Kalamazoo Community Foundation’s Responsive Grants

The Annual Responsive Grants program offered by the Kalamazoo Community Foundation (KZCF) provides one-year funding to support general operations, projects, or programs for organizations that align with KZCF’s community impact priorities. These priorities fall under four broad areas abbreviated as WHEN: Wealth, Housing, Education, and Neighborhoods. KZCF emphasizes a commitment to racial, social, and economic justice in Kalamazoo County, Michigan, and focuses its funding on work that addresses inequity and uplifts historically underserved communities. This grant is designed to be accessible to a wide variety of applicants. It is especially suitable for organizations applying for the first time, recently established nonprofits, returning applicants who did not receive multiyear grants, or those launching new pilot programs or projects. In 2025, approximately $1 million will be available to support an estimated 50 organizations. Grants range from $5,000 to $50,000 and are disbursed in two rounds: the first opening on February 12 with a deadline of March 26, and the second opening on August 13 with a deadline of September 24. Eligibility is limited to nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, registered religious institutions, public entities (such as city councils, public schools, and municipal offices), or projects operating under a fiscal sponsor agreement. All applicants must conduct programming within Kalamazoo County and demonstrate clear alignment with at least one of KZCF’s WHEN priorities. Additionally, organizations receiving multiyear grants are generally deprioritized for this funding stream. The application process is conducted online and must be completed in a single session. Required documentation includes an organizational budget, one to three measurable outcome data points with projections, racial and ethnic demographic data of the board, staff, and clientele, details on leadership changes and recent audit findings, a summary of board governance, and narrative responses. Separate application templates are available depending on organizational structure (i.e., whether the organization uses a fiscal sponsor). Evaluation of grant applications is handled by KZCF’s Community Impact team, Community Impact Committee, and board of trustees. Funding notifications are sent by the end of June for the spring round and by the end of December for the fall round. Following award notification, a grant agreement must be signed before payment is issued. Funded partners are required to participate in annual reporting, which includes a reflection conversation with a Community Impact Officer and submission of summarized demographic and programmatic data through a standardized form. Funds may not be used for political advocacy, lobbying, individual financial support, annual appeals, event sponsorships, or episodic programming. The grant aims to strengthen the organizational capacity of applicants by supporting meaningful, equity-centered work that positively impacts Kalamazoo County residents. For questions or additional information, applicants can contact the Community Impact team at ci@kzcf.org or (269) 381-4416.

Prepare materials in advance using downloadable templates. Application must be completed in one session.