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“I’ll just say to all students: do it alone, do it scared…but just do it. You will amaze yourself by how strong you are.” -Jerica Boss
G RA N D
RA PIDS
COMMUNITY
FOUNDAT I ON
SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM Diana R. Sieger President Ashley René Lee Vice President, Strategic Communications Kate Luckert Schmid Vice President, Program Stan Vander Roest Chief Financial Officer Marilyn W. Zack Vice President, Development
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BOARD OF TRUSTEES
EQUITABLE EDUCATION UPDATE Kathleen B. Vogelsang (Chair)
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Kyle D. Caldwell (Vice Chair) Noah Chun Ken Fawcett, MD Thomas Kyros Emily Loeks Brandy Lovelady Mitchell, Ed. D. Ana Ramirez-Saenz Richard Roane Carlos Sanchez Daniel Williams Reneé Williams
Tel: 616.454.1751 Fax: 616.454.6455 Email: info@grfoundation.org Website: grfoundation.org
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Grand Rapids Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization made up more than 800 funds that have been established by people over the last century to do good in our community, forever. Our community partners—donors, nonprofits, leaders, doers, and more—collaborate with us because they trust us. We stay in front of the ever-changing issues that impact our community and the organizations working to bring sustainable change. We help local philanthropists leave a lasting legacy by stewarding their assets to accomplish their goals.
NORTHOUSE NURSING SCHOLARSHIP MAKES ITS FIRST AWARD
8 A LEGACY OF PASSION & PLANNING
9 DONOR ADVISED FUNDS CREATE OPPORTUNITY FOR IMPACT
quarterly publication of Grand Rapids Community Foundation Contributing writers: Ashley René Lee, Heather Gill Fox, Audra Hartges-Stern, Diana R. Sieger, Janean Couch
@GRCommFound
Graphic Design: Michele Keren Design Photography: Alfield Reeves Photography, Terry Johnston Photography
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LEARNING WITH AND FROM NEW AMERICANS
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PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
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LEADERSHIP LEVEL DONOR PARTNERS
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THIS & THAT 12
Copyediting:Joan Huyser-Honig
PARTNERS in community
PARTNERS IN PROGRESS
FALL 2021 | Issue 89
PARTNERS in Adaptation “If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always gotten.” Now more than ever before, that just doesn’t work. Our mission, vision and North Star are holding us steady on our course. Our partners propel us forward. And our community is teaching us how to modify our approaches and make change that will last lifetimes. It is neither easy nor always popular, but it is necessary! Adaptive leadership is a concept I first learned about in a Harvard University executive education course I attended in 1999. Professors Ron Heifetz and Marty Linsky, who later wrote the book Leadership on the Line, set the stage for a great week of sharing knowledge, stretching my mind and challenging my worldview. Why is this important today? Because those five days provided the backdrop for how we are intentionally moving forward now, given COVID-19’s disparate impact on communities of color. Even before the pandemic, we aimed to be adaptive and iterative, to dive deeply into the “why” of our strategies. In the past 20 years, we have set our sights on critical community issues and engaged many partners to create approaches that really address the concerns. We’ve adjusted as we experienced our partners’ impact on how we addressed problems. The pandemic confirmed our drive to receive “failure” as information and to forge ahead with a different lens, leaning in to listen to those who experience the difficulties. Adapt we must! We set our North Star and have continued living into its meaning. We have embraced and engaged our community in our adaptive leadership role. This role has taught us to be permeable and to be accountable to our words and our actions. We realize that today’s issues require deep reflection, not easy technical answers, as there is no such thing as a quick fix. We are working with and intentionally building trust in all our communities. This takes time, and it takes active patience. By “active patience,” I mean this does not happen overnight. We are persistent, and we are intentional. Adaptive could mean transformational, and it could mean building off actions that have a positive impact. Adapting and responding to community needs is what we’ve always done and will always do. We are community builders, and our community deserves nothing less.
