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“Whatever your need is, we’ll do whatever we can to help so that you have access.” -Laura Moody G RA N D
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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
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
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Kathleen B. Vogelsang (Chair) Kyle D. Caldwell (Vice Chair) Ken Fawcett, MD Ryleigh Fischer 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
PARTNERS in community is a
Grand Rapids Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization made up of nearly 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.
quarterly publication of Grand Rapids Community Foundation Contributing writers: Ashley René Lee, Heather Gill Fox, Audra Hartges-Stern, Diana R. Sieger
@GRCommFound
STUDENT LEADERSHIP: OUR YOUTH GRANT COMMITTEE IN ACTION
5 COMMUNITY-LED RESPONSE TO EQUITABLE VACCINE DISTRIBUTION
8 A LEGACY OF FAMILY AND COMMUNITY
9 APPLAUDING THE POWER OF PROFESSIONAL ADVISORS
Graphic Design: Michele Keren Design Photography: Alfield Reeves Photography, Bird + Bird Photography, and Isabel Media Studios
PARTNERS IN PROGRESS
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PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
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Copyediting:Joan Huyser-Honig
VOLUNTEER PARTNERS
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THIS & THAT
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PARTNERS in community
SUMMER 2021 | Issue 88
PARTNERS in Power Top of my mind every day is how Grand Rapids Community Foundation uses our resources to overcome racial disparities. Not to just address those disparities, but to eliminate them. And while this may be reflective of my idealism from my developmental years in the 1960s and 1970s, it is what our community—and every other community across the nation and world where people of color live in fear for simply existing—deserves. I wholeheartedly believe that if we work together and share our collective power, it can be done. While philanthropy, in many ways, has been complicit in perpetuating disparities, it can and does play a critical role in eliminating them. There is power in philanthropy, community philanthropy especially. The Community Foundation belongs to the community, and we strive to build a more inclusive philanthropic culture and practice in Greater Grand Rapids. We know our community benefits from the passion and commitment of philanthropists, activists, leaders, doers, changemakers and anyone who gives of their time, talent and treasure to make a better West Michigan for us all. While building, sharing and wielding power is inspirational, the truth is it can be hard at times. Despite the discomfort that comes with doing things in new ways, this approach is critical to our work. It is the only way we can make progress toward racial, social and economic justice in our community. Slowly but surely, leveraging our power to make way for community-led solutions is becoming our new normal and the framework for how we seek to engage in grant partnerships, deepen relationships and show up in community. Our partnerships are our secret sauce as a community foundation. We believe we have a charge to work alongside our partners to leverage our resources and networks to overcome the inequities that continue to grow. We have been purposeful about forging partnerships throughout our community, building trust and staying true to our intentions and promises. Yes, we often stumble along the way, but we are always moving forward. We have learned the importance of doing more listening and less talking to best understand how we can work side-by-side with our partners to identify how to make the most impact in the areas they care about most. Besides trusting us to invest in community through their unrestricted and field of interest resources, our donor partners continually amaze us by moving equity work forward through their investments in community-based philanthropy. As we center our work on racial, social and economic justice, we must also build the trust capital necessary to be in true relationship with our partners. People know best what works for them and what works best for the community. We continue to reach out to various networks that may not have been known to us just a few years ago. Their voice is coming through loud and clear. To be clear, this does not mean that we are giving up our responsibility to play a leadership role in building and managing our community’s permanent endowment and strengthening the lives of the people who call our community home. It means that we are creating the pathways to a more robust, vibrant community that everyone shapes. We are bringing to life the true meaning of a community foundation by reinforcing community-led philanthropy.
STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Our Youth Grant Committee in Action Our Youth Grant Committee is demonstrating the power of student voice and leadership in Kent County. This group of 26 students from various Kent County high schools has been meeting over the course of the year to deeply investigate their peers’ most critical needs. After a youth assessment survey of over 450 local high school students, YGC determined that three of the most pressing needs for students in our community are college and career preparation, mental health resources and racial justice activism. Students noted that this process helped to further develop their empathy and critical thinking skills. “I feel better at observing, listening and analyzing. Those meetings have made a powerful impact on my self-growth,” said Samantha Rivera, incoming youth trustee in training (the YGC student who will serve on the Board of Trustees from July 2022 - June 2023) and student at Grandville High School. The committee members used the youth assessment survey to talk about which grant partnerships were most aligned with their priorities. They put that knowledge into action by recommending $60,000 in grant partnerships with 18 local nonprofits working in these areas. “I wanted to join an organization where I could truly make an impact in my community,” said Christian Baty, a recent graduate from Grand Rapids Christian High School. “YGC has given me the opportunity to not only see what is going on in my community, but to be able to make an effort, to make a difference. And we are able to see how our decisions affect the community.” YGC members spent countless hours over the past year deep in conversation and learning with local nonprofits and each other. All the while, they have been determined to make long-lasting change in our community for students and their families. And beyond the work of this committee, youth in our community have been driving change through organizing movements, donating their time and resources and redefining what it means to be a philanthropist. Student leaders are not waiting for tomorrow to demonstrate their leadership. They are actualizing it today! H.G.F.
OUR YOUTH FIELD OF INTEREST FUND AWARDED 18 GRANTS TOTALING $60,000 TO THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS. Affinity Mentoring Arbor Circle
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SENIOR SPOTLIGHT
Congratulations to our five recent graduates! Christian Baty, Dallas Hopson, Pablo Eliseo Villalvazo, Ryleigh Fischer and Zoe Braun have all played an incredible role on YGC. We wish them all the best as they pursue their dreams and move into their next chapters. “I joined YGC last year, and since then I have grown as a person and a community member through this group. Through the grantmaking process, I realized the impact young people can make in the community. It was a great experience to learn more about nonprofits,” said Zoe, a graduate of Forest Hills Northern High School.
AYA Youth Collective Better Wiser Stronger Camp Blodgett D.A. Blodgett - St. John’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services
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Diatribe PAB
Grand Rapids Pride Center
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Helping Important People Succeed PARTNERS in community | 4
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Health Net of West Michigan
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Oakdale Neighbors
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Planned Parenthood of Michigan Positive Impact for Life Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. – Eta Pi Sigma Chapter SLD Reads Treetops Collective United Methodist Community House
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COMMUNITY-LED RESPONSE
to Equitable Vaccine Distribution Since the COVID-19 pandemic began in Kent County, local governments and news sources have circulated data about peaks, hot spot areas and disparities in health outcomes and deaths. A group of local leaders came together to turn that data into real change for people in their communities.
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A SHOT OF LOVE While there are many reasons people are unable or unwilling to get a vaccine, including historical inequities in healthcare and vaccinations, this task force strives to eliminate barriers to access for those who are willing. Besides navigating transportation barriers, the group developed an awareness campaign called Shot of Love. “When I hear the words ‘shot of love,’ it’s just what it is,” said Laura Moody, who retired after 44 years as a nurse. “It is showing love to the community, to let them know that you’re not out there alone. Whatever your need is, we’ll do whatever we can to help so that you have access.” As a Shot of Love volunteer, Laura has personally helped over 2,000 people find access to a vaccine. Her personal connection and trust within her community is what has made the effort so successful. “People know I am just a phone call away. It’s about love. We care because we love,” she said. Volunteers like Laura and Khary are raising awareness through doorto-door outreach, transportation coordination, scheduling assistance and more. Many people and organizations came together to make this work happen. Baxter Community Center served as a fiduciary for the grant dollars from the Community Foundation, and the Grand Rapids African American Health Institute proactively helped the volunteers map out neighborhoods for canvassing. These efforts truly demonstrate the power of community-led solutions to reduce barriers and make change. H.G.F. B.B.S.
