At the Steelcase Foundation, we envision Kent County, Michigan as a place where everyone’s inherent brilliance can shine and all people can participate, grow, and flourish. Over the next two…
In 2024, Baxter Community Center was awarded a three-year $250,000 grant to support its early childhood education and afterschool and summer programming that focus on whole-child, whole day, and whole…
In 2024, Our Community's Children (OCC) was awarded a three-year $75,000 grant to support its GRow1000 Employers' Community of Practice (CoP). GRow1000 launched in summer of 2020 as a community…
In 2023, Educate Tomorrow was awarded a three-year $150,000 grant to support a pilot of its Changemakers project in Kent County. Hear from Project Coordinator Brina Williams as they share their insights into the work.
In 2024, The Source was awarded a three-year $150,000 grant to support its Supportive Employment Initiative in partnership with AYA Youth Collective. The pair partnered to develop and pilot a program to help young people experiencing barriers to employment by providing career readiness training, resource navigation, and job placement with supportive employers. Hear from The Source Program Manager Lourdes Jordan and AYA Youth Collective Vice President of Programs Stephanie Collier as they share their insights into this partnership.
In 2024, Grand Rapids African American Health Institute (GRAAHI) was awarded a three-year $108,000 grant to support its My Pace Initiative, which seeks to increase diverse representation in the healthcare field, with a specific focus on diagnostics, therapeutics, clinical care, and health informatics. Hear from director of operations & healthcare access programs TeAsia Jordan, as she shares her insights into this work.
In 2025, West Michigan Center for Arts + Technology received a three-year $225,000 grant to support its Teen Arts + Tech program, which is a nationally recognized tuition-free afterschool experience that leverages visual arts and digital media to build creative confidence, elevate voice, connect with community, and explore possibilities for the future. Hear from WMCAT's director of arts and tech Diara Newman as she shares her insights into this work.
In 2024, The Other Way Ministries received a three-year $195,000 grant to support its Little Lights Program, which provides high-quality, affordable childcare and early childhood education for low-income children ages 0-4, and holistic supports for their family. Hear from executive director Scott Bloem as he shares his insights into this program
In 2023, Girls Choral Academy was awarded a three-year $90,000 to support its neighborhood choirs and summer programming. Hear from executive director Lisa Knight as she shares her insights into this work.
In 2023, the Steelcase Foundation awarded Davenport University a three-year $500,000 grant to support Casa Latina, a full suite of academic online programs, services, and wraparound supports using a dual language, multicultural model. Hear from Casa Latina's Executive Director Carlos Sanchez as he shares his insights into the program.