At the Oceana Community Foundation, every grant we award is a partnership—between the Foundation, local organizations, and the generous people who care deeply about Oceana County. Together, we support projects that reflect the real needs, diversity, and hopes of the people who live here. Whether strengthening essential services, expanding opportunities, or inspiring new ideas, these grants help ensure that our community thrives today and for generations to come.
Our donors share a common goal: to make life better in Oceana County. Through thoughtful giving and strong community partnerships, we’re building a brighter, more resilient future—one project, one organization, and one act of generosity at a time.
The Foundation is committed to adopting a Trust-Based Philanthropy approach, a concept centered on building relationships grounded in openness, humility, and respect between grantees and grantmakers throughout our grant process, review, and reporting. This approach values, supports, and trusts community and nonprofit leaders, allowing funders to contribute to equity in grant-making without hindering the impactful work of nonprofits.
Check out our 2026 Spring Grant Catalog! Look for your favorite organization or browse until you find a project you want to support. If you have a Donor Advised Fund, contact us and recommend a grant from your fund to make an impact. If you don’t have a Fund, you can give us a call to assist you in being a grantmaker!
Application Timeline
August 1
Applications Open
August 15
Letter of Intent Due
August 30
Full Grant Application Due
Week of October 14
Award Notifications will be made
Our grant priorities serve as a roadmap for our funding decisions, ensuring that our resources are directed towards areas where they can have the most meaningful impact.
Before diving into your grant application, make sure to check out our grant priorities below to see if they match up with your project. If you have any questions along the way, don’t hesitate to reach out to our program officer, Hannah, at [email protected] or (231)869-3377.
areas of focus
When applying for youth focused grants, please keep in mind the priorities for youth funding come from our most recent Youth Needs Assessment. Below you will find the results from the assessment that will guide youth funding decisions:
Top issues affecting youth:
Top five programs and activities youth think would be most helpful for these issues:
We value your partnership and understand that multiple organizational funding needs may arise, therefore we allow for more than one submission in a calendar year. If an organization presents two grant proposals in one calendar year, they should be for distinct programs. Organizations are welcome to submit proposals of up to $5,000. All grant recipients are subject to an evaluation after the project timeline has finished, please see the Final Report section below.
At the Oceana Community Foundation, we’re proud to support the nonprofits, schools, churches, agencies, and local governments that strengthen life in the greater Oceana County area. If you’re considering applying for a grant, we encourage you to review our guidelines and instructions before getting started. All applications are submitted through our online portal, GOapply. Because this is a new system, all applicants will need to create a fresh username and password. Below, you’ll find our anticipated schedule for the 2026 Community Grant Rounds to help you plan ahead.
This provides our staff with an overview of your program that allows them to determine if your project fits OCF grant priorities, timeline, and budget. Ideally, the Application of Intent should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the posted grant deadline, however, we can be flexible. Give our Program Officer, Hannah Naples, a call at (231)869-3377 to discuss your proposal.
All organizations submitting an application of intent will be contacted within three business days or sooner. Following staff approval of the application of intent, you may begin working on your full application.
Because of limited financial resources at this time, the Foundation generally makes only one-time grant commitments up to $5,000. Longer-term commitments may be considered for initiatives that show exceptional promise for community impact.
Once your Application of Intent is approved, our Program Officer will reach out to let you know as well as give you access to the full grant application. Once submitted applications will be reviewed by our volunteer Grant Review Committee and OCF staff members. All final decisions are made by our Board of Trustees.
If your program is supported by a grant, you will be required to submit a final grant report to share the impact of your project.
2026 Community Grants
Dates to be aware of:
August 3, 2026 – Applications Open
August 14, 2026 – Application of Intent Due*
August 31, 2026 – Full Grant Application Due
Week of October 12 – Award Notifications announced
*Application of Intent due date is flexible, just note the later it is submitted, the less time there will be to submit the full application.
