Wege Foundation Grant

The Wege Foundation Grant aims to support organizations in Western Michigan, particularly in Grand Rapids. Focused on arts, environment, education, and community health, it prioritizes tax-exempt entities and encourages collaboration. The foundation emphasizes flexibility in funding and aims to enhance local initiatives that align with its mission. With a commitment to LEED certification and aiding marginalized communities, it seeks to maintain a significant impact on the region's development.

The Wege Foundation’s main focus is Western Michigan, mainly in Grand Rapids. Peter M. Wege, founder of the family foundation, feels strongly about keeping the mission local because it honors the wishes of his father Peter Martin Wege, who created the Foundation’s resources. Peter Martin Wege founded Metal Office Furniture, today’s Steelcase, in 1912.
Program Areas We Fund
The Wege Foundation's Grants Policy established four “pillars”:

• Arts & CultureEnvironmentEducationCommunity Health & Wellbeing

As with the grantmaking allocations among the pillars, these values and priorities are intended as “targets” to guide the Grants Committee and staff in recruiting and reviewing grant applications. The Foundation will continue to be flexible and strategically opportunistic in funding initiatives that forward Mr. Wege’s goal that Grand Rapids become “the best medium-sized city in the United States” and that export effective programs from Grand Rapids to other communities.

Eligibility

The Wege Foundation funds only organizations classified as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.unless the organization is a public school or governmental entity. fiduciaries are the exception and not the norm.The Wege Foundation is geographically focused and funds in the Greater Grand Rapids area. The Environmental pillar includes the entire state of Michigan.If your project contains a capital campaign element, your project must be LEED certified.

Ineligibility

Applications for Family Interest Grants for projects outside the Kent County, Michigan, and Grand Rapids metropolitan area are accepted by invitation only.