THIS & THAT

If you would like to receive PARTNERS in community and other Community Foundation news in your email inbox, sign up at GiveGR.org/Partners

YEAR-END GIFT DEADLINES

Investments from donor partners are critical to our community’s future. To be credited for 2021 tax returns, gifts must be postmarked or given online by December 31. If you prefer to make a gift in person, please call 616.454.1751 to schedule an appointment, and deliver the gift by noon on December 31.

Complex gifts may take longer to facilitate. We encourage you to begin these contributions as soon as possible and by the deadlines below:

Stock: DTC eligible securities should be sent by the delivering institution by noon on December 30.

Mutual Funds, Automated Customer Account Transfer (ACAT) System Transfer: As long as the mutual fund is in the ACAT system, the deadline for initiating the transfer is noon on December 30.

Mutual Funds, Non-ACAT Transfer: Initiate for shell account generation by December 20.

Our team is here to help! You can reach any member of our development team at 616.454.1751.

WELCOME, DANAH!

We are excited to introduce Danah Montgomery, community giving officer. Before joining our team, Danah worked as a Spectrum Health community health program specialist. Danah has a background with nonprofit organizations, with prior roles at New City Neighbors and YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids. In these roles Danah has facilitated community outreach, led diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, secured grant funding and supported youth programming. Danah is active in the community in many capacities including as a youth mentor and a birth doula. Learn more about Danah’s role on page 9.

WELCOME, CLAUDIA!

Join us in welcoming Claudia Pohlen, our newly-hired campaign coordinator. In this temporary role, Claudia will support our centennial campaign efforts. Claudia brings a wealth of experience to the role, most recently through work with the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan and True North Community Services. Claudia has a master’s degree in public administration from Grand Valley State University and a bachelor’s degree from Universidad Iberoamericana de Ciencia y Tecnologia in Nicaragua. Claudia is bilingual in Spanish and English, fluent in Italian and proficient in French.

CONGRATULATIONS, ERIKA!

Erika VanDyke, a program officer, received the 2021 Emerging Leader in Philanthropy Award, presented during the Council of Michigan Foundations 49th Annual Conference. The award, which was given for the first time this year, recognizes Erika as an emerging practitioner in the field who demonstrates leadership, commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and advocacy for social justice. Congratulations, Erika!

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN

The Community Foundation’s general scholarship application is now open until March 1, 2022. Students who complete the application will be entered in the selection process for 500+ scholarships from 80+ funds. Share the application with the students in your life! Visit GRFoundation.org/Scholarships.

HAVE YOU READ OUR ANNUAL REPORT?

In it, we feature donor, community and nonprofit partners who are working to create a renewed West Michigan and a foundation for our future. Visit GRFoundation.org/AnnualReport.