Choose a login name and password to create your user account in GOapply. Multiple people from your organization may work on one application.
Please follow these instructions to register (need hyperlink, but need to update the document first)
Congratulations on receiving a grant from the Oceana Community Foundation! The following guidelines are intended to help you publicize your program. The Community Foundation publicizes grants and grant stories through media relations, social media, publications, and our website. We encourage you to share success stories and photos so we can promote partnerships to make Oceana County a better place to live. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to email Hannah Naples, Program Officer.
What you can do
A grant from the Community Foundation is a partnership. Your story is our story. It is also an occasion for the Community Foundation to acknowledge our donors and let them know how their gifts are being used to improve the quality of life in our community. You can publicize the Community Foundation’s support in a number of ways:
Your website: Create a link on your website to the Community Foundation. If we host a fund to support your agency or project, create a giving link as well. You can also include our logo where appropriate. See logo use details below.
Contact local media: Using this sample press release, contact local news organizations (such as the Oceana Echo, Oceana’s Herald Journal, Oceana County Press, etc.) to let them know about your project and your grant from the Oceana Community Foundation. We would be happy to provide a quote for your press release that is specific to your organization. This is an opportunity to connect your work to our region’s media outlets.
Tell your community: Share information about your grant through your newsletters, annual reports, lists of supporters, at your events and social media! When announcing the grant on social media, link to us on Facebook (facebook.com/oceanafoundation) so we “like” and “share” your story, too!
Foundation Logo
We encourage you to use our logo where suitable – on your website, program announcement, signage, etc. To obtain a copy of the Community Foundation logo, please contact Hannah Naples. We have a variety of formats available.
Acknowledging a grant from the Community Foundation
Use this language to acknowledge your grant from the Oceana Community Foundation:
This project was funded (or funded in part) by a grant from the Oceana Community Foundation.
Your grant letter or contract may also ask you to include the name of the fund:
This project was funded (or funded in part) by the FUND NAME of the Oceana Community Foundation.
Keep in touch
We love it when grant recipients share pictures of programs or events, success stories, or any other newsworthy items! If you have a special event or program you will be hosting in conjunction with this grant, let us know! We may be able to come and take pictures! Staying connected allows us to celebrate your accomplishments together.
Expressing Gratitude
Donors play a crucial role in supporting our grantees, and expressing gratitude is key. Take a moment to send a thank-you note to our office (PO Box 902, Pentwater, MI 49459) to show appreciation for the support received and we will be sure to pass it along. Your acknowledgment strengthens donor relationships and fosters future partnerships.
Our final grant reports are evolving into more of a conversation with our grantees, rather than a formal report. This shift aims to make the process less time-consuming for you and foster a relationship of trust and learning between our organizations. The insights gained from this process will help us understand more about your organization and programs, contributing to the improvement of our processes.
For this new reporting approach, we offer flexibility—a 20-minute conversation with our Program Officer, conducted over the phone, through a Zoom meeting, or via a site visit. You can choose the method that best conveys your grant’s impact.
A final project budget is required to be submitted (through GoApply portal). There will also be an opportunity to submit project photos and an impact story through the same portal.
If you’re already reporting for other purposes, such as final reports for other funders or presenting data to your board, we encourage collaboration. We’re ready to align with your existing efforts to streamline the reporting process and avoid duplication of work. Just let us know, and we can see if it will work!
You can view or download a full list of past grant awards — including the organizations we supported, their funded projects, grant amounts, and the funds that made each award possible. If you’re looking for grant lists from earlier years that aren’t shown here, we’re happy to provide them upon request.
