Grant-Matching Challenge Aimed at Diversity, Equity, Inclusion

Groups focused on diversity, equity and inclusion can get some local financial support, and if you want to support the effort you still have a chance to see your contributions matched.

There is one week left of a matching opportunity through Rotary Charities and the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation.  The foundation’s DEI Fund supports local organizations led by Black, Indigenous, people of color, LGBTQ+, immigrants, neurodiverse or those with disabilities.

Past projects have included funding for things like Michigan Indian Legal Services and programming at the Traverse Area District Library for Asian American and Pacific Islanders Heritage month. The fund is aimed at programs, trainings, initiatives, and opportunities promoting equity and inclusion across Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau Counties.

Alison Metiva is the Vice President of Donor Engagement and Operations with the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation. She says, “Any gift up to a total of $35,000 will be matched dollar-for-dollar. So that’s a great opportunity for additional community members to join in. Matching opportunities are great because it allows individual donors to maximize their portion of the giving. We have a great partner in Rotary Charities, contributed to an endowment at the Community Foundation. That’s where the match came from.”

Donations to the Community Foundation’s DEI Fund will be matched dollar-for-dollar through May 25. Since the summer of 2021, the Community Foundation has awarded more than $30,000 in grants to 21 different organizations across the five-county region through its DEI Fund.

“We’ve seen a nice response to the fund. Our board launched it last year,” Metiva says.