EQUITABLE EDUCATION UPDATE
Adapting Our Education Strategy to Make Systemic Change Since our first scholarships awarded in 1945 to address the nursing shortage during World War II, Grand Rapids Community Foundation has remained committed to providing educational opportunities for students in Kent County. Recently, Kent County’s educational landscape has changed significantly, with the Grand Rapids Promise Zone Scholarship and other efforts expanding post-secondary access and affordability for students. Yet barriers still exist for many students. So, in partnership with the Challenge Scholars Advisory Committee, the Community Foundation updated our education strategy.
Reflecting on and Updating Our Goal Our previous strategy did not fully recognize how systemic barriers, like inadequate supports for first generation students, limit students’ ability to achieve. That’s why the advisory committee weighed historic and present inequities to refocus how the Community Foundation’s resources could have positive impact. Together, we co-created a framework outlining the systems-level requirements we believe will support education equity, as well as the conditions that students need to experience to realize their potential. “Instead of putting the weight of overcoming barriers and inequities on our students, our new approach focuses on the system,” said Giuliana Estrada, program officer. “Aspects of a student’s identity should not predict their educational success. Students are achieving so much, and we are realizing new ways we can support them.” After continued research, stakeholder engagement and months of planning, the advisory committee made three recommendations, which our Board of Trustees approved: 1. Transition the Challenge Scholars scholarship. We will maintain our scholarship commitment through the Challenge Scholars Class of 2028 and refrain from enrolling future students. 2. Lean in to community-led grantmaking. The Challenge Scholars Dream Fund—led by student, parent and community volunteers—has been updated to reflect the new education strategy and encourage a more diverse pool of applicants.
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3. Cultivate community-led advocacy. The Community Foundation will amplify the voices of students, parents and those who work most closely with them, supporting their efforts to hold educational systems accountable to their needs and desires. We continue to build on this strategy, learn and adapt to be more effective. Through our scholarships, grantmaking and partnerships, we will keep striving toward a community that provides all students the opportunities they deserve.
MORE THAN...
$1.4 MILLION
AWARDED IN SCHOLARSHIPS*
THROUGH THE ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIPS PROGRAM AND CHALLENGE SCHOLARS PROGRAMS, COMBINED. 15,000 SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED IN THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION’S HISTORY
480 STUDENTS RECEIVED A SCHOLARSHIP*
60% OF AWARDS TO FIRST GENERATION COLLEGE STUDENTS*
A.H.S.
*Data for fiscal year 2020-2021
NORTHOUSE NURSING SCHOLARSHIP
Makes its First Award
For Jerica Boss, nursing isn’t just a career—it’s a calling. As a youngster, seeing her aunt’s passion for her work sparked her interest in a healthcare career. When Jerica’s mom battled cancer, ultimately passing away in 2016, Jerica’s path was set. “Just going through that journey with her, it just solidified, this is my calling. Like, this is what I’m here to do,” Jerica said. Jerica will begin her final year at Wayne State University in fall 2021. She has gone beyond program requirements to gain more experience and explore different clinical settings by working at Detroit Home for Veterans and Hope Network. She has also adapted to the challenges of being a student during COVID-19 and facing cancer herself. “I didn’t have an easy path. No one is guaranteed an easy ride,” Jerica said. “But you know, time after time, I’m like, ‘That’s a minor setback for a major comeback.’”
Establishing the Northouse Nursing Scholarship Fund
Peter and Laurel Northouse were each born and raised in Grand Rapids, and after living away for 50 years, moved back in 2016. Both university professors who remain active in their careers, they have established multiple scholarships for targeted purposes with special meaning to them. One of these, the Northouse Nursing Scholarship, was recently created at the Community Foundation. Laurel began her career as a nurse, and is now professor emerita at the University of Michigan School of Nursing, where she held an endowed chair in oncology nursing research. The focus of her work—developing programs of care for cancer patients and their family caregivers—was driven by the couple’s personal experience. Peter was diagnosed with cancer when he was 29 years old. “It was a very scary time for both of us,” Laurel said. “Because of our personal experience with cancer, I was very motivated to find ways to help others.” The two later co-authored a textbook, Health Communications, that addresses effective communication in health care settings.
