Announcing Fall Community Grant Awards

This fall’s Community Grant cycle provided funding for every submitted project, reflecting the Oceana Community Foundation’s continued investment in critical and emerging needs. The Foundation awarded a total of $67,900 in grants to eleven organizations, with grant awards ranging from $800 to $12,500 in support of their programs.

While the Foundation supports a wide range of community efforts, this round of grants reflects a strong commitment to meeting today’s most pressing needs, including expanding access to healthy foods, supporting education and literacy, enhancing recreational spaces, immigration support and strengthening mental health services. Each project plays an important role in building a more connected and resilient Oceana County.

“This grant cycle reflects the incredible diversity of resident needs and nonprofit partners stretched thin, trying to meet today’s service demands.  We are so fortunate for our many funding partners that helped us fully or even overfund these grant applications,” said Foundation CEO Tammy Carey. “Each project shows how, together, we’re building a more connected community where everyone can thrive.”

The eleven grants include:

• $5,000 to AgeWell Services of West Michigan for a new Meals on Wheels Delivery Van, a project to keep homebound older adults in Oceana County nourished, connected and living independently.

• $3,000 to Hart Public Schools Diman-Wolf Early Childhood Center to allow students equal access to choose their own book with tokens at Spitler Elementary’s Scholastic Book Fair and to gain confidence moving to a bigger school building.

• $3,000 to Immigrant Connection Hart Office to expand immigration services by covering training expenses for a new staff assistant.

• $5,000 to Lakeshore Food Club’s expansion into Oceana County by supporting increased accessibility of healthy foods and improved food systems. Lakeshore Food Club aims to strengthen the existing charitable food system, open a new food club at the former Gales IGA site and establish a regional food hub at their newly acquired warehouse in Hart’s industrial park.

• $800 to Oceana County Council on Aging’s Sharing Shelf project, an initiative designed to combat senior food insecurity throughout our community. The grant will provide hygiene products and essential kitchen tools.

• $10,000 to Read Muskegon for ESL Tutoring Program Expansion in collaboration with West Shore Community College. Funds will allow for additional tutor training and expand intake and testing for new learners to meet the growing community and employer demand.

• $3,600 to Shelby Area District Library for new public computers to accommodate patrons who need them. Some patrons prefer using a desktop computer to access email, research, print documents, and create resumes.

• $12,500 to Shelby Township for the Shelby Tiger Athletic Community Center’s playscape area, an indoor dedicated room that will provide a safe year-round place for play and socialization for young children.

• $10,000 to Fountain Hill Center for school support therapy services through licensed counselors and masters level interns. These services help to fill gaps in mental health care and provide continuity of care in the summer.

• $5,000 to West Central Michigan Horticultural Research, Inc. for the apple tree trellis project promoting sustainable agriculture and local food access. Funds will support new trellis systems, apple trees, and community workshops on orchard care.

• $10,000 to West Michigan Community Mental Health for the “Building Bridges to Hispanic Behavioral Health: Reducing Stigma Through Community Partner Education” program, aimed at reducing stigma and improving access to care. A training led by a Hispanic community health worker will equip local partners with culturally appropriate tools to better support mental health outreach.

A heartfelt thank you to the donors that play a large part in the success of meeting our Fall 2025 Community Grant Round request: Oceana Youth Fund, Bessie E & Ethan Allen Gray Health Fund, Zack Snider Agricultural Memorial Fund, Community Investment Fund, and an anonymous donor.

Oceana nonprofits, government agencies, schools, and community organizations are invited to apply in the Foundation’s 2026 Spring Grant Round. The application will open on February 2^nd  with applications of intent due on February 14^th and full applications due on February 27^th. More information on the upcoming Spring Grant Round is available on the Foundation’s website.  View our grant history here.

For more information, potential applicants should reach out to the Foundation’s Program Officer, Hannah Naples, at 231.869.3377 or hannah@oceanafoundation.org.

For more information about making a gift, now or through an estate plan, creating a named fund at the Foundation, or to learn more about Foundation programs and activities, please call Tammy Carey at 231-869-3377 or email at tammy@oceanafoundation.org.