dental Outreach Program
- Catholic Charities West Michigan – St. Gianna’s Muskegon Baby and Toddler Pantry Support
- Disability Network West Michigan – My Choice My Voice (Teen) Self-Advocacy Education Program
- Hospice of Michigan – Camp Good Grief (Youth Bereavement Support)
- Kids Food Basket – Muskegon County Sack Supper Program
- Lake County Area Churches Charities – Bread of Life Food Pantry Support
- National Kidney Foundation of Michigan – Regie’s Rainbow Adventure for PreK Healthy Eating Education
- Newaygo County RESA – Great Start Emergency Baby Pantry Support
- Trinity Lutheran Church, New Era – Baby Pantry & Reading Room Support
Life Experience
- Camp Henry – 2026 Summer Camp Scholarships
- Camp Pendalouan – 2026 Summer Camp Scholarships
- Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore – Expanding the Girl Scout Leadership Experience
- Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital – 2026 Junior Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports Camp Scholarships
- Michigan 4-H Foundation – Oceana County 4-H Riding Into Success: Horsemanship Skills for Youth
- Michigan 4-H Foundation – Newaygo County 4-H Fishing Camp
- TrueNorth Community Services – 2026 Summer Camp Scholarships
General Youth
- City of Fremont – Police Department – 2025 Shop with a Cop Christmas Event
- Operation Warm, Inc. – New Coats and Shoes for Muskegon and Oceana PreK Children
- Trinity Lutheran Church New Era – Food Pantry Dry Goods Building Expansion
- TrueNorth Community Services – 2026 Youth Programming Support
