Sustaining Leaders Initiative

Sustaining Leaders Initiative is sponsored by Kalamazoo Community Foundation. The Kalamazoo Community Foundation offers individual grants through its Sustaining Leaders Initiative to fund respite, professional development, executive coaching, and wellness for nonprofit leaders in Kalamazoo County.

Wellness & Professional Development Grants for Nonprofit Leaders | Kalamazoo Community Foundation Sustaining Leaders Initiative Kalamazoo Community Foundation (KZCF) offers individual grants to fund respite, professional development, executive coaching, and wellness grants to nonprofit leaders in Kalamazoo County. We recognize many nonprofits are stretched for resources and may face challenges covering essential operational costs.

As a result , leaders may often feel under resourced – through no fault of their own. Within this broader context, we acknowledge that leaders of color, particularly women of color, frequently carry a disproportionate share of the responsibility for advancing racial equity and social justice efforts .

Sustaining Leaders prioritizes support for these leaders while also considering the diverse needs and circumstances of nonprofit leaders more broadly. Grants awarded through this initiative reflect our mission to mobilize people, resources and expertise to advance racial, social and economic justice.

A pplicants 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 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.

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 identif ies 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.) How This Fund & Grants Work Grant funds from this initiative can be used to cover a broad range of expenses , such as rest, respite, wellness and professional development.

Some examples include medical expenses, professional mentorship, sustainable wellness practices, therapy, webinars, and wellness equipment or memberships . 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 May 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!

The Sustaining Leaders Initiative uses a referral-based application process. Applicants are asked to provide the name and contact information of the individual who referred them to the program as part of the application. Eligible nonprofit leaders can submit an online application (once per year) by the next deadline.

If you are interested in learning more about the Sustaining Leaders Initiative but have not been referred by a past participant, please contact KZCF before submitting an application. The outcome of your request will be sent via email by early September . 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 late September , and a brief impact survey will be issued in the summer of 2027, which is the only required reporting for this grant. Have questions about this fund or grant?

Ask Stanley. To learn more about our Sustaining Leaders Initiative or get guidance with your application, contact Stanley Steppes via the contact form or call 269. 585.

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5 million in opioid remediation grants to local nonprofits Kalamazoo Community Foundation (KZCF) will distribute $1. 5 million in opioid settlement funds to local nonprofits over the next three years. Make a Gift That Keeps on Giving!

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