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The Community Foundation used a Field of Interest Fund to fuel this community-led response. It provided $25,000 in immediate funding to cover transportation costs. “The nature of giving enough flexibility to those dollars and letting the community deploy them as they see fit creates this possibility where the community’s logic can be stood up as an example of efficient, behavioral response,” Khary said. “This catalytic philanthropy makes other systems say, ‘Oh, there’s wisdom in what the community is doing.’”
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Volunteers learned that thousands of people who wanted vaccines didn’t have transportation to get them. But there were no resources to pay for transportation, so the opportunity to use those appointments could have been lost. They brought this need to Johngerlyn “Jonse” Young, who serves on the task force and is also the Community Foundation director of philanthropic services. “This approach aligns with the Community Foundation’s commitment to community-led philanthropy. It helps us understand the needs of the community from those who are closest to the work and challenges,” she said.
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A GRASSROOTS APPROACH TO EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION While this task force has taken many forms over the past year and a half, this spring, as cases and variants rose in Michigan, the team seized an opportunity to make sure that vaccine distribution was more equitable. It developed community-based solutions to vaccinate as many people as possible, as quickly as possible. Activated by faith communities and community groups, volunteers worked with the healthcare system to secure dedicated vaccine appointments at various locations.
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The team works together to find the best ways to talk to their communities and share information from the Kent County Health Department, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and others. Using faith-based and neighborhood organizations as the mouthpiece is one way that our community leaders are ensuring resources and information reach everyone. “Our constituency is really broad,” Khary noted. “If you want to reach the Black community, for example, there are a bunch of things that you can do, but no group or network of entities has as much hands-on engagement with the Black community as the Black church.”
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Khary Bridgewater is a community advocate who chairs the Kent County Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships Team. This team began as a task force leveraging the trust built in faith-based organizations to disseminate information about health protocols and guidelines. It includes over 200 faith- and neighborhoodbased organizations. “If you think about what a faith community is, it is really a group of families that are coming together around a shared belief,” Khary said. “They’re already deeply entrenched and committed to community level outcomes.”
PA R T N E R S
in Progress
Since February, Grand Rapids Community Foundation’s Board of Trustees has approved $1,325,000 in grant partnerships from the Fund for Community Good. These partnerships are made possible through the power of unrestricted giving— donor partners who donate their resources and entrust them to be used flexibly for generations to come. The partnerships would not be possible without the power of our local nonprofit sector’s ability to respond to the most current pressing needs. GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOLS, $240,000
This grant partnership with Grand Rapids Public Schools is part of an ongoing relationship to promote post-secondary readiness, access and success for all students. It includes funding for Challenge Scholars programming at Harrison Park, Westwood Middle School and Union High School.
HEART OF WEST MICHIGAN UNITED WAY, $200,000
In March 2021, COVID-19 relief bills approved resources for emergency rental assistance in Kent County. HWMUW entered a relationship with other partners as the fiduciary for our local efforts. This recoverable grant partnership was provided to create immediate access to resources for them to distribute funds as swiftly as possible to prevent eviction. This maximized their ability to ensure that access and resources will reach as many people as possible. This partnership is a recoverable grant, meaning the funds will be returned to the Community Foundation by March 2023.
NEW CITY NEIGHBORS, $150,000
New City Neighbors provides youth employment, training and mentorship programs through their agricultural farm and café in the Creston neighborhood. The entrepreneurship program trains students to run all aspects of a restaurant, including cooking, customer service, food systems, healthy eating, marketing and more. NCN has been establishing new practices to become actively antiracist and focused on diversity, equity and inclusion. This grant partnership supports their ability to relocate to a new, permanent location that aligns more closely with those values.
SEEDS OF PROMISE, $10,000
Seeds of Promise is a resident-led organization committed to well-being and successful, sustainable health outcomes in the Southtown Community, especially for communities of color. This grant partnership supports the continuous home improvements of owner-occupied housing by creating access to cost effective repair options.
