Arcus Foundation Announces New Program Goals and Streamlined Application Process
The Arcus Foundation has clarified its program goals and streamlined the application process for organizations seeking grant funding from the Foundation.
The new application guidelines, effective immediately, apply to both the Arcus LGBT Program and the Arcus Great Apes Program.
Among the changes made to the application process are the following:
Learn more about Arcus program goals and funding priorities by visiting What We Fund and our grant application process and guidelines by visiting How To Apply.
Gloria Royal, Nonprofit Communications, Public Relations and Marketing Expert to Join Arcus Foundation as Director of Communications
Gloria Royal, vice president of Marketing Communications for the Kalamazoo Community Foundation, has accepted the invitation to join the Arcus Foundation as Director of Communications. She will begin her duties Jan. 26, 2009, and work from the Arcus Foundation's Kalamazoo office. (Press release)
Annette Lanjouw, Director of the Arcus Great Apes Program, has recently authored a new book, Mountain Gorillas: Biology, Conservation, and Coexistence in collaboration with photographer Gene Eckhart.Read more about the book by visiting publisher Johns Hopkins University Press.
"Pulse of Equality" Poll Shows Majorities of U.S. Adults Favor Legal Protections for LGBT Americans
A new survey commissioned by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) and conducted by Harris Interactive in the wake of the passage of and protests against California's Proposition 8 reveals that majorities of Americans favor a broad range of policies and legal protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. Download the report here.
Arcus Foundation Ends Year with New Awards totaling over $9.6 Million;
Brings 2007 Grant Making Total Over $16.8 Million
Press Release
Arcus President and Founder Jon Stryker featured in the Chronicle of Philanthropy
Read the article PDF (990 kb)
1/11/08: The Arcus Foundation announced the appointment of Alvin Starks to the position of Senior Program Officer for the Racial Justice, Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity program.
More
1/1/08: Darren Walker, VP of Rockefeller Foundation, Joins Arcus Foundation Board of Directors More
11/21/07: Seasoned Nonprofit Manager, Jane Dunne, Named Chief Operating and Financial Officer of Arcus
More
The Arcus Foundation, through its partnership with nonprofit conservation organizations Fauna & Flora International and Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, helped to support the creation of Ol Pejeta Conservancy, one of the largest wildlife preserves in Kenya. Click here to read about the Ol Pejeta Conservancy.
Michigan Racial & Economic Justice Initiative Launches in Kalamazoo
(read more)
9/28/07: Arcus Foundation Appoints GLBT Organizer Johnny Jenkins Jr. to lead its Michigan Programs
More
Arcus Foundation Appoints Experienced Primatologist, Annette Lanjouw, to Lead Arcus Great Apes Program; Expands Team Working on Great Apes Fund
More
Creating a More Inclusive EEO. Find out how one non-profit did it.
Putting Your Passion To Work
Engineering Social Justice Training Series
Dare To Get Active! Are you an activist or a progressive, passionate person who wants to create positive changes for your community but not sure how to begin? Join us for this six-session series funded by the Arcus Gay & Lesbian Program and offered by the Kalamazoo Gay & Lesbian Resource Center in partnership with the Kalamazoo Alliance for Equality. Read more
6/27/07: Grant Writing Workshop at Hotter Than July
Nuts & Bolts of Grant Writing
with Cindy Rizzo, Director of Grant Making Programs, Arcus Foundation
The Arcus Foundation's Director of Grant Making Programs, Cindy Rizzo, will present this grant writing workshop at the Genesis Conference Workshop VIII, part of Hotter Than July, Detroit's Black Same Gender Loving Pride Celebration on Friday, July 27 from 5 to 7pm. This free workshop will help those with little or no grant writing experience learn how to create effective funding proposals for foundation and corporate funders. The workshop will cover the following:
- Is grantseeking right for your organization?
- How to identify prospects
- Making contact with funders
- Developing a written proposal and required attachments
- Building a relationship with funders
All Are Welcome - No RSVP Necessary
Questions - 269.373.4373 or
Where & When
Hilton Garden Inn
351 Gratiot Avenue
Detroit, Michigan
Friday, July 27th 5:00-7:00 PM
2/26/07: Domestic Partner Benefits Education
Michigan Equality will be traveling the state to educate members of the GLBT community and the community at large about the implications of the January 2007 Michigan Court of Appeals decision on domestic partner benefits offered by the state. Learn more
2/26/07:New Religion and Values Program
The Arcus Foundation announces the appointment of Tom Kam as Senior Fellow of the Foundation's new Religion and Values Program. (more)
1/26/07: Announcing our Fall 2006 Grant Awards
$5.1 million awarded to organizations working for GLBT Human Rights and Great Ape Conservation
Arcus Gay and Lesbian Fund
Arcus Fund
Arcus National Fund
Arcus Great Apes Fund
Read the press release
12/20/06: Cathy J. Cohen Joins Arcus Foundation Board of Directors
The Arcus Foundation announces the appointment of Cathy J. Cohen, Professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago, to the Board of Directors of the Arcus Foundation, effective January 1, 2007. (more)
10/12/06:Arcus Foundation Announces New Director of Grant Making Programs
The Arcus Foundation announces the appointment of Cindy T. Rizzo as Director of Grantmaking Programs. (more)
4/25/06:Arcus Announces Great Apes Fund Senior Fellow
The Arcus Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Sarah Hansen as the Arcus Great Apes Fund's first Senior Fellow. (more)
5/25/05: We are pleased to announce the appointment of Urvashi Vaid as the new Executive Director of the Arcus Foundation. (more)
7/12/05: Together in Faith, a national conference for people of all religions and spiritualities creating lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender-affirming communities will be presented by the American Friends Service Committee Faith Action Network August 5-7, 2005 on the campus of Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, Michigan. For more information, please visit togetherinfaith.com.
