Operations, Programming, Pilots and Project (OP3) Grants is a program from the Steelcase Foundation that supports innovative projects increasing access to quality public education and fostering thriving communities for children, with a primary focus on the Grand Rapids and Kent County, Michigan area. Grants range from $5,000 to $150,000 and are approved on a quarterly cadence.

The program supports operations, new program pilots, special projects, and for fully mission-aligned organizations, general operating grants. The foundation prioritizes social-emotional growth, mentorship, youth wellness, educational equity, literacy, and community belonging. Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) nonprofits, though the foundation also makes grants to organizations in other states including Alabama and Ohio.

Organizations are encouraged to contact the foundation's program officer before applying.

Operations, Programming, and Pilots Grants (OP3) – Steelcase Foundation Operations, Programming, Pilots and Projects (OP3) $5,040,010. 45 ($5,836,369. 55) Our OP3 grants represent the bulk of our giving and provide investments and partnerships to mission and vision aligned nonprofits to support what’s working well, pilot new interventions to address community needs, and support special one-time projects that advance their work.

For organizations that are fully mission aligned, there is also an opportunity to receive general operating grants to provide flexible support to further the entire organization. Grants are approved on a quarterly cadence and are centered on mutual learning and accountability.

In 2023, we added our first program, officer, Trudy Ngo-Brown, to help us deepen our relationships with those seeking funding, offering greater capacity to answer questions and engage in conversation around potential partnership.

By having a dedicated contact with time and space to support our grantees and spend more time rooted in community, we’re closing the power dynamic between grantee and grantor, helping us to be a better partner and support projects that are both more mission-aligned and reflective of community needs. Social Emotional Growth and Safety through Diverse, Inclusive, and Equitable Mentoring Ann + Robert H.

Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago Michigan Fatherhood Survey Grant: $211,401 ($212,901) Community-Centered Circles of Support Athens Renaissance School Comprehensive Health Initiative for Youth Grant: $100,000 ($100,000) Boys & Girls Clubs of Grand Rapids Youth Commonwealth Be You Wellness and Workforce Readiness Programming Grant: $100,000 ($100,000) FIERCE Leaders Youth Programming Grant: $65,000 ($150,000) Catherine’s Health Center Mental Health Support for Student Success Grant: $100,000 ($60,000) Catholic Charities West Michigan Child Welfare Residence Program Just Health: A Medical Legal Partnership Children’s Advocacy Center Healing the Story, Healing the Pain, Halting the Cycle Comprehensive Therapy Center Cook Museum of Natural Science 3-Year STEAM-Based Education Program for Limestone County and Athens City Schools Grant: $91,045 ($140,917.

50) Covenant House Michigan – Grand Rapids Grant: $200,000 ($300,000) Operational Support for Diatribe Expansion + Growth Grant: $125,000 ($250,000) Changemakers Kent County, MI Family Promise of West Michigan Room to Grow Advancement Campaign Grant: $75,000 ($150,000) Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids Connecting Children + Young Adults to Empowering Arts + Cultural Experiences Grant: $200,000 ($375,000) Grand Rapids Ballet Company Grant: $50,000 ($100,000) Grand Rapids Children’s Museum Community Belonging + Engagement Grant: $100,000 ($100,000) Grand Rapids Civic Theatre Grand Rapids Community Foundation Grant: $125,000 ($125,000) Grand Rapids Public Museum Foundation Grant: $100,000 ($200,000) Fostering a Love of Music for Community Families Grant: $150,000 ($150,000) Grand Valley State University REP4: Rapid Education Prototyping for Change, Learners, Community + Equity Grant: $250,000 ($250,000) Grand Valley State University Storytime GR: A Citywide Summer Literacy Program Grandville Avenue Arts and Humanities Community-Led Evaluation for Cook Library After School Habitat for Humanity of River Valley Expansion to Limestone County Health Net of West Michigan/FitKids360 Capacity Building for Greater Impact Health Net of West Michigan Addressing Social Determinants of Health in an Alternative School Setting Grant: $50,000 ($100,000) Youth Resident Engagement Program Grant: $100,000 ($100,000) Collective Impact for Equitable System Change Grant: $100,000 ($100,000) Kent School Services Network General Operating Support Grant: $100,000 ($200,000) Equity in Literacy Fellowship Learn to Read Council of Athens and Limestone Co Sustaining LTR Programs for Adult and Student Advancement Limestone County Board of Education Literacy Center of West Michigan Michigan Afterschool Partnership Expansion of MASP Services to Kent County Michigan League for Public Policy Grand Rapids Community Engagement Grant: $50,000 ($100,000) Michigan State University Kent ISD Restorative Practices Research-Practice Partnership Grant: $85,630,00 ($164,336.

98) Youth + Teen Mental Health First Aid Grant: $48,184. 07 ($48,184.

07) Support for Women’s Specialty Services + Family Programming Each One Teach One Intensive Mentoring Program Grant: $100,000 ($100,000) Refugee Youth Academic Success + Cultural Orientation Full Continuum Support for 0-24 Years Grant: $100,000 ($200,000) Three-Year Capacity Building to Impact Excluded Entrepreneurs Safe + Thriving Godfrey-Lee Community Grant: $75,000 ($150,000) Children and Adolescent Psychiatry Extender Model Grand Rapids Language Links Expansion Special Olympics Michigan Building Tomorrow’s Champions – Unified Champion School Expansion Grant: $100,000 ($300,000) Circles Grand Rapids Expansion Extension of West Michigan Leadership Academy Problems to Proposals – Issues Campaign Development General Operating Support Grant: $50,000 ($100,000) United Methodist Community House UMCH Child Development Center Grant: $125,000 ($125,000) Urban League of West Michigan Wedgewood Christian Services Autism Center for Child Development Playground West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation Talent Development Pilot Programs Grant: $75,000 ($150,000) info@steelcasefoundation.

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