Michigan Diversity Equity and Inclusion Grants

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) Recycling Unit is offering grants to support recycling infrastructure projects. EGLE's mission is to protect Michigan’s environment and public health by managing air, water, land, and energy resources, with a focus on addressing climate change, diversity, equity, and inclusion. This grant program aligns with EGLE's broader mission by directly contributing to environmental protection through improved waste management and resource recovery, thereby supporting a healthier and more sustainable Michigan. The target beneficiaries for these grants include a wide range of Michigan-based entities, such as non-profit organizations, tribal governments, school districts, universities/colleges, local health departments, regional planning agencies, cities, villages, townships, charter townships, counties, municipal solid waste authorities, and resource recovery authorities. The impact goals are to increase access to recycling services and grow the statewide recycling rate, ultimately contributing to Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s climate priorities. This program aims to achieve measurable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and benefit environmental justice communities or underserved and vulnerable populations. The program priorities include supporting initiatives with the largest projected increases in processing or collection capacity volume, access, and participation. Preference is given to programs with sustainable funding mechanisms, robust and continuing education programs, and applicants demonstrating strong collaboration and partnerships with other groups and organizations. Additionally, projects that leverage concurrent funding from other sources, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or various foundations and businesses, are highly valued. Projects that directly support Governor Whitmer’s climate change priorities through measurable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are also a key focus. Expected outcomes include a higher statewide recycling rate, increased access to recycling services across Michigan, and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The measurable results will be evaluated by the projected increases in processing or collection capacity volume, participation rates, and the quantifiable environmental benefits, especially in environmental justice communities. The maximum funding request is $1 million, with a minimum of $5,000, for eligible projects such as the transition to recycling carts, public space recycling containers, new or improved processing infrastructure, school and multifamily recycling projects, and collection vehicles. Ineligible projects include organics/food waste, household hazardous waste, electronic waste, scrap tire recycling, and one-day collection events, which further refines the program's strategic priorities.

The City of Flint has launched a new Youth Climate Action Fund, a microgrant program designed to empower youth-led climate initiatives. This program aims to support projects that advance critical community goals related to climate resilience, environmental sustainability, and community engagement. The fund's mission aligns with the broader objective of fostering a more sustainable and resilient Flint by investing in its younger generation as agents of change. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are youth aged 15-24 residing in Flint, who will collaborate with local groups, organizations, nonprofits, and schools to implement their projects. The impact goals are far-reaching, intending to cultivate youth leadership, increase community participation in climate action, and produce tangible environmental improvements within the city. This approach recognizes that youth are not only vulnerable to climate change impacts but also possess unique perspectives and innovative solutions. The fund prioritizes a diverse range of youth-led projects, including awareness, education, research, and development initiatives such as climate education programs, hackathons, surveys, and public art campaigns. It also supports youth-driven climate mitigation and adaptation projects like community gardening, tree planting, reforestation, urban farming, recycling, waste reduction, and disaster preparedness programs. Additionally, the fund encourages co-governed youth climate action plans, fostering partnerships between city leaders and youth groups to inform climate-related policy and the formation of youth climate ambassadors or advisory boards. Expected outcomes include a more informed and engaged youth population, a reduction in environmental waste and an increase in green spaces, improved community resilience to climate-related challenges, and the development of new climate-related policies influenced by youth perspectives. Measurable results will likely involve the number of youth engaged, the types and scale of projects implemented, the amount of waste diverted, the number of trees planted, and the development of new community programs or policies. The City of Flint's strategic priority through this fund is to build a foundation for long-term climate action by investing directly in its youth, thereby creating a sustainable future rooted in community-led solutions and a strong theory of change that empowers the next generation to tackle pressing environmental issues.

The Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo offers Arts Fund Project Support grants to support organizations aiming to engage culturally diverse and/or underserved communities within Kalamazoo County, emphasizing ethnic/minority, tribal, and rural communities. This initiative seeks to enhance the quality and diversity of arts in the region. Eligible applicants include 501(c)3 organizations with annual budgets under $500,000, especially those targeting underserved communities. Projects must occur solely within and cater exclusively to Kalamazoo County's citizens. Two application periods are open for this grant: July 15 - September 20, 2024, and December 16 - February 14, 2025. The maximum grant amount is $5,500 or up to 50% of the project's budget.

This program provides financial support and resources to small businesses in select U.S. cities that are dedicated to community upliftment and have been impacted by COVID-19.

This program provides financial support to LGBTQ+-owned and allied restaurants, cafes, and bars to help them thrive and recover.

This funding opportunity supports Michigan-based nonprofit organizations in developing community-driven health initiatives that address local health needs and promote health equity.

This funding opportunity is designed for local artists and organizations in Houghton and Keweenaw Counties, as well as the Ceded and Home Territories of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, to create a movable mural that celebrates the culture and identity of the Keweenaw Peninsula.

Arts Midwest is offering Cultural Sustainability: Equity-Based Operating Grants of up to $67,000 to small arts and culture organizations rooted in communities of color, providing general operating support for those with annual expenses up to $500,000 in selected states.

The Community Health Impact program, supported by the Michigan Health Endowment Fund, aims to foster bold ideas that empower communities to address their most critical health challenges. This initiative aligns with the foundation's mission by investing in health-focused and community-based grantees, including grassroots organizations, neighborhood groups, and small to medium nonprofits, all committed to solutions driven by those directly affected by health issues. The program emphasizes building stronger, healthier communities throughout Michigan by responding to local needs and leveraging lived experiences. The target beneficiaries for this program are Michigan residents, with a particular focus on marginalized populations and those experiencing health disparities. The program aims to reduce health disparities, improve health equity, build community wellness, increase social integration, bolster community support systems, and expand community engagement efforts. These organizations work across a range of issues, from oral health to health literacy, demonstrating a broad commitment to improving public health outcomes across the state. The program prioritizes organizations that are deeply rooted in their communities and are developing solutions from the ground up. This focus is evident in the types of grantees supported, which include grassroots organizations and neighborhood groups. The program's theory of change appears to be centered on empowering local entities to create sustainable health improvements by fostering community-driven solutions and leveraging local expertise and lived experience. Expected outcomes and measurable results include a reduction in health disparities, increased health equity, stronger community wellness, improved social integration for marginalized groups, more robust community support systems, and expanded community engagement. Grant requests may not exceed a maximum budget of $150,000 and can be up to 2 years in duration, indicating a focus on impactful, yet appropriately scaled, projects. Eligible applicants include nonprofits recognized by the IRS, local units of government, and the State of Michigan, all serving Michigan residents, and possessing a current certified financial audit or independently reviewed financial statements, along with at least 1 FTE.

This funding opportunity is designed to help nonprofit organizations improve their internal operations and effectiveness through expert-led initiatives in areas like leadership development, strategic planning, and diversity training.

The Forecast Public Art’s Midwest Memory Grant, ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, is open to non-profit organizations in rural Midwest communities, aiming to elevate and preserve the stories of BIPOC communities through monuments, with a focus on addressing systemic inequities and advancing racial justice.

