Wege Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The Wege Foundation supports education, environment, arts and culture, healthcare and community service projects in western Michigan.
IP TAKE: This is an accessible and well-rounded foundation that supports many different Grand Rapids-area nonprofits with significant grants twice per year. This funder accepts unsolicited applications from nonprofits operating in western Michigan.
PROFILE: Established in 1967, the Wege Foundation is a private foundation based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This is the foundation of Peter Martin Wege, who founded the Metal Office Furniture Company, also known as Steelcase Inc., in 1912. The foundation aims to "plant seeds that develop leaders in economicology, health, education, and arts and enhance the lives of people in West Michigan and around the world.” It funds local efforts for education, environment, arts and culture, healthcare and community service.
Cross-cutting themes of Wege grantmaking are diversity, equity, inclusion, civic engagement, environmental sustainability and organizational stability. Education grants support pre-K through post-secondary extracurricular activities and mentorships. Environment grants support environmental education in public schools, the lower Grand River watershed and sustainable development in geographic areas of priority. Arts and culture grants fund creative expression in diverse neighborhoods and programs that provide access to the arts for broad audiences. Health grants fund prevention, access to care and access to transportation and recreational opportunities. Finally, community service grants fund opportunities for businesses led by people of color and nonprofits that help people through issues like abuse, homelessness and unemployment.
Grants range between about $1,000 and $250,000. The Wege Foundation awards approximately 25 percent of its grants to arts and culture, 25 percent to the environment, 25 percent to education, 15 percent to healthcare and 10 percent to community service. Grantmaking focuses on western Michigan, with a majority of grants staying in the city of Grand Rapids. Past local grantees include the Grand Rapids Symphony, YMCA West Central Michigan and the Blandford Nature Center. Learn more about this funder’s local giving by examining its recent tax records.
This foundation accepts unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits following successful passing of an eligibility quiz. It accepts applications submitted online in the spring and fall each year. Direct general questions to the staff at 616-957-0480 or via online form.
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