Insights

  • Whose Etiquette Matters?

    Posted on October 10, 2016 – Posted by: Jessica Ledesma

    Whose Etiquette Matters?

    Insight by Jessica Ledesma, Challenge Scholars Assistant I could never describe what it felt like to “not belong” until my junior year of high school when I was invited to attend a Rotary luncheon featuring a State [...]
  • More Trees=A Better Community for All

    Posted on September 12, 2016 – Posted by: Roberta King

    More Trees=A Better Community for All

    In her State of the City address, Mayor Rosalyn Bliss called attention to a citywide goal of achieving 40 percent tree canopy as core to our city’s environmental sustainability and her work as mayor. In full [...]

  • Posted on September 12, 2016 – Posted by: Roberta King

    2016 Scholarship Awards

    This year, Grand Rapids Community Foundation awarded 630 scholarships to students and awards totaled $1,148,150. “We are pleased to be able to award over $1 million for the third consecutive year,” said Grand Rapids Community Foundation Education Program Officer Ruth [...]

  • 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 [...]