Frey Foundation, a GIA member since 2013, is a family foundation based in Grand Rapids, Michigan that is committed to making a difference in the lives of individuals, families, organizations, and communities. Grants are awarded to non-profit organizations primarily in West and Northern Michigan for projects that enhance child development, protect natural resources, promote the arts, and build community.

We view the arts as a key indicator of community health, and a powerful tool for individual expression. Our goals are to stimulate the vitality, effectiveness, and growth of community-based arts and to encourage community engagement in cultural experiences, particularly among children. A recent project supported by the Frey Foundation, The 49507 Project, exemplifies these priorities and uses public art to celebrate and connect communities.

The 49507 Project is an initiative of The Diatribe, a grassroots organization led by a group of nontraditional teaching artists. It engaged youth from its arts programming during community listening sessions with residents to gather creative input to understand how they imagine themselves and how they want to see their neighborhoods evolve. Michigan-based artists of color synthesized these ideas and designed seven large scale murals that celebrate and reflect Black and Brown lives, culture, and experiences in neighborhoods in Grand Rapids’ 49507 zip code. Murals were installed on prominent buildings and unveiled at well-attended community celebrations. The result is not only beautiful but powerful.

We encourage you to learn more about The Diatribe and The 49507 Project by visiting thediatribe.org. You can also find more information about the Frey Foundation and our grantees at freyfdn.org.

You can also visit the Frey Foundation photo gallery on GIA’s Photo Credits page.