2008 Grants
The following is a list of all grants awarded in the last calendar year. In addition, archived grant lists are available at the bottom of the page.
Community Capital Projects
Alanson Area Public Library - $15,250
www.alansonlibrary.comSupport for the remodeling of the fire hall to create a new library.
Charlevoix County Community Foundation - $5,000
www.c3f.orgCharlevoix 'Fountain of Youth' - support for the construction of a fountain in downtown Charlevoix.
City of Charlevoix - $10,000
www.cityofcharlevoix.orgSupport for the capital needs of Mt. McSauba, one of the few remaining city-owned, family-oriented ski destinations in Michigan.
Diocese of Grand Rapids - $250,000
www.dioceseofgrandrapids.orgSupport for the Cathedral Square project and revitalized southern gateway to downtown Grand Rapids.
Equest Center for Therapeutic Riding, Inc. - $50,000
www.equestcenter.orgSupport for the 'Many Hands, One Vision Campaign' to improve and enhance the only year-round therapeutic riding facility in the west Michigan area.
Good Samaritan Family Services - $5,750
www.thegoodsam.comSupport 'Mom & Tots Center New Home Project' to build a new home for the Moms & Tots Center and construct a structure to store and display baby furniture.
North Central Michigan College Foundation - $185,000
www.ncmich.edu/foundation.aspSupport for the new Health Education and Science Center on the campus of North Central Michigan College that will provide laboratory and classroom space in support of health care and science-related jobs in northern Michigan.
Raven Hill Discovery Center - $2,600
www.ravenhilldiscoverycenter.orgSupport for the Energy House II project, a demonstration of energy conservation and alternative energy uses with practical home application.
Senior Neighbors, Inc. - $10,000
www.seniorneighbors.orgSupport for the 'Downtown Senior Neighbors Center' renovation project to provide a new downtown center in the Heartside neighborhood.
The Bulldog Group, Inc. - $10,000
Support for the construction of a community wellness facility, located in Indian River, Michigan.
Women's Resource Center of Northern Michigan - $4,000
www.wrcnm.orgSupport for the renovation of the playground at the Children's Learning Center.
Encouraging Civic Progress
Citizens Research Council of Michigan - $9,000
www.crcmich.orgSupport for an assessment of the level of joint service provision among the Kent county core urban cities.
Disability Advocates of Kent County - $10,000
www.disabilityadvocates.usSupport for a west Michigan regional transportation planning project.
Grand Action Foundation - $100,000
Support for Millennium Park Amphitheater planning, architectural and schematic designs.
Grand Rapids Public Schools - $10,000
www.grps.k12.mi.usSupport for the development of a series of pilot schools for Grand Rapids beginning in the fall of 2008.
Grand Valley Metropolitan Council - $9,000
www.gvmc.orgSupport for the Fishers Station planning charrette to redesign a segment of the South Division corridor in conjunction with transit plans.
Inner City Christian Federation - $9,200
www.iccf.orgSupport for a project of streetscape improvements to encourage redevelopment along the Wealthy Street corridor in Grand Rapids.
Interlochen Center for the Arts - $10,000
www.interlochen.org/ipr/Support for the extension of the reach of Interlochen Public Radio's news service in northern Michigan.
KLRU-TV - $50,000
www.klru.orgSupport for the production of a PBS documentary on the life of former first lady Betty Ford.
Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance - $5,000
www.ethnicdiversity.orgSupport for the Lakeshore Region Summit on Racism in Holland, Michigan.
Lighthouse Communities, Inc. - $68,500
www.lighthousecommunities.orgSupport for the renovation of a vacant building located at Madison and Hall Street SE for use as a 'one-stop shop' for business development, business incubator, the offices of Lighthouse Communities, and community meeting space.
Michigan Historical Center - $5,000
www.michigan.gov/halSupport for the development of a Cultural/Heritage Tourism roadmap.
Midtown Neighborhood Association - $10,000
Support for a feasibility study and plan for the expansion and modernization of the Fulton Street Farmer's Market.
Northwest Michigan Community Health Agency - $10,000
www.nwhealth.orgSupport for expanded access to health care for low-income residents of Emmet county.