JERICA BOSS
you’re a first generation college student, because you don’t have anyone to turn to,” Jerica said. “There’s no one to give you guidance because no one has done it before you, so you really have a lot of pressure on your shoulders.” She expressed gratitude for the support she has received from loved ones and from scholarship founders who have invested in opportunities for students. “I’m so grateful. I never thought I would be here. I knew I always wanted to go to college, but I never envisioned the end… But now that it’s here, I’m like, ‘Wow, I did this, I really did this.’” A.H.S.
Supporting Students
Jerica believes more scholarships, support and resources need to be available for upper classmen, who must often navigate coursework, jobs outside of school and more. “College can be hard on your mental health, especially when
PETER & LAUREL NORTHOUSE
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The Northouse Nursing scholarship was designed to give priority to Black applicants. Peter and Laurel recognized the tremendous strain on and dire shortage of nurses and the racial disparity that currently exists in the profession. Only 6% of registered nurses in Michigan are Black. “We were looking for a way to give back to the Grand Rapids community,” Peter said. “We need more well-prepared nurses to help patients and their families. And, we need a health care workforce that reflects diversity and can address the health needs of our diverse population.”
A.R.P.
PA R T N E R S
in Progress
Grand Rapids Community Foundation’s Board of Trustees recently approved $1,312,500 in grant awards from the Fund for Community Good and Field of Interest funds. These partnerships demonstrate the power and adaptability of unrestricted resources put to use in Kent County. They would not be possible without the generous, flexible support from donor partners and the strength of nonprofits in our community. CAMP ALWAYS RISING YOUTH VOICES, $10,000
Camp Always Rising Youth Voices is a free three-day camp experience for up to 12 middle-school students that helps equip them for community organizing, activism and advocacy.
GRAND RAPIDS AFRICAN AMERICAN HEALTH INSTITUTE, $750,000
GRAAHI leads efforts to achieve positive outcomes for all communities, especially healthcare parity for African Americans. This grant partnership will enhance GRAAHI’s organizational capacity and potential for sustainability, as they seek to ensure that all people have optimal health care, while responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. This grant was made possible with support from the Kent County COVID-19 Recovery Fund.
IMMIGRANT ASSISTANCE CENTER OF WEST MICHIGAN, $25,000
This grant partnership will support the expansion of Immigrant Assistance Center of West Michigan’s work to provide immigration legal services and education for low-income individuals.
THE MIDWEST TECH PROJECT, $150,000
This grant partnership will support continuing development of a gender and racially diverse technology talent pipeline in West Michigan that provides equitable onramps for skill building, employment and entrepreneurship.
PUERTAS ABIERTAS, $17,500
Puertas Abiertas is a support, intervention and prevention program aimed at improving community wellbeing and reducing the cycle of domestic abuse. This grant partnership will support a comprehensive program for Latina women and their families by providing culturally competent advocacy and services. This grant was made possible with support from the Fund for Health and Emma Sherwood Evans Fund.
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TREETOPS COLLECTIVE, $100,000
Treetops Collective works to connect refugee women with people, resources and opportunities to enhance their ability to flourish for generations to come. This grant award supports the Concentric: Multiplying New American Leaders program, which was developed to increase the impact of New American leaders through training and mentorship while sustainably growing their holistic model.
URBAN LEAGUE OF WEST MICHIGAN, $250,000
The Urban League of West Michigan is dedicated to creating systemic changes that eliminate racism and make Grand Rapids a more just place to live and thrive. This grant partnership will support their execution of the Cure Violence program for the
City of Grand Rapids. Cure Violence is a unique, interdisciplinary, public health approach to violence prevention and intervention.
YOUNG MONEY FINANCES, $10,000
Young Money Finances uses a culturally sensitive approach to educate youth on financial literacy. This grant partnership will help empower teens to take control of their finances. This grant was made possible with support from the George M. Ames Fund.
