Our Strategy

Identifying our Future Focus

For more than 100 years, Grand Rapids Community Foundation has been a trusted steward of charitable assets, a community catalyst for meaningful change and an advocate for shaping vital impact through philanthropy in Greater Grand Rapids. Community voices have guided our work throughout our history. We have been intentional about maintaining a posture of listening and actively seeking input and feedback from our partners—donors, nonprofits, leaders, doers and others. These voices have helped shape our North Star, highlighting the importance an inclusive economy and thriving community would have on our future success. 

Share your ideas!

As we move forward with the development of our new strategic framework, community voices will again guide us in strengthening our commitment to creating opportunity, prosperity and a sense of belonging for everyone who calls Kent County home.

How Community Voices Shape Our Work

See more about our history of convening community members in the Spring/Summer 2025 issue of PARTNERS in community magazine.

May 2025

Consulting Partners Selected

We are partnering with The Barthwell Group, a strategic management consulting firm, and Brigham Consulting, leaders in strategy and community engagement, to help us identify the future focus of our work. The Barthwell Group will lead our team through the process and convene a series of focus groups and surveys with current partners. Brigham Consulting will lead convenings with residents throughout Kent County to ensure as many voices as possible are considered.

July 2025

Initial Focus Groups

In sessions conducted by The Barthwell Group, our donor, volunteer, nonprofit, and community partners are asked to share their insights about our community.

August 2025

Online Survey

The online survey was open to the public August 1-17. This survey captured insights from current partners and residents throughout Kent County.

This survey has been created and deployed by the The Barthwell Group, a strategic management consulting firm. All feedback will be presented to the Community Foundation in aggregate and will remain anonymous to the Community Foundation staff.

Place-Based Convenings

In sessions conducted by Brigham Consulting, residents of Kent County are invited to share insights about our community.

October 2025

Follow-Up Focus Groups

Once again consulting our donor, volunteer, nonprofit and community partners, we will present findings from our process and ask for feedback to ensure we’re heading in the right direction.

Early 2026

Presenting Our New Focus

Join us for a virtual town hall in where we will share the future focus of our work in Kent County. Stay tuned for more details.