About Encore
Grand Rapids Community Foundation is leading efforts to prepare our community for the challenges and opportunities presented by the aging of the biggest generation of Americans ever. Our multi-faceted approach includes convening stakeholders, research and learning through local and national partnerships, and strategic grantmaking.
A Community Vision
- We convened the community to develop the Creating Community for a Lifetime (CCFL) vision and roadmap.
- Our Encore is playing a leadership role in advancing the social and civic engagement recommendations within the CCFL roadmap.
A National Partnership
- Our involvement in the Community Experience Partnership, an initiative of The Atlantic Philanthropies, provides access to resources including funding and a national learning community.
Preparing the Community to Take Advantage of the Experience Dividend
- We assessed the community’s readiness to capitalize on the resources of boomers and other experienced adults. Find out more from Boomers and Beyond: Is our Community Ready to Tap Their Talents?
- We’re partnering with Grand Valley State University’s Johnson Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership to offer the Encore: Coming of Age®Learning Lab to help local nonprofits more effectively engage experienced adults.
- We’re supporting the Volunteer Center of the Heart of West Michigan United Way in implementing innovative strategies for linking nonprofits with experienced adult volunteers.
- Through our local Community Experience Partnership, we’re demonstrating how experienced adults can significantly impact the issue of homelessness—and other issues the community faces.
- We’ve awarded grants to area nonprofits exploring new approaches to tapping the resources of experienced adults. The Encore brochure highlights these demonstration projects.
