Opportunity Overview
The Gerber Foundation is accepting applications for its West Michigan Youth Programs grant cycle. The program supports youth ages 0 to 18 in Lake, Muskegon, Newaygo, and Oceana counties, with emphasis on health, nutrition and dental issues, early childhood services and literacy, parenting education, education including STEM and related fields, and youth life experiences.
Funding
Grants generally support programming for one year. Awards are normally under $10,000, with the average grant size below $5,000. Requests under $2,000 use a shortened application process. The Foundation prefers program support and considers capital campaign requests only on a limited basis after prior discussion.
Deadline and Submission
The current application deadline is September 15, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. The Foundation does not publish a time zone on the controlling page, so Atlas does not infer one. Applications must be completed through the Foundation’s online SmartSimple system.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants must be public nonprofit organizations with an IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter or governmental entities, and must be located in or directly serve youth from Lake, Muskegon, Newaygo, or Oceana counties.
Application Requirements
The application requests a project summary, project dates, youth population data, purpose, activities, anticipated short and long term impact, evaluation, community partners, organizational mission and programs, annual organizational budget, project line item budget including any in kind support, and sources of income. Required attachments include a board roster, the most recent annual report if applicable, and letters of support or collaboration from participating organizations named in the proposal. Optional supporting items may also be provided.
Match, Costs, and Procurement
The controlling page does not state a mandatory match or cost share requirement. It asks applicants to identify in kind support and project income sources, but does not characterize either as a required match. The public guidance does not provide a detailed universal list of ineligible costs or separate vendor procurement rules. Programming is preferred, while capital requests are rare and should be discussed with the Foundation before applying.
Atlas Analysis
Atlas Opportunity Score: 74/100. The program is relevant to Michigan youth health and education and has a straightforward local eligibility framework, but its typical award size is modest.
N9+ Fit Score: 35/100. Recent Gerber Foundation awards include youth health and safety programming, panoramic oral health imaging, and expanded forensic nursing access, showing that health technology and clinical access projects can be fundable in context. However, the program primarily favors youth programming and does not specifically identify telehealth or remote examination technology. Atlas should not force a Nonagon N9+ device and platform fit without a specific applicant led project and confirmation that the equipment or related costs are appropriate.
QC Healthcare Fit: 20/100. A clinical service role is possible only within a qualifying applicant led youth health project and would require confirmation that contracted services are appropriate under the proposed budget.
Dr. Miltie, LLC is not a verified eligible prime applicant under the published nonprofit or governmental entity eligibility rule.
Contact
The Gerber Foundation
(231) 924-3175
tgf@gerberfoundation.org
Official source: The Gerber Foundation — West Michigan Grants.