LEARNING WITH AND FROM
New Americans
When immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers can fully participate in their communities, they enrich our region’s cultures, traditions and creativity. This aligns well with Grand Rapids Community Foundation’s hope to create an inclusive economy and thriving community. With the Biden-Harris administration’s plan to increase the annual refugee admission cap from 15,000 to 125,000, grant partners like Justice for Our Neighbors and Immigrant Connection are adapting, pivoting resources and embracing new collaborations to make the greatest impact for vulnerable populations. And partners like Treetops Collective are shifting programming structures to amplify the voices and experiences of refugee leaders helping their neighbors adapt to and thrive in Kent County. According to the Kent County Welcome Plan, the top priority for new Americans is the freedom to work in their desired profession. The plan also includes goals such as “Increase connectedness among and between communities to foster a deeper sense of belonging in Kent County” and “Connect community members to existing engagement opportunities that will help to make Kent County an inclusive place for all.” The Community Foundation’s investments with grant partners support a small piece of a broader strategy to welcome and include new Americans in Kent County. JUSTICE FOR OUR NEIGHBORS is a national organization that provides free or low-cost immigration legal services to vulnerable immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers. Their clients need affordable legal representation to help them pursue citizenship, adjust immigration status, seek asylum, flee domestic violence, prepare for deportation and apply for DACA. The JFON Grand Rapids office must increase staff capacity to handle far more clients. “With the tenfold increase in the number of refugees to be allowed into the country, we’re preparing for a significant upsurge in refugee green card applications,” says Becky Beauchamp, executive director. “Our attorneys are determining which of our clients can benefit from the recently-announced massive change in deportation policy to keep families together.”
IMMIGRANT CONNECTION at City Life Church exists to provide low-cost legal services to immigrants who need to apply for United States citizenship, green cards or family sponsorship proceedings. “We are anticipating more refugee arrivals per the new presidential guidelines, with Grand Rapids being a welcoming city to refugees and immigrants,” said Ruth Stenfors, executive director. “We are working on expanding our presence in the community. Our goal is to provide easy access to low cost immigration legal services bringing stability and strength to families, which in turn creates pathways for communities to thrive. We look forward to growing and serving more immigrants and refugees in the future.” Immigrant Connection has grown and formed a partnership with Senior Neighbors to provide senior refugees over 60 with legal assistance to secure legal status, citizenship and family unity. This refugee assistance program also helps them secure medical waivers to continue receiving disability benefits, which may be their only source of income. Due to the intricacies of these types of cases, many private attorneys do not want to take them on. TREETOPS COLLECTIVE partners with new American women and teen girls to help create spaces for belonging through mentoring, leadership development and a social enterprise for new neighbors. Their individualized and holistic approach helps women overcome social isolation and economic hardship. Typically, refugee resettlement-focused institutions focus on survival, meeting basic needs and creating some sense of stability. Treetops aims to disrupt the current system to go beyond job placement and stable housing. It builds trust and ensures that resettled refugees have a voice in improving access to services and opportunities to lead from within their communities. This reimagining of the system is happening within Treetops, as well. As an organization, they are discovering new ways to center the experience of refugee leaders. “As we continue to evolve, we have redesigned our work to be capacity builders, investors and connectors of new American women leaders. We believe that the more we play a background role for their engagement and community building, the better the work will be,” says Tarah Carnahan, executive director.
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Treetops had envisioned many ways that the Concentric program might function, but the reality of community needs has led Concentric Leaders to take some different approaches. We are all learning and growing together!
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One area of learning has been how different immigration statuses impact people differently. The types of resources needed can change depending on the process a person or family went through to arrive in West Michigan, as well as the barriers that exist to feeling a sense of belonging. We have sought out additional resources and supports that perhaps were not as relevant to people who had immigrated as refugees but are useful to people who have arrived through other processes.
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Treetops expected that of the 20 families we would work with, roughly five would desire or need more consistent support throughout the year. We have found that from month to month we may be working with different families more intensely and that the number of families reaching out for additional help can also change quite a bit. We are committed to extending opportunities to all the women in our cohorts and responding to every need that we can.
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We have had to navigate a lower number of volunteer Cross-Cultural Partner than Treetops expected this year. We have provided feedback to Treetops about how to communicate expectations in ways that are not so rigid and allow for changing factors outside of everyone’s control. We hope this will not only limit disappointment when expectations go unfulfilled, but will also ensure that those kinds of things that do “just happen” do not lead to a mistrust of Treetops. J.C., H.G.F. & A.R.L.
