Multiyear General Operations Grants

Eligibility Criteria

• Organizations must be a nonprofit 501(c)(3), registered religious institution or public entity (i.e., governmental agency, public school, educational institution, city council, public library, municipal office, etc.), or a project with a current eligible fiscal sponsor.
• Organizations must connect to at least one of KZCF’s WHEN priorities.
• The organization or its programming must be located in Kalamazoo County.

What KZCF Grants Do NOT Fund

• Projects that intervene in any election or support or oppose political candidates for voter registration or lobbying purposes as outlined by the applicable IRS code
• Annual appeals or event sponsorships (See KZCF sponsorship opportunities.)
• Episodic and/or one-time programs and events (See KZCF sponsorship opportunities.)
• Direct funding for individuals

Additional restrictions for this grant type include:

• Organizations can apply once every three years.
• Organizations receiving multiyear grants will generally not be prioritized for Annual Responsive Grants.
• Funding commitment could be subject to change based on annual availability of KZCF funds.

Funding Opportunity & Amounts

In 2025, there is one opportunity to apply for a multiyear grant. The next opportunity to apply for this type of grant will be in the spring of 2028. If a grant is awarded, you will be in a three-year grant term.

Multiyear grant awards range from $25,000 to $175,000 with an estimated average award of $50,000. Grants will be for the same amount each year.

• An estimated $5 million is available to fund approximately 60 to 80 organizations.
• Ten percent of the funds available are earmarked for organizations that build capacity for the nonprofit sector or that serve as backbone institutions for collective impact or sector coordination efforts.
• If funded, the grant term will be from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2028.
• Awards will be renewed annually after the annual reporting is completed and the new grant agreement is signed.

Eligibility Criteria

• Organizations must be a nonprofit 501(c)(3), registered religious institution or public entity (i.e., governmental agency, public school, educational institution, city council, public library, municipal office, etc.), or a project with a current eligible fiscal sponsor.
• Organizations must connect to at least one of KZCF’s WHEN priorities.
• The organization or its programming must be located in Kalamazoo County.

What KZCF Grants Do NOT Fund

• Projects that intervene in any election or support or oppose political candidates for voter registration or lobbying purposes as outlined by the applicable IRS code
• Annual appeals or event sponsorships (See KZCF sponsorship opportunities.)
• Episodic and/or one-time programs and events (See KZCF sponsorship opportunities.)
• Direct funding for individuals

Additional restrictions for this grant type include:

• Organizations can apply once every three years.
• Organizations receiving multiyear grants will generally not be prioritized for Annual Responsive Grants.
• Funding commitment could be subject to change based on annual availability of KZCF funds.

Funding Opportunity & Amounts

In 2025, there is one opportunity to apply for a multiyear grant. The next opportunity to apply for this type of grant will be in the spring of 2028. If a grant is awarded, you will be in a three-year grant term.

Multiyear grant awards range from $25,000 to $175,000 with an estimated average award of $50,000. Grants will be for the same amount each year.

• An estimated $5 million is available to fund approximately 60 to 80 organizations.
• Ten percent of the funds available are earmarked for organizations that build capacity for the nonprofit sector or that serve as backbone institutions for collective impact or sector coordination efforts.
• If funded, the grant term will be from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2028.
• Awards will be renewed annually after the annual reporting is completed and the new grant agreement is signed.