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Posted on October 26, 2020 – Posted by:

Informed Impact: 2019 - 2020 Annual Report

Informed Impact The 2019 - 2020 Grand Rapids Community Foundation annual report features nonprofit, community and donor partners working to overcome racial, social and economic justice by building and sustaining an inclusive economy and thriving community. With [...]
Posted on July 10, 2020 – Posted by:

Youth in Philanthropy: the beauty of perspective

Clara Kilburn is the outgoing youth trustee on Grand Rapids Community Foundation's Board of Trustees. She also served as a member of the Youth Grant Committee for three years. Clara offers a perspective on the lessons [...]
Posted on June 18, 2020 – Posted by:

La Lucha Fund: Partner Spotlight

Eight community organizations came together to establish La Lucha Fund, an emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic designed to provide financial resources directly to undocumented and mixed status families in Kent County. Erika VanDyke, program [...]
Posted on June 12, 2020 – Posted by:

When a Statement Isn't Enough

When a Statement Isn’t Enough Grand Rapids Community Foundation stands with our Black neighbors who are hurting and tired from generations of racism, trauma and injustice. George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery are but a few of the countless lives [...]
Posted on May 29, 2020 – Posted by:

Celebrating the Class of 2020!

Celebrating the first class of Challenge Scholars Union High School Class of 2020 has been looking forward to graduation for years. Grand Rapids Community Foundation has been eagerly anticipating this moment alongside their friends, families and [...]
Posted on May 14, 2020 – Posted by:

Urban League of West Michigan: Partner Spotlight

Urban League of West Michigan: Partner Spotlight Eugene Sueing, program director, had the opportunity to virtually interview Rev. Joseph "Joe" Jones, president/CEO of the Urban League of West Michigan and Second Ward Commissioner of the City of [...]
Posted on May 05, 2020 – Posted by: Diana Sieger

Community crisis responses need to lead with equity

This article was first published by Bridge Magazine as “Community crisis responses need to lead with equity.” The impact of COVID-19 is harrowing. As the pandemic spreads through Michigan, it has highlighted existing disparities, making them [...]
Posted on April 27, 2020 – Posted by:

A Special Giving Tuesday – Mobilizing West Michigan Through Philanthropy

Together, we will recover. Our community's response has inspired us. Your collaboration, innovation, advocacy and generosity give us strength.  Communities around the world are facing severe challenges in light of COVID-19. Each unique, but all unexpected and urgent. At Grand [...]
Posted on April 10, 2020 – Posted by: Shaun Shira

CARES Act Benefits for Donor Partners

Life has changed. The COVID-19 pandemic has many of us working from home under the “stay home, stay safe” order. During this difficult time, many in our community are struggling. Grand Rapids Community Foundation is [...]
Posted on March 14, 2020 – Posted by:

COVID-19: Community Response

We've launched a new page on our website: COVID-19 Recovery. Click here for the most up to date information about our response. During this unprecedented time of COVID-19, Grand Rapids Community Foundation´s staff is working hard to [...]
Posted on February 13, 2020 – Posted by:

Scholarships offer opportunity to all students

In a community where every person can thrive, access to opportunities aren’t one-size-fits-all. Instead, people can pursue the paths that best fit their goals at the time that is right for them. Grand Rapids Community Foundation [...]
Posted on January 29, 2020 – Posted by:

Jan Heerspink: A Legacy of Love and Family

Born Grand Rapidians, Jan and John Heerspink graduated from Calvin University (formerly Calvin College) before heading off to Ann Arbor. “We were married in 1966 and said we were never moving back to this provincial [...]