5/1/05: Governor Signs Law Making Maine 6th State to Protect Gender Identity Read the Gender Public Advocacy Coalition’s press release at gpac.org.
5/1/05: The 2005 Volunteer Guidebook is now available. Published annually by the Volunteer Center of Greater Kalamazoo, the guidebook lists volunteer needs of nonprofit organizations throughout Kalamazoo county. You may pick up a free copy at the Volunteer Center office located at 709-A S. Westnedge, Kalamazoo, the Kalamazoo Chamber of Commerce office, or any library in Kalamazoo County. Visit the Volunteer Center’s website at volunteerkalamazoo.org.
5/1/05: The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan has announced the filing of a lawsuit requesting that the court declare that the amendment passed by Michigan voters in November 2004, regarding same-sex marriage, does not prohibit domestic partnership (DP) benefits offered by public employers. Read more at aclumich.org
4/14/05: Art therapy group for GLBT teens now forming at the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts in Grand Rapids, Michigan (more)
3/23/05: The Arcus Foundation Endorses the Day of Silence, April 13, 2005 (more)
2/16/05: Thinking Outside the Gender Box
"You have to learn to look with new eyes. That’s what emerging social movements do." An interview with Riki Wilchins, Executive Director of GenderPAC, January 13, 2005 (read)
1/4/05: SLDN Continues Work to Defeat 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'; Files Historic Court Challenge (read about it)
10/15/04: The Battered Immigrant Project provides immigration and referral services for immigrant survivors of domestic violence, including those survivors in the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) community. More
9/15/04: Judy Shepard Coming to WMU
OUTspoken, WMU’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and ally student organization, is proud to announce that Judy Shepard, mother of Matthew Shepard, will be speaking in the WMU Dalton Center on Wednesday, September 22, 2004 at 8:00 p.m. to present The Legacy of Matthew Shepard: An End to Hate Crimes. It will be followed by a meet and greet reception. This event is free and open to the public, through generous funding by the Western Michigan University Campus Activities Board. (More)
Thailand’s Morning Songs
by Josh Vandeburgh, Former Arcus Intern
"I had seen pictures and videos of gibbons in captivity while an intern at the Arcus Foundation, but it was nothing like the experience of seeing them in the wild. Here is my story."
9/1/04: The Arcus Foundation is pleased to announce the addition of new staff member, Katie Weigel. Ms. Weigel will fill the role of Office Manager, overseeing the administrative operations for the foundation. Ms. Weigel brings eight years of human resource experience to the foundation, and has worked in both the public and private sector. Welcome Katie!
8/25/04: On Friday, August 13, the Center for Great Apes was slammed by the eye wall of a category 4 hurricane (Charley) packing 145 mph winds. Read more
8/5/04: Save the Chimps update from Executive Director, Dr. Carole Noon. A major expansion, significantly funded by the Arcus Foundation, will create the largest chimpanzee sanctuary in the world at Save the Chimps in Ft. Pierce, Florida. More
5/25/04: It is with great excitement and anticipation that we introduce a new phase in the evolution of the Arcus Foundation: the opening of new offices in Kalamazoo and New York City.
Read the letter to Partners, Colleagues and Friends
Read the press release
5/1/04: Here’s What You Told Us
At Arcus, we firmly believe our work could not exist without the partnership of our funded organizations. To determine how we can better serve our community, the Foundation recently conducted an intensive three-month evaluation. An independent consultant contacted previously funded organizations and grant seekers of the Arcus Gay & Lesbian Fund to evaluate Arcus in several areas, including our grantmaking process and funding requirements. More
5/1/04: Ministry with Community The mission of Ministry with Community is to provide food, daytime shelter and other basic services to central Kalamazoo’s homeless, poor, mentally ill and hard-to-serve adults. Through community cooperation, Ministry with Community provides these services in an atmosphere of dignity, hope and unconditional acceptance. Learn about the work of Ministry with Community
4/26/04: The Arcus Foundation Salutes Nathan Triplett When school staff failed to act after he was assaulted inside the school gym locker room by bullies who assumed he was gay, Nathan Triplett turned frustration into action and formed Portage (Michigan) Public School’s first Gay/Straight Alliance. Four years later, at 20 years old, Nathan Triplett is one of the country’s foremost advocates for GLBT rights and safe schools. More
1/15/04: Arcus Foundation Names New Program Associate
The Arcus Foundation has named Carol Snapp its new Program Associate, a position which was added to meet the needs of the growing foundation. Ms. Snapp will oversee communications and work with grant seekers and grantees for the Foundation. Ms. Snapp has eight years of non-profit arts administration experience, formerly serving as Executive Director of Wellspring/Cori Terry & Dancers in Kalamazoo, Michigan and Curator of Exhibitions and Collections at the Art Center of Battle Creek, Michigan.
Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays: P-FLAG offers support and education. Kalamazoo Chapter meets on 4th Sundays at People's Church, 1758 N. 10th St. Info: (269) 327-8107. Visit the national website.
7/29/03 Gov. Davis signs on:
California is the fourth state (following New Mexico, Rhode Island and Minnesota) to pass laws prohibiting discrimination based on gender expression and identity.More
Construction Highlights
Seeing concrete results is always gratifying in the nonprofit world. Here are a few bricks-and-mortar building projects that have taken place at Arcus-funded organizations.
1/2003 Fall Cycle 2002 Grants Awarded
11/12/02 Thanks to everyone who attended Arcus’ special presentation of “Oliver Button is a Star!” in October. If you haven’t yet seen this uplifting production about gender-based bullying, we have one video copy available to borrow. It’s a must-see for anyone who cares about kids! Call 269.373.4373. Seen it already? Share your feedback and comments with us at
11/12/02 To all who attended the Nov. 1st Art Hop at Arcus, thanks for visiting our space! More than 100 people dropped by to view Brian Mosher’s show of black and white photography, “Places Seldom Visited.” Brian’s work is for sale; you can contact him at (269) 226-8816.
10/12/02 "Oliver Button is a Star!"
Arcus is proud to sponsor a special community screening and panel discussion with the filmmaker and educators on Saturday, October 12 from 1-4 p.m. at Kalamazoo College's Dalton Theater in the Light Fine Arts Building. This award-winning PBS special production is based on Tomie DePaola's classic children's book "Oliver Button is a Sissy." Join us for an exploration of childhood, gender stereotypes and bullying. Features poignant interviews with DePaola and others who defied traditional gender roles as kids: Arctic explorer Ann Bancroft, dancer Bill T. Jones and the late makeup artist Kevyn Aucoin. Advance tickets $5 for adults; $1 for youth 18 and under. Available through Miller Auditorium Ticket Office and the Epic Center Box Office. Call 387-2300 or visit www.millerauditorium.com. Remaining seats, if any, will be sold at the door. Refreshments following the discussion will be provided and served by Girl Scouts of Glowing Embers Council. This event is presented by Kalamazoo Coming Out Proud Film Festival.
10/12/02 Arcus to host Nov. 1 Art Hop
Celebrate the arts with us! Stop by our Rose Street office after work on Friday, Nov. 1, between 5 and 9 p.m. We'll be proudly hosting an exhibit for the Arts Council's monthly Art Hop. On display will be photographs by Brian Mosher, a faculty member of the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. Art Hop is a free event held on the first Friday of each month to celebrate new art exhibits in the Kalamazoo area. The exhibits are open to the public and you can hop from one art show to another. It's a fun and casual way to meet artists, visit with friends and enjoy a variety of artwork. Join us!
9/18/02 Arcus helps Florida sanctuary to retire all chimpanzees and monkeys at defunct Coulston primate lab
The notorious Coulston Foundation primate-testing laboratory has shut down and each of the 266 chimpanzees and 61 monkeys will be permanently removed from research, the Center for Captive Chimpanzee Care announced today. More
7/28/02 Kalamazoo City Park Revitalization
The Arcus Gay & Lesbian Fund will help make possible the revitalization of a Kalamazoo City park and endow parks and recreation activities for Kalamazooans. The $750,000 gift was made in concert with other community donors, including the Stryker-Johnston Foundation, Patricia Stryker’s foundation, Pharmacia, National City and others. more
7/21/02 Civil Rights and Employment Forum Discuss the civil rights health of our community at Kalamazoo City Hall, Monday, July 29, 4-5:30 p.m. and 5:30-7 p.m. (residents may attend one or both sessions). For info, call the YWCA at (269) 345-5595.
6/26/02 The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Equality Fund
The Kalamazoo Community Foundation respects and celebrates diversity that contributes to a healthy, caring community. more
6/26/02 Gay Pride Month
The Arcus Foundation is proud to be a sponsor of Gay Pride Month programs on WGVU TV 35/WGVK TV 52 more
6/4/02 First grants from GLBT Equality Fund awarded by the Kalamazoo Community Foundation. more
5/1/02 Spring Cycle Grants Awarded
4/6/02 CARES annual banquet in April
CARES' 5th Annual Benefit Banquet and Auction "Make It Happen..." took place at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in downtown Kalamazoo.
12/15/01 Eleven New Grants Awarded in Fall Cycle 2001
9/18/00 $1 million fund created for UC Berkeley