Pushing the Mission Forward

Shiawassee YMCA Receives Funding to Tackle Food Access

At Lionbear Ventures, every successful grant isn't just a win for our clients — it’s momentum for stronger, healthier communities. We're thrilled to announce that the Shiawassee Family YMCA has been awarded funding through the 2025 Capacity Building Initiative and Rural Readiness Grant Program — a collaborative effort between the Michigan Health Endowment Fund and the Michigan Labor and Economic Opportunity Office (MiLEO).

This grant, titled "Shiawassee Collaboration to Address Food Access," is a powerful step toward addressing one of Michigan’s most pressing rural challenges: equitable access to nutritious food. Spearheaded by the Lionbear Ventures grant writing team, Shiloh Aderhold Holley, CFRE, and Ashley Connelly. Under their strategic review and guidance, this new program was selected as part of a highly competitive funding round focused on strengthening health focused nonprofit in becoming stronger, more effective institutions within their community.

“The Shiawassee YMCA has been a strong leader in the community and we saw the potential to foster their impact through this grant opportunity and solve real problems for real people,” stated Ashley Connelly, founder of Lionbear Ventures.

​Real Community Impact Through Strategic Collaboration
The initiative fits squarely within Lionbear Ventures’ mission of advancing community development through nonprofit support. By guiding growth-seeking nonprofits through complex grant applications and capacity-building strategies, we help bring in the funding that powers real solutions — like expanded meal programs, education on healthy living, and infrastructure improvements to support food distribution.

We know that rural communities face unique barriers. By helping Michigan nonprofits build out their readiness and resilience — from strategic planning to measurable community outcomes — we’re investing in systems that serve Michigan families for generations to come.

What is the Capacity Building Initiative?
Backed by the Michigan Health Endowment Fund and MiLEO, the 2025 Capacity Building Initiative supports nonprofits across the state with strategic investments in infrastructure, leadership development, and collaboration. This round of funding totals over $6.1 million, aimed at increasing health equity, addressing food insecurity, and supporting maternal and infant health.

Continuing Work In LBV Core Values of Community & Non-profit Work
Lionbear Ventures is proud to be part of this transformational work. Our partnerships, like the one with the Shiawassee YMCA, represent what’s possible when great ideas meet the right support.

We’re not just writing grants — we’re writing the future of community care in Michigan.

Want to collaborate on your next funding opportunity?
Let’s talk.