Oakdale Neighbors - $5,000
www.oakdaleneighbors.orgSupport for an urban forest project to provide aesthetic enhancement and traffic calming in this central city neighborhood.
Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum Committee - $50,000
www.ussedson.orgSupport for installation of a national landmark, the ex-USS Edson, a 418-foot Forrest Sherman surface warship that will serve as a floating naval history museum.
The Center for Michigan, Inc. - $150,000
www.thecenterformichigan.netSupport for the launch of the 'Michigan's Defining Moment' public engagement campaign.
The Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area - $250,000
www.cfhz.orgSupport for the establishment of the new Michigan State University Bioeconomy Institute to encourage regional economic development.
University of Michigan - $500,000
www.umich.eduFunding to establish the Edward J. Frey Deanship at the Stephen M. Ross School of Business.
Van Andel Research Institute - $500,000
www.vai.orgSupport for the 'Bringing Hope to Life' capital campaign that includes an endowed chair for Parkinson's research.
West Michigan Strategic Alliance - $120,000
www.wm-alliance.orgSupport for a public/private partnership to advance regional development.
Enhancing the Lives of Children and Their Families
Asthma Network of West Michigan - $10,000
www.asthmanetworkwm.orgSupport for young patients and their families to effectively control their asthma through comprehensive, holistic strategies.
Children's Assessment Center - $3,500
www.cac-kent.orgSupport for the production of a video designed to stimulate development activity in an effort to strengthen organizational sustainability.
Grand Rapids Community Foundation - $75,700
www.grfoundation.orgSupport for an initiative to encourage improved urban education.
Newaygo County Community Services - $120,000
www.campnewaygo.orgSupport for a capital campaign to expand and winterize Lang Lodge at Camp Newaygo.
Petoskey Montessori Children's House - $2,200
www.petoskeymontessori.orgSupport for increased quality in center-based childcare in Northern Michigan.
South End Community Outreach Ministries - $4,000
www.secomministries.orgSupport for the 'Infant Pantry Program' that offers child care while parents shop for nutritional items for their family and participate in nutrition education.
Wedgwood Christian Services - $425,000
www.wedgwood.orgSupport for the 'Building Hope for Children' campaign to consolidate all Wedgwood services on their main campus.
Nurturing Community Arts
Association for Harbor Arts - $2,500
Ottawa Stadium Sound Project: Support for sound equipment for concerts at Ottawa Stadium in Harbor Springs, Michigan.
City Opera House Heritage Association, Inc. - $35,000
www.cityoperahouse.orgStart-up programming assistance to establish the Opera House as a professionally managed venue serving northern Michigan.
Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park - $16,000
www.meijergardens.orgSupport for the summer 2009 exhibition, "Alexander Calder: 40th Anniversary of La Grande Vitesse."
Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities, Inc. - $50,000
www.gaah.orgSupport for the construction of a new, LEED-certified, 4,500-square-foot neighborhood library and learning center on Grandville Avenue.
Little Traverse Choral Society - $9,600
Support for 'Children of the World in Harmony' - an international youth choral and dance festival in Petoskey in the summer of 2009.
Little Traverse Civic Theatre - $5,000
www.ltct.orgSupport for Little Traverse Civic Theatre's rehearsal and office space expansion efforts.
Opera Grand Rapids - $100,000
www.operagr.comSupport for the construction of the Betty Van Andel Opera Center on East Fulton Street providing rehearsal space, a costume shop, property storage, and educational programming space.
Public Museum of Grand Rapids Friends Foundation - $1,000,000
www.grmuseum.orgSupport for an endowment campaign to replace City revenues as the museum is privatized.
Saugatuck Center for the Arts - $20,000
www.sc4a.orgTo expand thematic 'experimental' and 'experiential' children's educational programs at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts with a regional reach.
Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts - $350,000
www.uica.orgSupport for the construction of a LEED-certified, 35,000-square foot multi-disciplinary contemporary arts facility on the southwest corner of Fulton Street and Division Avenue as a part of a mixed-use development.
VSA Arts Grand Rapids - $15,000
www.vsagr.orgSupport for the expansion of Very Special Arts programming to Ottawa and Montcalm counties.
