Allegan County Community Foundation grants invest $189,740 in solutions for residents

Lauren Hunt-VanderPloeg sees the challenges facing Allegan County communities reflected in the organizations seeking help to address them.

Older adults need repairs to remain safely in their homes. People with intellectual and developmental disabilities face barriers to finding meaningful work. Survivors of domestic violence need somewhere safe to go at any hour.

As community impact manager for the Allegan County Community Foundation, Hunt-VanderPloeg also sees local organizations developing ways to respond.

“The Community Grants process reflects ACCF’s commitment to strengthening Allegan County by investing in the people, organizations, and ideas that help make our communities thrive,” Hunt-VanderPloeg says.

This year, the foundation is giving $189,740 to local groups working to improve life in Allegan County. The grants will support jobs, housing, the environment, public spaces and services for people facing difficult situations. See the entire list of recipients here.

Addressing range of needs

One grant will help The Arc of Allegan County start WorkAble, a program that will help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities find meaningful jobs.

Community Action of Allegan County will use its grant to help develop a Senior Home Repair Program. The program will address critical repairs and accessibility issues that can prevent older residents from remaining safely and independently in their homes.

The Allegan Conservation District will use its grant for stream biomonitoring, giving residents an opportunity to help track the health of local waterways.

In Saugatuck Township, grant funding will help develop Sunset Park, along the Lake Michigan shoreline, as a universally accessible public space.

Other grants address immediate safety needs. Resilience and Sylvia’s Place received funding to help maintain 24-hour crisis response and shelter services for survivors of domestic violence.

The foundation also awarded grants to organizations working on family stability, health, recovery, transportation, and access to services.

Allegan County Friend of the Court received support for family stability services, while Migrant Legal Aid received funding for outreach to farmworkers. Dispute Resolution Services, also known as Mediation Services, received support for accessible conflict resolution.

Additional support

Health and recovery grants went to the Blood Cancer Foundation of Michigan for patient support, Reach for Recovery to improve access to substance use treatment, and 70×7 Life Recovery for recovery housing for women.

Christian Neighbors Southeast received funding for emergency assistance, while Community Action House received support intended to improve service efficiency and collaboration. Grant Me Hope received funding for reliable transportation.

Wings of Hope Hospice & Palliative Care and Wings Home received grants supporting end-of-life care.

Other recipients include the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, which helps people with low vision maintain independence; ODC Network, which will make habitat improvements at the De Witt Birds of Prey Center; and Friends of the Saugatuck Women’s Club, which is working to preserve its historic gathering space.

The Allegan County Historical Society received funding for museum infrastructure improvements, while People Helping People of Pullman received support for collaborative community services.

“By supporting projects and programs across a variety of communities and sectors, these grant dollars empower local initiatives that create lasting impact now and forever,” Hunt-VanderPloeg says.

The grants are supported through several foundation funds, including the Community Legacy Fund, Now and Forever Fund, and Saugatuck/Douglas Area Community Endowment Fund. Additional funding comes from the Honorable Chester Ray Memorial Endowment Fund, Homeless and Emergency Needs — The Phoenix Rose Fund, Healthy Youth & Healthy Seniors Endowment Fund, and Charles and Betsy Hill Endowed Fund.