All News

• Posted on December 15, 2014 – Posted by: Roberta King

  One Hundred New Philanthropists: Laurie Finney Beard

  Like many people, her family’s influence shaped Laurie Finney Beard’s views about giving. She cites her father, whom she describes as generous with his time and financial support for many charitable organizations, as an important [...]

• Posted on November 24, 2014 – Posted by: David Harrison

  Boomerang Giving Launches

  What if there was one thing everyone eligible for senior discounts could do today that would reap rewards for the rest of our lives?  The newly launched organization Boomerang Giving asks you to take the Boomerang [...]

• Posted on November 17, 2014 – Posted by: Meredith Fennema

  The future of the IRA Charitable Rollover

  People 70 ½ and older are probably aware of the IRA Charitable Rollover that has been in play since 2006. In short, the rollover allows individuals aged 70½ and older to donate up to $100,000 from [...]

• Posted on November 14, 2014 – Posted by: Meredith Fennema

  Our ideas for giving in response to Ebola

  The Ebola epidemic in West Africa is the largest and longest Ebola outbreak in history. It has killed more people than all other Ebola outbreaks combined. The majority of cases are in three countries: Guinea, Liberia [...]

• Posted on October 08, 2014 – Posted by: Roberta King

  Our LGBT Fund Exceeds Goal

  Our LGBT (lesbian, gay biexual, transgender) Fund, a new field of interest fund at Grand Rapids Community Foundation has reached $270,000 in community donations, exceeding the original goal and 1:1 match set in August. Shelley [...]

• Posted on August 20, 2014 – Posted by: Roberta King

  Brian Burt, Choosing College as a Profession

  (From Current, summer 2014) Throughout his college career, from his bachelor’s degree to doctorate, Brian Burt felt connected to Grand Rapids Community Foundation. He received his first scholarship when he graduated from Ottawa Hills High School [...]

• Posted on August 14, 2014 – Posted by: Lori Dykstra

  How are YOU Connecting with Community?

  We went on location with WOOD TV8 to shoot our upcoming "Connecting with Community" commercial. The topic? You guessed it, youth employment! The kids were good sports about the all of the instruction, positioning and [...]

• Posted on August 12, 2014 – Posted by: Lori Dykstra

  GRCC Scholarship Recipient's Dreams Become Reality

  School is just around the corner, which means it's time to buy new notebooks, finalize the class schedule and soak up the last moments of summer. For many students, it also means beginning or continuing [...]

• Posted on August 06, 2014 – Posted by: Lori Dykstra

  Raising New Opportunities for Grand Rapids Youth

  It seems like the worst of the recent "Great Recession" is behind us. One sign is that the unemployment rate continues to drop. As our economy picks up, more jobs and opportunities are created. However [...]

• Posted on August 04, 2014 – Posted by: Lori Dykstra

  Hispanic Center Youth Employees on the Job

  It was such a joy driving out to Grand Valley State University's campus and meeting Yibriam and Ashley, two friendly and hardworking individuals in the Hispanic Center of West Michigan's summer youth employment program. Bridget [...]

• Posted on July 24, 2014 – Posted by: Lori Dykstra

  Comprenew's Urban Garden

  Stepping inside Comprenew, I could tell immediately that this was a place of beautfiul unity between care for the environment and care for people. Their technology recycling services offer a unique and practical way to [...]

• Posted on July 22, 2014 – Posted by: Shaun Shira

  Knotty Cocktails

  I recall the March 10, 2014 Grand Rapids Community Foundation Advisory Council meeting like it was yesterday. Among other responsibilities, the Advisory Council is charged with identifying topics for our Knotty Cocktails event series. The [...]