Grants
Investing in Opportunity
At the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, we’re dedicated to giving voice and resources to programs with the potential to create lasting, positive change for our community.
Through grantmaking, we partner with area organizations, supporting projects that reflect the needs and diversity of our region, and serve our donors’ shared desire to enhance the quality of life for people in Muskegon County, now and far into the future.
Our Values
Hope & Opportunity
Empowering our community members, particularly our youth, to aspire and have opportunities to achieve their dreams.
Collaborative Community Goals & Decision-Making
Supporting collaborative partnerships that share power, resources, and decision-making for the common good.
Inclusive Community
Creating an inclusive community where everyone is welcomed, respected, and fully involved in decisions and opportunities.
Our Priorities
Education
We strive to improve education for all by promoting lifelong learning in literacy, including science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM), financial literacy, and ensuring equal access to education for everyone.
Community and Economic Development
We foster a dynamic local economy by encouraging innovation, promoting collaboration, and creating growth opportunities that benefit the whole community. Through local partnerships, we build an economy that reflects community values, strengthens social ties, boosts resilience, and creates an inclusive environment where everyone has a stake in success.
Grant Guidelines
Grant Proposal Best Practices
Qualities of the best grant proposals:
- Collaborative, comprehensive, and sustainable
- Designed to prevent problems, rather than simply addressing the effects of problems
- Provide start-up or seed funding for innovative projects
- Leverage grant dollars to bring in additional funds; have multiple sources of funding
Organizations Seeking Grants
The strongest proposals are submitted by organizations who have:
- Adequate staff/organizational capacity to achieve the proposal goal
- Sound fiscal policy and responsible financial management
- Staff and board of directors reflective of the organization’s audience
- Ability to measure the impact of grant money and report the results
- Proven record of cooperating with other organizations
- Capacity to understand and explain how the project will relate to other area services/organizations
- Broad base of community support
Grantee Media Kit
Once you have received a grant, you will have guidelines that are intended to help you publicize your program. The Community Foundation publicizes grants and grant stories through media relations, social media, publications, and our website.
Featured Fund:
Lois Ekstrand Fund
The late Lois Ekstrand, a retired Chicago teacher, planned an amazing gift to the community she loved: a bequest of $1.86 million has doubled the grantmaking power of the White Lake Community Fund… Read More.
FAQs
Visit our Frequently Asked Questions to learn more.
Grant Resources
Resources to help you prepare, apply, and find grants.
Apply Now
Click below to apply for a Grant today.