Sustaining Leaders Initiative

Kalamazoo Community Foundation created this fund to provide respite, professional development, executive coaching and wellness grants to BIPOC nonprofit leaders in Kalamazoo County.

We recognize many nonprofits are stretched for resources and may have difficulty covering costs for their operations. As such, leaders may feel overworked, underpaid and under-resourced to no fault of their own. Leaders of color, particularly women of color, often carry the greatest load in advancing racial equity and social justice work. Grants awarded from the Sustaining Leaders Initiative are a direct reflection of our mission to mobilize people, resources and expertise to advance racial, social and economic justice.

Grants at a Glance

Up to $3K

One-Time Award

Application Opens

Feb. 5, 2025

Application Deadline

Feb. 28, 2025, by 5 p.m.

This application is now closed.

Eligibililty Criteria

Individuals are eligible for grant funding consideration if your organization is a current or previous grant-funded partner (in the last 2 years), including any of the following:

A registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
A registered religious organization or governmental agency.
Operating with a registered 501(c)3 fiscal sponsor.

Additionally, individuals must be BIPOC leaders in Kalamazoo County. BIPOC leaders are defined as any individuals overseeing and guiding people or an organization regardless of position or title (including community organizers), and who identify as (specifically but not limited to):

Black, Indigenous, Person of Color (BIPOC)
Latino/a/e/x
American Indian or Alaska Native
Asian, Asian American
Desi, Desi American
Middle Eastern, North African,
Southwest Asian
Native Hawaiian
Pacific Islander
Multiracial

Even if you’ve submitted a request for an annual responsive grant, you can still apply for a Sustaining Leaders Initiative Grant in the same year.

First-time applicants will be prioritized as well as leaders from grassroots organizations.
The following intersecting identities will also be prioritized in the application process:

LGBTQ+
Have a disability
Deferred Action for Childhood
Arrivals (DACA)
Undocumented

How This Fund & Grants Work

Grant funds from this initiative can be used to cover a broad range of expenses, such as executive coaching, gym membership, medical expenses, professional mentorship, rest and respite, sustainable wellness practice, therapy, webinars and even wellness equipment.

This grant is a one-time award, meaning that it will not repeat in subsequent years. KZCF requires a signed grant agreement as well as the completion of an impact survey in January of the following year.

Grant payments are sent directly to the award recipient. We will send one check for the full award amount after your grant agreement is signed.

Get started with this grant—it’s easy!

Apply Online

Eligible nonprofit leaders can submit an online application (once per year) by the next deadline.

Sign Grant Agreement

The outcome of your request will be sent via email before April. If a grant is awarded, you’ll receive a grant agreement to sign and return.

Payment Sent — Keep in Touch!

Funds will be sent by mid-April, and a brief impact survey at the end of the year is the only required reporting for this grant.

This application is now closed.

Have questions about this fund or grant? Ask Lily.

To learn more about our Sustaining Leaders Initiative or get guidance with your application, contact Lily Salas via the contact form or call 269.381.4416.

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Our shared humanity calls us to build a community where every person can be whole. Those who do the work of initiating change need space and support for their own healing and rejuvenation. Time with family, exercise, travel and rest are all necessary for a well-balanced life. By engaging in acts of restoration, our community leaders can be at their best when supporting community members.

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