The mission of the Community Foundation is to engage donors and connect them with opportunities to make a lasting impact, build community endowment, provide leadership on key issues, and make grants that reflect the communities we serve.
A defining feature of Community Foundation for Muskegon County is its use of donor-connected grantmaking to support local institutions at a wide range of sizes, from a $3.75 million general support grant to its own foundation in 2023 to repeated seven-figure support for the Muskegon Museum of Art. The foundation’s recent record shows sustained investment in Muskegon County organizations serving education, arts and culture, youth development, health and human services, and community development. It also backs countywide infrastructure for schools and libraries, along with community-serving nonprofits and faith-based organizations. The museum stands out as a recurring recipient, with grants of $2.65 million in 2025, $1.62 million in 2024, and $1.29 million in 2023. Other large awards point to a broad civic portfolio: Muskegon Area Intermediate School District received more than $1.12 million in 2023 for early literacy and school support, while Trinity Health Muskegon, the Boys & Girls Club of the Muskegon Lakeshore, West Michigan Symphony, and the County of Muskegon also appear among the foundation’s larger recent grants. That mix suggests a funder that supports both place-based institutions and programs tied to community opportunity.
In education, the foundation has backed early literacy and school support through a $1.12 million grant to Muskegon Area Intermediate School District for community-based literacy-centered play and learn expansion, K-3 early literacy coaching, and related school support. Its scholarship work is also substantial: Community Foundation Scholarships manages over 500 new and renewed scholarships annually for students and adult learners from Muskegon County, and Welcome Home Scholarships support educators, ancillary educational staff, and early childhood providers moving to the county. Youth development appears in grants to Boys & Girls Club of the Muskegon Lakeshore for youth development, including $440,734 in 2025 and $374,920 in 2023, as well as support for Kids Belong and Muskegon YMCA. Arts and culture is another clear lane, with grants to the Muskegon Museum of Art, West Michigan Symphony, and Frauenthal Center. The foundation also funds health and human services through Trinity Health Muskegon, Hume Home, Goodwill Industries of West Michigan, and United Way of the Lakeshore.
$12.4M
$250.5M
$19.4M
$18.1M
Most grants fall between $9K and $43K, with a median of $15K.
25th Percentile
$9K
Median
$15K
75th Percentile
$43K
TODD JACOBS
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Typical grant sizes cluster around a median of $15,499, with a 25th percentile of $9,466 and a 75th percentile of $43,000, even though the recent record also includes much larger institutional awards. The foundation uses a mixed community foundation structure and supports both strategic grants and committee-managed grants, along with program-managed scholarships. It accepts unsolicited applications for several open opportunities, including Welcome Home Scholarships, Faith Partner Grants, Muskegon County Housing Initiative, Community Empowerment Grants, Teacher Mini-Grants, and Community Foundation Scholarships. Recent grants show repeat recipients across multiple years, especially for major local institutions and operating support.
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly local: 95% of grants go to recipients in Michigan, and the recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based. Muskegon is the main center of activity, with many awards landing at organizations in Muskegon, MI, while Ludington, MI appears as a secondary recipient city through Community Foundation for Mason County, Oaktree Academy Inc, and United Way of Mason County. The pattern points to a Muskegon County-centered funder with some regional spillover into nearby West Michigan communities.
Its stated focus areas include education, community and economic development, diversity, equity, and inclusion, nonprofit capacity building, scholarships, and civic engagement or voter participation. Recent grant titles also show support for arts and culture, health and human services, youth development, water safety and environmental resources, and community development.
Yes for several opportunities. The active grant list shows unsolicited applications are accepted for Welcome Home Scholarships, Faith Partner Grants, Muskegon County Housing Initiative, Community Empowerment Grants, Community Foundation Scholarships, Teacher Mini-Grants, and Available Grants. Muskegon LEAD Grants are listed as not accepting unsolicited applications.
The typical grant size is $15,499 at the median, with a 25th percentile of $9,466 and a 75th percentile of $43,000. Recent awards also include much larger institutional grants, so the typical size is best read as the center of a wider distribution.
The scholarship and education programs support students, adult learners, educators, ancillary educational staff, and early childhood providers connected to Muskegon County. Community Foundation Scholarships manage over 500 new and renewed scholarships annually, and Welcome Home Scholarships are for people moving to Muskegon County to work in those education-related roles.
Recent recipients include arts institutions, school-related organizations, health and human services providers, youth-serving nonprofits, and community-development groups. Examples in the data include the Muskegon Museum of Art, Muskegon Area Intermediate School District, Trinity Health Muskegon, Boys & Girls Club of the Muskegon Lakeshore, and the County of Muskegon.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Community Foundation for Muskegon County that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Programs must support medical training and STEM education related to the medical field.
Deadline: Fall 2026 round: LOI due September 10, 2026; full application due September 24, 2026.
Who can apply: Organizations and projects that serve and/or advance Muskegon County’s LGBTQ+ community are eligible.