AgeWell Services of West Michigan – Awarded $5,000
Meals on Wheels Delivery Van
Funded by: Bessie E. & Ethan Allen Gray Health Fund
Hart Public Schools Diman-Wolf Early Childhood Center – Awarded $3,000
Diman Wolf Book Fair Tokens
Funded by: Community Investment Fund by an Anonymous Donor
Immigrant Connection- Hart Office – Awarded $3,000
Expanded Services – training needs for a new assistant
Funded by: Community Investment Fund
Lakeshore Food Club – Awarded $5,000
Promoting increased accessibility of healthy foods, and improved food systems, in Oceana County
Funded by: Oceana Youth Fund
Oceana County Council on Aging – Awarded $800
Sharing Shelf – personal hygiene products & essential kitchen tools
Funded by:
Community Investment Fund ($620)
Bessie E. & Ethan Allen Gray Health Fund ($180)
Read Muskegon – Awarded $10,000
ESL Tutoring Program Expansion in Oceana County
Funded By:
Community Investment Fund ($5,000)
Community Investment Fund by an Anonymous Donor ($5,000)
Shelby Area District Library – Awarded $3,600
New Public Computers
Funded By:
Oceana Youth Fund ($1,500)
Community Investment Fund by an Anonymous Donor ($2,100)
Shelby Township – Awarded $12,500
Shelby Tiger Athletic Community Center – Play Scape equipment for young children’s room
Funded By:
Oceana Youth Fund ($2,500)
Community Investment Fund by an Anonymous Donor ($10,000)
The Fountain Hill Center – Awarded $10,000
Oceana School Support Mental Health Services
Funded By: Community Investment Fund by an Anonymous Donor
West Central Michigan Horticultural Research – Awarded $5,000
Apple Tree Trellis Project
Funded By:
Zack Snider Agricultural Memorial Fund ($2,500)
Community Investment Fund ($2,500)
West Michigan Community Mental Health – Awarded $10,000
“Building Bridges to Hispanic Behavioral Health: Reducing Stigma Through Community Partner Education” program
Funded By:
Bessie E. & Ethan Allen Gray Health Fund ($4,000)
Community Investment ($1,000)
Community Investment Fund by an Anonymous Donor ($5,000)
Camp Newaygo – TrueNorth – Awarded $4,650
Science Camp Scholarships at Camp Newaygo
Funded by:
Oceana Youth Fund ($1,000)
Community Investment Fund from Julie & Garry McKeen ($ 1,000)
Mrs. Mullen’s Closet Fund – Oceana ($1,000)
Community Investment Fund, Anonymous Donor ($1,650)
Family Promise of the Lakeshore – Awarded $5,000
Oceana County Prevention and Stabilization Program 2025
Funded by: Oceana Youth Fund
Hospice of Michigan, Inc. – Awarded $3,000
Gestures of Grace
Funded by:
Bessie E. & Ethan Allen Gray Health Fund ($1,000)
Community Investment Fund ($1,000)
Randall and Linda Wagner Family Fund ($500)
Frank Family Memorial Fund ($500)
First Tee-West Michigan in Oceana – Awarded $1,200
First Tee-West Michigan Oceana County School Partnership Project and Junior Mentor Initiative
Funded by: Community Investment Fund
Lakeshore Children’s Advocacy Center – Awarded $5000
Expanding Services for Oceana Child Abuse Victims
Funded by
Community Investment Fund by an Anonymous Donor ($3,000)
Oceana Youth Fund ($2,000)
Local Animal Shelter Support Inc – Awarded $5,000
Fenced Exercise Area for Oceana County Animal Shelter
Funded by:
Community Investment Fund from Julie & Gary McKeen ($2,000)
Community Investment Fund by an Anonymous Donor ($1,000)
Gail Paulus Family Fund ($2,000)
Michigan Works! West Central – Awarded $1,500
Pre-apprenticeship Career Counseling Certificate
Funded by: Complete Your Degree Fund
Oceana County Parks & Recreation Commission – Awarded $4,530
Cedar Point Park Accessibility Improvements
Funded by: William R. Lathers Golden Township Fund
Pentwater Historical Society – Awarded $1,400
Journeys to Pentwater
Funded by: Community Investment Fund
Pentwater Township – Awarded $5,000
Pentwater Community Beachfront Restoration
Funded by:
Oceana County Parks & Trails Fund ($425)
Eugene Kuhne Fund ($2,000)
Electric Forest Charitable Fund ($2,575)
Revive Church – Awarded $2,500
