2008 Grants

Support for the remodeling of the fire hall to create a new library.

Charlevoix 'Fountain of Youth' - support for the construction of a fountain in downtown Charlevoix.

Support for the capital needs of Mt. McSauba, one of the few remaining city-owned, family-oriented ski destinations in Michigan.

Support for the Cathedral Square project and revitalized southern gateway to downtown Grand Rapids.

Support for the 'Many Hands, One Vision Campaign' to improve and enhance the only year-round therapeutic riding facility in the west Michigan area.

Support '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.

Support 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.

Support for the Energy House II project, a demonstration of energy conservation and alternative energy uses with practical home application.

Support for the 'Downtown Senior Neighbors Center' renovation project to provide a new downtown center in the Heartside neighborhood.

Support for the construction of a community wellness facility, located in Indian River, Michigan.

Support for the renovation of the playground at the Children's Learning Center.

Support for an assessment of the level of joint service provision among the Kent county core urban cities.

Support for a west Michigan regional transportation planning project.

Support for Millennium Park Amphitheater planning, architectural and schematic designs.

Support for the development of a series of pilot schools for Grand Rapids beginning in the fall of 2008.

Support for the Fishers Station planning charrette to redesign a segment of the South Division corridor in conjunction with transit plans.

Support for a project of streetscape improvements to encourage redevelopment along the Wealthy Street corridor in Grand Rapids.

Support for the extension of the reach of Interlochen Public Radio's news service in northern Michigan.

Support for the production of a PBS documentary on the life of former first lady Betty Ford.

Support for the Lakeshore Region Summit on Racism in Holland, Michigan.

Support 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.

Support for the development of a Cultural/Heritage Tourism roadmap.

Support for a feasibility study and plan for the expansion and modernization of the Fulton Street Farmer's Market.

Support for expanded access to health care for low-income residents of Emmet county.

Support for an urban forest project to provide aesthetic enhancement and traffic calming in this central city neighborhood.

Support 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.

Support for the launch of the 'Michigan's Defining Moment' public engagement campaign.

Support for the establishment of the new Michigan State University Bioeconomy Institute to encourage regional economic development.

Funding to establish the Edward J. Frey Deanship at the Stephen M. Ross School of Business.

Support for the 'Bringing Hope to Life' capital campaign that includes an endowed chair for Parkinson's research.

Support for a public/private partnership to advance regional development.

Support for young patients and their families to effectively control their asthma through comprehensive, holistic strategies.

Support for the production of a video designed to stimulate development activity in an effort to strengthen organizational sustainability.

Support for an initiative to encourage improved urban education.

Support for a capital campaign to expand and winterize Lang Lodge at Camp Newaygo.

Support for increased quality in center-based childcare in Northern Michigan.

Support for the 'Infant Pantry Program' that offers child care while parents shop for nutritional items for their family and participate in nutrition education.

Support for the 'Building Hope for Children' campaign to consolidate all Wedgwood services on their main campus.

Ottawa Stadium Sound Project: Support for sound equipment for concerts at Ottawa Stadium in Harbor Springs, Michigan.

Start-up programming assistance to establish the Opera House as a professionally managed venue serving northern Michigan.

Support for the summer 2009 exhibition, "Alexander Calder: 40th Anniversary of La Grande Vitesse."

Support for the construction of a new, LEED-certified, 4,500-square-foot neighborhood library and learning center on Grandville Avenue.

Support for 'Children of the World in Harmony' - an international youth choral and dance festival in Petoskey in the summer of 2009.

Support for Little Traverse Civic Theatre's rehearsal and office space expansion efforts.

Support 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.

Support for an endowment campaign to replace City revenues as the museum is privatized.

To expand thematic 'experimental' and 'experiential' children's educational programs at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts with a regional reach.

Support 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.

Support for the expansion of Very Special Arts programming to Ottawa and Montcalm counties.

Support 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.

Support for work in Kent county related to septic system failures.

Support for the launch of a new organization dedicated to enhancing the City of Grand Rapids' parks system by developing resources and engaging citizens.

Support 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.

Support for the Advancing Conservancy Excellence (ACE) Program: A project to aid Michigan land conservancies in achieving organizational excellence and prepare them for national accreditation.

Support 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.

Assistance 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.

Support 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.

Support for the initial 3 mile urban trail in Lowell that will be the starting point for a broader system with regional connections.

Support 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.

Support 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.

Support for expenses related to the potential acquisition of open space along Lake Michigan at the Kalamazoo River.

Support 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.

Support for a program of in-stream habitat improvements in the coldwater trout streams in Kent county.

Support 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.

In 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.

The 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.