GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – A nonprofit grant to the city of Grand Rapids has shined a light on how expensive adding a full-time job in government can be for a city.
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation gave $550,000 to the city of Grand Rapids to create “programming and civilian violence prevention efforts.”
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For that money, the city is adding one “administrative services officer” for two years and not continuing the position if the grant is not renewed. Steve Guitar, spokesman for the city of Grand Rapids, said the positioin will be part of the Office of Oversight and Public Accountability at City Hall, not the police department.
The city of Grand Rapids estimated that cost of that full-time position over two years would be $368,000 which included benefits, meaning an annual cost of $184,000. The city estimates that over the two-year life of the grant it will cost $150,000 for other “contractual services” and $20,000 for “engagement/meetings” and $12,000 for travel. Guitar said the grant money could be used by the city to help community organizations that are involved in violence reduction work.
The city said in a memo the full-time staff employee “will partner with community to create programming that reduces violence with a focus on gun violence.”
The information was provided to the city’s Fiscal Committee on Jan. 28.
The city of Grand Rapids spent $76 million on its policing in 2024. The city spent $60.1 million on its police department in 2018.
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation, located in Battle Creek, supports many left-of-center organizations, according to Influence Watch. The nonprofit watchdog reported that the W.K. Kellogg Foundation has awarded grants to George Soros’ Open Society Foundations.
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