Grand Rapids Community Foundation is a proud grant partner and planning committee participant for the Kent County Welcome Plan. To learn more, visit https://tinyurl.com/KentCountyNewAmericans.
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Treetops’ Concentric program hosts new American women identified as leaders in their language and cultural communities. Concentric Leaders receive leadership development training and knowledge of community resources, which prepares them for upward mobility in their careers and positions them as systems navigators and experts within their communities. These leaders respond to their communities’ needs in formal and informal ways, including working as translators, supporting parents as they navigate educational systems, cooking for new neighbors, being a first friend for new arrivals to West Michigan and more.
Q
Grand Rapids Community Foundation asked the first cohort of Treetops Collective Concentric Leaders how they are being adaptive and responsive to the needs of women and girls they are welcoming into the community. They requested to be featured as a group. Here is a summary of their responses:
A L EG AC Y
of Passion & Planning
“I really wanted to give something back to our community.” -Max Doering
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Max Doering
A planned gift is one way to ensure your passion for our community lives on. Like Max Doering, who passed away in 2019, donor partners who support our unrestricted funds make it possible for Grand Rapids Community Foundation to adapt to our community’s changing needs.
assets are distributed to charitable organizations like the Community Foundation. “I really wanted to give something back to our community” Max said later. “That’s why it was especially meaningful to establish our charitable remainder unitrust to benefit Grand Rapids Community Foundation.”
Max Doering played in multiple bands, enjoyed the symphony and theater, and, with his wife, Lois, was an avid patron of the arts. Max even considered a career in music, but joked to the Community Foundation in 2014, “I knew there were a lot of starving musicians around, so I eased up on the music and decided it would just be fun for me.”
By establishing a charitable remainder trust, Max and Lois became members of the Metz Legacy Society, which recognizes donor partners who have included the Community Foundation in their will or estate plans or have created a life income gift to benefit the Community Foundation. Together they attended events and engaged with the community. Lois passed away in 2005.
After serving in the U.S. Navy in World War II, graduating from Western Michigan University and working for a few years in the pharmaceutical industry, Max changed careers. He went to work at a brokerage firm, Roney & Co. (now Raymond James) and stayed for 42 years until his retirement.Besides the arts, Max loved traveling, fishing and skiing. He and Lois were committed philanthropists who prioritized giving throughout their lives and in their estate plan. The Impact of a Planned Gift Max and Lois made their first gift to the Community Foundation in 1991, when we prioritized grantmaking for downtown Grand Rapids revitalization, housing and neighborhoods, among other issues. The gift started a relationship that spanned decades. In the mid-1990s, the Doerings created a charitable remainder trust, a type of irrevocable trust that generates a potential income stream for the donor or donor’s beneficiaries. When the donor passes away, the remaining
After Max’s passing in 2019, a distribution from their charitable remainder trust was made to establish the Max H. and Lois Doering Unrestricted Fund. Because the fund is unrestricted, their gift will be used to meet community needs for decades to come. A.H.S.
T.J.P.
PLANNING IS IMPORTANT, LET US HELP
Planning what will happen to your assets after your lifetime is important. Getting started is often the hardest part. We’re here to help you understand all your options and explore creative ways to leave your mark on the community you love. Let’s talk! Reach a member of our development team at 616.454.1751.
DONOR ADVISED FUNDS CREATE OPPORTUNITY FOR IMPACT
Now and in the Future Grand Rapids Community Foundation is proud to partner with many philanthropists, guiding resources of time or treasure to make impact in Kent County and beyond. Creating a fund that makes grants you recommend is one way to support your vision for our community’s future—and ensure the Community Foundation’s future adaptability.
“We were thrilled to create a Donor Advised Fund,” Kate said. “It’s perfect for giving to the local causes that are especially meaningful to us.”
A Donor Advised fund is a fund from which grants are made under the recommendation of its advisors. An advisor’s philanthropic goals often determine if the fund is non-endowed or endowed. Over the last decade, the number of DAFs at the Community Foundation and other providers has grown tremendously. Their popularity reflects the flexibility and control they offer fund holders.
