The Grand Rapids Community Foundation staff is a diverse group, with many educational backgrounds, family and community affiliations and personal passions. Our dynamic group of 35 has one thing in common: we all want to see Kent County thrive. Each department and individual is invested in various relationships—many reaching across our region—to help the Community Foundation meet its goals, creating a broad network of partnerships. Collectively we have more than 317 total years of experience at the Community Foundation.
We support more than 120 designated and nonprofit funds to benefit a specific cause or organization.
We provide Donor Advised fund holders with philanthropic services, sharing learnings and introducing them to organizations they may wish to support.
More than 300 members of our Metz Legacy Society and 100 New Philanthropists have made a promise to the future of Kent County by establishing a planned gift!
We manage business functions to ensure efficient and effective operations.
Our vendor relationships include an increasing number of local-, woman-, LGBTQ- and people of color-owned businesses.
We share the work of the Community Foundation to engage partners and reach new audiences. We listen to community members to inform our work.
Events, sponsorships and advertising help introduce the Community Foundation to new partners and reinforce our work in the region.
Our Strategic Communications team connects with local creatives to help tell the stories of people and organizations working to create an inclusive economy and thriving community in West Michigan.
We invest in people, networks and nonprofit organizations to eliminate barriers to opportunity, prosperity and belonging.
Our Challenge Scholars team connects with students individually, centering their needs and building relationships to help them navigate post-secondary education. Identity-based funds, led by committees of volunteer community members, partner with staff to make grant decisions and build relationships within their communities.
Our Board of Trustees are volunteer partners with a critical advisory and oversight role. For more than 100 years, Trustee perspectives and experiences have shaped our work!
