*Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners Approved $400,000 in Community Grant Awards for 2026*
Kalamazoo County has awarded $400,000 in Community Grants to 12 organizations for 2026, funding projects that expand healthcare access, improve community safety, strengthen support for families and seniors, enhance youth development, and boost access to trusted local information.
The Board of Commissioners approved the grant recipients on November 5, with funding amounts confirmed in late April 2026. This year marked the first time the County used a formalized, transparent, and equity-focused grantmaking process.
The County received 61 applications totaling $7.2 million in requested funding, underscoring the depth of community need and the creativity of local organizations proposing solutions. Final awards reflect a balance of immediate service needs, long-term impact, and alignment with the County's Strategic Plan.
2026 Community Grant Award Recipients
- Senior Services, Inc. (Milestone Senior Services) — $60,000
- Charlie's Place — $50,000
- City of Parchment — $50,000
- Oshtemo Charter Township — $50,000
- Community AIDS Resource & Education Services (CARES) — $33,000
- Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine — $25,544
- Local Journalism Foundation of Kalamazoo County — $24,706
- Texas Charter Township — $23,000
- Mothers of Hope — $29,974
- Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan — $20,000
- Village of Schoolcraft — $18,776
- First Day Shoe Fund — $15,000
County Leaders Praise Grant Process
Jen Strebs, Kalamazoo County Board Chair, said: "Government is at its best when it lifts up the people it serves. 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."
Dr. Kevin A. Catlin, Administrator/Controller for Kalamazoo County, said: "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. 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."
Funded Projects Include
According to Kalamazoo County, the funded projects include:
- Expanded healthcare access
- Meal delivery for homebound seniors
- Transportation corridor planning
- Youth leadership and enrichment programs
- Community reporting efforts
- Improvements to parks and play spaces
The grant term is one year or less and may begin no earlier than January 1, 2026. Final reports are due within 30 days of the project's end date or upon the full expenditure of funds, whichever comes first.
Applicants must be located in and/or provide services within Kalamazoo County and propose projects that advance key priorities in the County's Strategic Plan. Full project descriptions are available at kalcounty.gov/grant-awards.