As the number of DAFs has increased nationally, so have conversations and legislative proposals. Some believe that the funds are simply used as tax havens or that they slow the distribution of philanthropic dollars to community. However, our data shows that when our community needed it most, the Community Foundation’s donor advisors met the challenge. Between February 2020 and January 2021, our donor advisors recommended more than $6,688,000 in grant dollars—a 23% increase compared to the previous year.
“People looking to open a DAF do have options when it comes to a provider,” said Shaun Shira, major and planned gifts director. “We find our partners have an undeniable passion for West Michigan, and they choose the Community Foundation because they want their philanthropy to have impact in the community they love and value the benefits of working with a local provider.”
Donor Advised funds also provide the opportunity for an active, effective partnership with the Community Foundation’s philanthropic services team, who can make connections to organizations and networks working in a donor partner’s area of interest. With the team’s support, fund holders can feel confident in their grantmaking.
A.H.S.
In many cases, the resources of a fund are endowed, meaning each year a percentage of the fund’s market value is used for grants. These funds are permanent and perpetual, and, after the last advisor passes away, the fund resources may be directed to the Community Foundation’s unrestricted or Field of Interest funds. The grant dollars stay in our community and grantmaking decisions are guided by the Community Foundation staff, committee members and Board of Trustees toward the most pressing needs. This guarantee sets us apart and ensures that the impact of today’s gifts will continue into the future. Katherine Sage and Matthew Richenthal established a nonendowed fund last fall with the support of their professional advisor. By choosing a non-endowed fund, the entire value of their establishing gift is available for immediate grantmaking. Kate and Matt have young daughters, and expressed an interest in supporting education initiatives through their fund.
Katherine Sage, Matthew Richenthal and their children
GETTING STARTED
Starting a fund can be a simple process. A DAF can be created from a gift of cash, stocks or other assets. The Community Foundation offers three types of DAFs with no setup fees. We will partner with you to set up your fund in the way you prefer, and we’ll handle all investments, reporting and due diligence. Contact the development team at 616.454.1751 to start a conversation about your philanthropic goals and establishing your legacy.
PHILANTHROPY LEADERSHIP LEVEL Donor Partners The power of collective giving is reflected in the names you see listed here. Because of these donors’ annual support, we can allocate resources to build the local economy, promote thriving community and respond to our community’s ever-changing needs. The importance of this support was no doubt demonstrated this past year in Grand Rapids Community Foundation’s ability to respond to the COVID-19 crisis and racial and social unrest. This important unrestricted support makes our work possible now and into the future. These leadership giving levels recognize our annual donors who made gifts—or payments towards a pledge—between July 1, 2020, and June 30, 2021, to support our Fund for Community Good, Fund for Education, Fund for Engagement, Fund for Prosperity, Fund for the Environment, Fund for Health or Fund for Neighborhoods. This year’s listing also includes those who generously donated to the Kent County Covid-19 Recovery Fund. CURTIS WYLIE LEVEL
Laurie Finney Beard
Barbara A. Robinson
($2,500+ annually). In 1958, a significant bequest from Curtis Wylie transformed the Community Foundation, dramatically increasing our ability to support local nonprofits.
Lynne Black
Estate of Dorothy N. Schowalter
Eric and Alice Bouwens
David* and Jerri Schroeder
Andrew and Janay Brower
Mary Reagan Shapton and Robert Shapton
Jim and Susan Brown
Shaun and Ruth Shira
John and Sheila Buchanan
Eric and Amy Smith
Anonymous (4)
Anna Moore Butzner
Jerome P. Subar Foundation
Vickie and Tom Bergers
Iain and Michaele Charnley
Nick Thole and Amy Turner-Thole
Sharon M. Buursma*
Jim and Pat Clay
Scott and Amanda Thomas
William H. Bylenga
Dan and Linda Conway
Dave Thompson
Norman B. De Graaf*
Tom and Jan Czerney
Philip and Diane Tower
The Charles J DeLanoy Family Charitable Foundation
Tom and Gale Czerwinski
Peter M. Turner
Mark and Jennifer Ellis
Martha and Nick Dewey
Dave and Lorrie Vander Ark
Brad and Jeanie Friedland
Beth and Ross Dornan
Mr. Robert P. Vander Wal
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Gill
Douglas and Kristine Dozeman
Hattie Van Haaften
Mr. and Mrs. William H. Hardy Jr.
