Approximately 25% of Ottawa County households earn above the poverty line but still can’t afford basic necessities, according to recent data from the United Way. For many working families, the rising costs of housing and childcare combined with limited access to workforce development, make it hard to gain financial stability.
To address this, we distributed $180,000 in proactive grants to local nonprofit programs designed to help working families build long-term stability. The grants support housing affordability and workforce development, which are key issues identified through local data and input from nonprofit and civic partners.
Lakeshore Habitat for Humanity
Affordable Housing Development
Grant amount: $80,000 over two years
This grant supports expanded access to safe, affordable housing through a community-centered development in partnership with Calvary Church. Fifteen Habitat homes and six transitional residences will be constructed, creating a supportive environment where families can build stability, connection, and long-term economic opportunities.
“When families have access to affordable housing, entire communities benefit. This grant provides a funding bridge for a new partnership development that will create opportunities for local families to achieve stability and build brighter futures for their children,” said Dave Rozman, Executive Director.
Lighthouse Immigrant Advocates
Pathways to Prosperity
Grant amount: $60,000 over two years
This grant strengthens financial stability for immigrant families in Holland and Zeeland by helping individuals obtain and maintain lawful work authorization, retain employment, and advance toward permanent legal status and/or citizenship. Through affordable legal services and expanded coordination with local workforce development partners, the program will help immigrants achieve long-term economic mobility.
“Every day we meet hardworking people who want the same things most of us do: the opportunity to work, provide for their families, and build a stable future. This grant will help remove legal barriers that stand in the way of those goals. The impact extends far beyond the individuals we serve. It strengthens local employers, supports our regional economy, and helps build a more welcoming and thriving local community,” said Doressa Kupke, Interim Executive Director.
Community Action House
Homeownership Preparedness Initiative
Grant amount: $40,000 over two years
This grant expands Community Action House’s financial counseling assistance program for families that are preparing to purchase a home. The skilled CAH team will help individuals learn the tools needed to reduce debt, increase savings, improve credit, and maximize income to become mortgage-ready.
Scott Rumpsa, CEO, said, “A healthy housing ecosystem needs pathways for neighbors at every stage: from homeless interventions, to affordable rental housing, to homeownership that is accessible to more families. This grant strengthens a critically important piece of that work by helping more of our neighbors prepare for homeownership so they can achieve greater long-term stability. We’re grateful for the Community Foundation’s investment in a stronger future, for all of us, by supporting so many families’ homeownership dreams.”
More information about our grantmaking: www.cfhz.org/nonprofits/.
