Geographic Focus

The Foundation primarily focuses its grants on Western Michigan and Central Florida, with significant emphasis on the greater Grand Rapids area. Seldom are grants awarded for international activities.  

Grant Acceptance

The Foundation accepts unsolicited proposals.  The majority of the awarded grants are made to organizations that have an established relationship with the Trustees.  Organizations, and the proposals they submit, should closely align with the Foundation’s mission and not contradict the stated values. Please note that first-time gifts rarely exceed $5,000.

Additionally, the Foundation prefers to consider applications from an organization once every 12 months, whether a previous application was approved or denied. For organizations that have received a multi-year grant, the Foundation prefers to receive new applications only after the multi-year grant has been completed. The Foundation also prefers not to consider second requests for a previously funded capital project in which the foundation has already made a descision on a request.

Program Focus Areas

When unsolicited proposals are selected for funding, the majority of the giving falls into the first two focus areas listed below, with limited and periodic investments in the third focus area:

• Supporting children, youth, and families in their personal development
• Promoting the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and access to quality care
• Strengthening the quality of life in the local community

Within these areas, the Foundation makes grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, governmental units, or non-private foundation public charities, as defined by the Internal Revenue code. The Foundation prefers that the organizations they support have a track-record of successful operations for at least 18 months and a strong sustainability outlook.

Types of Support

The majority of the Foundation’s funding is made on an annual basis and multi-year gifts are an exception. Generally, the Foundation will support the following types:

• General operating and annual campaigns
• Capital – Building/Renovation/Equipment support
• Program development
• Fundraising events – for existing grantees

Restrictions

Typically, the Foundation does not support:

• A charity that does not have a valid 501(c)(3) determination letter from the IRS
• Direct grants, scholarships, or loans for the benefit of specific individuals
• For-profit organizations or candidates for political office
• Loans, operating debt-retirement, or endowments
• Start-up organizations (within 18 months of incorporation)
• Organizations that contradict with the Trustee’s stated values
• Greater than 10% of the organizational/project budget (unless initiated by the trustees)
• Greater than one application per year from any organization (unless initiated by the trustees)

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