CFHZ awarded $212,000 to local nonprofits through our responsive grant program, funding initiatives in the arts, education, human services, and youth programs. The responsive grant program is an open funnel process, allowing us to invest in a broad range of needs and opportunities.
I AM Academy
Project: Rumble to Rise
Amount Awarded: $60,000 over 2 years
Rumble to Rise is a transformative program of I AM Academy that empowers black and brown students by providing essential communication and leadership development skills. Through mentorship, identity exploration, and mental health support, the program prepares students to step confidently into leadership roles, engage in civic participation, and pursue college and career opportunities.
Lindsay Cherry, cofounder of I AM Academy, said, “This grant empowers us to continue leading with care, responsibility, and bold vision – values that lie at the heart of I AM Academy and the Rumble to Rise project. We believe leadership is rooted in love, shaped by justice, and driven by a deep commitment to community. This support strengthens our capacity to walk alongside young leaders as they navigate their own path, transforming both their lives and the world around them.”
Holland Area Arts Council
Project: Essential Arts
Amount Awarded: $48,000 over 2 years
The Essential Arts Program celebrates and focuses on older adults, adults with developmental disabilities, teens and young adults with autism, toddler arts, and a monthly Family Arts Day. The Holland Area Arts Council (HAAC) programs have become a therapeutic outlet that helps foster a calming, positive atmosphere where class participants can gather, socialize, and express their creativity.
Gateway Mission
Project: Gateway Childcare Program for Homeless Mothers and Children
Amount Awarded: $47,000
To increase the capacity of the Women and Children’s shelter and provide much needed childcare, rehabilitation programs, and other support services to help residents rebuild their lives. Last year, Gateway provided approximately 62,000 overnight stays, which represents a 30% increase from the 49,699 reported in 2023. Over 300 women and approximately 200 children received shelter and support, and the number of mothers and their children seeking support is expected to continue growing this year. Expanding the Gateway Childcare Program will offer more mothers and their children experiencing homelessness the opportunity to have safe temporary housing and participate in recovery programs that can truly break cycles of poverty and homelessness.
Migrant Legal Aid
Project: Empowering Michigan’s Immigrants: Education and Outreach
Amount Awarded: $47,000
To advance and expand existing outreach program and conduct, “Know Your Power” workshops for immigrants in Ottawa County. Based on work done last year, Migrant Legal Aid (MLA) reports approximately 13,000 migrant workers reside in Ottawa County. These workers, predominantly Spanish-speaking, experience geographic isolation, language barriers, poverty, and immigration-related concerns, which complicate their abilty to access critical services. The outreach program expansion will help meet the rising demand for support services and legal advocacy in Ottawa County.
“Migrant farmworkers are a vital part of Michigan’s agricultural economy. But they often don’t have the same protections or access to support that others do. This grant helps us meet farmworkers in an environment that is comfortable for them to have conversations, share information, and help them understand their rights. That kind of support makes a real difference,” said Clara Manuzza, Community Impact Coordinator at Migrant Legal Aid.
Velo Kids
Program: Velo Kids Bike Club Program Expansion
Amount Awarded: $10,000
This grant aims to further Velo Kids‘ mission of fostering healthy, active lifestyles in children by expanding their successful Bike Club Program and embedding it into local organizations that work with underserved populations. The Velo Kids Bike Club Program is an expansion that aims to reach kids who might otherwise not have the opportunity to ride a bike and receive exposure to a physical activity that will help foster healthy habits and skill development.
Jenny White, Executive Director of Velo Kids, said, “This grant is a game-changer for Velo Kids and the communities we serve. It allows us to deepen our reach – bringing bike clubs directly into organizations that support underserved youth. With these funds, we’re not just teaching kids how to ride – we’re helping them build confidence, embrace movement, and develop healthy habits that can last a lifetime.”
More information about grantmaking is available online at www.cfhz.org/nonprofits