START GARDEN, $250,000 HISPANIC CENTER OF WESTERN MICHIGAN, $125,000
The Hispanic Center of Western Michigan educates, advocates for and empowers Latinx communities in West Michigan. For nearly 50 years, it has offered services to individuals and families. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hispanic Center has focused their programming on crisis response, including translation, food services and more. This grant partnership will help them build internal capacity, strengthen their planning and continue their important work.
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IMMIGRANT CONNECTION AT CITY LIFE CHURCH, $350,000
Immigrant Connection works to build a flourishing community by providing low-cost legal services to immigrants. They have recently formed a collaboration with Senior Neighbors to provide refugees over 60 years old with legal assistance to secure medical waivers so that they can continue receiving disability benefits. This grant partnership supports their growing capacity needs as the organization expands its services. The Lucy E. Barnett Trust for the Elderly provided significant support for this grant partnership.
Start Garden serves entrepreneurs in ideation and start-up phases of business ownership. They have a specific focus on making wealth creation and resources more accessible to Black, Indigenous and other people of color. This grant partnership supports a new technology platform and mentorship program. Both will keep aligning resources, such as financial capital, social capital, technical assistance and physical space, with BIPOC entrepreneurs’ needs and reduce barriers to access.
SPOTLIGHT ON
Field of Interest Funds Besides supporting grant partnerships from the Fund for Community Good, the Community Foundation has awarded $415,200 from Field of Interest Funds to local nonprofit organizations since December 2020. Over the last year, Community Foundation staff have intentionally activated resources from Field of Interest Funds to align with our approach to equitable grantmaking. This method strives to create partnership onramps with the Community Foundation and set organizations up for future success. While our Field of Interest Funds are always critical, they’ve been even more important this year, because they let us inject resources into local nonprofits struggling with COVID-19. Our Youth Field of Interest Fund awarded 18 grant partnerships totaling $60,000. Learn more on page 4. The Mary I. and David D. Hunting Family Fund awarded $95,000 to Access Camps partners. These grants provide resources for select West Michigan camps to increase access to overnight camps for children in Kent County who have historically been unable to experience summer camp. Read more at grfoundation.org/access-camps. Lucy E. Barnett Trust for the Elderly Baxter Community Center Armand F. and Gretchen B. Burch Fund Community Food Club Our Kitchen Table Elizabeth J. Steed Johnson Fund for Healthcare and Community Health Baxter Community Center Grand Rapids Pride Center Health Net of West Michigan – FitKids 360 Mental Health Clinicians of Color
Kenneth M. Sweers Fund for Homeless A Mother’s Touch
Robert D. Mieras Fund for Dance and Music West Michigan Jewels of Africa New City Kids Leonard and Eileen Newman Fund for the Arts Baxter Community Center DisArt Ebony Road Players Grandville Avenue Arts and Humanities Host Productions Mixed Roots Collective Mus(ed) Patricia Haan Timmer Fund for Downtown Charities Cherry Health Social Venture Philanthropy Fund Grand Rapids Pride Center
WHAT IS A Field of Interest Fund? When creating Field of Interest Funds, donor partners select a specific area of interest, such as the arts, environment, children or health and establish a fund to permanently support it. Grand Rapids Community Foundation staff, committee members and the Board of Trustees decide how these funds are granted to honor the donor partners’ intent.
Lynne!
