Local Mission Grant Program

The First Presbyterian Local Mission Community Grant Program seeks to support nonprofit organizations and ministries that care for and protect vulnerable people in Washtenaw County and Metro Detroit. We seek to partner with organizations whose programs address the disparities that keep people in poverty. We value groups that tackle structural social inequities and build strong communities.

We invite applications for awards up to $5,500 that reduce poverty by addressing disparities in access to:

  • Mental Health/ Substance Abuse Treatment

  • Academic Success and/or Stable Employment

Organizations must:

  • Be based in Washtenaw County or Metro Detroit

  • Have 501(c)3 status or a fiscal agent that does.

  • Have an active board of directors.

  • Increase access to services for the most vulnerable people in our community.

  • Articulate how the organization addresses inequity and empowers at risk individuals and/or communities.

  • Have a system in place for defining and measuring program outcomes.

  • Demonstrate solid financial standing.

  • Affirm that the organization does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, ethnicity, disability, race, color, ancestry, political affiliation, religion, sexual orientation, mental health disability or national origin.

Preference will be given to proposals from organizations that:

  • Are smaller, for which the grant will have a larger impact.

  • Serve communities with the highest rates of poverty.

  • Address root causes of disparities and have a lasting impact.

Applications are due by April 30, 2023

 

Click here to apply.

 

For more information, contact: 

Martha Kershaw, Local Mission Grant Coordinator
mdkershaw@sbcglobal.net,  (734) 645-7521

Rev. Jay Sanderford, Local Mission Staff Liaison
jsanderford@firstpresbyterian.org, (734) 662- 4466

 

 

Past Recipients

2022

  • Avalon Housing: Supportive Affordable Housing
  • Cass Community Social Services: Utility Arrears Payment Program
  • Corner Health Center: Young Men’s support group
  • Dawn Farm: Scholarship Fund for Addiction Treatment
  • Friends In Deed: Assistance for bills, furniture and transportation
  • Friends In Deed: Circles Program
  • Habitat for Humanity: House of Faith
  • Hope Clinic: Psychiatry services for un-insured patients
  • IHN at Alpha House: Shelter and Support for homeless families
  • Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice: Warrant Resolution Project
  • Ozone House: Mental Health Program
  • SafeHouse: Fresh Start Fund
  • Shelter Assn. Washtenaw County: Mental Health Case Worker
  • SOS Community Service: Rapid Rehousing for homeless families

The 2022 Local Mission Team included:  Bill Black, Nikki Black, Beth Gerwig, Ruth Jensen, Tom McKarns, Gale Redding, Gary Stahl, John Voorhorst, Felicity Williams, and Martha Kershaw (coordinator)

 

2021 

  • Community Action Network: “Strive to Thrive” Social Emotional Learning program for elementary age children
  • Friends In Deed: general operating funds and the Circles Program
  • Habitat for Humanity Huron Valley: House of Faith
  • Hope Clinic: Psychiatry services for un-insured patients
  • IHN at Alpha House: shelter and support for homeless families
  • Michigan Ability Partners: housing and vocational support for veterans and persons with disabilities
  • Ozone House: outreach van for youth services
  • Peace Neighborhood Center: College and Career Prep program for high-school age youth
  • Shelter Assn. Washtenaw Cnty: re-opening of 2nd floor of Delonis Shelter for homeless adults
  • SOS Community Service: rapid rehousing for homeless families
  • Washtenaw Housing Alliance: landlord recruitment and engagement

2020 

  • Ozone House - Supportive Housing for at risk youth
  • Habitat for Humanity - House of Faith home renovation
  • Community Action Network - Social Emotional Learning Program
  • Cass Community Social Services - Street Outreach Van
  • IHN at Alpha House - Family Homeless Shelter
  • Hope Medical Clinic - Psychiatry Services for uninsured people
  • Corner Health Center – Telehealth Services for at-risk youth
  • Friends In Deed – Support services to address poverty and prevent financial crisis
  • Peace Neighborhood Center – College and Career Prep Program
  • Riverside Gathering – weekly community meal at First Pres. Ypsilanti
  • Food Gatherer’s – Community Kitchen at Delonis Center

2019 

  • Ozone House - Mental Health for At Risk College Students
  • Habitat of Huron Valley - House of Faith
  • Fort Street Presbyterian – Community Garden and Nutrition Education
  • Cass Community SS - Lots for Tiny Homes
  • Hope Clinic - Mental Health for Uninsured
  • Community Action Network - Brick School Community Center
  • Community Action Network - Housing Support Program
  • (IHN) Alpha House – Family Shelter
  • Friends in Deed – Emergency Assistance
  • Peace Neighborhood - College Prep
  • Riverside Gathering - Weekly Dinner
  • Breakfast at St. Andrew'sICPJ - Poverty Narratives

2018 

  • Breakfast at St. Andrew's
  • Food Gatherers
  • Fort Street
  • Hope Clinic
  • Riverside Gathering
  • Community Action Network
  • Corner Health Clinic
  • Cass Community Social Services
  • Habitat of Huron Valley
  • (IHN) Alpha House
  • Religious Action for Affordable Housing
  • Shelter Association
  • Peace Neighborhood
  • Interfaith Council for Peace & Justice/ICPJ
  • Interfaith Round Table
  • Friends in Deed

2017 

  • Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley, House of Faith
  • Food Gatherers
  • Corner Health Center
  • Cass Community Social Services
  • Friends in Deed
  • Interfaith Council for Peace & Justice/ICPJ
  • Alpha House
  • Shelter Association
  • His Eye is on the Sparrow
  • Riverside Community Gathering
  • Hope Clinic Food Programs
  • Family Learning Institute
  • Washtenaw Housing Alliance
  • Breakfast at St Andrew's
  • Hope Clinic Mental Health
  • Dawn Farm
  • Meals on Wheels
  • Community Action Network
  • House By Side Road
  • Interfaith Round Table
  • Dispute Resolution Center
  • Safe House
  • Intentional Communities of Washtenaw

2016 

  • Interfaith Council for Peace & Justice/ICPJ
  • Interfaith Roundtable
  • Community Action Network; Project at Mitchell Elementary School
  • Peace Neighborhood Center
  • House by the Side of the Road
  • St. Andrew's Breakfast Program
  • Food Gatherers, Special Project
  • HOPE Clinic Food Pantry
  • Riverside Community Meal Program, Ypsilanti
  • Alpha House
  • Friends In Deed
  • Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley, House of Faith
  • Religious Action for Affordable Housing
  • Shelter Association
  • Samaritan Counseling Center
  • Intentional Communities of Washtenaw
  • His Eye is on the Sparrow
  • Washtenaw Refugee Welcome