Photography: Alfield Reeves Photography and Isabel Media Studios
Copyediting: Joan Huyser-Honig
Grand Rapids Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that connects people, passion and resources. For more than a century, people who care about the future of Kent County have built the Community Foundation through their time, financial resources and thought partnership. Our partners— donors, nonprofits, leaders, doers and more—consistently trust us to help bring key issues to the forefront to build community will, investment and collaboration needed to inspire change.
PARTNERS in Education
We all know the importance of education. For some, it was a positive building block that opened doors to future success. For others, the loss of opportunity was bitterly felt. For me, pursuing education meant opportunity, access and improving my family’s quality of life. And, I have seen how each of my children—Marissa, Garrison and Angelique’—learned, grew, gained experience and built relationships that shaped their lives while pursuing their education.
While we can all relate to the importance of education, the ecosystem isn’t simple. It’s a complex network of institutions, policies and supports. Sometimes, it seems opportunities are only accessible if you have an “in.”
It’s critical that Grand Rapids Community Foundation recognizes and fulfills our role, using our resources to make a positive impact for all students. Education breaks poverty cycles. When a student earns a degree or trade skill/certification, the ripple effect of their accomplishment reaches their family and our community, for generations. Access to education helps “build and sustain an inclusive economy and thriving community”—as said in our North Star.
The Community Foundation has a long history of support for local students. Through the decades, we have assessed changing needs and adapted, keeping students in the center as we evolve. Today, we are partnering with donors and nonprofits to create conditions that help students of all races, ethnicities, incomes and family backgrounds succeed. Our staff are experts who listen to and elevate the voices of students and parents as they advocate for change. Our work looks like grants to nonprofit organizations that promote education advocacy, scholarships to students and, sometimes, literally picking up the phone to guide an individual student as they navigate a complicated process.
In this issue of PARTNERS in community, we highlight the many ways the Community Foundation invests in education. We feature the first of many Challenge Scholars students graduating with their bachelor's degrees. Donor partner Stacey Hongsyvilay-Thayer shares why she gives to support students, and we explore how nonprofit partners address barriers and make opportunities possible.
Supporting students is central to who we are as a Community Foundation. Thank you for your investments in and commitment to our community.
LaSandra A. Gaddy President and CEO Grand Rapids Community Foundation
A Celebration Years in the Making! CHALLENGE SCHOLARS SUCCESSFULLY EARN COLLEGE DEGREES
As sixth graders, students in the Union High School class of 2020 were inducted as the first class of Challenge Scholars. Their families, teachers and community all cheered with Grand Rapids Community Foundation for their futures and all the possibilities of the next decade. The Challenge Scholars program supports students who graduate from Union High School in the classes of 2020 to 2028 as they pursue college or career training.
Since that first induction in 2014, Challenge Scholars students have been dreaming and leading with determination and like Ermelinda Pedro, Sandra Lopez and Tatianna Cervantes, they are achieving their dreams. They are the next generation to make positive change in West Michigan and the world.
"It's important to get familiar with the support and resources that are available. It can feel really lonely really fast, and you can get overwhelmed if you don't know who to go to. So don’t be afraid to ask questions or for help. There are people to guide you through the college process." —Sandra Lopez
As the first class of Challenge Scholars, students in the class of 2020 helped shape the program and the Community Foundation’s work. The journeys of these students continue to show us what it looks like to dream big and make those dreams a reality.
• They set an example, strengthened the college and career culture at their schools and became role models to other students and younger siblings.
• They navigated new terrain, identifying where additional supports were needed and providing feedback to build new initiatives, like the Challenge Scholars Dream Fund.
• They faced historic external pressures, like the COVID-19 pandemic and the national racial reckoning.
• They have been involved, joining student groups, serving as volunteers and working to build career experience.
SHAPING OUR WORK IN EDUCATION
The Community Foundation’s commitment to students deepened through Challenge Scholars. Peers—both Challenge Scholars and general scholarship students—explained how housing, food and transportation costs, family responsibilities or the complexities of financial aid and lack of academic support become barriers. These challenges can prevent them from being able to finish a degree or credential program.
