An Overview
At the Steelcase Foundation, we empower people to reach their full potential. Quality, accessible public education is paramount to achieving this vision, as well as generating education, work and cultural opportunities. The Steelcase Foundation uses a social justice lens to evaluate projects that improve equity and opportunities for everyone in Steelcase Inc.’s founding community of Grand Rapids, Michigan (Kent County) and in Athens, Alabama (Limestone County), where Steelcase operates a large manufacturing facility.
Independent from Steelcase Inc., the Foundation was established in 1951 by Steelcase founders and original trustees, Walter Idema and David Hunting Sr., to support “charitable, scientific, literary, and educational causes”. Today, the Foundation supports projects that drive systemic change in our communities, with a goal of directing 60 percent of our annual budget toward education.
How do I apply for a Grant?
The Steelcase Foundation provides grants to independent 501(c)(3) organizations based in Grand Rapids, Michigan (Kent County) and Athens, Alabama (Limestone County) who support education, arts and culture, and human service causes. The process starts with a letter of inquiry.
Will you match my gift?
Educational, arts/cultural, and environmental/conservations institutions play a vital role in our lives and help us create healthy communities. To encourage your voluntary financial support of these institutions, the Steelcase Foundation will match your eligible donations on a dollar for dollar basis. We will also match donations to select crisis, disaster and relief organizations.
Who have you supported in the past?
From early childhood education support to the creation of a natural science museum center, the Steelcase Foundation considers itself lucky to partner with organizations making an impact in their communities. Browse our latest annual report to see our recent projects.
Updates & Reports
2019 First Quarter Grant Awards
The Steelcase Foundation awarded seven grants to the following organizations for the Foundation’s Q1, 2019. Education Affinity Mentoring was awarded $75,000 over three years to expand its programming to recruit,…
Messy Work – Broad-based Organizing for Social Change
When non-profits talk about community organizing efforts, the purposes can seem vague. What does it look like to build capacity in people? How does engagement actually happen? What does system…
2018 Fourth Quarter Grand Awards
The Steelcase Foundation awarded grants to five organizations at its fourth quarter 2018 meeting: Grand Rapids Student Advancement Foundation (SAF) was awarded $25,000 to create an Athletic Tracking System for…
2018 Third Quarter Grant Awards
The Steelcase Foundation awarded five grants to the following human service organizations for third quarter of 2018: Heart of West Michigan United Way received $450,000 toward its 2018 fiscal year….