In 1988, when Lynne Black began her career at what was then called Grand Rapids Foundation, the three staff members were using a single word processor and huge floppy discs to manage $35 million in assets. Today, as she celebrates retirement after an incredible 33-year career at the Community Foundation, many things have changed. Technology has evolved, and the staff team has grown to more than 30 people managing assets of nearly $400 million. Lynne reflects that at the heart of it all, much has remained consistent. “We’re still doing things right,” she said. “The Community Foundation staff love what they do and are willing to do what it takes to get the job done. That includes honoring our donor partners and the intent of their gifts.” Retiring as our director of finance, Lynne’s many roles have made a deep impact. Her keen ability to manage all financial aspects of the Community Foundation, including investment pools, financial statements and audits, have helped the organization grow over the last three decades. And she knows that financial growth has a direct impact on our community. One of Lynne’s favorite parts of working for the Community Foundation has been witnessing the power of the endowment. “I love seeing how a fund set up years ago continues to support needs in our community,” she said. We are grateful for the many years of precision, laughter and skill Lynne brought to the Community Foundation. Join us in celebrating Lynne as she heads into what promises to be an adventurous retirement for this outdoor lover. H.G.F. B.B.S.
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Gordon and Janet Moeller Food Security Fund Our Kitchen Table Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Association
Homeless Prevention Fund New Destiny Pathways
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR RETIREMENT,
A L EG AC Y
of Family & Community Iain and Kalie Charnley are professionals raising young daughters, both at the stage of tree climbing, mud pies and sidewalk chalk. Philanthropy and planned giving are also part of their story today. The Charnleys value holistic solutions that recognize the intersections of and connections between different systems. And they consider how their activities—from buying local food to supporting projects like the Plaza Roosevelt development—reflect their values. By making philanthropy a priority, they are setting an example for their daughters and for others. AN EXAMPLE FOR FAMILY Iain and Kalie have several priorities for their giving. Influenced by their professional training—Iain works in healthcare and Kalie worked in natural resources—their passions include environmental and climate justice. They are intentional about how their time, giving and consumer dollars reflect their values. “I’ve never before felt so much under a microscope than being a mom,” Kalie said. “Our daughters learn from my every action, so it really inspires me to be a better person—to take care of myself, to take care of them and to take care of our community.” The family is committed to service and volunteers together through planting projects with Plaster Creek Stewards and food distributions with Access West Michigan. They prioritize social and racial justice with their church community and through Justice for Our Neighbors, which provides affordable immigration legal services.
AN EXAMPLE FOR COMMUNITY As members of One Hundred New Philanthropists, Iain and Kalie have committed to give to Grand Rapids Community Foundation now and beyond their lifetime. They value the power of collective giving that the Community Foundation exemplifies, and see their contributions as a way to maximize their impact. They describe One Hundred New Philanthropists as a way to promote giving back to other young families, encourage them to engage and start their estate plans now. “It doesn’t take immense wealth. Making giving a part of, or even foundational to, your budget shows that you deem it just as important as the other expenses,” Iain said. The Charnleys decided to make a provision in their estate plans for a gift to the Community Foundation’s Fund for Community Good, our unrestricted fund. Through their gifts to this fund, they join other donor partners committed to addressing Kent County’s most pressing needs now and in the future. Collectively, those gifts fuel grant partnerships with nonprofit organizations and a more inclusive West Michigan. By making giving and service a family affair, and by sharing their story, Iain and Kalie are using their power to build a legacy that will benefit the whole community, today and in the future. A.H.S. A.R.P.
“We love the intergenerational and diverse relationships that service work fosters, from the energy young ones bring to the wisdom offered by those more experienced,” Iain said. “There aren’t as many areas where generations mix as readily as in service work.”
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Kalie and Iain Charnley and their children
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.
Applauding the Power
O F P R O FE S S I O N A L A DV I S O R S
Professional advisors are important partners in our community’s philanthropic fabric. They help clients bring their philanthropic intentions to life, making West Michigan a great place for future generations to live, work and play. Professional advisors—lawyers, accountants and other consultants—have long partnered with Grand Rapids Community Foundation and our donor partners on a range of personal, financial and estate planning matters. Each advisor’s unique approach and focus adds diversity of perspective, strengthening philanthropy in West Michigan. And advisors don’t have just one role! In their personal and professional lives, they activate the power of philanthropy to create impact and make a difference in our community. UNDERSTANDING
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Brent Geers founded Geers Law, where his work includes estate planning. He is also a member of the Community Foundation’s One Hundred New Philanthropists, making a personal commitment to be part of our region’s philanthropic future, and volunteers on both the Professional Advisory and Advisory committees.
