The LJ Midge Verplank Community Impact Fund primarily channels large, place-based investments into community infrastructure and direct services in the Grand Haven/Muskegon region. Their giving favors local grantmaking intermediaries and capital/campaign support for civic institutions, while also funding youth development, literacy, workforce training, and affordable housing projects. Awards tend to support organizational capacity and capital needs rather than small program pilots.
A $1.06 million grant to the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation stands out as the clearest marker of the Lj Midge Verplank Community Impact Fund’s style: it uses large, local awards to strengthen civic infrastructure. The fund’s recent giving also includes a pair of $100,000 grants to Tri-cities Family YMCA in consecutive years, one labeled for a capital campaign and one for "Y of All: A Campaign to Honor Our Legacy and Build Our Future." That pattern points to a funder that is comfortable making substantial commitments to community institutions over time, not just one-off project checks. The foundation’s portfolio centers on place-based support in and around Grand Haven and the broader Muskegon area, with grants that reach literacy programming, workforce training, affordable housing, youth services, and conservation-related campaigns. Recipients include Read Muskegon, Ottawa Area Intermediate School District, and Tri Cities Area Habitat for Humanity Inc., suggesting attention to both service delivery and the facilities or campaigns that help organizations operate at scale. Grantmaking is heavily oriented toward established local entities and capital needs, with a strong emphasis on community benefit within Michigan.
Community infrastructure is a defining theme in the Lj Midge Verplank Community Impact Fund’s recent grants. It gave $1,060,000 to Grand Haven Area Community Foundation for grant making, showing support for local philanthropic infrastructure rather than only direct service. Youth and family-serving organizations are another clear area. The fund awarded $100,000 to Tri-cities Family YMCA for a capital campaign and $20,200 to Boys & Girls Club of the Muskegon Lakeshore for "Great Futures Start Here." In literacy, it provided $30,000 to Read Muskegon for "Learn, Transform, Thrive; Building a Home for Literacy Program," tying funding to program space and capacity. Workforce and practical training also appear in the portfolio: Ottawa Area Intermediate School District received $21,573 for diesel/heavy equipment mechanics training, and Tri Cities Area Habitat for Humanity Inc. received $20,000 for affordable housing.
Grant sizes cluster at the high end of the foundation’s distribution: the 25th percentile is $20,000, the median is $20,000, and the 75th percentile is $100,000. The recent record shows both one major anchor grant and a series of mid-sized awards, suggesting a mix of large institutional support and smaller project-specific gifts. The pattern also looks recurring rather than purely one-time. Tri-cities Family YMCA received $100,000 in both 2024 and 2025, with different campaign purposes. The foundation appears to be organized as a grantmaking fund and does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. Its giving is local and concentrated in Michigan.
$500K
$52.7M
$45.3M
$594K
Most grants fall between $20K and $100K, with a median of $20K.
25th Percentile
$20K
Median
$20K
75th Percentile
$100K
BARBARA VANHEEST
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Concentrated, high-dollar local giving: a single very large gift to a community foundation dominates the portfolio, supplemented by multi-year or repeat grants to established local nonprofits and capital/campaign-oriented awards. Mix of intermediary grants and direct service organizations with emphasis on capacity-building and capital needs rather than many small, dispersed program grants.
Notable grantees: Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, Tri-Cities Family YMCA, Read Muskegon, Grand Valley State University (Save Our Shores campaign), Tri Cities Area Habitat for Humanity
Grantmaking is entirely in the U.S., and every recorded award goes to Michigan recipients. Grand Haven is the clearest center of activity, with grants to Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, Tri-cities Family YMCA, Tri Cities Area Habitat for Humanity Inc., Momentum Center, Out Side in Inc., and The People Center. Muskegon also appears multiple times through Read Muskegon, Community Foundation for Muskegon County, and Boys & Girls Club of the Muskegon Lakeshore. Additional Michigan recipients include Grand Rapids and Holland, showing a regional footprint centered on the Lakeshore and nearby West Michigan communities.