Deadline: Fall 2026 round: LOI due September 10, 2026; full application due September 24, 2026.
Who can apply: Projects must support acquiring, conserving, or enhancing public accessibility to green space, open lands, natural parks, or undeveloped land in its natural state west of US 31.
Deadline: Fall 2026 round: LOI due September 10, 2026; full application due September 24, 2026.
Who can apply: Organizations must work on new and innovative programs that assist Muskegon County residents who are suffering from sight and/or hearing loss, including prevention.
Deadline: Fall 2026 round: LOI due September 10, 2026; full application due September 24, 2026.
Who can apply: Programs and projects must improve the quality of life for residents of the White Lake Area. Additional priorities exist through named subfunds.
Deadline: Fall 2026 round: LOI due September 10, 2026; full application due September 24, 2026.
Who can apply: Grants are recommended through the committee grant process; priorities include environmental education and protection, conservation, restoration, and access to green space.
Deadline: Fall 2026 round: LOI due September 10, 2026; full application due September 24, 2026.
Who can apply: Organizations working on significant initiatives related to food security and healthy food systems are eligible.
Deadline: Fall 2026 round: LOI due September 10, 2026; full application due September 24, 2026.
Who can apply: Programs must serve women and children in Muskegon County. Priority is given to innovative programs or projects rather than general operating support and to programs serving low-income or marginalized populations.
Deadline: Fall 2026 round: LOI due September 10, 2026; full application due September 24, 2026.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MUSKEGON MUSEUM OF ART | MUSKEGON, MI | $2,648,856 | 2025 | ARTS & CULTURE |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF THE MUSKEGON LAKESHORE | MUSKEGON, MI | $440,734 | 2025 | YOUTH DEVELOPMENT |
| FRAUENTHAL CENTER | MUSKEGON, MI | $402,460 | 2025 | ARTS & CULTURE |
| COUNTY OF MUSKEGON | MUSKEGON, MI | $379,466 | 2025 | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
| KIDS BELONG | MUSKEGON, MI | $350,000 | 2025 | YOUTH DEVELOPMENT |
| TRINITY HEALTH MUSKEGON - OFFICE OF PHILANTHROPY | MUSKEGON, MI | $343,317 | 2025 | HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES |
| WEST MICHIGAN SYMPHONY | MUSKEGON, MI | $340,907 | 2025 | ARTS & CULTURE |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR MASON COUNTY | LUDINGTON, MI | $338,090 | 2025 | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
| HUME HOME | MUSKEGON, MI | $327,142 | 2025 | HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR MUSKEGON COUNTY | MUSKEGON, MI | $326,747 | 2025 | OTHER |
| MUSKEGON PUBLIC SCHOOLS - FINANCE DEPARTMENT | MUSKEGON, MI | $308,646 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| OAKTREE ACADEMY INC | LUDINGTON, MI | $200,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF WEST MICHIGAN | MUSKEGON, MI | $176,040 | 2025 | HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES |
| UNITED WAY OF MASON COUNTY | LUDINGTON, MI | $174,769 | 2025 | HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES |
| MUSKEGON RESCUE MISSION | MUSKEGON, MI | $166,504 | 2025 | HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES |
| MUSKEGON AREA INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT | MUSKEGON, MI | $162,236 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| UNITED WAY OF THE LAKESHORE | MUSKEGON, MI | $157,386 | 2025 | HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES |
| SINGLE MOMM | TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $150,000 | 2025 | HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES |
| WHITEHALL DISTRICT SCHOOLS | WHITEHALL, MI | $128,521 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| LUDINGTON AREA SCHOOLS | LUDINGTON, MI | $124,571 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| LUDINGTON AREA CATHOLIC EDUCATION FOUNDATION | LUDINGTON, MI | $122,710 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| THE ARC MUSKEGON | MUSKEGON, MI | $115,890 | 2025 | DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION |
| LAKESHORE MUSEUM CENTER | MUSKEGON, MI | $109,311 | 2025 | ARTS & CULTURE |
| CITY OF WHITEHALL - PLAYHOUSE OPERATIONS | WHITEHALL, MI | $101,578 | 2025 | ARTS & CULTURE |
| GREATER MUSKEGON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT | MUSKEGON, MI | $100,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
| ANNIS WATER RESOURCE INSTITUTE | MUSKEGON, MI | $96,238 | 2025 | ENVIRONMENT & CONSERVATION |
| MSU EXTENSION BUSINESS OFFICE | EAST LANSING, MI | $90,420 | 2025 | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
| NATIONAL CHRISTIAN FOUNDATION OF WEST MICHIGAN | ADA, MI | $88,610 | 2025 | RELIGIOUS RELATED |
| NORTHERN INITIATIVES | MARQUETTE, MI | $85,000 | 2025 | DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION |
