Scholarships, Grants
& Next Generation
The money that the Home Builders Association Foundation generates is split between scholarships for students, grants for deserving non-profits related to housing and to support the efforts of the Next Generation committee to promote careers in the residential building industry. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to us at the bottom of this page through the contact box.
About the Home Builders Association Foundation
Formed in 1988, the Home Builders Association Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable, non-profit organization dedicated to providing assistance to people with special housing needs and to bringing new people into the housing industry.
Support for the HBA Foundation comes from individuals and companies who realize the importance of giving back to the community that supports them. The Foundation is continually striving to support worthwhile programs that provide assistance in housing to people with special needs and to bringing new people into the building industry.
Over the past 24 years, the HBA Foundation has provided more than $250,000 in assistance to established community service programs and new programs related to special needs housing.
The Foundation has recently supported:
- Youth Build Grand Rapids a seven-month program for young adults, 18-24 years old, motivated to change theirlives. Participants work toward obtaining their GED and learning job skills while building affordable housing for low-income families in Kent County.
- Hope Community, Inc., a facility for homeless women and their children, which gives needed shelter and other services to help the family regain their independent status.
- Habitat for Humanity, an organization that makes home ownership possible.
- Shepherds of Independence shelter and meets physical, mental, spiritual and social needs, while fostering dignity and independence in an affordable, warm, home-like atmosphere.
- Thresholds,Inc. provides foster care homes for developmentally disabled adults.
- Oakdale Neighbors Family Assistance Program provides low-cost, short-term housing.
- Inner City Christian Federation, for the purchase of construction management software.
- Harbor House Ministries, development and building of homes for severely disabled adults.
- KidsFirst at St. John’s Home, a transitional residential program for abused and neglected children.
- Christian Homes, Inc. provides supported, independent living opportunities.
- Home Repair Services of Kent County, assists low-income and elderly homeowners with needed repairs to their homes.
Next Generation
The Next Generation Committee supports the success of the Home Builders Association Foundation along with West Michigan members and the residential construction industry by forming stronger partnerships with educational and community programs that help members succeed through the recruitment training and retention of talent for their individual companies and our industry.
Scholarships
We award scholarships to deserving students entering the residential building industry. We are excited to announce that the HBA Foundation has now endowed scholarships with the construction programs at both Ferris State University and Grand Rapids Community College. Preference will be given to those who are actively involved with a construction-related registered student organization and/or have a family member that is affiliated with an organization that supports West Michigan construction organizations or the Home Builders Association of Greater Grand Rapids. Scholarship recipients will be determined by each College.
GRCC:
GRCC students can fill out the scholarship inquiry form on our website: GRCC – Apply for Job Training
(Under Step 5 – How to pay your tuition.)
For questions or help please contact Jeff Byrd, Education Specialist:
jabyrd[at]grcc[dot]edu • 616-234-4312
Ferris State University:
Ferris State University scholarship application portal is open from December 15 to February 28 each year. During that time, students visit the Ferris Scholarships page and click the SIGN-IN button under “Students & Admins” using a FSU single sign-on to log in and complete the application process.
Grants
We grant money to deserving non-profits that support our mission of serving some of our most vulnerable special needs community members. If your non-profit organization has a need, please submit a grant request. Details can be found on the form.
Criteria For Funding
501(c)(3)
Requesting organization must be a 501(c)(3) organization or educational institution and provide proof of such.
Counties
Request must be for use in Kent, Ionia, Montcalm and Eastern Ottawa Counties.
Details
Evidence of expenditure details must be provided no later than March 31st of the year following the grant payment.
Special Needs
Request must be special needs housing related, or related to initiatives supporting student’s education in the construction industry.
Publicity
The Home Builders Association Foundation must be included in all publicity concerning the funding of the project.