Applying for a Grant

We give grants to 501(c)(3) organizations, churches, schools, agencies, and governmental units serving the greater Muskegon County area.

  • Strategic Grants are now open! These grants are designed to invest in organization doing good work in the following three areas: 

    Advancing Educational Attainment (Education): 

    • Lifelong literacy, including STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) and financial literacy  
    • Educational equity (opportunities for every student to achieve their full potential) 

    Fostering a Dynamic, Local Economy (Community and Economic Development): 

    • Workforce supports including affordable daycare, housing, and job training, and access to skilled trades 
    • Business supports such as entrepreneurship, development, and capacity of local community and economic development partners 

    Enhancing Community Trust and Promoting Prosperity for All (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion): 

    • Cultural competency 
    • Community outreach, including courageous conversation 
    • Promote spaces where all voices are valued 

     

    Applications of intent are due by April 11, and the grant deadline is April 25.

    More information can be found here: CALL FOR PROPOSALS

  • Community Engagement grants offer grant awards of up to $3,000 to support programs that strengthen partnerships, build relationships, and provide hope and opportunity throughout Muskegon County. All grants awarded through discretionary funds are designed to strengthen community by aligning with the Community Foundation’s strategic focus areas of (1) advancing educational attainment, (2) fostering a dynamic, local economy, and (3) enhancing community trust and promoting prosperity for all through Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts (DEI).

    Two opportunities are available to foster community engagement:

    • Community Empowerment grants are designed specifically for grassroots groups that have an annual operating budget of $100k or less.
    • Faith Partner literacy grants are designed specifically for houses of worship (e.g. churches) working toward advancing life-long literacy and educational equity.

    Both opportunities have a “rolling deadline” throughout the year. This means grant applications will be reviewed at the beginning of each month and awards will be paid the 2nd Monday of each month.

    Here are a few examples of recent CESG grantees making a difference in our community:

    • QPR Suicide Prevention Training
    • West Michigan Filipino Cultural Seminar
    • White Lake Dramatic Club Community Theater

    Some examples of recent Faith Partner grantees that have integrated literacy into their church programs:

    • Reading is Fun event at the COGIC Community Center
    • Literacy Ally Training through READ Muskegon
    • Kids Hope USA mentorship

    Awards will be paid directly to the church and a final grant report will be required.

    *Church is defined as congregations, houses of worship, communities of faith, etc. that are established and organized as such by the IRS. 

     

  • Committee Grants will open by July 1, 2024.

    Grants will be available from the following Committees:

    • Environmental Fund– supports programs that promote, strengthen, and advance environmental interests – $14,630 available for grants. This committee also oversees the James Hanna and Mary H. Murphy Land Fund, which supports acquiring, conserving, or enhancing public accessibility to green space, open lands natural parks, or undeveloped land in its natural state West of US 31.
    • Love is Love LGBTQ+ Fund – supports organizations and projects that serve and/or advance Muskegon County’s LGBTQ+ community.
    • Muskegon County Lions Club Fund – supports hearing and vision services for Muskegon County residents.
    • Muskegon County Medical Society Fund – supports medical training and STEM education related to the medical field.
    • White Lake Community Fund – supports programs and projects that benefit residents of the White Lake Area.
    • Greater Muskegon Service League’s Women and Children’s Fund – supports programs for Muskegon County women and children. Priority for innovative program or projects, rather than general operating support. Priority to programs that support low income or marginalized populations.
    • The Youth Advisory Council – supports programs related to mental health, substance abuse prevention, and race discrimination. These priorities were chosen based upon results of the youth empowerment survey performed in 2021.

    All grant decisions are made by volunteer grant committees, and decisions are shared with the organization within three months of the application deadline – often sooner.

    Fall 2024 – Application Deadlines:

    Application of Intent – September 12

    Full grant application: September 26

    Committee Grants INFO Session (recording)     PASSCODE: VUqif3=O

  • Watch Us Vote grants will be available in 2024, check back in the spring for details!

    The Community Foundation for Muskegon County believes civic engagement is essential to a healthy democracy. Engaging Muskegon County residents in voting strengthens our community’s voice. Nonprofits often have connections to communities that may be underrepresented at the polls and are trusted sources of information. Contrary to popular belief, nonprofits are welcome to engage in nonpartisan efforts to get out the vote! Grants are available in the two month prior to primary and general elections.

    RESOURCES:
    There are many fantastic (and FREE) resources to help you formulate your plan – a great place to start is www.nonprofitvote.org.
    All grant application entries become the property of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County.
    Please share the work you’re doing with your network, using the hashtag #WatchMuskegonVote on social media. Communicate your ideas and projects with us at grants@muskegonfoundation.org – we want to share your great ideas!

  • Our Youth Advisory Council (YAC) invites school district employees to apply for mini-grants to help them out in the classroom. Whether it’s a new idea or that little extra you need to make your lesson plans great, you can brighten your classroom with help from the YAC. Grants can be up to $500 for specific projects or programs including: program enhancement that meets curriculum guidelines, expanding an already existing unit, student awards, special events, professional development, artists in residence and parent involvement programs.

    Teacher Mini Grants will open in the fall of 2024.

    Questions?
    Mini-grant application or award questions contact Janelle Mair janelle@muskegonfoundation.org

  • The Muskegon LEAD (Leading Efforts Against Discrimination) Giving Circle was organized to collectively fund initiatives in Muskegon County specifically and intentionally focused on diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. The circle is comprised of 40 young community members with a shared vision of creating a vibrant community with great opportunities for all. This fall, the Muskegon LEAD Giving Circle will highlight, support, and encourage further action for an organization in our community doing exemplary work around justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI).

    What is the process? Organizations should submit a compelling, one-page summary that makes the case for investment in your organization as a LEADer. An excellent summary would include the following:

        • Mission and vision of the organization and how that mission and vision compel your organization to work and lead towards JEDI.
        • Existing programs and activities that highlight work related to JEDI, including how your target community has been engaged in the planning and implementation of that programming
        • Future plans and dreams for work that will create a just, diverse, inclusive, and equitable community, including how a grant of $5,000 – $7,000 would move that work forward.

    Muskegon LEAD Grants will open in the fall of 2024.

    Click Here to Apply

     

     

     

    Questions? Contact us at grants@muskegonfoundation.org or 231-722-4538.

For more information about Community Foundation grants, contact:

Janelle Mair, 231.332.4116 or grants@muskegonfoundation.org

Other Application Resources

Helpful Links:

Grant Application Overview

Grant Application Guide

How to Create a Successful Budget        Passcode: !4#+%W@6

Committee Grants INFO Session (recording)     PASSCODE: VUqif3=O

Final Grant Report Evaluation Sheet

Grantee Media Kit

Past Grant Awards

View a complete listing of our previous grant awards, including the organization, project, amount, and grant fund.

Learn More

Grant Guidelines

If you're wondering how to make your grant proposal better, or what organizations submit the strongest proposals, we can help.

Learn More

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