The recent grants lean toward community infrastructure and established local institutions. Examples include $1,060,000 to Grand Haven Area Community Foundation for grant making, $100,000 to Tri-cities Family YMCA for a capital campaign, and $20,000 to Tri Cities Area Habitat for Humanity Inc. for affordable housing.
Yes. Tri-cities Family YMCA received $100,000 in 2024 for a capital campaign and another $100,000 in 2025 for "Y of All: A Campaign to Honor Our Legacy and Build Our Future." That indicates support can recur across years for related capital efforts.
The distribution centers on $20,000 and $100,000. The 25th percentile is $20,000, the median is $20,000, and the 75th percentile is $100,000, so the foundation commonly makes mid-sized grants with some larger awards at the upper end.
Recent grants support literacy, workforce training, youth services, affordable housing, and community facilities. Named examples include Read Muskegon for a literacy program home, Ottawa Area Intermediate School District for diesel/heavy equipment mechanics training, and Boys & Girls Club of the Muskegon Lakeshore for youth services.
All recent grants are in Michigan. Grand Haven and Muskegon account for many of the named recipients, with additional awards in Grand Rapids and Holland. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from Lj Midge Verplank Community Impact Fund that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Supports local programs and projects that have a positive impact on young people in the community. Detailed priorities are provided in the YAC Grant Priorities document.
Deadline: 2027 Spring Grant Round: February 17, 2027. The 2026 Fall Grant Round deadline was October 14, 2026.
Who can apply: For nonprofit agencies seeking to build organizational internal capacity and effectiveness. Grants are not available for general operating support, equipment or hardware purchases, construction or rehabilitation, emergency repairs, payroll, debt liquidation, or routine financial audits.
Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis; the grant deadline is the first Monday of each month.
Track these deadlines, get reminders, and see how well your nonprofit fits — free with a Kindora account.
Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SHORELINE FOUNDATION FOR HIGH SCHOOL SAILING | GRAND HAVEN, MI | $62,128 | 2026 | SHORELINE SAILING FOUNDATION - C420 FLEET ADDITIONS |
| KIDS FOOD BASKET | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $60,000 | 2026 | EXPANDING FOOD AND NUTRITION SECURITY |
| OTTAWA COUNTY PARKS FOUNDATION | WEST OLIVE, MI | $51,000 | 2026 | FULFILLING THE ROSY MOUND VISION CAMPAIGN |
| LAKESHORE ADVANTAGE FOUNDATION | ZEELAND, MI | $50,000 | 2026 | POWERING OUR FUTURE: THE NEXT LAKESHORE GENERATION |
| VILLAGE OF SPRING LAKE | SPRING LAKE, MI | $50,000 | 2026 | CENTRAL PARK REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT |
| GRAND HAVEN AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION 3W234W | GRAND HAVEN, MI | $42,090 | 2026 | GRANT MAKING |
| AGEWELL SERVICES OF WEST MICHIGAN | MUSKEGON, MI | $40,000 | 2026 | 5 MILLION MEALS STRONG |
| HARBOR HOSPICE FOUNDATION | MUSKEGON, MI | $40,000 | 2026 | THE LEILA & CYRUS POPPEN HOSPICE RESIDENCE |
| LOVE IN ACTION | GRAND HAVEN, MI | $20,000 | 2026 | THE LOVE IN ACTION STOREHOUSE |
| OUT SIDE IN INC | GRAND HAVEN, MI | $16,500 | 2026 | COMMUNITY IMPACT - OUT SIDE IN |
