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 supports a range of youth programming within West Michigan, specifically in Lake, Muskegon, Newaygo, and Oceana Counties, with a focus on youth from 0-18 years of age. The grants aim to fund projects in the areas of health, nutrition, dental issues, early childhood services, literacy, parenting education, and education, particularly in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts/Agriculture, and Math (STEAM). Additionally, life experiences, including camp scholarships, agricultural science education, and programs like 4-H and FFA, are also considered. The Foundation generally awards one-year commitments, with grants usually under $10,000, aiming for an average grant size of less than $5,000. Priority is given to programs that are collaborative and have community support.