PARTNERS Together

The start of a new season is a good time to pause, look back at what we’ve built together and look forward with hope and intention. As I reflect on my two years as president and CEO of Grand Rapids Community Foundation, I’m reminded daily of you, our partners. So much of our strength comes from your belief in what’s possible for West Michigan.

The end of 2025 wasn’t just the end of the year. It also marked the culmination of our Centennial Campaign. Together, philanthropists like you invested more than $30 million. Our donor partners showed again their commitment to creating opportunity, prosperity, and belonging across West Michigan. Thank you for trusting the Community Foundation to steward resources with consistency and care—today and for generations to come.

Guided by our mission and North Star, we are committed to being a trusted partner for our community. As we navigate a season of transition, our values continue to shape how we listen, how we lead, and how we invest in ways that honor both today’s needs and tomorrow’s opportunities. We are strongest when we work together, not alone. Trust grows when we act consistently and with a willingness to evolve as needed. And there is hope—not the kind that ignores the challenges we face, but the kind rooted in action and courage. As public interest lawyer Bryan Stevenson reminds us,

Hope is our superpower. You don’t have to be perfect to make a difference.

In this issue, we lift up that spirit of strength, stability and future focus. We celebrate the 20th anniversary of our Black Legacy Fund, honor longtime partners and explore what is shaping our region’s food system. We also share exciting updates about recent grant partnerships and Danielle R. Brown, our new vice president and CFO.

As our team members and trustees complete our strategic framework planning process, we feel more hopeful than ever. So many of you showed up and spoke into the Community Foundation’s future direction. Your wisdom has strengthened this work and helped us respond thoughtfully to what this moment calls for—and how we will invest in what comes next.

Partners together,

LaSandra A. Gaddy

President and CEO Grand Rapids Community Foundation