Shaped by these learnings, the Community Foundation’s focus today includes creating clearer pathways and supporting students’ needs so they can finish strong. While we will continue to provide scholarships, we are challenging ourselves to engage in new, collaborative ways to ensure students have the resources they need to cross the finish line. To learn more about how we support students, visit GRFoundation.org/Education.
"I visited MSU and knew it wouldn't be affordable without Challenge Scholars. But because of the opportunity, I wanted to travel outside of Grand Rapids and go somewhere new. My first year was remote [because of the COVID-19 pandemic], but I was really happy to move to East Lansing my sophomore year, and I found my home away from home.” —Ermelinda
Pedro
Pictured: Photos of students in the first Challenge Scholars cohort, from their induction into the program through their graduation from Union High School in 2020.
MEET THREE RECENT COLLEGE GRADUATES
ERMELINDA PEDRO
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
CRIMINAL JUSTICE
• Found a home away from home on campus after completing her first year online.
• Wants to thank her older sister, who is her #1 supporter!
“When the opportunity came around, I was very grateful and I worked hard because I knew the difference a degree would make for me and my family. I like to tell my family, ‘It's my degree, but it's yours as well.’“
SANDRA LOPEZ
GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
ADVERTISING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
• Started at Grand Rapids Community College before transferring to GVSU.
• First in her family to complete a degree!
“I didn't get to cross the stage for my high school graduation, because of COVID, so graduation was different and new for me. When I crossed the stage, I cried a little bit, and it felt overwhelming in a good way. I knew my family was in the audience cheering me on, so it was really rewarding and fulfilling.”
TATIANNA CERVANTES
GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT
To graduate in four years, Tatianna navigated challenging coursework and stayed on top of requirements. She attended annual Challenge Scholars events, completed regular check-ins with Community Foundation staff and provided feedback about her experience to shape the program for other students."
A.H.S.
Alfield Reeves Photography and Isabel Media Photography
2024 AWARDS TO STUDENTS Scholarships and Challenge Scholars
Grand Rapids Community Foundation is committed to creating opportunities and providing support for students. Through our annual General Scholarships program, the Community Foundation awards more than $1 million each year to students. We also provide scholarships to Challenge Scholars, a program built to support students and families on Grand Rapids’ west side to cover education costs after high school. Below is a summary of our recent support for students through scholarships.
$1,685,138 in scholarships to students
$1,235,751 $449,387 General Scholarships Challenge Scholars
485 397 88 General Scholarship Fund recipients Challenge Scholars recipients
“I HAVE ALWAYS KNOWN PAYING FOR COLLEGE WAS GOING TO BE A STRUGGLE. DECIDING PHARMACY WAS THE PATHWAY FOR ME MADE ME WORRIED. IT REQUIRES A DOCTORATE, WHICH IS A VERY EXPENSIVE DEGREE TO OBTAIN. THIS SCHOLARSHIP WILL HELP ME SIGNIFICANTLY SUCCEED IN MY FUTURE EDUCATION AND HELP WITH THE FINANCIAL BURDEN THAT COMES WITH IT.”
– CARALYN, STUDENT AT FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
70%
are students of color
Michigan State University I Grand Valley State University University of Michigan I Grand Rapids Community College I Western Michigan University 61%
296 students of 485 of students are the first in their family to attend college
MOST STUDENTS ARE PURSUING 4-YEAR DEGREES scholarship recipients are first-generation students
49
Students can also use scholarship awards to attend trade programs are graduate students!
Top institutions students choose to attend:
A scholarship from the Community Foundation is one piece of a complicated financial aid puzzle. Even with federal, state, local or institution-based aid, a majority of recipients report unmet financial need. Scholarships reduce their loan burden.
