Sustaining Leaders Initiative

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants are eligible for funding consideration if your organization is in Kalamazoo County and is a 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.
• A public entity.
• A project operating with a registered 501(c)3 fiscal sponsor.
• Applicants must be referred by a current or past Sustaining Leaders participant as part of our referral-based application process, which is designed to strengthen leadership connections across Kalamazoo County.

Leaders are defined as any individuals overseeing and guiding people or an organization, regardless of title or position.

Prioritization Factors

• First time applicants to this grant
• Applicant identifies with a racial or ethnic identity such as, but not limited to: American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, Middle Eastern/North African, Southwest Asian, Native Hawaiian/Pacific islander.
• Applicant identifies as LGBTQ+ 
• Applicant has a disability
• Applicant is new to their role or in a co-leadership model
• Applicant is from a grassroots organization
• Applicant identifies as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals or is undocumented
• Applicant has recently lost employment or been significantly impacted by changes in federal funding or policy (examples include reduced work hours, moved to a different position, etc.)