| TALENTFIRST (TALENT 2025) | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $16,000 | 2026 | SPONSOR EARLY LITERACY SUPPORT |
| GRACIOUS GROUNDS | SPRING LAKE, MI | $15,000 | 2026 | INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAM FUNDING |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR MUSKEGON COUNTY | MUSKEGON, MI | $15,000 | 2026 | WELCOME HOME SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT |
| SPRING LAKE CREW CLUB INC | GRAND HAVEN, MI | $14,600 | 2026 | SPRING LAKE CREW CLUB BOATHOUSE BUILDING PROJECT |
| THE LITTLE RED HOUSE | SPRING LAKE, MI | $8,176 | 2026 | PARTICIPANT SEATING REUPHOLSTERING PROJECT |
| TRI-CITIES FAMILY YMCA | GRAND HAVEN, MI | $100,000 | 2025 | Y OF ALL: A CAMPAIGN TO HONOR OUR LEGACY AND BUILD OUR FUTURE |
| READ MUSKEGON | MUSKEGON, MI | $30,000 | 2025 | LEARN, TRANSFORM,THRIVE; BUILDING A HOME FOR LITERACY PROGRAM |
| GRAND VALLEY STATE UNVIERSITY | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | SAVE OUR SHORES CAMPAIGN |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR MUSKEGON COUNTY | MUSKEGON, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | FARM SUPPORT |
| OTTAWA AREA INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT | HOLLAND, MI | $21,573 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR DIESEL/HEAVY EQUIPMENT MECHANICS TRAINING |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF THE MUSKEGON LAKESHORE | MUKSEGON, MI | $20,200 | 2025 | GREAT FUTURES START HERE |
| TRI CITIES AREA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY INC | GRAND HAVEN, MI | $20,000 | 2025 | AFFORDABLE HOUSING |
| GRAND HAVEN AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | GRAND HAVEN, MI | $1,060,000 | 2024 | GRANT MAKING |
| TRI-CITIES FAMILY YMCA | GRAND HAVEN, MI | $100,000 | 2024 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| OUT SIDE IN INC | GRAND HAVEN, MI | $20,000 | 2024 | GREATEST NEED |
| MOMENTUM CENTER | GRAND HAVEN, MI | $20,000 | 2024 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| THE PEOPLE CENTER | SPRING LAKE, MI | $10,000 | 2024 | GREATEST NEED |
SHORELINE FOUNDATION FOR HIGH SCHOOL SAILING
$62,128SHORELINE SAILING FOUNDATION - C420 FLEET ADDITIONS
KIDS FOOD BASKET
$60,000EXPANDING FOOD AND NUTRITION SECURITY
LAKESHORE ADVANTAGE FOUNDATION
$50,000POWERING OUR FUTURE: THE NEXT LAKESHORE GENERATION
VILLAGE OF SPRING LAKE
$50,000CENTRAL PARK REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT
GRANT MAKING
AGEWELL SERVICES OF WEST MICHIGAN
$40,0005 MILLION MEALS STRONG
HARBOR HOSPICE FOUNDATION
$40,000THE LEILA & CYRUS POPPEN HOSPICE RESIDENCE
OUT SIDE IN INC
$16,500COMMUNITY IMPACT - OUT SIDE IN
TALENTFIRST (TALENT 2025)
$16,000SPONSOR EARLY LITERACY SUPPORT
GRACIOUS GROUNDS
$15,000INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAM FUNDING
SPRING LAKE CREW CLUB INC
$14,600SPRING LAKE CREW CLUB BOATHOUSE BUILDING PROJECT
THE LITTLE RED HOUSE
$8,176PARTICIPANT SEATING REUPHOLSTERING PROJECT
Y OF ALL: A CAMPAIGN TO HONOR OUR LEGACY AND BUILD OUR FUTURE
READ MUSKEGON
$30,000LEARN, TRANSFORM,THRIVE; BUILDING A HOME FOR LITERACY PROGRAM
GRAND VALLEY STATE UNVIERSITY
$25,000SAVE OUR SHORES CAMPAIGN
OTTAWA AREA INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT
$21,573SUPPORT FOR DIESEL/HEAVY EQUIPMENT MECHANICS TRAINING
TRI CITIES AREA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY INC
$20,000AFFORDABLE HOUSING
OUT SIDE IN INC
$20,000GREATEST NEED
MOMENTUM CENTER
$20,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
THE PEOPLE CENTER
$10,000GREATEST NEED