Stories

Posted on June 22, 2021 – Posted by:

PARTNERS in community, summer 2021

The summer issue of PARTNERS in community explores the ways Grand Rapids Community Foundation and our partners share our collective power and resources to overcome the most pressing issues of the day. Inside you will read stories of [...]
Posted on March 29, 2021 – Posted by:

Partner Spotlight: Shannon Cohen, Inc.

The stories of incredible strength, resilience and inspirational collaboration that have emerged over the last year are certainly worth celebrating. But, as we celebrate the silver linings of a difficult year, we should also examine [...]
Posted on March 24, 2021 – Posted by:

PARTNERS in community, Spring 2021

The spring issue of PARTNERS in community explores the ways Grand Rapids Community Foundation is working alongside our partners toward recovery and renewal. As we continue to navigate two pandemics - COVID-19 and the existing racial, social [...]
Posted on March 03, 2021 – Posted by:

Partner Spotlight: African Resource Center

Grand Rapids Community Foundation's Board of Trustees recently approved a $10,000 grant partnership with African Resource Center to support their work in providing trusted social, academic and mentoring support for student refugees from Africa as [...]
Posted on October 26, 2020 – Posted by:

Informed Impact: 2019 - 2020 Annual Report

Informed Impact The 2019 - 2020 Grand Rapids Community Foundation annual report features nonprofit, community and donor partners working to overcome racial, social and economic justice by building and sustaining an inclusive economy and thriving community. With [...]
Posted on July 10, 2020 – Posted by:

Youth in Philanthropy: the beauty of perspective

Clara Kilburn is the outgoing youth trustee on Grand Rapids Community Foundation's Board of Trustees. She also served as a member of the Youth Grant Committee for three years. Clara offers a perspective on the lessons [...]
Posted on June 18, 2020 – Posted by:

La Lucha Fund: Partner Spotlight

Eight community organizations came together to establish La Lucha Fund, an emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic designed to provide financial resources directly to undocumented and mixed status families in Kent County. Erika VanDyke, program [...]
Posted on May 29, 2020 – Posted by:

Celebrating the Class of 2020!

Celebrating the first class of Challenge Scholars Union High School Class of 2020 has been looking forward to graduation for years. Grand Rapids Community Foundation has been eagerly anticipating this moment alongside their friends, families and [...]
Posted on May 14, 2020 – Posted by:

Urban League of West Michigan: Partner Spotlight

Urban League of West Michigan: Partner Spotlight Eugene Sueing, program director, had the opportunity to virtually interview Rev. Joseph "Joe" Jones, president/CEO of the Urban League of West Michigan and Second Ward Commissioner of the City of [...]
Posted on February 13, 2020 – Posted by:

Scholarships offer opportunity to all students

In a community where every person can thrive, access to opportunities aren’t one-size-fits-all. Instead, people can pursue the paths that best fit their goals at the time that is right for them. Grand Rapids Community Foundation [...]
Posted on January 29, 2020 – Posted by:

Jan Heerspink: A Legacy of Love and Family

Born Grand Rapidians, Jan and John Heerspink graduated from Calvin University (formerly Calvin College) before heading off to Ann Arbor. “We were married in 1966 and said we were never moving back to this provincial [...]
Posted on December 31, 2019 – Posted by:

Why I Partner with Grand Rapids Community Foundation

This winter we asked a few partners to share why they choose to volunteer with Grand Rapids Community Foundation. They share their knowledge and experiences on some of our committees. Community voice and input is [...]