[Kalamazoo Community Foundation](https://www.kalfound.org)

July 16, 2025 | July 16, 2026

Up to $2,500 per individual; one-time award

Supports nonprofit leaders of color in Kalamazoo County with grants for wellness, respite, and professional development to advance racial and social justice.

--- ## Description The Sustaining Leaders Initiative is designed to provide direct support to nonprofit leaders of color in Kalamazoo County, recognizing the unique burdens and challenges they face—especially women of color—while advancing racial equity and social justice. Grants are awarded to fund activities such as rest, respite, wellness, professional development, executive coaching, and mentorship. The initiative reflects the foundation’s mission to mobilize people, resources, and expertise to advance racial, social, and economic justice by addressing resource gaps and supporting the sustainability of nonprofit leadership. --- ## Due Dates - July 16, 2025: Application deadline (full application due by 5 p.m.) - July 16, 2026: Annual application deadline (next occurrence; program accepts applications once per year) --- ## Funding Amount - Maximum award: Up to $2,500 per individual - Award type: One-time, non-renewable grant - Funds are paid directly to the recipient after signing a grant agreement --- ## Eligibility Applicants must meet **all** of the following criteria: - Be a leader of color (including but not limited to American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Middle Eastern or North African, Southwest Asian, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander) - Serve in a leadership capacity (including community organizers) in Kalamazoo County - Be affiliated with an organization that is a current or previous grant-funded partner (within the last 2 years) of the Kalamazoo Community Foundation, including: - Registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations - Registered religious organizations or governmental agencies - Organizations operating with a registered 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor **Prioritization factors include:** - First-time applicants - LGBTQ+ leaders - Leaders with a disability - New leaders or those in co-leadership models - Leaders from grassroots organizations - Leaders who are DACA recipients or undocumented - Leaders impacted by changes in federal funding or policy --- ## Application Process - Applications are submitted online once per year by the posted deadline. - The application opens in late June (e.g., June 25, 2025 for the 2025 cycle). - Applicants will be notified of decisions by early August. - Awardees must sign a grant agreement. - Funds are disbursed by September. - A brief impact survey is required in February of the following year. --- ## Additional Information - Grant funds can cover a wide range of expenses, including gym memberships, medical expenses, therapy, wellness equipment, professional mentorship, webinars, and other wellness or professional development activities. - This is a one-time award; individuals may not receive the grant in subsequent years. - Grant payments are made directly to recipients, not organizations. --- ## External Links - [Program page and application](https://kzcf.org/funds-in-motion/sustaining-leaders-initiative/) - [Kalamazoo Community Foundation home](https://www.kalfound.org) - [Contact form for questions](https://kzcf.org/contact/) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Email | Phone | |-------------|------------------|--------------| | Lily Salas | info@kzcf.org | 269.381.4416 | For questions about the fund or application process, contact Lily Salas via the [contact form](https://kzcf.org/contact/) or by phone.

Sustaining Leaders Initiative

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