PARTNERS in Progress
Grand Rapids Community Foundation recently awarded two grants from the Community Foundation’s Fund for Community Good and Field of Interest funds and four grants from Our LGBTQ Fund. These grants to nonprofit organizations are made possible by generous donor partners.
MVILLAGE, $10,000
MVillage assists under-represented communities in bridging the access gap to affordable housing and essential resources. This grant supports predevelopment efforts for affordable housing in 49507.
OSOFOMAAME, $10,000
Osofomaame’s mission is to empower Black youth and families through access to culturally competent and equitable educational support, programming and resources. This grant will support curriculum development, marketing and programming.
Learn more about our Fund for Community Good, recent grant partnerships and our grant application process at GRFoundation.org/ Grants. Our new grant portal is now open!
2024 GRANT AWARDS FROM OUR LGBTQ FUND
Our LGBTQ Fund was established in 2014 to provide a safe, welcoming and healthy environment for LGBTQ+ communities in West Michigan by increasing wellness and prosperity levels, visibility, acceptance, support and access to resources. In June 2024, the fund announced $100,000 in grant awards to community programs addressing social determinants of health for LGBTQ+ communities.
GRAND RAPIDS PRIDE CENTER, $40,000
This grant supports Grand Rapids Pride Center’s work to create a learning cohort, Equipulse Cultivating Inclusive Therapists, that will train BIPOC mental health clinicians in specializing in 2SLGTBQ+ care with the goal of hiring one clinician at Grand Rapids Pride Center.
GRAND RAPIDS TRANS FOUNDATION, $30,000
This grant supports Grand Rapids Trans Foundation’s work to extend and update legal guidance, advocacy and financial assistance to transgender and nonbinary residents seeking legal name change and document updates in Kent County.
MICHIGAN ORGANIZATION ON
SEXUAL HEALTH, $15,000
ADOLESCENT
This grant supports MOASH’s BAMM Pride Summit, which allows LGBTQ+ youth to create a community and develop advocacy skills to improve their school community.
AYA YOUTH COLLECTIVE, $15,000
This grant supports AYA Youth Collective’s work to provide direct cash payments to mitigate LGBTQ+ homelessness.
Learn more about Our LGBTQ Fund and the feedback and factors that informed the grant process and grant award decisions at GRFoundation.org/LGBTQFund.
Pictured: Photo provided by Osofomaame
HOW WE GIVE:
Consistent Giving Adds Up
Generations of donor partners have created significant impact in our community through gifts of all shapes and sizes to Grand Rapids Community Foundation. In the “How We Give” series, we highlight donor partners who are committed to carrying this legacy into the next 100 years by making gifts that accomplish their specific philanthropic goals. The variety of donor partners and gifts come together to create change and improve West Michigan. This is community at work and love in action!
MEET STACEY HONGSYVILAY-THAYER
. Stacey Hongsyvilay-Thayer has lived all over the United States, spending time in Michigan during high school and living in places as far away as Utah. Eventually, she found her way back to West Michigan for a fresh change. Now Stacey lives in Grand Rapids with her husband, infant son and cat. She works as a software engineer and enjoys playing volleyball and video games.
Stacey might be shy to admit it, but her friends describe her as the altruistic one in the group. She believes it is important to give back and encourages others to find ways to make even a small impact to change the world around them. As a student, Stacey overcame challenges and setbacks, eventually earning a degree from Grand Valley State University. She understands the pressure of navigating college and career training while also working and received a scholarship from the Community Foundation to help offset her college costs. Now, she makes a difference for current students by volunteering her time and giving back through monthly donations to Challenge Scholars.
Stacey recently talked with Jenine Torres, development director, about how she makes decisions as a young professional committed to giving back to community while building a career and family.
Why is giving back to our community important to you?
STACEY: I think it's just fundamentally important to give back what I can. I've come up from a poor background. I just know if I can give back, it'll hopefully help other kids. It's really the gist of it. Nothing too extravagant.
JENINE: How do you make giving decisions?
