Michigan Business Beat | Cindy Hales/Community Foundation 2023 Grant Cycle For Tri-County Nonprofits

Michigan Business Network

Jeffrey Mosher welcomes Cindy E. Hales, Ed.D., Vice President of Community Investment, Capital Region Community Foundation. Their discussion covers the details surrounding a grant application period that is currently underway. LANSING, MICH. — The Community Foundation has announced the opening of their 2023 grant cycle. Applications are now open for Capacity Building, Mini, and Youth Grants. New this year, Impact Grants will open for application in mid-March. “We’re excited for the opening of our 2023 grant cycle, which incorporates changes based on guidance from our Community Investment and Racial Equity Committees,” said Cindy Hales, Vice President of Community Investment. “Our goal with these changes is to be more inclusive and accessible to diverse organizations in the Capital Region. And with the recent adoption of an Inclusion Statement, we are encouraging our grantees to also embrace a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.” Inclusion Statement In our grantmaking, we work with partners whose programming, leadership, staffing, and volunteers reflect the diversity of the people they serve. Like the Community Foundation, our partners should authentically work to maximize access to services and achieve equitable practices for all people regardless of ethnicity, race, age, gender, identity/expression, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, marital status, income status and or philosophy/religion. Capacity Building Grants help an organization increase its sustainability and effectiveness by strengthening its internal systems. Capacity Building strengthens an organization so it can grow its impact and accomplish its mission. The Foundation does this by partnering with our Capacity Building grantees and experts in organizational management. Capacity grant amounts vary. Youth Grants are awarded by the Youth Advisory Council (YAC), a group of high school students from across the tri-county region. The YAC makes grants of up to $5,000 from the Youth Endowment Fund to support programs that help teens age 12-18 in Clinton, Eaton, or Ingham counties. Mini Grants are perfect for smaller organizations that seek programming or project support, up to $5,000. These opportunities are presented for consideration to donors with funds at the Community Foundation and may be awarded at any time throughout the year. To be eligible for a Community Foundation grant, requests must be for projects or programs that predominately benefit the residents of Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties. Applicants must also have a 501c3 tax exempt status, or partner with one who can serve as a fiduciary. If you would like to discuss these opportunities or explore the application process in more detail, please call a member of our Community Investment team at 517-272-2870. Applications for Capacity Building, Youth, and Mini Grants close February 10, 2023. Full grant guidelines and details can be found on our site at https://ourcommunity.org/nonprofit-support/grants-at-the-community-foundation. The Community Foundation is passionate about creating vibrant, thriving communities throughout Michigan’s capital region. The Foundation serves donors to meet their unique charitable goals, supports area nonprofits with grants and coaching, and leads innovative projects that drive community growth. The Community Foundation (also known as the Capital Region Community Foundation) is a tax-exempt public charity whose mission is to lead philanthropic solutions that build vibrant communities in Ingham, Clinton and Eaton counties.