John and Penny Edison Family Foundation
Selene Van Vleck
Brandon and Whitney Hewitt
Mr. David W. Edwards
Collin Veele
Eleanore Howieson
Jean Enright
Phil and Kathy Vogelsang
Tom* and Margy Jones
First United Credit Union
Gary Walker
Stephen Klotz
Mary and Bill Ford
Mr. and Mrs. Richard V. Rice
Tom and Sally Kyros
Heather and Sam Fox
Mary White
Mr. and Mrs. D. Andrew Portinga
Peter and Lori French
Drs. Chad and Kathy Williams
Robert E and Marcia L Schaub Family Foundation
Ken Grashuis and Lori Lockyear
Loyd Winer
Diana R. Sieger
John and Gwen Hibbard
Susan Wittenbach
Robert Streng
Keith and Mary Kay Hopkins
E. Gabriel Works and John O’Connor
Martin and Louise Timkovich
Carlton and Wendy Jackson
Joan and Jim Zawacki
Ms. Marilyn Titche
Cherry and Phil Jacobus
Bob J. Zylstra
George and Kerstin Trowbridge
Mr. and Mrs. Timothy P. Jasperse
Frank and Sharon Van Haven
Laura Jeltema
Don VandenBos Jr.
Joseph and Elizabeth Junewick
Sarah and Greg Yoder
Carol Karr and Kevin Briggs Neil and Cynthia Kimball
PATRICIA “PAT” EDISON LEVEL
Carrie and Mike Kolehouse
($500-$999 annually) Pat is a former Trustee, who served as the Community Foundation’s first female board chair and first female executive director. She has maintained her commitment to the Community Foundation as a donor and dear confidant.
Blake and Mary Krueger
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Janet M. Krueger and Bruce Goodman JIM CARPENTER LEVEL
Patrick and Loren Maloney
($1,000-$2,499 annually). A former Trustee, advocate and enthusiastic supporter, Jim epitomized loyalty and service. He catapulted the Community Foundation’s growth and public image and was instrumental in starting the giving groups “Friends” in the late 1980s.
Jason and Kate Meyer Matthew and Stephanie Muscat Dr. Tony and Linda Nemec Foster Samuel K. Ojo - In Loving Memory of Mrs. Felicia J. Ojo Larry and Jean Pinckney
Rick and Loy Adamy
John and Ann Puckett
Anonymous (2)
Daniel and Judy Rau
Paul and Marty Arnold
Stephen Rehmann
Christopher Barnes and Jessica Lalley
Matt Richenthal and Katherine Sage
Mr. William E. Alt Anonymous (5) John and Janet Baab Joel and Susan Bair Rita D. Balczak Betsy and Jim Barton Darlene Berghorst Barbara Bradley and Ronald Feenstra
John and Virginia* Braley
Jim and Marie Preston
Ms. Carol Bratt
Thom and Jane Pritz
Rick and Willow Chapla
Drs. Suresh and Sarla Puri
Stuart Cok
Mary Zoe Remien
Jennifer and David Deamud
Dale and Sherri Remmelts
Tina Freese Decker and Jason Decker
Dr. Patrice Riga
Barbara DeMoor and Clive Morris
Cassie Roach
Jason and Stephanie Doublestein
Sally and Larry Robson
Nancy L. Douglas
Lisa M. Rose
John H. Edlund
Emil and Nancy Sabolish
Ben Emdin
Melissa A. Seguin
Chuck and Julie Frayer
Mark F. Sherwood and Saralyn Coupe
Paula and Michael Freed
Brent and Diane Slay
Ms. Joan M. Garety
Deanna and Jamie Smith
Linsey Gleason
Julia Smith
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas D. Gleason
Jarvis L. Spreng
Srikanth Gopal
Craig and Cheri Stein
Dan Grzywacz and Holly Westhouse
Lawson and Suzanne Sutherland
Jackie Haveman and Nathan Dwiri
Lon and Sandy Swartzentruber
Jeff and Laura Hill
Elliot Talen
David and Jean Hitchcock
Aaron Terpstra and Berniz Constanza Terpstra
Mr. Mark Holzbach and Mr. Dana Friis-Hansen
Jenine and Jose Torres
Jack L. Hornbach
Caitlin and Paul Townsend Lamb
John and Janyce Huff
Lita Trevino
Steven and Joan Huyser-Honig
Mr. and Mrs. Rodney J. Van Tol
Inclusive Performance Strategies
Jaye VanLenten and Janette Tazzia
Mr. James L. Jasperse
Velo Law Office
Russ and Leann Jelsema
Ben and Emily VerWys
Larry and Janine Jewell
Elizabeth Welch and Brian Schwartz
