All News

• 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 [...]

• Posted on June 03, 2014 – Posted by: Meredith Fennema

  Meet Our Grantmakers: Marcia Rapp

  Everyone, meet Marcia Rapp. She's been with Grand Rapids Community Foundation since 1988, and while she would never admit it, she knows the Grand Rapids community incredibly well to say the least. As Vice President, Marcia administers [...]

• Posted on May 29, 2014 – Posted by: Roberta King

  One Hundred New Philanthropists: Paul and Beth Kelly

  Paul and Beth Kelly came to Grand Rapids Community Foundation as donors in 2002. They gave through the Social Venture Investors group, made a planned gift in 2003 and, in 2014, have committed to be [...]

• Posted on May 29, 2014 – Posted by: Roberta King

  One Hundred New Philanthropists: Monica Sparks

  Monica Sparks is passionate about helping women in business and education. “Women have always pumped the unheard heartbeat of the world. We carry the heartache for many, find a way to foster dreams that are dying and provide [...]

• Posted on May 29, 2014 – Posted by: Roberta King

  One Hundred New Philanthropists: Jan Lunquist and Michael May

  Jan Lunquist and Michael May are thoughtful donors and strong advocates for a variety of progressive causes. Their first gift to Grand Rapids Community Foundation was for the AIDS Fund in 1994, and their giving to [...]