Local housing nonprofit Community Rebuilders is reliant on millions of federal dollars annually, which it funnels toward staff salaries and housing services for targeted demographics.
Nearly 90% of Community Rebuilders’ annual budget comes from federal grants and other programs, according to analysis of the group’s organizational mission, tax filings, and audits by The Grand Rapids Herald. Over a third of the organization’s annual spending goes toward employees and not to direct aid, which Community Rebuilders then uses to fuel its equity-oriented mission.
Community Rebuilders’ annual revenue is supported overwhelmingly by Obama-era federal programs like HUD Continuum of Care and VA veteran housing money, supplemented by some smaller federal programs.
The Mission
According to the nonprofit’s website, its work is a “sophisticated” effort which aims to “remove barriers” to housing among groups with perceived disadvantages in acquiring housing through the provision of “permanent supportive housing” beds made available at various locations throughout the city.
The organization wants to “strengthen pathways” to housing by redesigning the system based on “lived experience” and “trauma-informed engagement.”
Community Rebuilders’ leadership promotes its efforts as also advancing equity. The organization’s G.R.A.C.E. Network, for instance, purports to “improve social and community health and promote equity through the use of data.”
Nearly 70% of the program’s beneficiaries were listed as African-American as of 2022.
Community Rebuilders also employs a “social determinants of health” approach that combines housing assistance with broader concerns such as healthcare, employment, education, and food provision.
Community Rebuilders’ recent projects include Carlton Lofts, Geographically Targeted Housing Outreach in areas like Monroe Center, and veteran housing initiatives throughout Kent County.
The Funding
Review of Community Rebuilders’ tax statements suggests that the organization relies almost exclusively on federal grants to pursue its aim of “ending homelessness.”
Homelessness has increased dramatically in the City of Grand Rapids over the past 20 years, despite record public and private investment in housing and other initiatives like Community Rebuilders. For example, the number of emergency beds used for the city’s homeless residents has nearly tripled since 2005.
In its 2025 tax filings, the organization reported over $13 million in revenue, with a similar figure for expenses. The organization also currently holds approximately $3.3 million in net assets.
Of its $13 million revenue, $11.6 million—or roughly 88%—came from federal grants and public money, and $1.4 million from program service revenue.
Revenues, expenses, and net assets for 2024 show a similar reliance on public funding in the previous calendar year.
The Personnel
Much of the organization’s spending is not itemized to other nonprofits, but in paying a staff of 80 employees, acquiring real estate holdings, and giving grants to largely undisclosed subsidiaries.
The organization spends over $4.5 million annually in salaries and compensation, and nearly $6 million per year on programs. These two line items account for the bulk of annual spending.
Along with approximately 80 other employees, Community Rebuilders supports the significant salaries of three executives: CEO Vera Beech, VP Anna Diaz, and CFO Herbert Musikavanhu.
These three earn annual salaries of $268,338, $203,832, and $176,075, respectively.
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