Kalamazoo County has allocated $400,000 in Community Grant awards for 2026 to support projects aimed at improving healthcare access, community safety, family and senior support, youth development, and access to local information. The Board of Commissioners approved the list of grant recipients on November 5, with funding amounts finalized this week.
This year was the first time Kalamazoo County used a formalized and equity-focused process for distributing grants. The county received 61 applications requesting a total of $7.2 million, which highlighted significant needs within the community as well as innovative solutions from local organizations. The final selection of recipients was based on immediate service requirements, potential long-term benefits, and alignment with the county’s strategic goals.
“Government is at its best when it lifts up the people it serves,” said Jen Strebs, Board Chair. “These grants help advance that mission by supporting organizations that provide care, stability, and opportunity for our neighbors. We’re grateful for their leadership and honored to help expand their impact.”
“Having a more structured process this year made it easier to look closely at what our community needs and where these dollars can do the most good,” said Dr. Kevin A. Catlin, Administrator/Controller. “The organizations we’re funding are doing meaningful work for our residents, and this support will help them continue meeting real needs in our community.”
The 2026 Community Grant recipients include Charlie’s Place ($50,000), City of Parchment ($50,000), Community AIDS Resource & Education Services (CARES) ($33,000), First Day Shoe Fund ($15,000), Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan ($20,000), Local Journalism Foundation of Kalamazoo County ($24,706), Mothers of Hope ($29,974), Oshtemo Charter Township ($50,000), Senior Services Inc./Milestone Senior Services ($60,000), Texas Charter Township ($23,000), Village of Schoolcraft ($18,776), and Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine ($25,544). More details about each project can be found at https://www.kalcounty.gov/grant-awards.
