The mission of The Gerber Foundation is to enhance the quality of life of infants and young children specifically in the areas of nutrition, care, and development. The Foundation prioritizes projects that benefit young children from birth to three years of age.
The Gerber Foundation's grant program has three primary goals: to support applied research on health and nutritional issues affecting infants and young children, with an emphasis on studies that can lead to significant advances in disease prevention and treatment; to fund youth programs in West Michigan that promote early childhood growth, development, and readiness for school, including parenting skills enhancement, STEM education, and health and dental care; and to provide college scholarships to high school seniors in Newaygo, Muskegon, and Oceana counties, supporting further education in traditional and trade schools. The Gerber Foundation Merit Scholarship specifically targets students from designated school districts within these counties, with selection based on academic performance, recommendations, and participation in a range of activities.