Trustees of Grand Rapids Community Foundation recently approved $454,500 in grants to nonprofits in Kent County that will have impact on people in all corners of the community.

American Civil Liberties Union Fund of Michigan was awarded $30,000 to engage local leaders and policy-makers on civil rights issues with a focus on children’s and LGBT rights.

Grand Valley State University was awarded $85,500 on behalf of the Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center for its FastTrac entrepreneurial program.  This specific program will be focused on serving Hispanic entrepreneurs in cooperation with LINC and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Kent County Land Bank Authority was awarded $80,000 to build capacity and help the organization with acquisition, renovation and rehabilitation of foreclosed properties.

Kent County Parks was awarded $100,000 to help construct a bridge over Division Avenue in southern Kent County to provide safe access for bikes and pedestrians along the Fred Meijer M-6 Trail.   The 9-mile trail connects the Paul Henry Thornapple Trail to Kent Trails. This grant leverages more than $350,000 in federal funds.

Project C.O.O.L. was awarded $75,000 to provide job training and summer jobs for young people 14-18 years of age. Students accepted into the program are involved in extensive training, coaching and job evaluations.

Schrems West Michigan Trout Unlimited was awarded a grant for $84,000 to produce an 11 county coldwater inventory, a strategic plan for West Michigan and to clean up/restore a public access portion of Cedar Creek in Cedar Springs.

Funds for these grants were made possible from the Community Foundation’s Fund for Community Good and the Charles Evenson Fund for the Environment.