This week, Grand Rapids Community Foundation’s Board of Trustees approved five grants totaling $350,000.

Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation was awarded $50,000 towards its construction of a two-story Student Learning Center at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum. The Museum will also develop a new curriculum to help student visitors learn about civility and President Ford’s impact on our nation’s history.

Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy Association received $75,000 to help build a new and innovative facility for middle and high school students attending U Prep Academy. The new facility will be located on South Division at Logan.

Hope Network was awarded $50,000 to expand and strengthen the Jail Reentry Project—Ready4Work by increasing capacity and the length of time available to support those obtaining competitive employment. The organization is also contracting for external program evaluation and planning for the start of a similar program for women in the Kent County Jail.

Steepletown Neighborhood Services received $75,000 to enable Spanish-speaking adults to complete their academic credentials and increase their opportunities for employment.

YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids was awarded $100,000 for the YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program. This program will provide low-income Grand Rapidians who have risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes the opportunity to participate in an evidence-based program that will dramatically reduce their risk of developing the disease by 58%.

Grand Rapids Community Foundation leads Kent County in making positive, sustainable change. With its endowment, the Grand Rapids Community Foundation supports local nonprofits, leads significant social change and helps donors achieve their philanthropic goals.