Create and Run an Essential Pantry
Funded by Bessie E. & Ethan Allen Gray Health Fund
Rothbury Community Church – Awarded $2,576
Helping Hands Food Pantry
Funded by Bessie E. & Ethan Allen Gray Health Fund
Sable Points Lighthouse Keeper Association – Awarded $2,000
Education of Maritime History for Children in Oceana County
Funded by:
Oceana Youth Fund ($1,000)
R.P. & M.J. Henry Family Fund ($1,000)
Tall Turf Ministries – Awarded $2,500
Camp needs a defibrillator
Funded by Gail Paulus Family Fund
The Playhouse At White Lake – Awarded $5,000
Rocking Confidence with Songwriting & Pirate Rocker Musical
Funded by:
Oceana Youth Fund ($1,000)
Community Investment Fund ($1,400)
William R. Lathers Foundation Fund ($2,600)
Trinity Lutheran Church – Awarded $5,000
Trinity Community Food Pantry Building Expansion
Funded by Community Investment Fund by an Anonymous Donor
Village of Hesperia – Awarded $5,000
HesperiART Initiative
Funded by:
Little Point Sable – Arts for Oceana County Fund ($1,800)
Electric Forest Charitable Fund ($3,200)
We Want The Land Coalition Inc. – Awarded $4,200
Removal and Control of Invasive Autumn Olive
Funded by:
Eugene Kuhne Fund ($2,000)
Electric Forest Charitable Fund ($2,200)
West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission – Awarded $5,000
West Michigan Agriculture Cluster Impact Analysis
Funded by:
Community Investment Fund from Julie & Garry McKeen ($2,000)
Community Investment Fund ($3,000)
West Shore ESD – Awarded $5,000
Defined Careers
Funded by Community Investment Fund
Funding for this program is provided by our Youth Advisory Council.
The Youth Advisory Council (YAC) brings high school students from throughout the county together to provide grants to programs that impact their peers. The YAC is made up of student representatives and adult advisors from 5 Oceana County schools and provides over $30,000 per year in grant awards that impact youth issues. Our Youth Advisory Council invites teachers to apply for mini-grants to help them out in the classroom. Whether it’s a new idea or that little extra you need to make your lesson plans great, you can brighten your classroom with a little help from our youth.
Teachers and counselors in Oceana County—whether in public or private schools—are welcome to apply! Each person may submit one application, and grants are limited to one per classroom and one per teacher each school year.
Teachers and counselors may request up to $250 to support thoughtful, creative, and curriculum‑aligned projects or programs. Funding can be used for initiatives such as enhancing or strengthening classroom curriculum, expanding an existing unit with new activities or materials, recognizing student achievements, hosting special learning events, participating in professional development opportunities, bringing in guest artists or presenters, or creating meaningful parent‑engagement experiences.
These grants are designed to spark enrichment—not to cover basic, everyday classroom supplies. YAC typically does not fund field trips, iPads or other large technology purchases, or school store projects.
Teacher mini‑grants are offered once each year. Applications are due by midnight on September 22, 2026. Grant awards are distributed in early October.
Teacher mini-grant applications are submitted in our grant portal, GOapply – click here to apply.
An evaluation and photos will be required for each and every mini-grant that is funded.
Please read the instructions below prior to creating your registration, or completing the application.
Teacher Mini-Grant Application Instructions
Teacher Mini-Grant Application Sample
Final Grant Reports are due at the end of the school year after the award is made. The Final Grant Report can be completing through the same GOApply portal and the credentials with which you applied.
Questions?
Send an email to Hannah Naples or call the office at 231-869-3377