Insights

• Posted on August 26, 2016 – Posted by: Nicole Winter

  Involve Me and I Learn

  “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” What Benjamin Franklin was describing is what we now call experiential learning. Today marks my last day as Grand [...]

• Posted on August 24, 2016 – Posted by: Nicole Winter

  Protecting against Tobacco Peer Pressure

  Recently, we awarded a $30,000 grant to Spectrum Health Foundation for continuation of the Spectrum Health Healthier Communities Youth Tobacco Prevention program. This grant helps Spectrum Health continue the all-important work of equipping Grant Rapids’ [...]

• Posted on August 15, 2016 – Posted by: Nicole Winter

  Kicking Off the College Experience

  Three years ago, Grand Rapids Community Foundation staff members developed an idea for a three-day camp session solely for students in the Challenge Scholars program. They hoped camp would unite students from both Harrison Park [...]

• Posted on July 22, 2016 – Posted by: Nicole Winter

  Honoring a Pioneering Businesswoman

  At Grand Rapids Community Foundation, we are well aware that our donors lead inspiring lives within our community. Recently donor Anna Bissell was honored with the unveiling of her statue, the newest in the Community [...]

• Posted on July 05, 2016 – Posted by: Roberta King

  The Gift of Giving It Away

  Over the last few months, Grand Rapids Community Foundation has been spreading the word—via postcards, a special edition of Current, blog posts, videos, a special event and social media—about estate planning and planned giving. We [...]

• Posted on June 21, 2016 – Posted by: Nicole Winter

  Affordable Options for Summer Fun

  I never went to sleepaway camp. To ensure I still enjoyed an active summer, my parents encouraged me to be physically and mentally active during those three months outside the classroom. My parents, both teachers [...]

• Posted on April 15, 2016 – Posted by: Jessica Ledesma

  Shifting for Diversity and Inclusion

  Can you recall a time you thought you had a great idea, a creative new approach, but when you shared that idea with others, it was quickly dismissed? When it comes to integrating diverse ideas, this [...]

• Posted on April 01, 2016 – Posted by: Diana Sieger

  Lead and the Work of Inequality

  The recent water crisis in Flint has highlighted the enormous challenges faced by marginalized populations, especially in cities still trying to recover from our changing economy. Basic life opportunities escape the grasp of those with [...]

• Posted on March 01, 2016 – Posted by: Timothy White

  What are You Waiting For?

  October 22, 2015. The sun was shining, the fall colors were in full effect and I was driving along a two-lane highway south of Traverse City coming back from an unscheduled afternoon trip and on [...]

• Posted on February 16, 2016 – Posted by: Pamela Cross

  A Plan to Manage your Digital Assets

  Regardless of age, our lives are integrated with digital technology. Whether you use a smart phone and text, or maintain multiple email and social media accounts; conduct online banking, shopping or pay bills—we are connected [...]

• Posted on February 08, 2016 – Posted by: Roberta King

  Being Organized for the Time After Life

  When my father died in September, 2014 I was certain that his affairs were in order—he had an estate plan and since the death of my mother nearly 20 years prior we’d updated his plan [...]

• Posted on February 04, 2016 – Posted by: Marilyn Zack

  Four Easy Ways to Make a Planned Gift

  Planned giving—those two words conjure up images of lawyers, accountants and stacks of legal documents. What many of us don’t realize is just how simple it can be to designate a portion of our estates [...]