Application Open for 2025 College Visit Mini-Grants

The Community Foundation’s Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) is now accepting applications for mini-grants to fund visits to post-secondary educational institutions. Holland/Zeeland area middle schools, high schools, youth-serving nonprofit organizations, and municipalities/governmental entities are all encouraged to apply.

The purpose of these grants is to provide first-generation students (grades 6-12) from low-income households with the opportunity to visit post-secondary education institutions in-person. These visits help students visualize where they might continue their education after high school and develop long-term educational goals.

Updates from our 2024 College Visit Mini Grant recipients.

What can be funded?

Funding may be used for transportation for visits to post-secondary educational institutions in Michigan or within a 200-mile radius of the Holland/Zeeland Area. If the length of travel requires meals outside of what is provided during campus visits, funding may be used for food as well. Visits must be completed by November 1, 2025.

Applicants may request up to $500. If visits will include a financial aid education session/seminar either on the day of or within a few days of visits, organizations can request up to an additional $250 to offset the cost of this additional opportunity.

YAC encourages applications that include:

  • Parent/Guardian involvement – either through direct participation in the visit and/or pre or post-visit activities.
  • Combined visits to two (2) or more post-secondary educational institutions in one trip.
  • Visits that serve first-generation students from low-income households.
  • Visits that provide opportunities for meaningful interactions between visiting groups, college students, and program/school alumni.
  • Visits that pair campus tours with financial aid seminars/information sessions.

Ready to apply?

Find more information and the application here. Submissions are due by 5:00 pm on Friday, January 31, 2025.

Questions?

Please contact Yadah V. Ramirez, Director of Community Impact, at yramirez@cfhz.org or (616) 994-8862.