Neighborhood Match Fund

Are you a Grand Rapids resident planning a project to help reestablish community and relationships? You may be eligible for funding through the Neighborhood Match Fund (NMF).

Contracts ranging from $500 to $5,000 will be awarded for Grand Rapids resident-led projects that are community focused, inclusive, promote a deeper sense of belonging among neighbors, and emphasizes the importance of creating inclusive environments where everyone feels they belong in celebration of Welcoming Week.

How to Apply

Application Guide

Learn how to apply with our step-by-step applicant guide.

English Guide(PDF, 773KB) Spanish Guide(PDF, 713KB)

We're accepting project idea applications June 1 - 30.

Who Can Apply?

Grand Rapids residents
Informal resident groups (e.g. block clubs) in Grand Rapids
Community-based organizations located in and serving Grand Rapids

You can only have one active NMF contract at a time. All reports and paperwork are due before you can apply for a new NMF contract.

NMF Funds

The amount we award depends on the amount requested, project scope, alignment with NMF objectives and NMF balance. If awarded, you must spend the NMF dollars during the six-month contract period. You will also be required to match the amount awarded. This means for every dollar we award, you must match that amount with any combination of:

Volunteer labor (valued at $33.49/hour)
In-kind goods and services
Cash donations

For example, an NMF contract for $500 could be matched with:

$100 worth of volunteer labor
$300 of in-kind/donated materials (e.g. food, supplies)
$100 cash donation from a local business or from a grant

Highlighted Project

Featured Project: Eritrean Coffee Ceremony

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Project introduced people to the Eritrean traditions, customs and Eritrean coffee cultural practice that involved roasting, grinding, and brewing beans.

Past Projects by Year:

2024 Projects

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S.H.O.E.S. (SHOES HELP OUR ELEMENTARY STUDENTS)

This project provided a pair of new athletic shoes to Pre-K through 5th grade students enrolled in schools in Grand Rapids city limits.

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Simulated Dental Visit Experience

This project was a simulated dental visit experience to increase oral healthcare access to underserved communities in Grand Rapids.

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Healing Together First Annual Mixer

Project partnered with Calvin University Nursing Department to host a social gathering to bring awareness around the need for mental health resources for men

A Sense of Place

Project planted food plants and seeds for the purpose of growing food at school so that participating families can harvest from that as well as neighborhood members.

A Prom for Me

A Prom For Me is a dance created to give the special needs community a meaningful experience at their own night to shine. At the event, participants can dress up and feel beautiful, dance, eat, and enjoy time connecting with their peers. A Prom For Me is meant to show our community that all people regardless of their abilities deserve to be included in recreational events.

2023 Projects

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Equity Early Education Summit

Project was an early childhood education summit for people who would like to learn more about serving in the early childhood field and parent leadership.

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Dream Keep it Moving - A Dreams Tea

Project was a one-day event for 50 young ladies ages 12-24 where speakers provided education on self-esteem, motivation, and future career planning

Alger Garfield Neighbors Collaborative - Gather & Share 49507 "What Flavor is Your Story?"

This project was inspired by a proposal for the GR participatory budget process. Project provided an opportunity for neighbors to connect across racial and cultural barriers over a locally made meal.

2022 Projects

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Young Money Finances - We Matter Now

Conference provided young adult black and brown males in grades 9-11 access to workforce development programs, financial education, and positive mentorships to assist with the reduction of juvenile and adult violence and detention

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Touch of Life - Puertas Abiertas

Project developed a program of physical activity, recreation, nutrition and educated the women of Puertas Abiertas on how to improve their self esteem.

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Better Wiser Stronger - Teach Me 2 Tie

Project was a six-week program for young men providing leadership skills, decision making principles that built skills for success, tutoring and lessons of what your neck tie knot says about you.

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Parents for Healthy Homes 1st Annual Community Easter Egg Hunt

This family-friendly project offered lead poisoning prevention education in an engaging and fun atmosphere.

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Be the Change Mental Health Awareness for Young People

Grand Rapids Initiative for Leaders (GRIL) created projects focused on mental health of youth (12 to 25 years old) in partnership with local licensed therapists.

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West Wealthy Beautification Project

Aligned Planning and South West Area Neighbors (dba John Ball Area Neighbors) partnered to create habitat boxes for pollinators, bats, and birds. Project also included educational materials on the Indigenous history of the Grand River corridor.

One Peace Festival

Project created a space for community resources to be present and available for neighbors in the community. Families enjoyed watching the three versus three basketball tournaments of coed youth ranging from 3^rd through 8^th grade.

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I Matter We Matter

Project provided 10 uninsured Black and Brown families in the 49507 zip code that were negatively impacted by COVID 19 with free counseling and psycho education.

2021 Projects

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Grand Rapids African American Arts & Musical Festival

Project is a continuation of the organizations ongoing effort to celebrate the outstanding contribution of African American artists in the Grand Rapids community.

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Healthy Housing Healthy Kids Drive Up Fair

The Healthy Housing, Healthy Kids Drive Up Fair event provided lead safety cleaning supplies but also engaged with Parents for Healthy Homes leaders and members!

Leaders grew their skills in logistics coordination for event planning, developing and keeping budget records, as well as growing their community networks to support continued engagement in the community to promote safety from environmental hazards.

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Hispanic Center Food Distribution

The Hispanic Center Food Distribution project distributed nutritious foods, personal protection equipment, lightbulbs, books, toothbrushes, feminine hygiene products, and so much more. Food was also delivered as needed.

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Students Needs Pantry

The Student Needs Pantry made available food, hotplates, small microwaves, hygiene products, transportation access to pantry, barber and salon services, access to laundry facilities and community resources for students classified as unhoused in Grand Rapids.

Caring for Children of Color

Caring for Children of Color supported, encouraged and empowered local transracial foster/adoptive Parents as well as other Caregivers by providing and giving them access to education and tools around hair care, skin care, cultural competency, and advocacy to better serve and care for their children equitably and holistically.

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Black Book Exchange Box

This project built book exchange houses containing books that represent and identify as Black. Project partnered with community leaders to expand the book exchange system into the Latino community with the launch of a Latinidad edition of book houses.

Mental Health Clinicians of Color in GR - I Heal, You Heal, We Heal

This project connected nine BIPOC therapists of color with communities color and provided financial support for therapists to receive Trauma Certification.

Contact Us

Phone

616-456-3027

Email

nmf@grcity.us

Helpful Tips

Interested in a few points to help guide you when preparing to submit your NMF application?

Read our Helpful Tips

Apply Online

Applications are accepted in June and December of each year.

Complete NMF Application

IMPORTANT DATES: FY2026 Round 1

Submit project idea	June 1-30
Decision notification	Mid July
Meet with NMF staff	Early August
Funds available	September
Implement project	September-February
Closing report due	February 28

*Only 1 award per applicant/organization per year

NMF PowerPoint Presentation

English(PDF, 1MB)

Spanish(PDF, 1MB)

Independence Day Office Closure