Dear Partners and Friends, "... we were made for pivotal times like this. Facing tragedy, hardships and insurmountable pain has given us a rare and precious opportunity to start anew."
About a decade ago, when the Grand
pain has given us a rare and precious
much longer than that—were
Rapids Community Foundation team
opportunity to start anew.
built on an uneven foundation
began looking ahead to our centennial in 2022, we had no idea how our community, nation and world would change. Who knew—during all our planning, forecasting and creative whiteboard vision sessions—that we would walk into 100 years amid a global pandemic and racial reckoning? After a century of responding to the everchanging needs of Greater Grand Rapids, we knew enough to expect the unexpected. But, this? Yet this is where we are. And we were made for pivotal times like this. Facing tragedy, hardships and insurmountable
So, as we approach 2022, the Community Foundation is not only focused on recovery. Our community deserves better than just a return to what was. The time is now to build upon our strengths and lean further into our role as stewards of change in our community, in partnership with many others. Our actions will affect
of disparities, inequities and injustices. The pandemic has been the sledgehammer that crumbled the foundation under those already navigating racial, social and economic injustices in Kent County. It continues to affect equitable access to education, childcare, healthcare, housing, income and relief funds.
generations to come, so we must get
Together with our partners,
it right this time.
the Community Foundation is
The societal systems that have failed so many in our community over the last year and a half—and for many,
3 | Grand Rapids Community Foundation
working toward a renewed West Michigan. One with a deeper, more sustainable commitment to racial, social and economic justice.
