Insights

• 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 [...]

• Posted on January 20, 2016 – Posted by: Roberta King

  Helping in Flint

  Philanthropy is about finding long-term solutions to a community's problems, but it is also how we respond in a crisis. We urge you to consider doing something for the people of Flint. Beyond donating water--which [...]

• Posted on January 04, 2016 – Posted by: Laurie Craft

  New Ideas for a New Year!

  Last month, the Community Foundation hosted a Knotty Cocktails event on the housing affordability challenges facing Grand Rapids and many other communities across the country (you can view the 45 minute panel discussion here). The event [...]

• Posted on December 23, 2015 – Posted by: Marilyn Zack

  IRA Rollover News for Community Foundation Donors!

  The IRA Charitable Rollover has been permanently extended! Here's what it means for you: If you're age 70½ or older, you may be able to take advantage of an important incentive for charitable giving.  Congress recently [...]

• Posted on December 07, 2015 – Posted by: Diana Sieger

  Change for the Better

  Adaptability is a great trait in people and organizations. We expect leaders to be willing to change the status quo and move forward. Sometimes, though, we hold onto our past and do things like we’ve [...]