Faith communities have long played a vital role in strengthening neighborhoods and supporting families across Grand Rapids.
Thrive + Prosper’s Faith Leaders workstream brings together pastors, church leaders and community partners who share a commitment to seeking the peace and prosperity of the city.
Together, these leaders are exploring ways to move beyond isolated efforts toward coordinated, scalable impact — aligning spiritual formation, vocational discipleship and community engagement to expand opportunity for individuals and families across the region.
A Network of Leaders Working Together
The Faith Leaders workstream connects churches and faith-based organizations that want to engage more deeply in the economic vitality of their communities.
They are working closely together to identify practical ways faith communities can help remove barriers, strengthen financial stability and open new pathways to opportunity while aligning efforts and sharing resources across churches and partner organizations.
Why It Matters
$665,000+
invested by faith communities to support economic vitality efforts
81+
churches + organizations engaged in promoting economic vitality
1,200+
people impacted through faith-driven programs and initiatives
Featured Initiatives
Together, these initiatives emphasize coordination across organizations rather than isolated service delivery to help individuals and employers navigate workforce systems with greater clarity.
Charity to Change
Charity to Change is a church-led initiative focused on helping individuals, primarily single mothers of color, overcome barriers to first-time homeownership. Through financial assistance, coaching and coordinated support from partner churches, Charity to Change helps families move into stable housing while responding flexibly when circumstances change, including preventing homelessness when homeownership is no longer possible.
Economic Vitality Pathways (EVP)
Economic Vitality Pathways is a faith-based financial formation program delivered through churches that equips participants with practical financial skills, confidence and community support. EVP combines financial education with relationship and spiritual formation to help individuals move from financial vulnerability toward stability, resilience and long-term economic agency.
Impact
Southtown’s progress is being driven by collaboration among local partners.
18%
increase in families able to meet household needs
711
participants served through Economic Vitality Pathways programs
$103,000+
in direct homeownership assistance provided
13
first-time homebuyers supported in 2025
Get Involved.
Interested in joining other faith leaders and community partners working to strengthen economic opportunity in Grand Rapids?
Complete the form to learn how you can get involved and connect with others working to support families, remove barriers and build pathways toward long-term stability.
