Love & Charity 2025 Celebration
Honoring Our Donors’ Generosity and Impact
At the heart of the Love & Charity grant program is a simple yet profound truth: generosity changes lives. Through the dedication of our donors, this program evangelizes the Catholic faith, strengthens Catholic education, supports families in need, and sustains vital ministries and parishes across West Michigan. Every grant awarded is a reflection of the generosity of our donors.
The impact of Love & Charity extends far beyond financial support. It nurtures faith, fosters opportunity, and ensures that the Catholic community in West Michigan continues to flourish for generations to come.
Celebrating Our 2026 Grantmaking
Thanks to the incredible support of Bishop’s Angels, the Catholic Business Leaders Forums, and select endowment funds, in 2026 the Catholic Foundation of West Michigan awarded $160,000 in grants to 18 organizations. These grants are directly impacting lives in in our communities.
Bishop Baraga Academy, Fremont
Grant Amount: $11,940
Responding to the growing need for accessible Catholic education, the Academy is the newest Catholic school in the diocese. Their “Investing in Children. Building the Kingdom.” initiative, will expand the microschool by equipping their lower elementary classroom (K-2) for fall
2026 opening.
Cathedral of Saint Andrew, Grand Rapids
Grant Amount: $5,000
At the Youth Summer Camp Retreat, 8th-12th grade youth representing English, Spanish, and African Masses will come together to deepen their faith, strengthen community, and inspire continued participation in parish life.
Catholic Charities West Michigan
Grant Amount: $15,000
The purchase of a dedicated Foster Care Van will promote healthy development for vulnerable children and aid in reunification by helping transport children to parenting time visits, sibling visits, and medical appointments.
GRACEAC
Grant Amount: $5,000
The Grand Rapids Area Catholic Elementary Athletic Council (GRACEAC) will create Virtues of Greatness Videos for coaches and partners of local sports leaders, sharing the impact that sports and virtues have had on them personally, their teams, and families.
Harmel Academy of the Trades
Grant Amount: $15,000
Through the Igniting Formation Through Small Engines and Teamwork initiative, first-year students will design, assemble, and test functional go-karts powered by small engines — introducing them to foundational concepts in mechanics, fabrication, and teamwork.
Joseph's Builders
Grant Amount: $15,000
Through their mission week and weekends, the 2026 Build Projects will serve the poor, elderly, and people with disabilities by providing them with good, clean, and safe housing. Volunteers will also experience an atmosphere of Christian discipleship and evangelization.
Lake County Area Churches Charities
Grant Amount: $5,000
Located at St. Ann Parish, Baldwin, the Bread of Life Food Pantry distributes food each week to the community from newborn babies to seniors, veterans, and the homeless. The pantry meets a critical need in Lake County, which is ranked highest in the state for food insecurity.
Laker Catholic Campus Ministry, Allendale
Grant Amount: $9,500
As part of St. Luke University Parish, the Laker Catholic Annual Evangelization Retreats bring Grand Valley State University students away from the busyness of campus to a quiet place, where they can be renewed and transformed through fellowship and deep prayer.
Newaygo County Catholic Youth Ministry
Grant Amount: $10,000
Through weekly discipleship groups, youth nights, retreats, and mentoring, the NET Discipleship Team meets a deep and previously unmet need for youth evangelization across five parishes.
Prince of Peace Parish, Muskegon
Grant Amount: $18,235
By hosting Adult Formation Courses for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, they have provided training in this Montessori-based religious education program not only to their parish, but to individuals from 25 parishes across the diocese.
Renewing the Catholic Family Speaker Series
Grant Amount: $10,000
For the second year, the Mission Effectiveness Committees of St. Thomas the Apostle, St. Paul the Apostle, and Immaculate Heart of Mary schools in Grand Rapids are hosting a Parent Speaker Series to educate, equip, and support parents in navigating key issues affecting children today.
Sacred Heart Academy, Grand Rapids
Grant Amount: $3,000
A two-day Integral Formation Conference for Faculty & Families will help educate faculty, staff, and parents on the four dimensions of formation: the human, the spiritual, the intellectual, and the apostolic.
Saint Benedict Institute, Hope College
Grant Amount: $15,000
Through the Exodus/Genesis 90 program, book studies, lectures, Eucharistic adoration, and spiritual direction, the Cultivating Wonder – From Scientistic Materialism to Holistic Understanding program seeks to help students at Hope College move from the mechanistic worldview to a sacramental one.
Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Grand Rapids
Grant Amount: $3,325
The Grand Rapids Council seeks to support three parishes in establishing conferences. The New Conference Growth will reach more neighbors in need and create genuine communities of faith, prayer, and action.
SS. Peter & Paul Parish, Ionia
Grant Amount: $5,000
The Friends of Jesus Fund, a joint community effort, offers emergency assistance to individuals and families in crisis throughout the Ionia area. The Fund assists with shelter, rent, utilities, water, prescription medications, and transportation.
St. Gregory - Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Hart
Grant Amount: $1,500
Growing Deeper in Catholic Roots, a faith formation program, will help children and young people deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ by walking with Him through the liturgical seasons.
St. Mary Magdalen Parish, Kentwood
Grant Amount: $1,000
A Parish & Community Garden provides produce to parishioners in need and a local food pantry. This year they plan to build a small greenhouse and shed to keep tools, seeds, and starters safe from the elements.
St. Paul Newman Center, Ferris State University
Grant Amount: $11,500
The Chapel Renovation seeks to create an ornate worship space for Ferris State University students, parishioners, and all others who come to participate in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The beautification of the space will help lift the mind to God, who is the fullness of all beauty.
