Black Legacy Fund
Our Black Legacy Fund, led by community volunteers, builds on the legacy of giving in Black communities in greater Grand Rapids. Support this cause today by contributing to Our Black Legacy Fund. Your gift will support the fund's endowment, as well as provide resources for immediate grantmaking directed by the Black Legacy Fund committee. This ensures your giving will help now and in the future. Click here to give today. Do you have a question about the Black Legacy Fund? Send a message.
2024 Grant Partnerships
Black Legacy Fund accepted applications for funding from community organizations through September 23, 2024. Up to $400,000 will be awarded for programming that uplifts Black brilliance and improves Black quality of life. Detailed information about focus areas for these funds, eligibility criteria, and the application process are in our grant guidelines.
In our Grant Application Guidelines you can read about eligibility, timeline and the application questions. We made these available in July so you could prepare your application before our new grant portal opened in mid-August. Click here to read.
On August 26, staff and volunteers held an informational session about the grant application and its guidelines. You can view the information session here. Attending/viewing the session is not a requirement to apply or be awarded a grant.
We have created tutorials about how to navigate our updated grant portal, including how to create an account, how to review your organization profile and how to apply for a grant. Click here for a support materials.
Our 2022 +2024 grantmaking process and priorities were informed by feedback gathered at community engagement sessions. Brigham Consulting detailed the process and themes from those sessions. See the whole report here.
2024 Grantmaking Timeline
Black Legacy Fund's grant application opened on August 6. In our Grant Application Guidelines you can read about the eligibility, timeline and the application questions which will inform grant decisions. Click here to view.
On August 26 staff and volunteers held an informational session about the grant application and its guidelines. You can view the information session here. Attending/viewing the session is not a requirement to apply or be awarded a grant.
Black Legacy Fund grant applications closed on September 23, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.
The Black Legacy Fund Advisory Committee reviews all grant applications and may request additional information from applicants while they make decisions about grant awards.
Learning will be shared with community via ongoing engagement.
Support the Fund Today
Support this cause today by contributing to Our Black Legacy Fund. You will have the opportunity to choose an endowed gift or non-endowed. Both ways of giving will help now and in the future. Click here to give today.
Black Legacy Fund donors as of July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023
*deceased
Have an opportunity that you are interested in Grand Rapids Community Foundation sponsoring? Learn more about our sponsorship application process!
2023 Grant Awards
Amount
Date
Purpose
$24,000
To promote wealth building opportunities through financial literacy, career pathways, and homeownership education programming. This grant was made possible through additional support from the George M. Ames Fund.
$44,500
Addressing food insecurity, mentoring, academic support, and cultural exposure programming for Black youth. This grant was made possible through additional support from the Armand F. and Gretchen B. Burch Fund, the Gordon and Janet Moeller, Food Security Fund and the Cherry (Mrs. James) Carpenter Fund for Children.
$100,000
General operating support for cultural celebrations and mental health programming in African immigrant and refugee communities. This grant was made possible through additional support from the George M. Ames Fund.
$110,000
Building a starting salary for an Artistic Director & funding proposed programming scheduling & staffing needs for the span of one calendar year. This grant was made possible through additional support from the Leonard and Eileen Newman Fund for the Arts.
$7,850
Culturally relevant financial literacy and fitness programming for Black youth.
$25,000
Supporting the Blue Collar program for young men of color in the areas of Trades to create a legacy to increase their opportunity for wealth.
$18,720
To help Black youth grow and explore the world outside of their own community through immersive travel experiences to sites featuring Black history and culture. This grant was made possible through additional support from the Cherry (Mrs. James) Carpenter Fund for Children.
$16,150
To fund Black Youth Creatives free summer 2023 photography camp for Grand Rapid Public Schools students.
$25,000
A mission-driven circus project to increase equity in the circus arts for children 10+ and their families in Grand Rapids’ most underserved neighborhoods. This grant was made possible through additional support from the Estate of Annette Richards.
$22,100
To provide outlets through workshops and events for Black professionals who work in predominantly white spaces to reflect, network, and have dialogue about specific topics which directly impact Black people in the workplace. This grant was made possible through additional support from the Fund for Arts and Social Engagement and the Social Venture Investors Fund.
$25,000
To provide mutual aid, direct giving support, and community care to Black communities. This grant was made possible through additional support from the George M. Ames Fund and Kathryn L. Adamson Fund for the Elderly.
$55,000
Provide football and cheerleading programming to teach youth in Grand Rapids, sportsmanship, teamwork, respect, work ethic and great life skills; while providing them with a nurturing environment and education on the fundamentals of the game and life. This grant was made possible through additional support from the Healthy Youth & Healthy Seniors Fund.
$41,500
Mentor and empower African immigrant women to become thriving at home food entrepreneurs by providing tools, coaching, and community support.
$23,500
Supporting the My Destiny program, which provides young women who have aged out of foster care with short-term housing opportunities and quarterly workshops on life skills, job skills, nutrition, wellness, and relationships to live a prosperous life.
$10,000
For support group that help women of color identify, understand, acknowledge, and heal from compound, complex, and ensuing trauma to help them break the cycle of generational and inherited family trauma, and develop healthier emotional and mental health, families, and communities.
$30,000
To provide safe, affordable, and supportive housing opportunities for Black and Brown individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community and/or living with HIV.
$25,000
Weekly programming for teens and young women to grow self-esteem, mental health coping skills, cooking and etiquette skills, and provide volunteering and leadership opportunities to build strength and remove barriers to a wealthy life and legacy of wellness. This grant was made possible through additional support from the Fund for Children and the Cherry (Mrs. James) Carpenter Fund for Children.
$20,000
To build community and organizing within Black communities in the Greater Grand Rapids Area. This grant was made possible through additional support from the George M. Ames Fund.
New name, same legacy
Over the last few years, the African American Heritage Fund committee members have been exploring the strengths, values and guiding posts of the fund's purpose. Through working with a consultant and deep conversations among the committee members, we are proud to announce the African American Heritage Fund has transitioned its title to our Black Legacy Fund. This intentional renaming is meant to honor the heritage of ancestors, invite a more inclusive understanding of Black communities in Kent County and create a legacy for future generations.
