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 summary statement
  • Start and end dates of the project
  • 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

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 – Books for Spanish Literacy Program
  • Fremont Area District Library – Touch Table for Children's Area
  • Grant Public Schools - English Language Learner Program
  • 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 – 2025 Osteochamp Scholarship for Newaygo County Student
  • Michigan 4-H Foundation – Oceana County 4-H Hippology Team Transportation
  • Newaygo County PEERS, Inc. – 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 LEGO Discover and Explore Programs in Lake, Newaygo, and Oceana Counties
  • National Inventors Hall of Fame, Inc. – Camp Invention STEM Program in Muskegon County
  • MI 4-H Foundation - Newaygo County 4-H Fab Lab SPIN Club

Health/Nutrition/Dental Care

  • Bread of Life Food Pantry – Support for Lake County Food Pantry
  • Trinity Lutheran Church New Era – Baby Pantry and Reading Room Support
  • Hospice of Michigan – Support for Camp Good Grief
  • 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 High School - Close Up Civic Education Program Support
  • Michigan 4-H Foundation – Newaygo and Lake Counties 4-H Days at Legends Ranch
  • Muskegon YMCA – 2025 Camp Pendalouan Scholarship Program
  • Camp Henry – 2025 Summer Camp Scholarship Program
  • TrueNorth Community Services – 2025 Camp Newaygo Scholarships
  • Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital – 2025 Junior Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports Camp Scholarships

General Youth

  • Muskegon Rescue Mission - Playground Expansion for Toddlers and Pre-K Children
  • Operation Warm, Inc. – Shoes and Socks for Muskegon Children
  • TrueNorth Community Services – 2025 TrueNorth Youth Program Support
  • Pioneer Resources, Inc. - Youth Day Camp Recreation Equipment Purchase
  • Fremont Christian Schools - AgriScience Classroom Renovation

Foundation
Est. 1952

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