Wendy Fields is the president at Metropolitan Kalamazoo Branch MKB NAACP, a leading voice at the forefront of the battle against discrimination in the workplace, education and housing in our region. In 2024, MKB NAACP was a key partner in Kalamazoo County’s Mobilizing...
Opioid Remediation Grants
The 2025 opioid remediation grant round concluded with a total of $501,040 awarded to 11 non-profit organizations. This includes $468,540 from the opioid settlement and $32,500 leveraged from KZCF funds. Our review committee was composed of eight people including three community members with lived experience and two County Commissioners. There were seven multiyear awards with $343,540 committed for three years. In 2026, we have $113,210 available and project to fund 2-4 annual grants.
Grants at a Glance
$113,210 available in 2026
2-4 Annual Grants
Application Opens
August 12, 2026
Application Deadline
September 23, 2026, by noon
- This application is now closed.
Get started with this grant—it’s easy!

Apply Online
Eligible nonprofits can submit an online application (once per year) by the next deadline.

Let the Review Begin
The outcome of your request will be sent via email by December. If a grant is awarded, you’ll receive a grant agreement to sign and return.

Keep in Touch!
Funds will be sent by January, and the first round of reporting will be due on March 1, 2026. You’ll be assigned a Community Impact Officer who will be your main point of contact throughout the grant process and will send additional information as needed during the life of your grant.
- This application is now closed.
Have questions about this fund or grant? Ask Lily.
To learn more about Opioid Remediation Grants or get guidance with your application, contact Lily Salas via the contact form or call 269.381.4416.
Frequent Scholarship Questions Answered
What is the timeline for the scholarship process?
The All-in-One Scholarship Application* is available December 1 through March 1 every year. In early March, our Scholarships team reviews applications to ensure successful completion and eligibility. For the remainder of March until May, our Scholarship Review Committees review applications and convene to recommend recipients. As early as April, KZCF Scholarships staff may begin reaching out to recipients to notify them of our scholarship decisions and update application statuses in Kaleidoscope accordingly. Notifications will continue until June. From late July to the end of August, scholarship payments are sent directly to institutions.
If my scholarship information is incomplete will I be notified?
Yes, a member of our Scholarships team will reach out to students regarding any missing documents.
Do I need to be a U.S. Citizen or Certified U.S. Permanent Resident to apply?
No, KZCF scholarships are open to students regardless of their citizenship or permanent residence status.
What is the FAFSA, and do I need to complete it?
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) allows college students to access financial aid for college, including grants, scholarships, work-study and federal student loans. Visit studentaid.gov for information on the FAFSA and how to apply.
While the FAFSA is required to complete our scholarship applications, we can still support students who may be ineligible to complete it. Please indicate on your application in Kaleidoscope that you are ineligible to complete the FAFSA. You will be prompted with the next steps from there.
How do I check the status of my application? Will I be notified if I am selected?
Yes, you will get email updates about your application status. You can also check your status anytime by logging into your Kaleidoscope application portal. Within your portal, you can see which KZCF scholarships you qualify for. Each scholarship will show its own application status, which will be updated as your application is reviewed.
What can scholarship funds be used for, and how is it dispursed?
KZCF scholarships may be used for any items related to your school’s cost of attendance (COA). Each school has a different COA that includes items such as tuition, fees, housing, transportation, food, health insurance, etc. You can find your school’s COA online or by contacting your school’s financial aid office.
Scholarship awards are paid directly to your institution, and if there are additional acceptance stipulations related to your scholarship, they will be listed in the individual scholarship’s details.
Where can KZCF scholarships be used?
Kalamazoo Community Foundation scholarships can be applied to any accredited academic institution within the United States. Scholarships are not eligible for international use at this time.
What if I need to defer my scholarship?
I received a multiyear award, how can I be sure that I continue to receive it?
A member of our Scholarships team will email you the link to an online form in February each year your scholarship is eligible for renewal. To ensure you receive this link, please make sure you have shared your current email with us. This short form needs to be submitted by March 1 to be applicable to the following school year. Some scholarships require you to maintain a minimum GPA or have a specific major to continue receiving your scholarship. Scholarship requirements are always included in acceptance agreements.
Do I pay taxes on scholarships?
In certain situations, scholarship awards are considered taxable income for the recipient. You can find information about scholarships and taxes via The Internal Revenue Service.
For questions about how scholarship awards might impact your taxes, please consult a tax professional.
Kalamazoo Rx Kids
Boldly Reimagining Support for Moms & Babies
This innovative program supports mothers and babies with a no-strings-attached cash prescription from pregnancy through a baby’s first year of life.
Grant Resources at the Ready
Collaboration Becomes a Lifeline
Drew Johnson is the executive director of South County Community Services (SCCS), one of Kalamazoo Community Foundation’s many nonprofit partners who mobilized quickly after the devastating May 7 tornadoes in Kalamazoo County this past year. Thanks to the Community...
Kalamazoo Community Foundation selected to distribute $1.5 million in opioid remediation grants to local nonprofits
Kalamazoo Community Foundation (KZCF) will distribute $1.5 million in opioid settlement funds to local nonprofits over the next three years.
Make a Gift That Keeps on Giving!
Contributions to KZCF ensure your gifts will continue to benefit our community forever. Help us make an impact that lasts for generations to come by giving a gift today.