Paul and Beth Kelly
David Westphal and Kathryn Stieler
John Kershek and John Potter
Larry and Betsy Willey
Vicki and Tom Kimball
Jeffrey S. and Janet K. Williams
Doug and Pat Klein
Kurt and Sally Yost
Jim Knack
Bruce Young
Marilyn Knol Ron and Jeanne Koehler Douglas and Louann Kohlbeck Diane and Mike Kroll Cris and Tom Kutzli Paul and Nora LeBlanc Ray Loeschner Peter Lundeen Tim Maletic and Christine Helms-Maletic
*Recently deceased We go to great lengths to list each donor according to their personal preference. If you wish to have your recognition name listed differently or spotted a typo in your name, please accept our apologies and let us know by calling 616.454.1751 with any changes.
Ron Marsteiner Michele McHale-Adams and George Adams Bryant and Audrey Mitchell David and Diana* Morgenstern Judge William B. Murphy and Paula Murphy Bob and Margaret Nault Gary and Peg Novosad Judge W. Baldwin and Judy Ogden Dan and Ann O’Keefe Dr. Theresa Osmer and Dr. Eric Graf Matt and Beth Osterhaven Dr. and Mrs. Robert C. Payne Martha J. Porter
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Sharon Naughton
Grand Rapids Community Foundation 185 Oakes Street SW Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage P A I D Grand Rapids, MI Permit No. 360
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SURVEY COMING SOON
For many years, Grand Rapids Community Foundation has been on a journey of reflection about equity and inclusion. We’ve done this by exploring our internal practices and policies, listening to community partners and co-creating across all facets of our work. A Catalyzing Community Giving grant from W.K. Kellogg Foundation recognized and accelerated this work. We are excited to launch a short survey to help document the demographics of our partners. The data will ensure we understand who is represented from all communities who call Kent County home. Donor and volunteer partners can expect to receive an email or letter from Michigan Public Health Institute in September with a brief four-question survey. We hope you will take the time to respond. You may also notice a few more questions in other forthcoming Community Foundation materials.
CONGRATULATIONS, DIANA!
It was recently announced that Diana Sieger will be inducted into the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame was founded in 1983 and is organized by Michigan Women Forward, a community development organization devoted to fostering economic empowerment for Michigan’s women and girls through philanthropy and investment. Diana is also a recipient of the 2021 Western Michigan University Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Award. Thank you, Diana, for your dedication and leadership!
CONGRATULATIONS, GIULIANA!
We are excited to announce the promotion of Giuliana Estrada to program officer. Giuliana played a key role in shaping our equitable education strategy, and has shown incredible persistence and leadership in operationalizing the Challenge Scholars scholarship for the initial two cohorts. Giuliana will lead our work around the Challenge Scholars Scholarship, cultivate partnerships in support of our Challenge Scholars and our education work, and continue to be a thought leader around our equitable education strategy. In addition, Giuliana serves on our internal DEI Committee, KConnect’s High School to Career Working Group, the Essential Needs Taskforce Workforce Development Committee, and the To College/Through College Steering Committee. She is also working on her master’s in organizational learning at Western Michigan University.