STACEY: I give based on the organizations that have helped me. If I’ve been touched, if they’ve helped me, I try to give back. I give $25 a month maybe, which I’m like, ‘That's a Planet Fitness membership for me.’ I can afford that. We’re monthly budgeters, so we fit that into our budget. When you said that we’d given almost a thousand dollars since starting I was surprised. It really adds up over time!
JENINE: Why did you choose Challenge Scholars to contribute monthly gifts to?
STACEY: I didn't know much about it until I donated. Honestly, I just heard about it because of the drop-down list of options. But I thought, ‘This seems like such a cool opportunity even if you're in sixth grade, so why not?’ That would've been such a big driver
“This is our community. We can shape it how we want it to look. Grand Rapids is so diverse in general, and we can all support each other in our different ways.”
for me, if that was something I could do. Getting to help fund that vision is cool to see—there's a kid out there that could go to college without the pressure of having to have three part-time jobs.
JENINE: How would you encourage other young professionals to think about their giving as they are building careers and/or families?
STACEY: I know my generation, it can feel like, ‘Oh, the world is coming to an end. There's no point.’ But you can make that small impact just by doing a small donation every month. You can change your community, what you see around you, slowly doing it that way. If you wanna see kids out around playing, feeling safe, you have to be a part of making that safety net for everyone. I hope that my giving inspires others to do more giving.
JENINE: Why do you choose to partner with Grand Rapids Community Foundation for your philanthropic goals?
STACEY: I wanted to choose a bigger organization, because I know there's more opportunity for if I wanna change something, I know I can make an impact somewhere else. It's an easy switch and I don't have to worry about finding another organization for that.
The Community Foundation is honored to support donor partners in discussing, establishing or adapting their philanthropic investments. To start a conversation, contact the development team at 616.454.1751
J.T. and H.G.F.
Provided by Stacey Hongsyvilay-Thayer
Stacey and Scott with their son
Pictured:
NONPROFITS Supporting Students
Academic attainment—completing a degree or credential—takes more than scholarships. While access and affordability are critical to help students reach the next level in their education or career, many other factors are at play. Grand Rapids Community Foundation awards grants to organizations that promote educational equity and help ensure systems are supporting all students—dismantling barriers based on a student’s race, ethnicity or firstgeneration status.
Those partnerships include support that creates opportunities for high school students to thrive and learn. It includes partnerships focused on policy changes at local and statewide levels to ensure that governmental systems are focused on students and families. It includes partnerships creating supportive environments for students to express themselves and navigate challenges. These are essential ways to look holistically at how we, as a community, can help students thrive. Below are a few examples of education-focused grant partnerships awarded in the last few years.
T2C STUDIO
A partnership between our Challenge Scholars program and the To College Through College, T2C Studio provides high school and college students with an ongoing series of activities to aid post-secondary decision-making, reduce summer melt among graduating seniors and support postsecondary persistence.
KENT SCHOOL SERVICES NETWORK
We support Kent School Services Network to continue a community school model, which benefits our Challenge Scholars cohorts at Union High School. KSSN uses strategies strategies designed to increase student well-being, attendance and family engagement. The model ensures students have access to physical health, mental health and human services.
URBAN CORE COLLECTIVE
The Community Foundation supports the Urban Core Collective Education Justice Team’s organizing and basebuilding work through a grant partnership. The team works to advance a community-defined policy and budget agenda, supports community education around candidates for boards of education and explores their role in organizing around state policy and budgetary issues. The Education Justice team also develops grassroots leaders and designs structures that support those leaders in applying their gifts of advocacy.
FAIR HOUSING CENTER OF WEST MICHIGAN
Over several years a grant partnership for the Fair Housing Center of West Michigan and Diatribe has supported their Writing to Right Wrongs program, which has been offered to students in Union High School’s English classes. Students experience an interactive program focused on fair housing and social justice as they develop their speaking and writing skills and explore how where one lives impacts their opportunities. Through this programming, students are empowered and equipped to become advocates.
