Michigan Youth Grants

This grant provides resources to schools in the Wayne-Westland School District to create outdoor learning gardens that promote food, nature, and health education for students and their families.

The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, Workforce Development (LEO-WD) is offering a grant opportunity called the Martin Luther King, Jr. - César Chávez - Rosa Parks (KCP) Initiative, Select Student Support Services (4S) funding. The 4S program is one of seven core programs under KCP and aims to develop retention programs for academically or economically disadvantaged legal residents of Michigan enrolled at 4-year public and independent educational institutions in the state. The goal of the program is to increase graduation rates by providing seed money that will stimulate institutional change and improve graduation rates of targeted students. The 4S funds will be awarded for a six-year grant cycle starting from October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2029. The application must be completed in its entirety, and no modifications or deletions are allowed. The maximum length for the application is 21 pages. The grant guidance, requirements, assurances, certifications, and application can be found on the KCP website. The application process is competitive and aims to meet all legislative and state requirements for equal access and opportunity. Applicants with disabilities can contact the WD's KCP Office for assistance, and any questions regarding the application should be directed to [email protected].

This grant provides financial support to organizations in Northern Michigan that are led by or serve communities of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and other marginalized groups to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations that create hands-on STEAM workshops for underserved youth, enhancing technical skills and career exploration opportunities within the Best Buy Teen Tech Centers network.

The Gratiot County Community Foundation in Michigan is accepting grant applications for projects that improve the quality of life in Gratiot County, focusing on areas such as community development, arts and culture, education, and health, with preference given to innovative, sustainable projects with wide-reaching benefits and strong local support.

This grant provides financial support to licensed childcare providers in Marquette County, Michigan, to help them expand their services, improve operational efficiency, and enhance the quality of care and education they offer to children.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations that create programs promoting health and wellness through physical activity for youth in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan.

The Jackson National Life Insurance Company (Jackson) offers Community grants aimed at strengthening families and increasing economic opportunities. These grants align with Jackson's mission to support non-profits that positively impact individual trajectories and provide stability for families. The program has two main focus areas: Economic Opportunities and Strong Families, reflecting the foundation's strategic priorities to build on stability and help break cycles of poverty and trauma. Under the Economic Opportunities focus, Jackson supports non-profits that provide access to finance, employment, and education. This includes initiatives related to Career Pathways and Job Skills, Financial Education and Coaching, and Homeownership and Wealth Building. The expected outcome is to change individual trajectories by providing the tools and resources necessary for financial independence and stability. While specific measurable results are not explicitly stated, the focus on tangible areas like job skills and homeownership implies a theory of change where targeted interventions lead to improved economic well-being. The Strong Families focus is dedicated to supporting non-profits that help families overcome generational poverty and trauma by addressing their most critical needs. This encompasses programs providing Emergency Shelter, Access to Food, Intervention and care after crisis, Resilient Parenting and accessible Childcare, and Youth Mentoring. The goal is to provide stability and support, leading to a break in cycles of poverty and trauma. The foundation's theory of change here is that by providing foundational support and care, families can achieve greater resilience and well-being. Jackson awards funding to local nonprofits in specific geographic areas, including Lansing, MI, Nashville, TN, and Chicago, IL, through a competitive grant process. The eligibility criteria emphasize support for 501(c)3 tax-exempt organizations, with specific restrictions against funding individuals, private foundations, certain health and disease-specific organizations, religious organizations (unless broadly accessible and free from religious orientation), and schools or school-affiliated sports teams/clubs. This highlights Jackson's commitment to partnering with established non-profits that align with their community-focused mission and strategic priorities.

Amway offers grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Kent County, Michigan, focusing on health, wellness, and empowerment programs, particularly those that increase access to healthy foods, support mental wellbeing, provide life skills education, and promote youth leadership, primarily serving children, families, and traditionally underserved populations.

The Manistee County Community Foundation is seeking applications for projects that enhance the quality of life for residents of Manistee County. This grant program is aligned with the Foundation's mission to invest in projects that create a lasting impact on the community. The program aims to address root causes of issues, attract additional funding and resources, demonstrate collaboration, and target underserved community members. The target beneficiaries include all residents of Manistee County, with a particular focus on underserved individuals. The program also prioritizes projects that are accessible to participants regardless of their identity, physical, social, financial, or other circumstances, and those that incorporate diverse perspectives, especially from those who stand to benefit directly. The Foundation's priorities and focus areas encompass a broad range of community needs, including youth and education, arts and culture, the environment, health and human services, recreation, and community development. While not all elements are expected in every application, the Foundation generally seeks projects that demonstrate sustainability and coordination of efforts. Expected outcomes include projects being completed within one year of the grant award. Measurable results are implied through the focus on making a lasting impact on the community. The Foundation's strategic priorities are centered on fostering community well-being through targeted investments, and its theory of change appears to be that by funding projects addressing root causes and promoting collaboration, they can create sustainable positive change within Manistee County.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan for innovative programs that improve community well-being, focusing on safety, family support, and youth development.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Washtenaw County, Michigan, to support initiatives that improve the quality of life for specific communities, including African Americans, veterans, residents of Dexter, and women and children facing domestic violence.

This grant provides financial support to non-profit organizations in the Homer area for innovative projects that enhance education, recreation, environmental initiatives, and cultural development.

This grant provides funding for projects that enhance community and economic growth in Huron County by supporting workforce development, vibrant community initiatives, and business development, among other areas of interest.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations for projects that enhance health, education, arts, and community development in the Homer area of Michigan, particularly benefiting underserved populations.

This funding opportunity supports conservation projects that provide employment and training for young adults and veterans, helping them gain experience in environmental stewardship and resource management on public lands.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to educational institutions and nonprofit partners in Michigan to assess and improve their strategies for enhancing student experiences and success.

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 Community Foundation is offering multiple grant cycles in 2024, including 5 community grant cycles and two ongoing grant cycles. The grants focus on various areas such as arts and culture, education, environment and land use initiatives, community and economic development, civic improvement, human services, health and wellness projects, recreation, and youth projects. Nonprofit organizations, educational institutions (preschool through college), and all units of government serving Charlevoix County residents are eligible to apply. The application deadlines vary for each grant cycle. Applicants are encouraged to contact Ashley Cousens or Megan Havrilla DeHoog to discuss eligibility and receive an access code for the online grant application. Grant decisions will be announced in early December, and funded organizations will be required to submit a follow-up report within one year of the grant award.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan for programs that promote fitness and wellness among children in kindergarten through 12th grade, as well as for improving community sports facilities.