Our LGBTQ Fund was established in 2014 to provide a safe, welcoming and healthy environment for LGBTQ+ communities in West Michigan by increasing wellness and prosperity levels, visibility, acceptance, support and access to resources. Show support today by contributing to Our LGBTQ Fund through a financial gift. You will have the opportunity to choose an endowed gift or non-endowed.

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2024 Grant Awards Announced

Recipient

Amount

Date

Purpose

  • AYA Youth Collective

    Amount Awarded: $15,000

    Date Awarded: May. 2024

    Direct cash payments to mitigate LGBTQ+ homelessness

  • Grand Rapids Pride Center

    Amount Awarded: $40,000

    Date Awarded: May. 2024

    EquiPulse: Cultivating Inclusive Therapists - to create a learning cohort that will train BIPOC mental health clinicians in specializing in 2-SLGBTQ+ care with the goal of hiring one at GRPC.

  • Grand Rapids Trans Foundation

    Amount Awarded: $30,000

    Date Awarded: May. 2024

    Grand Rapids Trans Foundation "Update!" Program: to extend legal guidance, advocacy, and financial assistance to Transgender and Nonbinary residents seeking legal name change and document updates in Kent County.

  • Michigan Organization Adolescent Sexual Health

    Amount Awarded: $15,000

    Date Awarded: May. 2024

    BAMM Pride SummitSupport an LGBTQ+ youth summit to create community and develop advocacy skills in youth to improve their school community.

Grant Award Decision Process

Our LGBTQ Fund accepted and reviewed applications for funding from community organizations with programming that addresses social determinants of health for LGBTQ+ communities. Learn more about the feedback and factors which will influence the grant process and grant award decisions.

  • Community Debrief Session

    Community was invited to come and hear a review of the grantmaking process and funding decisions, share feedback for future grant rounds and identify future engagement touchpoints. Click here to view the debrief presentation.

  • Read the Grant Application Guidelines here

    In our Grant Application Guidelines you can read about eligibility, timeline and the application questions. Click here to view.

  • Brigham Consulting Report

    Our 2022 and 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.

As an advocate in the community, we need your help to make this happen.

Leadership Circle

Our LGBTQ Fund Leadership Circle is a great way to ensure the sustainability of the fund into the future.

Join the Leadership Circle

To join the Leadership Circle, complete these simple steps: give a minimum of $2500, which may be pledged over five years, and advocate and share your enthusiasm with others about the fund. If you are interested in joining the Leadership Circle, please contact Jenine Torres.

A photo of Carol Sarosik & Shelley Padnos, fund founders

Carol Sarosik & Shelley Padnos, fund founders

When we initiated the fund, we hoped to increase awareness and acceptance of the LGBTQ community, and to begin to address the issues of youth homelessness.  With the incredible generosity of the West Michigan community, we have experienced some positive impact, but we have a long way to go, and it is our hope that the fund continues to grow in size and impact.”

2022 Grant Awards

Recipient

Amount

Date

Purpose

  • Grand Rapids Pride Center

    Amount Awarded: $25,000

    Date Awarded:

    The Direct Cash Transfer Project will be used to help eliminate barriers within LGBTQ+ communities especially those in poverty experiencing unstable housing.

  • New City Neighbors

    Amount Awarded: $10,000

    Date Awarded:

    To provide leadership development opportunities for LGBTQ+ youth coupled with meaningful youth employment and one-on-one mentoring.

  • Puertas Abiertas

    Amount Awarded: $40,000

    Date Awarded:

    Puertas Abiertas seeks to re-establish its support groups for LGBTQ+ Latinx youth and expand its 1:1 culturally sensitive counseling services.

  • Grand Rapids Mutual Aid Network

    Amount Awarded: $25,000

    Date Awarded:

    To provide mutual aid and direct giving support to LGBTQ+ communities.

Our LGBTQ Fund Leadership Circle

Donors as of June 30, 2024

Our LGBTQ Fund Leadership Circle is a group of donors who are deeply committed to ensuring the sustainability of the fund into the future. They give a minimum of $2500, which may be pledged over five years, and advocate and share their enthusiasm with others about the fund. If you are interested in joining the Leadership Circle, please contact Jenine Torres.