EDUCATION TRUST - MIDWEST
Our ongoing grant partnership with Education Trust - Midwest supports the work of the Michigan Partnership for Equity and Opportunity, a statewide coalition of civil rights, social justice, civic and business leaders working to promote equitable education policy and resource allocation for all Michigan students.
Learn more about our commitment to education and see the entire list of recent grant awards on our website at GRFoundation.org/Grants.
THANK YOU Donor Partners Supporting Education
Grand Rapids Community Foundation partners with generous, committed donors to change trajectories for students in Kent County. They do so through giving directly to the Fund for Education, Challenge Scholars Fund and General Scholarship fund or creating named funds in support of these fund initiatives. We honor the donors and fund founders that support these education initiatives below.
THE FUND FOR EDUCATION
The Fund for Education and donor-created named funds fuel grants and scholarships aimed at creating fairer education outcomes. A gift for the Fund for Education will provide flexible scholarships and supports for students on their paths to success.
David G. and Mary L. Annis Fund for Education
Nancy Balck Fund
James and Shirley Balk Fund for Education
Kenneth H. and Margaret L. Childs Fund for Education
William S. and Kay C. Farr Family Education Fund
Art Folkringa and Gussie Farris Fund
CHALLENGE SCHOLARS FUND
Alicent Epps Jasperse Memorial Fund for Academic Achievement
Cathleen Kaiser Fund for Education
Gerald Olson Fund for Education
Herbert and Doris Vander Mey Fund for Education
Stemanie White Fund
Our Challenge Scholars program provides students on Grand Rapids’ west side the promise of a scholarship and the security of wraparound supports. These funds assist the students who enrolled in the program as sixth graders as they graduate from Union High School and pursue their dreams. Supporting the Challenge Scholars Fund is a great way to provide immediate help through scholarships and other support programs.
James and Shirley Balk Family Fund for Challenge Scholars
Molly Bradshaw Fund for Challenge Scholars
Rosemary Cook Education Scholarship Fund
Hill Machinery Fund for Challenge Scholars
Hill Machinery Fund for Technology Scholars
Dr. Sandra Last Challenge Scholarship
Norm and Marilyn Leven Challenge Scholars Fund
GENERAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND
David B. and Susan D. Lipner Fund for Challenge Scholars
Dr. Jack and Katy Lukens Family Scholarship Fund
John & Suzie Mackeigan Fund for Challenge Scholars
Armen Oumedian Challenge Scholars Fund
Armen Oumedian Challenge Scholarship Fund
David and Kay Wagner Fund for Challenge Scholars
The General Scholarship Fund and donor-created named funds are the most flexible scholarship-specific giving option. Donations to this fund provide scholarships to students who might not be able to afford tuition for college or other post-secondary education.
Karen A. Chase Fund
From July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2024, the generous donors listed below made annual gifts to The Fund for Education, Challenge Scholars Fund or General Scholarship Fund. Their contributions help the Community Foundation adapt and address student challenges through various programs, grants to nonprofits and scholarships.
