West Michigan Grants

The Gerber Foundation, based in West Michigan, supports various youth programs within Lake, Muskegon, Newaygo, and Oceana Counties. As the birthplace of the Gerber Foundation, it focuses its efforts on funding youth-oriented programming targeting individuals from birth through 18 years of age. The Foundation is committed to making a positive impact on the local community by supporting projects that address several critical areas of need in the region. The Foundation’s grant priorities focus on the following major target areas: health, nutrition, and dental issues; early childhood services and literacy; parenting education; education (including science, technology, engineering, arts, agriculture, and math); and life experiences, such as camp scholarships, agricultural science education, and support for 4-H and FFA programs. This broad focus ensures that diverse aspects of youth development are covered, promoting holistic growth for young individuals in the region. Grants from the Gerber Foundation are typically aimed at funding programming, with most grants being for one-year periods. The average grant size is less than $5,000, and grants generally do not exceed $10,000. Preference is given to programs that are collaborative and have broad support from the community, ensuring that funded projects are well integrated and supported. In special cases, the Foundation may consider funding capital campaigns, but this is rare and requires prior approval from the Foundation staff. Eligibility for grant funding is limited to organizations based in or serving the youth of the four designated counties in West Michigan. To qualify, applicants must be public non-profits with a valid 501(c)(3) IRS determination letter or governmental entities. Organizations should contact the Foundation in advance if they plan to request capital campaign funding to ensure that their proposal aligns with the Foundation’s priorities. The Foundation encourages applicants to discuss their projects with Foundation staff before submission. The office can be reached by phone at (231) 924-3175 or by email at tgf@gerberfoundation.org. This helps to clarify any questions regarding eligibility, funding priorities, or specific project proposals, ensuring that submissions are well-targeted and appropriate. In summary, the Gerber Foundation is a valuable resource for organizations in West Michigan that serve youth, particularly in the areas of health, education, and life experiences. With a focus on supporting smaller, community-backed projects, it provides funding that can make a significant difference in the lives of local youth, promoting their development and well-being in a variety of meaningful ways.