| FOUNDATION FOR MUSKEGON COMMUNITY COLLEGE | MUSKEGON, MI | $84,360 | 2025 | DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION |
| CITY OF MUSKEGON | MUSKEGON, MI | $83,512 | 2025 | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
| LAKESHORE FOOD CLUB | LUDINGTON, MI | $81,600 | 2025 | HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES |
| READ MUSKEGON | MUSKEGON, MI | $78,885 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| BLUE HAT MINISTRIES | LUDINGTON, MI | $77,400 | 2025 | HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES |
| USS SILVERSIDES SUBMARINE MUSEUM | MUSKEGON, MI | $77,250 | 2025 | ARTS & CULTURE |
| NORTH MUSKEGON PUBLIC SCHOOLS | NORTH MUSKEGON, MI | $76,173 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| ICCF COMMUNITY HOMES | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $75,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
| ARTS COUNCIL OF WHITE LAKE-NUVEEN CENTER | WHITEHALL, MI | $73,270 | 2025 | ARTS & CULTURE |
| HELP MINISTRY | LUDINGTON, MI | $69,083 | 2025 | HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES |
| LITTLE TRAVERSE CONSERVANCY | HARBOR SPRINGS, MI | $67,500 | 2025 | ENVIRONMENT & CONSERVATION |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR OCEANA COUNTY | PENTWATER, MI | $66,969 | 2025 | OTHER |
| MUSKEGON CATHOLIC EDUCATION FOUNDATION | MUSKEGON, MI | $65,094 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| HARBOR HOSPICE | MUSKEGON, MI | $64,392 | 2025 | HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES |
| GRAND HAVEN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL | GRAND HAVEN, MI | $60,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| YMCA CAMP PENDALOUAN | MONTAGUE, MI | $57,924 | 2025 | YOUTH DEVELOPMENT |
| FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH - MUSKEGON | MUSKEGON, MI | $57,229 | 2025 | RELIGIOUS RELATED |
| MUSKEGON COMMUNITY COLLEGE | MUSKEGON, MI | $56,698 | 2025 | DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION |
| HARBOR HOSPICE FOUNDATION | MUSKEGON, MI | $54,367 | 2025 | HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES |
| LAKE HARBOR UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | MUSKEGON, MI | $52,030 | 2025 | RELIGIOUS RELATED |
| PEOPLE'S CHURCH UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST | LUDINGTON, MI | $52,000 | 2025 | RELIGIOUS RELATED |
MUSKEGON MUSEUM OF ART
$2,648,856ARTS & CULTURE
COUNTY OF MUSKEGON
$379,466COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
KIDS BELONG
$350,000YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
TRINITY HEALTH MUSKEGON - OFFICE OF PHILANTHROPY
$343,317HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
HUME HOME
$327,142HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
MUSKEGON PUBLIC SCHOOLS - FINANCE DEPARTMENT
$308,646EDUCATION
OAKTREE ACADEMY INC
$200,000EDUCATION
GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF WEST MICHIGAN
$176,040HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
MUSKEGON RESCUE MISSION
$166,504HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
MUSKEGON AREA INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT
$162,236EDUCATION
WHITEHALL DISTRICT SCHOOLS
$128,521EDUCATION
LUDINGTON AREA SCHOOLS
$124,571EDUCATION
LUDINGTON AREA CATHOLIC EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$122,710EDUCATION
THE ARC MUSKEGON
$115,890DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION
LAKESHORE MUSEUM CENTER
$109,311ARTS & CULTURE
CITY OF WHITEHALL - PLAYHOUSE OPERATIONS
$101,578ARTS & CULTURE
GREATER MUSKEGON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
$100,000COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
ANNIS WATER RESOURCE INSTITUTE
$96,238ENVIRONMENT & CONSERVATION
MSU EXTENSION BUSINESS OFFICE
$90,420COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
NATIONAL CHRISTIAN FOUNDATION OF WEST MICHIGAN
$88,610RELIGIOUS RELATED
FOUNDATION FOR MUSKEGON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
$84,360DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION
CITY OF MUSKEGON
$83,512COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
READ MUSKEGON
$78,885EDUCATION
BLUE HAT MINISTRIES
$77,400HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
USS SILVERSIDES SUBMARINE MUSEUM
$77,250ARTS & CULTURE
NORTH MUSKEGON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$76,173EDUCATION
ARTS COUNCIL OF WHITE LAKE-NUVEEN CENTER
$73,270ARTS & CULTURE
HELP MINISTRY
$69,083HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
MUSKEGON CATHOLIC EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$65,094EDUCATION
HARBOR HOSPICE
$64,392HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH - MUSKEGON
$57,229RELIGIOUS RELATED
MUSKEGON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
$56,698DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION
HARBOR HOSPICE FOUNDATION
$54,367HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
LAKE HARBOR UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
$52,030RELIGIOUS RELATED
PEOPLE'S CHURCH UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST
$52,000RELIGIOUS RELATED