Andrew and Sonja Acosta
The Afton Family
June and Glenn Anderson
David and Mary Annis
Anonymous (11)
Frederick J. Antczak and Deborah J. Hughes
Ellen Arlinsky
Bob and Patty Ayars
Joanne Ayotte*
Ashley Badour
Jean and David Bahle
David* and Janice Bailey
Brian and Deanna Bakker
Christopher Barnes and Jessica Lalley
Vickie and Tom Bergers
Jesse M. Bernal
Mr. Arthur Betancourt - AE
Betancourt LLC
Kimerlee and Rick Billings
Lynne Black
Ben Boerkoel
Dianne Boozer
James and Sharon Breuker
The Honorable Winnie Brinks
and Mr. Steve Brinks
Marie Burns
Marion Burns
George and Nancy Buth
Kyle and Juliann Caldwell
Phil and Caroll Catlett
CBO Family Fund
Bill and Christine Chappell
Karen Chase
Tom and Natalie Chase
Molly and Colin Chelovich
Casey Childs
Mr. Jonathan R. Childs
Norm and Anita Christopher
John and Amy Collins
Laura Conrad
Ty Cook
Ann M. and Robert P. Cooper
Gina M. Covert Ostergren
Ed and Linda Cox
Carol A. Crawford
Julie, Scott, and Annie Cress
Bob and Julie Currier
Dr. Gerald* and Gwendolyn Dawkins
Eric and Sharai DeLong
Jolene DeLuca
Danielle Josephine DeWitt
Katherine Downes Lewis
Maureen Fahey Dreher
John and Louise Edison
Sky and Ashley Emaus
Jeanne Englehart and Jack Novick
Giuliana and Aaron Estrada
Bill and Kay Farr
Gussie Farris
Bill and Cecile Fehsenfeld
Clare, Kaaren and Anna Fehsenfeld
Robert and Mary Ann Finn
Jennifer Fisher
Mary and Bill Ford
John and Kristine Fox
Thomas S.* and Maxine J. Fox and Family
Fringe Benefit Group
Ann Furtwangler
Virginia Geldof
Thomas and Sally Gleason
Darrow and Flip Goodspeed
Srikanth Gopal
Keith Harrison and Connie Carter-Harrison
Paul and Peggy Haviland
Carolyn Heines
Steve and Susan Heyne
John* and Gwen* Hibbard
Dan and Diane Hickey
Stacey Hongsyvilay-Thayer
Dorothy and Donald Hoopingarner
Keith and Mary Kay Hopkins
Jeannie Hosey and Tony Travis
David Howard and Eve Ricketts
Robert and Laura Hughes
Win and Kyle Irwin
Jim and Janette Jackson
Jandernoa Foundation
Cathleen Kaiser*
Daniel Kantorowski
Wendy Kuenzel Kapolka*
The Keller Foundation
Andy and Christina Keller
John and Nancy Kennedy
Marilyn Knol
Ron and Jeanne Koehler
Joshua Kofflin
Dan Korobkin
Steve and Mary Kretschman
Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas V. Kroeze
KRW Foundation
Dr. David and Mary Kutsche
Cris and Tom Kutzli
Susan and Brad Laffrey Fund
Marilyn Lankfer and Jeff Schad
Dr. Sandra Last*
Josh Leffingwell
Diane F. Lobbestael
Dr. Jack and Katy Lukens Family Fund
Tracy Lunquist
John* and Suzie Mackeigan
Barb and Bill McConnell
Kate and John McGarry
Terry McGovern and
Carol Paine-McGovern
Aaron and Kimberly Meles
Gary Mitchell
Mr. Marc Mitchell and Dr. Brandy
Lovelady Mitchell
Ronald and Karen Modreski
Jim and Jeanne Montie
The Chris Morrow Family
Stephen and Rochelle Mudrey
Terri A. Mulligan
Mr. and Mrs. Ken Nelson
Sarah Norman
Ken Nysson and Carol Hennessy
The O’Brien Family
Gerry L. Olson
Ann-Marie Palmo
Heath and Stephen Paterson
John and Joan Pawloski
Phyllis C. Penny
Mark and Barb Periard
Bob and Marcia Pinder
Rhett and Jeralyn Pinsky
Dave and Laura Radle
Del and Dianne Rector
Stephen Rehmann
Dale and Sherri Remmelts
Huemartin Robinson II
Deb and Ron Roden
Mary A. Roeser
Milt and Barbara Rohwer
Dr. Jack and Lija Romence
Bob and Marcy Roth
David Sarnacki and Bridget Flynn
Anne and David Sauber
Charles Sauber
JT Sauber and Family
Thomas Sauber
Mary R. Savage
Mary Scanlan and Alain Gadeau
Fred Sebulske
Sligh Memorial Fund
Libby Rector Snipe
Judge H. David Soet* and Ann
Sullivan-Soet
Douglas and Laura Stark
Steelcase Foundation
Ruth Stein and Geoffrey Kempter
Rebecca Steketee
Steve Steketee
Susan and Daniel Stepek
Wendy Stock
Amy and Nicholas Stockero
Jenny, Jon, and Cameron Lucky
Sullivan
Julie and Jim Swanson
Temple Emanuel Writers Group
Mrs. Vicki Tingley
Laura and Steve Triezenberg
Emily Trout
Union High School Class of 2005
U.S. Embassy in the Netherlands
Don VandenBos Jr.
