All News

• 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 [...]

• Posted on July 20, 2014 – Posted by: Lori Dykstra

  The YES Program: Mowing and Growing on the West Side

  I recently had the pleasure of visiting The Other Way Ministries’ Youth Employment Service (YES) Program. I took this out-of-office opportunity to lace up my shoes, slip on my gloves and get to work. It [...]

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

  ArtPrize Expands Outreach to Diverse Audiences with Grand Rapids Community Foundation Grant

  Here at Grand Rapids Community Foundation, we talk a lot about diversity and inclusion. As a staff, we participate in several trainings every year around cultural competency. And we recently rolled out our grantee inclusion [...]

• Posted on July 07, 2014 – Posted by: Roberta King

  One Hundred New Philanthropists: Ryan Slusarzyk

  Ryan, one of our youngest One Hundred New Philanthropists, is discovering the world of philanthropy and recently joined Grand Rapids Community Foundation’s Advisory Council for a two-year term. The Council helps the Board of Trustees [...]

• Posted on July 07, 2014 – Posted by: Roberta King

  One Hundred New Philanthropists: Phil and Kathy Vogelsang

  Ada residents and devoted Grand Rapidians, Kathy and Phil Vogelsang support causes that are local, visible and personally meaningful. Their passions lie with medical and educational nonprofits, and, when these intersect with children, they’re willing [...]

• Posted on July 07, 2014 – Posted by: Roberta King

  Grand Rapids Community Foundation Opens Career Doors for Hundreds of Low-Income Youth

  For the fourth summer in a row, Grand Rapids Community Foundation’s youth employment grants are making it possible for 350 local low-income youth to participate in soft skills training, job readiness preparation, and summer jobs [...]

• Posted on July 07, 2014 – Posted by: Lori Dykstra

  Bethany Teaches the Value of a Life-Long Education

  It was the second day of a summer of opportunity and I could feel the energy stirring. Students of Bethany Christian Services' summer employment program trickled in and sat around the U-shaped table, respectfully chatty [...]

• Posted on June 26, 2014 – Posted by: Lori Dykstra

  Grants in Action

  Hi there, I am Lori Dykstra, the summer PR & Marketing intern here at Grand Rapids Community Foundation. Welcome to “Our Community Matters,” our new blog! We reconfigured this page so that various staff and [...]

• Posted on June 16, 2014 – Posted by: Roberta King

  Grand Rapids Community Foundation Awards more than $1 Million in Scholarships for First Time in History

  Grand Rapids Community Foundation, the area’s largest scholarship provider, this year broke the $1M mark for the first time in history. It awarded 642 scholarships for a total $1,099,400, more than double the $544,500 distributed [...]