3 minute read
What Our Partners Are Saying: Sustained Collaboration
CARLA VILLASANA MOORE
Former Scholarship and Education Assistant
Why is collaboration important? How can our community collaborate more effectively?
“Collaboration with community partners is key for Grand Rapids Community Foundation to achieve its goals. As our partners are present and familiar with the community’s needs, working closely with them puts the Community Foundation in the right direction to support projects and initiatives that will have a meaningful impact on the community.”
S. GEORGE GRAVES
President of the Association of Commerce (now Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce), was closely involved in the Community Foundation’s creation. Graves gave the first gift of $25 in 1923.
Why is collaboration important? How can our community collaborate more effectively?
“This undoubtedly is one the of the most important accomplishments of the Association of Commerce this year. The amount of revenue that will accrue each year to the foundation and the amount of good it will do in Grand Rapids is almost incomprehensible. It will increase in size and importance as the years roll on, and the foundation will last as long as the city of Grand Rapids exists.”
DAN MILLER AND SUSAN WRIGHT-MILLER
100 New Philanthropists
Why do you trust the Community Foundation to be a collaborative partner in your philanthropy?
“We trust the Grand Rapids Community Foundation to act as a conduit for the nonprofit organizations we have determined meet the diverse goals we have established for our charitable giving strategy because they are transparent with their financial data and communications. Where we see needs, at the local level, we chose to support those organizations because keeping our dollars in the community in which we live allows us to, hopefully, lead to a lasting impact and improve the life situation of others.”
JASON AND STEPHANIE DOUBLESTEIN
100 New Philanthropists
Why do you trust the Community Foundation to be a collaborative partner in your philanthropy?
“The Community Foundation has such a deep knowledge of the needs and opportunities in our community. We appreciate their thoughtful, inclusive approach to creating a West Michigan community where everyone can thrive. And we love knowing that money we give now will be well stewarded and be available to support our community even after we’re gone.”
Ashley René Lee
Community Foundation vice president, strategic communications
Why is collaboration important? How can our community collaborate more effectively?
“Collaboration is such a critical component of community building. Sharing experiences, ideas, resources and potential solutions to problems not only brings people together, but ensures that issues and opportunities are addressed from multiple angles and considered from different perspectives.”
Emily Loeks
Community Foundation trustee
Why do you trust the Community Foundation to be a collaborative partner in your philanthropy?
“In the last couple of years, some of those places of disconnect in our community have become more pronounced. Something I appreciate about the Community Foundation is the intentionality in connecting across those. It reminds me there is always a bigger story than the one I comfortably see.”