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Brent, through his work, exemplifies the power of understanding. There are many options in estate planning, and clients look to their advisor for guidance. “In many estate planning conversations, my role is to ask questions. What causes are important to them? Have they volunteered with or given to specific nonprofits in the past? Understanding their values is the basis for creating a plan that empowers the people they trust to carry out their wishes,” Brent said. INTENTION Laura Radle, attorney at Varnum and member of the Community Foundation’s Professional Advisory Committee, has made a personal commitment to give back. Through every stage of her life, she has dedicated her time and talent to causes she cares about. And, as an estate planning attorney, she supports others as they create their own legacies.
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“It’s probably the best part of my job,” Laura said about estate planning. “Outside of giving back yourself, helping others to give back is a great thing. Clients really appreciate it when they can put in place a meaningful, thoughtful plan and create a legacy.”
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Laura recognizes West Michigan’s rich philanthropic history and sees its influence in her role as an advisor. When discussing lifetime gifts or estate plans, she walks clients through their many options—including direct gifts to an organization, giving retirement assets, creating a Donor Advised fund or crafting an estate plan that recognizes their priorities. PASSION Ben VerWys is founder and senior financial advisor at Fiduciary Financial Advisors. A member of the Community Foundation’s One Hundred New Philanthropists, he is an active volunteer and supporter of nonprofit organizations, including Gilda’s LaughFest. Ben follows his passions to establish his own philanthropic legacy, and he takes the same approach with clients—identifying their values and guiding financial plans that focus on what matters most to clients. “I encourage clients to recognize their passions and priorities and reflect those things in their financial planning and philanthropy,” Ben said. “People can strategically design their life and create unique plans that work for them. There isn’t one right way to plan or give back.”
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MAKE A CONNECTION The Community Foundation has worked with many attorneys, accountants and other advisors. If you are interested in connecting with a professional to assist in navigating your philanthropic options, but don’t know where to start, contact our team at 616.454.1751. We can help you make a connection.
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A.H.S.
VO LU N T E E R
Partners
Grand Rapids Community Foundation is grateful for the many individuals who volunteer their gifts of time, expertise and networks in service to our community. Without their selfless commitment to strengthen the lives of everyone who calls West Michigan home, none of our work would be possible. This list of volunteer partners is current as of March 12, 2021.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES Kathy Vogelsang, chair Kyle Caldwell, vice chair Noah Chun, youth trustee-in-training Kenneth Fawcett Ryleigh Fischer, youth trustee Tom Kyros Emily Loeks Brandy Lovelady Mitchell Ana Ramirez-Saenz Ric Roane Carlos Sanchez Daniel Williams Reneé Williams ADVISORY COUNCIL Caitlin Townsend Lamb, chair Art Betancourt Craig Clark Stephanie Doublestein Brent Geers Candy Isabel Nakia Kyler Bryant Mitchell Tim Mroz
