To be eligible for a grant from the Foundation's Unrestricted Funds that are advised by our Distribution Committee – the committee that makes decisions on investments from our unrestricted funds - a potential grantee must address one of the Foundation's new leadership goals. We encourage all potential grantees to address one or more of the following goals, and will give preference to those who do.
Create hope and opportunity for youth Empowering our youth to have aspirations for a bright future and create opportunities for them to realize their dreams.
Support collaborative community goals and decision making Supporting active partnerships that are working together sharing power, resources, and decision-making for the common good.
Build an inclusive community Building a welcoming, accepting community that respects difference and actively promotes full participation by all people; a place where everyone has the opportunity to share their voice, to participate in decisions that affect their lives, and access all the community has to offer.
The foundation considers funding for the following:
Arts
- Support the Frauenthal Center
- Quality arts programming benefiting a diverse audience
- Improved access to cultural programs, especially for children and youth
- Financial stability and organizational development for arts organizations
Community Development/Urban Revitalization
- Community development projects which improve the quality of life for all Muskegon County residents
- Capital projects with county-wide impact and benefit.
- Capital renovation projects only if they provide new and expanded programming
- Efforts that will enhance the perception and image of Muskegon County
Education Education funding will prioritize programs that have a county-wide focus, and will consider individual pilot projects only if a plan is provided for scaling the project county-wide.
- Increase the number of career and college ready high school graduates
- Improve student access to high quality extended learning programs after school and during the summer
Environment
- Environmental education for all ages
- Comprehensive community planning, priorities and strategies
- Balanced and innovative land use
- Protection and restoration of green spaces, shorelines, dune areas and wildlife habitat, water quality and air quality
Health and Human Services
- Programs that promote healthy lifestyles
- Programs that encourage families to become self-sufficient
Meeting the Needs of Children Ages 0 - 5
- Promote responsible parenting through outreach services and education programs, including the special needs of at-risk parents and teen pregnancy prevention
- High quality child care choices for young children
- Early literacy
Emerging Community Needs The foundation recognizes that standard grantmaking categories do not always encompass all community needs. The Distribution Committee and other targeted grant committees will, to the extent appropriate and possible, accommodate other requests that address important or emerging community needs.