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How We Give: Prioritizing Philanthropy Through Life’s Changes
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
Meet Bob Zylstra
Bob Zylstra, co-founder of electrical services company Feyen-Zylstra, has been a Community Foundation donor partner since 1996. A Chicago native, Bob moved to Grand Rapids to attend Calvin University.
Over the years, he has supported initiatives such as the Black Men Building Resources Scholarship Fund and Fund for Community Good and has established the Bob Zylstra Science, Technology, and Engineering Scholarship. Bob has also named the Community Foundation as a beneficiary of his estate, making him a member of the Metz Legacy Society. Bob has partnered with the Community Foundation through different life milestones and has taken advantage of a variety of giving strategies along the way. Bob recently talked with Shaun Shira, major and planned gifts director, about his passion for West Michigan and why he has chosen the Community Foundation as a long-time philanthropy partner.
SHAUN: How has your journey as a community member evolved through the years?
BOB: It started with moving into the Baxter neighborhood, joining Eastern Avenue Christian Reformed Church and getting involved with nonprofits. A number of friends and I renovated a house donated to our church, then sold it at cost to somebody that needed it. Then another house got donated... and another. That group became the founding board of Inner City Christian Federation and also helped bring Habitat for Humanity to town.
I’ve also been fairly involved in urban planning. When I moved here in the early 70s, not much was going on downtown. I like seeing the city develop in a good fashion, so I volunteered nine years on the Grand Rapid Planning Commission and another six years on the zoning board of appeals. It’s really exciting to see how philanthropy and volunteerism have developed downtown into a vibrant place where you want to be. I’ve met amazing people through community involvement.
SHAUN: Why is giving back to our community important to you?
BOB: I get more out of it than what I give to it. There's a sense of purpose and joy in seeing results of our work and watching the community grow and thrive. Plus, a lot of the nonprofits I get involved in value diversity, equity and inclusion.
SHAUN: Why do you value equity in your community philanthropy?
BOB: Being in the trades in Grand Rapids, for the most part, people hire people like them and who they know. And you end up having a fairly similar workforce for that reason. Most contracting, environment and engineering companies here are run by white people who hire people they know. Marlin Feyen and I worked hard over the years to get into the Hispanic and African American communities. We know the trades can be a good means to support your family and access opportunities. We’re all enriched by seeing a more diverse workforce. I've benefited significantly with the opportunities I had to get into the trades and want to see that for more women and people of color. I hope the Bob Zylstra Science, Technology, and Engineering Scholarship gets more women and people of color into science, technology and engineering.
SHAUN: How has your giving changed throughout your life?
BOB: I've always given money to nonprofits. It was pretty meager at first, but I did what I could in donating time and money. As I grew in my profession, I had more funds available to broaden my giving lists and amounts.
I just finished updating my estate plan. I started thinking about how many estate plans turn everything over to their children. I'm 75 now and quite healthy. If I live to be 85 or 90 years old, my children will be in their mid-60s. They're both educated and in professions they enjoy. They're doing fairly well. When they are 65 years old, how much will they need? So, I am making a change so more of my estate will be going to the nonprofits I am engaged in. What I look at is, what's my legacy going to be, what was important to me and what's important to the community.
SHAUN: Why have you chosen strategies like including the Community Foundation in your estate plan and making gifts via stock or a qualified charitable distribution?
BOB: I consider the tax implications. I own several income producing properties with extensive capital gains taxes. My CPA told me that, after my death, by transferring those properties to my children, they will receive them at a stepped up basis, and all those capital gains taxes go away. My longtime investment accounts have a lot of taxes because they've appreciated, therefore much of my stocks and similar assets will go to my designated nonprofits. All my basic assets—house, accounts, properties—are in a trust. My children will get the property side and much of the stock and cash side will go to the nonprofits.
SHAUN: Why do you choose to partner with Grand Rapids Community Foundation for your philanthropic goals?
BOB: The tremendous staff have done research I can’t do to vet nonprofits. Everybody I've met here—the scholarship committee, yourself and the advice you've given on transferring funds—has been incredible. I don’t think your services can be matched. I'm looking at the long term, and the Community Foundation will be there long after I am. I have 10, maybe 20 years to live, if I'm really lucky . I know my giving, the scholarship and my donations will be in good hands. It's a legacy thing.
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.