The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network are offering the Step Up for School Wellness (SUFSW) grant, an innovative program designed to empower school health leaders, educators, administrators, families, and communities. This initiative aims to improve the health and well-being of K-12 students and staff across all public, charter, or private nonprofit schools in Michigan. The program aligns with the foundation's mission by fostering healthier school environments and cultivating a culture of wellness, which directly contributes to the development of lifelong healthy behaviors. The primary beneficiaries of this program are K-12 students and school staff throughout Michigan. The program's core impact goals revolve around reducing the incidence of obesity and undernourishment, combating absenteeism, addressing trauma, and nurturing a more productive teaching and learning atmosphere. Through a five-step model, the SUFSW program translates into specific goals focused on improving knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to health and wellness. The program prioritizes several key areas, including empowering students to be more physically active daily and make healthy food choices that incorporate fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy, whole grains, and lean protein. Furthermore, it aims to empower students to learn and practice social and emotional skills, and equip staff to implement and participate in well-being initiatives. A significant focus is also placed on encouraging staff to instigate policy, system, and environmental changes that bolster the well-being of both students and staff within schools. Expected outcomes include improved physical activity levels, healthier eating habits, enhanced social and emotional skills among students, and a stronger culture of wellness for all school employees. The program also anticipates policy and environmental changes within schools that support overall well-being. These measurable results are driven by three distinct focus areas: physical activity and physical education resources, healthy eating and nutrition education resources, and well-being resources, all working towards a greater collective impact.

This program provides rent support to new, innovative retail businesses in Downtown Grand Rapids, particularly those that are women- or minority-owned, to enhance the area's retail diversity and economic vitality.

Greenspace Enhancement Grant Program Our Greenspace Enhancement Grant Program extends our mission by providing financial support to nonprofit organizations that actively work towards improving and preserving outdoor environments. The grants focus on: Community Gardens: Creating, rehabilitating, and enhancing community gardens that provide educational opportunities and serve community needs. Neighborhood and School Beautification: Beautifying and enriching outdoor environments in economically disadvantaged areas, particularly around neighborhoods and schools. Parks and Greenspaces: Revitalizing parks and public greenspaces through planting and the addition or upgrading of efficient irrigation systems. Sustainable Impact: Projects that align with Toro's purpose of enriching the beauty, productivity, and sustainability of the land, impacting beautification, and increasing the utilization of public greenspaces. Community Engagement: Encouraging broad community involvement in project design and implementation, ensuring tangible and sustainable results. Eligibility Location: The benefiting organization must be located within 40 miles of a Toro Company location in the following cities: Arkansas: Batesville California: El Cajon, Riverside Florida: Sanford Michigan: Iron Mountain Nebraska: Beatrice Texas: El Paso, Abilene Wisconsin: Lake Mills The grant program seeks to empower communities to create and maintain beautiful, sustainable, and functional outdoor spaces, emphasizing those in need. Through these grants, The Toro Company continues to build on its long-standing tradition of giving back to the communities where our employees live and work.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan for projects that promote understanding of Muslims and the Islamic faith through education, dialogue, and community cooperation.

The Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation (AAACF) is launching a grant program designed to bolster arts and culture nonprofits within Washtenaw County, with a dedicated focus on racial equity. This initiative directly aligns with AAACF's broader mission to activate the artistic and cultural identity of all residents and ensure universal access to arts and culture. The program seeks to invest in both new and existing community-based projects that serve diverse communities through arts and culture, while intentionally addressing racial equity. The primary beneficiaries of this program are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities within Washtenaw County, as well as arts programs and organizations with BIPOC leadership. The program also targets marginalized communities for vocational training in the arts. The impact goals are to strengthen arts and culture infrastructure, promote racial equity within the arts sector, and foster greater community engagement and access to artistic and cultural experiences for all residents. The program's priorities and focuses include supporting community-driven art programs that engage and collaborate with BIPOC communities, fostering BIPOC leadership in arts organizations, advancing equity in arts education, empowering organizations with digital capacity to reach BIPOC communities, and providing vocational training in the arts for marginalized communities. These focus areas are strategically chosen to address systemic inequities and build a more inclusive and vibrant arts and culture landscape in Washtenaw County. Expected outcomes include an increase in the number and capacity of arts and culture organizations serving BIPOC communities, enhanced representation and leadership of BIPOC individuals within the arts, improved access to high-quality arts education, and greater digital reach for organizations engaging diverse audiences. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed beyond the types of projects supported, the emphasis on community engagement and racial equity suggests a commitment to qualitative and quantitative assessments of community impact and equitable access. This grant program exemplifies AAACF's strategic priority of investing in initiatives that promote racial equity and enhance community well-being through cultural enrichment. The foundation's theory of change appears to be that by strategically funding arts and culture projects that center racial equity and empower marginalized communities, they can foster a more inclusive, vibrant, and accessible cultural environment for all residents of Washtenaw County. With available grant dollars of $120,000 and individual grant requests up to $15,000, AAACF is committing significant resources to achieve these transformative goals within the county.

