The Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation (GTRCF) has awarded its first grants through its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Fund to organizations across the five-county region.

In June, GTRCF announced the launch of the DEI Fund to support a variety of organizations and initiatives, including Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) and LGBTQ+ led organizations; DEI training and learning; and other partners, programs and opportunities promoting equity and inclusion. 

GTRCF shared that grant decisions would be made by the DEI Fund Advisory Committee with a diversity of representation from BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities, allies and equity leaders and advocates.

According to a press release, the DEI Fund’s first grantmaking cycle supported eight organizations, including The Friendship Community Center, Kids on the Go Traverse City, Mashup Rock & Roll Musical, Mnamaadiziwin Inc, National Writers Series, Suttons Bay Public Schools, United Way of Northwest Michigan on behalf of Raven & Lotus and Women’s Resource Center. 

The grants will fund a variety of DEI efforts, from community potlucks and a DEI training to general operating support and a youth program expansion.

“This grantmaking round was full of organizations that have been actively working in DEI systems and have been seeking ways of getting that last bit of funding needed to launch forward,” Brett Sinclair, DEI Fund Advisory Committee member, said in the press release. “These are the leaders in our community.”

GTRCF shared insights from its evolving DEI learning journey with CMF earlier this year. 

Before establishing the DEI Fund, GTRCF provided staff and board with training in 2020, including an anti-racism training led by Julie Ann Rivers-Cochran of Blackbird Consulting for Nonprofits and an Anishinaabek culture training, facilitated by GTRCF board member, JoAnne Cook.

The staff also formed a DEI working group dedicated to exploring how to embed DEI into all aspects of the organization’s work. Mengebier shared a few examples of internal shifts the GTRCF has made, informed by the community foundation’s ongoing learning journey.

“It’s vital that our area be welcoming and inclusive for everyone, regardless of race, sexual orientation, background, or beliefs,” Meagan Warner-Alvarado, member of GRTCF’s DEI Fund Advisory Committee, said in a press release. “To help community groups boost their efforts in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion means we all reap the benefits of a more vibrant welcoming region.”

Want more?

Read the full press release.

Learn more about GTRCF’s DEI Fund.

Read more about GTRCF’s DEI learning journey.