Grants
Grantmaking Priorities
The Grand Haven Area Community Foundation will consider grants that seek to enhance the quality of life and promote a healthy, inclusive, collaborative, and diverse community in Northern Ottawa County.
Click the icons below to learn more about our individual priorities and how you can help support their funds!
Arts & Culture
Health & Human Services
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
Education
Economic & Community Betterment
Environment
Grant Application Process
The Grand Haven Area Community Foundation is proud of our role as a community grantmaker. We aim to increase the capacity of the nonprofit sector by making strategic community investments in programs that advance our mission of improving and enhancing the Northwest Ottawa County area.
Funding Eligibility
Please consider whether your organization meets the following requirements:
- Has a current 501(c)(3) designation from the IRS, is a unit of government, or a religious or educational institution.
- Serves the Northwest Ottawa County or greater West Michigan region.
- Addresses one or more of the foundation’s grantmaking priorities of funding sources for the program or project in order to demonstrate sustainability.
- Connect with the Grants and Program Team first before starting your preapplication form.
Important Dates
for GHACF grants
Summer 2026
Pre application due: May 13
Application due: July 1
Award Notifications: Early September
Fall 2026
Pre application due: August 5
Application due: September 23
Notifications: Early December
Winter 2027
Pre application due: November 4
Application due: January 1
Notifications: Early March
Youth Grant Program
The Grand Haven Area Community Foundation Youth Advisory Council awards grants annually to support local programs and projects that work to expand programming and opportunities for the young people in our community.
Important Dates
for Youth Advisory Council Grant Applications
2026-2027 Grant Rounds
Fall 2026
October 14 – Grant Deadline
Late November – Notification
Spring 2027
March 17 – Grant Deadline
Late May – Notification
Allendale Community Foundation
Grant Program
Important Dates
Grant Application Deadlines:
Fall 2026
September 11
Spring 2027
March 12
Coopersville Area Community Foundation
Grant Program
Important Dates
Grant Deadline:
Fall 2026
September 11
Spring 2027
March 12
Coopersville Area Youth Grant Program
The Coopersville Area Community Foundation Youth Advisory Council awards grants annually to support local programs and projects that work to expand programming and opportunities for the young people in our community.
Important Dates
Grant Deadline:
Fall 2026
September 11
Spring 2027
March 12
Mixer Field of Interest Fund Grant Program
The William H. Young and Dorothy Young Mixer Field of Interest Fund at the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation was established to support projects that enhance the natural beauty of the Grand Haven area.
Important Dates
Grant Deadline:
Fall 2026
October 14
Spring 2027
February 24
North Bank Communities Fund Grant Program
The North Bank Communities Fund (NBCF) was established by a group of civic leaders to permanently support projects related to enhancing the environment, education, and recreation the Village of Spring Lake, Spring Lake Township, and the City of Ferrysburg, as well as other communities that are north of the bridge and considered part of the north bank communities in Ottawa County.
Important Dates
Grant Deadline:
Fall 2026
August 19
Spring 2027
March 24
Technical Assistance Grant Program
The Grand Haven Area Community Foundation has a Technical Assistance Grant Program designed to assist nonprofit agencies in their efforts to build their organization’s internal capacity and effectiveness and fund activities that increase the success and impact of the organization’s programs. Applications may be submitted at any time for consideration. It is recommended that potential grantees call the Foundation to discuss their project prior to submitting an application. Please allow at least 4 weeks for the Foundation to consider your application.
Important Dates
Grant Deadline:
1st Monday of every month
For questions about the grant portal or our grantmaking process and guidelines, contact our Grants & Program Team.
Email the Grants & Program Team
Grant Impact Stories
Impact Story: Opportunity Thrive: Educator Wellness Coaching Program
Opportunity Thrive works to improve educator well-being through assessments, one-on-one coaching,...
Impact Story: Women’s Resource Center
The Women’s Resource Center (WRC)’s programs address the systemic and structural inequities women...
Impact Story: Food, Agriculture, Research, and Manufacturing (FARM) business accelerator
As part of our commitment to Economic & Community Betterment, last year we supplied a grant to...