Insights

Posted on June 26, 2017 – Posted by: Roberta King

Over $1M in Scholarships for Students

In another record-breaking year for helping students with college, Grand Rapids Community Foundation Trustees approved $1.2 million in scholarships for 2017. The scholarships for high school seniors, college students and grad students went to 677…
Posted on April 14, 2017 – Posted by: Roberta King

Creating Your Will of Wisdom

We've been focusing a lot on planned giving and wills in the last month, but beyond the legal documents, there is another document you might consider completing as part of your estate plan. An ethical…
Posted on April 06, 2017 – Posted by: Amanda St. Pierre

Fast Track to Success: the Sekayi Bracey Story

Post Written By Jacquelyn Zeman, PR Intern When East Kentwood native Sekayi Bracey was just 8 years old, her elementary gym teacher encouraged her to pursue running. “We had a field day,” Sekayi said. “(My…
Posted on April 04, 2017 – Posted by: Roberta King

Staycationing? Plan for Summer Camp Now!

If you're home this week with the kids, you might be getting a little anxious about summer break and how to make those months away from school productive. There's always summer camp! If you've thought…
Posted on April 02, 2017 – Posted by: Amanda St. Pierre

A Planned Gift Mystery Solved

From time to time, we receive unexpected bequests from kind strangers. A few years ago, Grand Rapids Community Foundation was named beneficiary of a life insurance policy held by Joy Brown Baker. It was a…
Posted on March 27, 2017 – Posted by: Lisa Rose

It's Not About the Stuff, it's About the People You Love

By Lisa M. Rose January 29, 2017. Sitting at my desk, I look at my calendar and see the reminder to contact my attorney. Correction, my mother's attorney. I assemble a few papers and make…
Posted on March 24, 2017 – Posted by: Roberta King

Four Simple Ways to do Good With a Planned Gift

A planned gift is a charitable donation from your will or other portion of your estate, and, for many people, is the largest gift they’ll ever make. But, if the idea of a gift from…
Posted on March 10, 2017 – Posted by: Lauretta Murphy

Death + Taxes Here's Advice to Help Understand One of Them

by Lauretta Murphy, attorney, Miller Johnson Benjamin Franklin famously said: "In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes." Two types of taxes may apply to your property after you…
Posted on February 16, 2017 – Posted by: Amanda St. Pierre

Local Funders Collaborate to Help Grow Healthy Nonprofits

This year marks 15 years for the Nonprofit Technical Assistance (NPTA) Fund. This Fund represents a broad collaboration that has included 14 Grand Rapids-area funders. Since its inception, the NPTA Fund has awarded over $2.3M…
Posted on February 06, 2017 – Posted by: Roberta King

Grand Rapids Gets a Little Greener

It isn’t often that there is an opportunity to create a significant green space in a growing community. And as Grand Rapids continues to the lead the state in population and housing growth, there remains…
Posted on December 06, 2016 – Posted by: Amanda St. Pierre

KConnect – The Ultimate Duh!

Caring for our community and the people who live here is part of our DNA as Grand Rapidians. When we see a need, we do something to address it. More often than not, our approach…
Posted on December 01, 2016 – Posted by: Roberta King

Giving Tuesday, is it Worth it?

Earlier this week it was Giving Tuesday and Grand Rapids social media was all a buzz with giving promotion and nonprofit endorsements. Even if you don’t “do” Facebook, you might have received an email or…