Protecting the Environment
City of Grand Rapids - $60,000
www.greengrandrapids.usSupport for Green Grand Rapids - a community planning effort that focuses on quality of life issues including greening, connectivity, natural systems, the Grand River, recreation and public health.
Clean Water Fund - $8,000
www.cleanwaterfund.orgSupport for work in Kent county related to septic system failures.
Friends of Grand Rapids Parks - $45,000
Support for the launch of a new organization dedicated to enhancing the City of Grand Rapids' parks system by developing resources and engaging citizens.
Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy - $70,000
www.gtrlc.orgSupport for 'From the Ground Up: Farmland Protection in the US-31 Corridor' to enhance the Acme Township purchase of development rights program and encourage such programs in neighboring townships.
Heart of the Lakes Center for Land Conservation Policy - $100,000
www.heartofthelakes.orgSupport for the Advancing Conservancy Excellence (ACE) Program: A project to aid Michigan land conservancies in achieving organizational excellence and prepare them for national accreditation.
Heart of the Lakes Center for Land Conservation Policy - $10,000
www.heartofthelakes.orgSupport for 'Strategic Farmland Preservation - A Conservancy Approach' to develop a conservancy-based framework for farmland preservation in Michigan in coordination with existing farmland preservation efforts.
Kent County Parks Foundation - $346,000
www.millennium-park.orgAssistance to purchase 111 acres in the center of the 1,500-acre Millennium Park and construct 16 miles of interior trails including connections to the regional trail network.
Land Conservancy of West Michigan - $20,000
www.naturenearby.orgSupport for the 'Campaign for Lost Lake/Mierendorf Property' to add 64 acres to Muskegon State Park for outdoor recreation and to protect important wildlife habitat.
Lowell Area Recreation Authority - $40,000
www.lowellareatrailway.orgSupport for the initial 3 mile urban trail in Lowell that will be the starting point for a broader system with regional connections.
Michigan Physical Fitness Health and Sports Foundation - $500
www.michiganfitness.orgSupport for facilitation of a merger between the Michigan Fitness Foundation and the Michigan Trail and Greenways Alliance in order to more effectively implement a state trails planning partnership.
Outdoor Discovery Center of Wildlife Unlimited - $70,000
www.outdoordiscoverycenter.orgSupport for the 'Building a Sustainable Future' campaign that will build a new visitors center, exhibit area and entrance, and improve indoor programming space among other improvements.
The Nature Conservancy, Michigan Chapter - $10,000
www.nature.org/michiganSupport for expenses related to the potential acquisition of open space along Lake Michigan at the Kalamazoo River.
Timberland Resource Conservation and Development Area Council, Inc. - $12,000
www.natureandpeople.orgSupport for the launch of a web-based 'High Impact Targeting of Pollutants from Land Use System' tool that will focus on identifying high risk sediment yield areas for appropriate BMP’s in order to protect and restore water quality and aquatic habitats.
Timberland Resource Conservation and Development Area Council, Inc. - $50,000
www.natureandpeople.orgSupport for a program of in-stream habitat improvements in the coldwater trout streams in Kent county.
West Michigan Trails & Greenways Coalition - $200,000
www.wmtrails.orgSupport for the acquisition of a 37.5-mile railroad corridor connecting the cities of Greenville, Lowell and Ionia to develop a tri-county recreation trail.
Strengthening Philanthropy
Heart of West Michigan United Way - $120,000
www.waybetterunitedway.orgIn support of United Way’s efforts to stimulate the growth of philanthropy in the face of formidable economic challenges, the Frey Foundation Board of Trustees awarded a grant to the 2008 annual campaign. In part, this grant supports a three-year strategy to replicate best practice with respect to annual campaigns designed to foster stronger relationships, improve communication, and allow more efficient use of resources.
National Center for Family Philanthropy - $20,000
www.ncfp.orgThe Value of Family in Philanthropy is scheduled for release in the first quarter of 2009. This report is designed to answer important questions raised by government, media, and the public about the impact, benefits and challenges of family participation in giving. More than 50 in-depth interviews helped inform the report in addition to 13 regional symposia consisting of 20-25 participants each that were held across the nation.