CHALLENGE SCHOLARS ADVISORY COMMITTEE Marisol Blanco Travus Burton Clara Kilburn Kyle Lim Eleanor Moreno Carol Paine-McGovern Shayla Young CHALLENGE SCHOLARS DREAM FUND COMMITTEE Chi Benedict Travus Burton Kiki Gary Pablo Garcia Tennille Harkness Isabel Lopez-Slattery Jessica Maat Antony Peña Pablo Eliseo Villalvazo Jeremiah Weismann FUND FOR COMMUNITY GOOD ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Jennifer Pascua Mary Reagan Shapton
Emily Loeks, chair
Eddie Tadlock
Belinda “Lin” Bardwell
Dave Thompson
Mercedes Barragan DeDe Esque
AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE FUND COMMITTEE
Brandy Lovelady Mitchell Carlos Sanchez Aaron Turner
Kenneth James, chair Jeff Chappell Lauri Parks
IMPACT INVESTMENT COMMITTEE
Keyuana Rosemond Jennifer Smith
Alex Cáceres, co-chair
Aleka Thrash
Kyama Kitavi, co-chair
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Christina Keller AUDIT COMMITTEE
Mike Rosloniec Kathy Vogelsang
Janice Oshinski, chair David Centers Cindy Havard Tom Kyros Matt Osterhaven Carlos Sanchez
INVESTMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE Joan Garety, chair Bill Darooge David Edwards
Edward Mikolay
Wendy Holtvluwer
Kevin Patterson
Laura Jeltema
Ana Ramirez-Saenz
Neil Kimball
Mike Rosloniec
Bonnie Kopp
Nelson Sanchez
Tom Kyros
Kathy Vogelsang
Josh Pfennig
Reneé Williams
Nicholas Reister Tom Roberts
LATINX ADVISORY COMMITTEE Carlos Sanchez, chair Alex Cáceres Sergio Cira-Reyes Claudia Covarrubias Omar Cuevas Ivette Melendez Ana Ramirez-Saenz Alexis Reame Laci Resendiz Stacy Stout Lea Tobar
Bob Schellenberg Melissa Seguin Eric Smith Corinne Sprague Molly Tupper Chelovich MEMBERS EMERITUS Lori Baker Fred Gaul Dirk Hoffius Marilyn Lankfer Daniel Miller Jeffrey Power Mike Taylor Mike Van Haren
OUR LGBTQ FUND COMMITTEE
TECHNOLOGY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Michele McIsaac, co-chair
Laura Conrad, chair
Shelley Padnos, co-chair Holly Cole Graci Harkema Teri Jourdan Marilyn Lankfer Jill May Stephanie Myott-Beebe Christopher Roe Carol Sarosik
Bill Corkill Doug MacNeil Carrie Quigley Ashima Saigal Mark Slagle SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE June Anderson Ron Apol
PROFESSIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Mandy Chardoul, co-chair Laura Radle, co-chair Michelle Anthes Jason Brinks Bob Brower Pam Cross Carl Dufendach Christopher Edgar Eric Fischer Brent Geers
Mary Appelt Valissa Armstead Jennifer Bailey Claudia Bajema Beth Banta Mercedes Barragan Janee Beville Damon Bouwkamp Kathy Boylon Reed Bretz Myra Burton Keli Christopher Leeann Clay
Beverly Clifford
Dan Oumedian
Dallas Hopson
Jay Clifford
Chad Patton
Helen Lee
Clay Coleman
Anke Pearson
John Lee
Ty Cook
Todd Peters
Jack Nelson
Chelsea Coretti
Robert Pinder
Lily Nykamp
Joe Croft
Jane Plaisted
Sydney Ozinga
Khumbo Croft
Charles Pletcher
Samantha Rivera
John Darling
Sue Pocklington
Natalie Rodriguez
Bill Darooge
Gary Pritchard
Kaylanna Ross
Stephanie Davis
Ric Roane
Madeline Uren
Gwendolyn Dawkins
Huemartin Robinson
Maureen Dreher
Chaunte Rodgers
Hugh Eisen
Chuck Ruffin
Bert Elliott
David Russell
Wanda Falk
Margaret Ryan
Jack Finn
Amy Skogstrom
Tess Gaibi-Vandongen
Matt Slagle
Patty Gardner
Pat Smith
Victoria Gibbs
Corinne Sprague
Derether Greer
Benjamin Spring
Dan Groce
Wendy Stock
Kathy Hackett
Rebecca Strauss
Ty Hallock
Bev Thiel
Mary Hanson
Mark Thomson
Kenyatta Hill-Hall
Erica Tuohy
Laurie Huizenga
Molly Tupper Chelovich
William Jackson
Joy Uddin
Timothy Jasperse
Jakki VanderLaan
Jennifer Jordan
Lou VanderHave
Cathryn Keating
Diane VanderVeen
Kurt Kimball
Jade VanderVelde
Shay Kraley
Maria Villagomez-Medina
Marjorie Kuipers
Yilin Wendland-Liu
Anthony Lambers
Barbara Wepman
Tammy Looman
Carol Werkema
Tim Lopez
James White
Kyle Los
Lois Wilber
Elias Lumpkins
Troy Yarbrough