Lou VanderHave
Herbert* and Doris* VanderMey
Mike and Michelle Van Dyke
Kimberly VanHoek
Andy and Tracy Van Solkema
Selene Van Vleck
Marie K. Verschoor
Ben and Emily VerWys
Anna and Chad Walker
Wege Foundation
Julie White
Lynn T. White
Mary White
Doug and Francesca Wiseman
Kate Pew Wolters
Dick and Susan Wood
Buzz and Linda Wynbeek
Betty Zylstra and David Baak
*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 616.451.1751 with any changes.
Grand Rapids Community Foundation also supports individuals, families and businesses that wish to set up a named scholarship fund with specific criteria or directed to a specific school or community.
To view a full list of of funds supporting education, visit our digital annual report at GRFoundation.org/AnnualReport.
Grand Rapids Community Foundation
185 Oakes Street SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
If you would like to receive PARTNERS in community and other Community Foundation news in your email inbox, sign up at GiveGR.org/Partners.
THIS & THAT
NEW GRANT PORTAL OPEN AND DONOR PORTAL COMING SOON
Grand Rapids Community Foundation’s new portal for grant applications opened in August. The new portal for Donor Advised and Agency funds will be launched in November. If you have a Donor Advised or Agency fund, we will email instructions on how to activate your account this fall. In the meantime, you can still make grant recommendations through the GiveGR.org portal. Please contact our philanthropic services and program teams with any questions.
WELCOME, LA’SHAWNDA
Join us in welcoming La’Shawnda Smith to Grand Rapids Community Foundation as the executive assistant. She started in July and supports the Office of the President & CEO on Community Foundation activities. She also serves as a liaison to the Senior Leadership Team and the Board of Trustees. La’Shawnda brings years of experience in office administration and assisting various levels of management. Her previous roles include business operations assistant at Hospice of MI, an office manager for Nexus Technology and 15 years as an office administrator at Amarr Garage Doors.
NEW YOUTH TRUSTEE
Grand Rapids Community Foundation and our Board of Trustees benefit from Youth Trustees who share their knowledge and insight through one-year terms. As of July 2024, Isabel Landero of Godfrey Lee High School will be the voting Youth Trustee after a year as a trustee in training. We are extremely grateful to our outgoing Youth Trustee, Alexandria Smith of Grandville High School. Read more about Isabel at GRFoundation.org/News
CONGRATULATIONS, ANGELA AND JENINE
We are excited to announce the recent promotion of Angela Reyna Perez to program officer, as well as the promotion of Jenine Torres to development director. In her role, Angela will expand her responsibilities in support of our equitable education strategies and will assume primary responsibility for advancing our general scholarship activities. As development director, Jenine will continue her key development functions while also leading the strategic and management responsibility for the Black Legacy, Somos Comunidad, Our LGBTQ and Youth funds.
SCHOLARSHIPS OPEN DECEMBER 1, 2024
Grand Rapids Community Foundation’s general scholarship application will open on December 1, 2024, with a deadline to complete by March 1, 2025. Students who complete the application will be considered for hundreds of scholarship opportunities. Share the application with students in your life.
Visit GRFoundation.org/Scholarships.
END-OF-YEAR GIVING DEADLINES
Investments from donor partners are critical to our community’s future. If you are beginning to think about year-end giving, our team can share strategies that support your goals. Complex gifts may take longer to facilitate, so it’s not too early to start the conversation. You can reach any member of our development team at 616.454.1751.
