Grant Applications

Please read this page for helpful information, then download the official Grant Application Guidelines below. Review the Guidelines thoroughly and provide all the information requested in your application. The Irving S. Gilmore Foundation requires Grant Applications to be submitted on paper and does not accept applications online, or via email. These Guidelines were updated in February 2025.

 

Please note: Organizations that are first-time Foundation applicants or have not received Foundation funding in the past five years must contact the Foundation’s VP-Program Carol Snapp at least four weeks prior to submitting an application. The Foundation does not make grants to individuals or for academic research. The Foundation supports Kalamazoo County projects, programs, and purposes conducted by charitable institutions. 

 

The following items are most frequently omitted or missing components:

  • Cover Letter
  • Financial Documents
  • Board Roster
  • Most recent audit or IRS Form 990

Incomplete proposals are subject to declination or scheduled for a later meeting. A checkbox format has been provided for your use in assembling your grant packet.

 

Download Grant Application Guidelines                     Download Final Report Form

 

Grant Application Deadlines

Proposal Deadline

  • January 6, 2025
  • March 3, 2025
  • May 1, 2025
  • July 1, 2025
  • September 1, 2025
  • November 3, 2025

Trustee Review

  • March 18, 2025
  • May 20, 2025
  • July 22, 2025
  • September 16, 2025
  • November 18, 2025
  • January 27, 2026

 

Please submit one single-sided paper copy of your application. You may either mail in your application or drop it off in our lobby on the 9th floor of the Hinman/Fifth Third Bank Building located at 136 East Michigan Avenue, where there is a drop box for your convenience. Please note, the building hours are 9am-5pm, Monday through Friday. As noted above, the Foundation does not accept applications online or via email.

Submit Grant Proposals to:

Richard M. Hughey, Jr., Executive Vice President/CEO
Irving S. Gilmore Foundation 

136 E. Michigan Avenue, Suite 900
Kalamazoo, MI 49007

Additional questions regarding your application may be directed to:
Kristy Brady
Program Associate

kristy@isgilmore.org 
269-342-6411

 

 

Irving S. Gilmore Foundation

136 E. Michigan Ave., Suite 900
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
(269) 342-6411

 

 

In accordance with the example and directives of its founder, the Irving S. Gilmore Foundation encourages grant applications from Kalamazoo area nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations whose work benefits or will benefit the community. The Foundation does not make grants to individuals. The Foundation Trustees will make all decisions regarding the funding of proposals without discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, height, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, weight, marital status, genetic information, disability, military status or national origin of the organization’s staff or volunteers. It is expected that all beneficiaries of funding from the Irving S. Gilmore Foundation will adhere to existing state and federally mandated affirmative action policies.