Peter Lundeen Allen MacDonald
YOUTH GRANT COMMITTEE
Nancy Maiquez J. Joseph Mapes
Pablo Eliseo Villalvazo, co-chair
Jon March
Zoe Braun, co-chair
Steve Marshall
Sparsh Aiyar
Patty McCormick
Alani Arnold
Kim McKee
Caebre Baty
Diane McMillan
Christian Baty Stella BooydeGraaff
Carole Morgan Williams
Jazpe Cano
David Morgenstern
Noah Chun
Ken Morris
Jack DeVries
Laura Morris
Ryleigh Fischer
Rachel Mraz
Britney Garcia
Carol Muth
Camille Gerville-Réache
Christine Mwangi
Emmalene Hardouin
Patricia Newby
Claire Hart
Peggy Novosad
Torin Hodgman
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.
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Pam Mitchell
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
If you would like to receive PARTNERS in community and other Community Foundation news in your email inbox, sign up at givegr.org/PARTNERS.
WELCOME, DANIELLE!
We are thrilled to introduce Danielle R. Brown, CPA, our new director of finance. In this role, Danielle will be responsible for Grand Rapids Community Foundation’s financial activities, forecasting and analysis. She also has responsibility for managing accounting and investment procedures, compliance, budget and reporting. Danielle has experience working for legal firms and for-profit businesses and worked as a CPA with several foundations in her client portfolio. She is active in the community as a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. and serves on the Board and Finance Committee for Gilda’s Club.
WELCOME, PAUL!
Help us welcome Paul Sapp, our new events project manager. In this role, Paul will be responsible for the leadership, project management and execution of highly engaging and inclusive in-person and virtual events, meetings and experiences. He previously worked at ArtPrize as an operations manager, as well as other roles in local businesses and nonprofits.
YOUTH TRUSTEE TRANSITION
The Community Foundation values the perspectives of our Youth Grant Committee volunteers. Each fiscal year, one student serves as youth trustee on our Board of Trustees. Ryleigh Fischer, from Forest Hills Northern, is the outgoing member. Noah Chun, a student at Grand Rapids Christian High School, will serve as youth trustee through June 2022.
CONGRATULATIONS, JENINE!
Jenine Torres recently earned the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP) designation from the American College of Financial Services. The graduate-level coursework required to earn this designation focuses on understanding donor partners’ goals, applying tax strategies and advising partners on gift planning and philanthropic planning. Way to go, Jenine!
CONGRATULATIONS, JONSE! Johngerlyn “Jonse” Young recently graduated from Grand Valley State University earning a master’s degree in philanthropy and nonprofit leadership. Well done, Jonse!
AN UPDATE ON GATHERING IN PERSON
Our team enjoys connecting throughout the year with our many partners at events such as our Donor Celebration. To keep proactively protecting the health and well-being of our staff, their families and our community, we do not currently have any plans for in-person events for the rest of 2021. A NEXT STEP IN OUR WORK TOWARD EQUITABLE EDUCATION We recently shared important changes to our education strategy, including our Challenge Scholars program. As we strive toward increased educational opportunities for all, the Community Foundation will grow our investment in grantmaking and advocacy led by community members. To allow this transition of resources, we will enroll the class of 2028 as our final cohort of Challenge Scholars. Our scholarship commitment to current Challenge Scholars remains. For more information visit our blog: grfoundation.org/news.