The Bitsie Clark Fund for Artists (The Bitsie Fund), housed at the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, aims to support individual artists in pursuing new work and achieving specific creative and career goals. This aligns with the Foundation's broader mission to foster a thriving community by supporting local talent and development. The fund's focus is on individual artist development, rather than community development, signifying a strategic priority to invest directly in the artistic growth of residents within the Foundation's service area in Greater New Haven. In 2024, The Bitsie Fund will award two $5,000 grants, one specifically for a Black artist and another open to all eligible artists. This targeting reflects a commitment to equitable support within the artistic community and addresses potential disparities. The grant's impact goals are centered on enabling artists to tackle major artistic development goals, take risks on new directions in their work, or advance their careers. The expected outcomes include a more vibrant artistic community with empowered individual artists. The fund prioritizes individual artists at a significant point in their personal development, encouraging both established artists with a substantial body of recent work and those emerging in their field to apply. This inclusive approach to eligibility ensures a broad reach within the artist community. The focus is on supporting a wide array of creative disciplines including dance, music, theater, visual arts, design, craft, literary arts, voice, poetry, playwriting, composition, and film. Measurable results would be evidenced by artists successfully utilizing the funds for approved uses such as purchasing materials, compensating for time spent developing projects, hiring others, covering performance or touring costs, travel for proposals, renting studio space, and production expenses. Ultimately, the Bitsie Fund's theory of change posits that by directly supporting individual artists in these ways, it will contribute to their personal and professional growth, thereby enriching the cultural landscape of Greater New Haven.

This program provides financial assistance to homeowners in Dearborn for the rehabilitation, repair, or replacement of damaged porches and outdoor steps.

The EmpowerMENt Fund grant program, supported by the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, aims to uplift young Black males in Washtenaw County, Michigan, by promoting their educational success. This initiative aligns with the foundation's mission to foster community well-being and addresses critical needs identified through extensive community input. The fund's holistic approach demonstrates a commitment to supporting individuals and networks that share common goals, reflecting a strategic priority to invest in community-led solutions. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are young Black males in Washtenaw County, specifically high school students and those beyond. The program's impact goals center on enhancing educational success through various support mechanisms. By focusing on this specific demographic and geographic area, the grant seeks to create targeted and meaningful change within the community, addressing systemic barriers to educational attainment and personal development. The EmpowerMENt Fund prioritizes a 1-year collaborative effort that includes programs offering mentorship, vocational and skills trade training, and college readiness initiatives. This multi-faceted approach reflects a strategic theory of change that believes in equipping young individuals with a diverse set of tools and guidance necessary for both academic achievement and future career pathways. The emphasis on collaboration indicates a strategic priority for collective impact and leveraging diverse expertise to achieve common goals. Expected outcomes include improved educational attainment, enhanced skill development, and increased preparedness for higher education or vocational careers among young Black males in Washtenaw County. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed in terms of quantifiable targets (e.g., percentage increase in graduation rates), the focus on mentorship, skills training, and college readiness provides clear indicators of the desired positive changes. The available grant dollars of $120,000, with requests up to $20,000, indicate the scale of investment in these crucial programs.

The 501vc® Investment Fund is seeking to invest $200,000 to $300,000 in early-stage climate tech startups in the Greater Midwest region, focusing on sectors like advanced materials, renewable energy, and agriculture technologies.