Arcus Foundation
The Kalamazoo-based Arcus Foundation shows up across our archives mostly as a funder: $500,000 to the Triangle Foundation in 2009, $160,000 to Equality Michigan in 2011, a $100,000 grant to the Ruth Ellis Center aimed at bullying and $23 million to Kalamazoo College for social justice work. We've also followed Arcus' leadership turns, from Urvashi Vaid taking the helm in 2005 through the 2010 CEO change, and Vaid's lasting impact on Michigan's LGBTQ+ community after her death in 2022. Other stories track the foundation's LGBT racial equity initiative, its Kalamazoo racial justice program and its regular spring and fall grant cycles.
Featured coverage of Arcus Foundation
Leaving a Legacy: Urvashi Vaid’s Lasting Impact on Michigan’s LGBTQ+ Community
The Michigan LGBTQ+ philanthropy community is in mourning following news that longtime LGBTQ+ activist and philanthropist Urvashi Vaid died at age 63 earlier [...]Read more about Leaving a Legacy: Urvashi Vaid’s Lasting Impact on Michigan’s LGBTQ+ Community
GM Foundation cuts $50,000 grant to Affirmations
by Jessica Carreras Recent cuts in funding from General Motors that hit hard on the Michigan Opera Theatre and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra are also [...]Read more about GM Foundation cuts $50,000 grant to Affirmations
Kalamazoo's Zach Bauer Selected As Arcus Leader
By Crystal Proxmire The Arcus Foundation has started a nation-wide leadership training program called Arcus LGBT Leadership Initiative (ALLI), and one of [...]Read more about Kalamazoo's Zach Bauer Selected As Arcus Leader
Arcus Foundation announces Spring Cycle 2004 grant awards
KALAMAZOO – A record number of Southwest Michigan non-profit organizations earned grants from the Kalamazoo-based Arcus Foundation during its Spring 2004 [...]Read more about Arcus Foundation announces Spring Cycle 2004 grant awards
College gets $23 million for social justice
KALAMAZOO – Kalamazoo College has received a $23 million grant to endow the work of its Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership. The grant, made by the [...]Read more about College gets $23 million for social justice
Featured coverage of Arcus Foundation
Equality Michigan receives $160,000
Equality Michigan received a financial boost last month, thanks to a $160,000 grant from the Arcus Foundation. "This grant clearly illustrates the Arcus [...]Read more about Equality Michigan receives $160,000
Arcus Foundation names new CEO
by BTL staff NEW YORK – Following an extensive search, the Arcus Foundation named Dr. Yvette C. Burton as its new chief executive officer, effective Jan. 4, [...]Read more about Arcus Foundation names new CEO
Arcus releases research on relationship between black, LGBT communities
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On June 22, the Arcus Foundation hosted a panel discussion at the Center for American Progress focused on fostering a more meaningful and [...]Read more about Arcus releases research on relationship between black, LGBT communities
Arcus head steps down
After five years of leading the Arcus Foundation, it was announced on May 28 that Executive Director Urvashi Vaid is leaving the organization on June 30 to [...]Read more about Arcus head steps down
More than southeast Michigan'
by Jessica Carreras Members of West Michigan's LGBT community are calling for the organization created by the merger of the Triangle Foundation and Michigan [...]Read more about More than southeast Michigan'
Breakfast with the Bishop
KALAMAZOO – The broad, innovative and yet unassuming power of the Arcus Foundation was demonstrated on Friday, Sept. 11, at a private breakfast that drew over [...]Read more about Breakfast with the Bishop
All coverage of Arcus Foundation
Kalamazoo College receives Arcus Foundation grant
Kalamazoo College has received a $200,000 planning grant from the Arcus Foundation to prepare for the establishment of a social justice leadership center at [...]Read more about Kalamazoo College receives Arcus Foundation grant
Arcus gives Triangle $500,000 grant
by Jessica Carreras DETROIT – The LGBT advocacy organization the Triangle Foundation announced on July 21 that it is the recipient of a $500,000 grant from [...]Read more about Arcus gives Triangle $500,000 grant
ACLU of Michigan honors lawyer, Arcus Foundation at dinner
by Jessica Carreras DEARBORN – The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan held its annual dinner and awards reception on Nov. 22 with a full crowd at the [...]Read more about ACLU of Michigan honors lawyer, Arcus Foundation at dinner
Arcus spearheads change with K-Zoo Racial Justice initiative
By Sarah Mieras A recent Arcus Foundation program is creating new alliances in the struggle to understand and eliminate racial and economic injustice. The [...]Read more about Arcus spearheads change with K-Zoo Racial Justice initiative
Arcus infuses cash and energy into bridge building programs
By Sarah Mieras The Michigan based Arcus Foundation is making waves in the funding community. With the recent announcement of its grants for this year, the [...]Read more about Arcus infuses cash and energy into bridge building programs
Foundation launches LGBT racial equity initiative
Arcus matches national grant to support project DETROIT – The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan has received two grants totaling $150,000 to launch [...]Read more about Foundation launches LGBT racial equity initiative
Arcus grants nearly $3 million to LGBT projects
KALAMAZOO – The Arcus Foundation recently announced the details of their Spring 2007 grant awards and the numbers are impressive. The Foundation, founded and [...]Read more about Arcus grants nearly $3 million to LGBT projects
Triangle Foundation to open office in western Michigan
DETROIT – Michigan's largest LGBT anti-violence and advocacy organization is about to get bigger. The Triangle Foundation will expand its organizing, [...]Read more about Triangle Foundation to open office in western Michigan
Spring Cycle 2006 grants
KALAMAZOO – The Arcus Foundation gave away more than $10.6 million in grants during its spring 2006 funding cycle, including the following Michigan awards: [...]Read more about Spring Cycle 2006 grants
Arcus grant makes sky the limit for Ruth Ellis Center
KALAMAZOO – Ruth Ellis Center Executive Director Grace McClelland had a dream. The Arcus Foundation, which awards grants to agencies serving the LGBT [...]Read more about Arcus grant makes sky the limit for Ruth Ellis Center
Urvashi Vaid takes over at Arcus
KALAMAZOO – Urvashi Vaid is thrilled and a little surprised to find that her long career in LGBT activism has led her to Kalamazoo. Small in stature but huge [...]Read more about Urvashi Vaid takes over at Arcus
Arcus Foundation announces Spring Cycle 2005 grants
By BTL Staff KALAMAZOO – On Aug. 12 the Arcus Foundation announced the recipients of its Spring Cycle 2005 grant awards. More than $1.9 million will be [...]Read more about Arcus Foundation announces Spring Cycle 2005 grants
Urvashi Vaid to head Michigan-based Arcus Foundation
By Dawn Wolfe Gutterman KALAMAZOO – On May 25, the Arcus Foundation, which provides grants to organizations that promote tolerance and compassion, announced [...]Read more about Urvashi Vaid to head Michigan-based Arcus Foundation
Arcus Foundation announces fall cycle 2004 grant awards
KALAMAZOO – On Jan. 11, the Arcus Foundation announced the recipients of its fall cycle 2004 grant awards. More than $1.4 million will be distributed to 28 [...]Read more about Arcus Foundation announces fall cycle 2004 grant awards
NGLTF to receive $3 million from Arcus Foundation
By Dawn Wolfe Gutterman KALAMAZOO — The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force has been awarded a combined gift of $3 million over three years from the Arcus [...]Read more about NGLTF to receive $3 million from Arcus Foundation
