This grant partnership supports the work of the Michigan Partnership for Equity and Opportunity, a statewide coalition of civil rights, social justice, civic and business leaders working to promote equitable education policy and resource allocation for all Michigan students. This partnership was made possible by the Challenge Scholars Fund.

This grant continues the Community Foundation’s support for the Urban Core Collective Education Justice Team’s organizing and base-building work. Over the grant period, the team will continue to advance a community-defined policy and budget agenda, further refine and strengthen the team’s organizing infrastructure, support community education around candidates for Boards of Education, and explore their role in organizing a potential state ballot initiative on education funding. This partnership was made possible by the Challenge Scholars Fund.

This grant supports a partnership between our Challenge Scholars program and the T2C Studio to provide high school and college students with an ongoing series of activities to aid post-secondary decision-making, reduce summer melt among graduating seniors, and support post-secondary persistence. This partnership was made possible by the Challenge Scholars Fund.

This grant will support their ability to purchase an adjacent property and expand their current facility. More space will allow Urban League of West Michigan more opportunity to fulfill their goal to improve the overall quality of life for Black students and families by increasing education supports and reaching more youth. The Urban League is the city’s oldest and largest community-based movement devoted to empowering Blacks/African Americans to enter the economic and social mainstream.

This grant award aids in continuing the community school model, which benefits our Challenge Scholars cohorts at Union High School through strategies designed to increase student attendance and well-being. This partnership was made possible by the Challenge Scholars Fund.

To implement a series of activities to support post-secondary decision-making and reduce summer melt among graduating seniors in the 2023 Challenge Scholars cohort. This partnership was made possible by the Challenge Scholars Fund.

To empower youth and families with financial literacy through culturally responsive education.

To empower students to become advocates by fostering their voice through 1-1 and small group support, identifying opportunities, and creating space for students to use their voice to hold education systems accountable. This partnership was made possible by the Challenge Scholars Fund.

To support continued engagement in the Michigan Partnership for Equity and Opportunity, a statewide coalition of civil rights, social justice, civic, and business leaders working to promote educational equity for all Michigan students. This partnership was made possible by the Challenge Scholars Fund.

To support the Kent County Education Justice Initiative, which will develop grassroots leaders and design structures that support those leaders in applying their gifts to hold education systems accountable to their constituencies. This partnership was made possible by the Challenge Scholars Fund.

Ongoing support for the community school model in the 14 GRPS partner schools, with an emphasis on implementing new family engagement strategies and increasing student attendance. This partnership was made possible by the Healthy Youth & Healthy Seniors Fund, Cherry (Mrs. James) Carpenter Fund for Children, and George M. Ames Fund.

To support expanded stakeholder engagement in Grand Rapids Public School's Strategic Planning process. This partnership was made possible by the William H. and Inetta P. Martindill Fund.

To empower teens to take control of their finances through culturally responsive financial education. This partnership was made possible by the George M. Ames Fund.

Part of an ongoing relationship to promote post-secondary readiness, access, and success for all students. The support includes funding for Challenge Scholars programming at Harrison Park, Westwood Middle School, and Union High School.

Part of an ongoing relationship to promote post-secondary readiness, access, and success for all students. The support includes funding for Challenge Scholars programming at Harrison Park, Westwood Middle School, and Union High School.

To support organizations working together to implement best practices for providing in-person, academic support of K-12 students and families doing virtual learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Organizations include Baxter Community Center, Boys and Girls Clubs of Grand Rapids Youth Commonwealth, Bridge Street Ministries, Grandville Avenue Arts and Humanities, New City Kids, The Other Way Ministries and YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids.

To support the community school model that ensures students have access to physical health, mental health, and human services within their schools.

To explore opportunities for program and operational growth.