  • Brian and Ronna Alexander
  • Emily Ambs
  • Anonymous
  • Roger Arbury
  • Mary Kay and Mark Baker
  • Ken Bandstra and Ken Terpstra
  • Connie Bellows and Darlene Zwart
  • Ricky Benavidez
  • Laurel Blasi and Larry Nolan
  • Thomas and Tracy Breihof Charitable Fund
  • Duane Brown and Kevin Martin
  • Christopher J. and Ann Marie Caldwell
  • Timothy Chester and Henry Matthews
  • Sue Conway
  • Roger and Marcia DeKock
  • Dennis and Merrit DeLano-Taylor
  • The Dunes Resort
  • Lucy Dyer Joswick and Scott Joswick
  • Romeo Ferrer Jr. and Sam Curcuruto
  • Fifth Third Bank
  • Jason Franklin of the Ktisis Fund of RSF Social Finance
  • Edwin Galka and Lawrence Holland
  • Lawrence Gammons
  • Mary, Duke, Libby and Benjamin Greene
  • Graci Harkema
  • Haworth, Inc.
  • Mike Hoffman and Michael Doriean
  • Sue Hood and Anne Vlcek
  • John Hunting
  • Roberta King and Mike Miesch
  • David Klinzing, Todd Theisen, Patrick Tischler
  • Mira Krishnan and Teri Jourdan
  • Marilyn Lankfer and Jeff Schad
  • Brett Leingang and Eric Icard
  • Emily Loeks
  • Janis Lunquist and Michael May
  • Max Matteson and Bud Baty
  • Jill May
  • Michele McIsaac and the Eleveld Family
  • Tom Merchant
  • Debra L. Minton and Terri Osborne
  • Mark Nettleton
  • Shelley Padnos and Carol Sarosik, Fund Founders
  • Bill Padnos and Margy Kaye
  • Mitchell and Karen Padnos
  • Douglas and Nancy Padnos
  • Wally Petersen and Mike Tischleder
  • Dottie Rhodes
  • Richard A. Roane and Leandro Robles
  • L. Howard Rochte and Russell J. Lamesfield
  • Mary Ann Sabo and Jeff Ott
  • Richard Lord* and Brian Schipper
  • Matthew and Kate Schmid
  • Jim Sellman
  • Diana R. Sieger
  • Brent and Diane Slay
  • Deanna and Jamie Smith
  • Aimee Sterk and Joe Kurnik
  • George Stoutin and Dave Heilman
  • Betty Stremich and Nancy Sojka
  • Doug and Alix Thompson
  • Robert and Colleen Tobin
  • Kevin Toler and Joseph Trudeau
  • Scott Urbanowski
  • Steve Villa and Malcolm MacLeod
  • Lynn Warshaw and Vicki Esch
  • Karin and Steve Waterbury
  • Elizabeth Welch and Brian Schwartz
  • Kate Pew Wolters
  • Bruce C. Young

*Deceased

Our LGBTQ Fund Donors as of July 1, 2023- June 30, 2024

  • Brian and Ronna Alexander
  • Emily Ambs
  • Anonymous (4)
  • Paul Asselin and Jack Sytsma
  • Mary Kay and Mark Baker
  • Ken Bandstra and Ken Terpstra
  • William J, Barrett
  • Connie Bellows and Darlene Zwart 
  • Richardo Benavidez
  • Lynne Black
  • Ben Boerkoel
  • Scott and Gigi Branc
  • Thomas and Tracy Breihof Charitable Fund
  • The Brooks Family
  • Debra and John Byl
  • Timothy Chester and Henry Matthews
  • Mike Clawson and John April 
  • Paul Cook and Andy Brookhouse
  • Lisa Cooper
  • Steven and Christine Crandall 
  • Roger and Marcia DeKock
  • Dennis and Merritt DeLano-Taylor 
  • Paula and Michael Freed
  • Nancy Garber 
  • Linsey Gleason 
  • Kailyn Hamm 
  • Haworth, Inc. 
  • Eric and Annette Hendrickson
  • Ginger Hensley 
  • Jay and Jessica Heyenburg
  • James V. Higgins and Kathleen Delp Higgins 
  • David Hill and Elizabeth Kidd
  • Randy and Carol Hoekstra
  • Mr. Mark Holzback and Mr. Dana Friss-Hansen 
  • Charissa Huang
  • Dr. John Ivancich 
  • Lucy Dyer Joswick and Scott Joswick
  • Karen A. Kania and Margaret H. McClue 
  • Brett Karhoff
  • Ruth and Carl Kelly
  • Raymong Kennedy and Tyllor Parker
  • Mike Kerkorian and Christopher Penzien
  • Jan Koopman
  • John and Melinda Kopec
  • Scott and Linda LaFontsee
  • Marilyn Lankfer and Jeff Schad
  • Claire and Debbie Larson
  • Rabbi and Dr. Albert Lewis
  • Tracy Lunquist
  • Sam and Jean Martin
  • Brad and Wendy McGinnis
  • Jennifer McKay
  • Brian Merucci
  • Joseph and Gretchen Murphy
  • New Urban Home Builders, LLC
  • Daniel Padnos and Dex Phillip Family Fund
  • Douglas and Nancy Padnos
  • Hannah Padnos
  • Bill Padnos and Margy Kaye
  • Terry McGovern and Carol Paine-McGovern
  • Joan Panopoulos
  • Mr. Ward Paul and Mr. Charles Schoenknecht
  • Jim and Marie Preston
  • Milt and Barbara Rohwer
  • Mary Ann Sabo and Jeff Ott
  • Sabo PR
  • Matthew and Kate Schmid
  • Colweck-Silverstein Family Fund
  • Corinne Sprague and Scott Curtis
  • Sandra Thieda
  • Doug and Alix Thompson
  • Colleen and Bob Tobin
  • Nancy Toledo
  • Jenine and Jose Torres
  • Jaye Van Lenten and Janette Tazzia
  • Scott and Melissa VanderLeek
  • Carl and Sandra VerBeek
  • Steve Villa and Malcolm MacLeod
  • Lizzie Williams and Steve Faber
  • Williams Group
  • Mark W. Yonkman and Andrea C. Yonkman
  • Marilyn and Garrett Zack
  • Karen Zivi and Michael Moody

*Deceased


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