SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM
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Diana R. Sieger President Ashley René Lee Vice President, Strategic Communications Kate Luckert Schmid Vice President, Program Stan Vander Roest Chief Financial Officer
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Marilyn W. Zack Vice President, Development
BOARD OF TRUSTEES Kyle D. Caldwell (Chair) Reneé Williams (Vice Chair) Noah Chun Ken Fawcett, M.D. Thomas Kyros Emily Loeks Brandy Lovelady Mitchell, Ed. D. Ana Ramirez-Saenz Richard Roane Kathleen B. Vogelsang Daniel Williams, Ed. D.
Tel: 616.454.1751 Fax: 616.454.6455 Email: Info@GRFoundation.org Website: GRFoundation.org
PARTNERS in community is a
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Noah Chun Community Foundation trustee WHY IS PHILANTHROPY IMPORTANT? Philanthropy brings people from different walks of life together to support a cause that’s bigger than themselves. In doing so, they create a sense of unity and belonging in community. In my experience, people who are philanthropic are committed to learning about the world and the issues we face. Philanthropy helps broaden perspectives and enhances understanding, empathy and enthusiasm for making change. Marilyn W. Zack Community Foundation vice president, development
Grand Rapids Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that connects people, passion and resources. Over the last 100 years, people who care about the future of Kent County have built the Community Foundation through their time, financial resources and thought partnership. Our partners - donors, nonprofits, leaders, doers and more - consistently trust us to help bring key issues to the forefront to build community will, investment and collaboration needed to inspire change.
TO HEAR MORE PERSPECTIVES ON PHILANTHROPY, FLIP TO PAGE 9.
Kyle Caldwell Community Foundation, Board of Trustees chair
3 A COMMITMENT TO SERVICE 4 VISUALIZING PHILANTHROPY 6 A HISTORY OF SUPPORT FOR NONPROFITS 7 PARTNERS IN PROGRESS 8 PHILANTHROPIC PARTNERSHIPS OF TODAY 9 DEFINING PHILANTHROPY
12 THIS & THAT @GRCommFound
Graphic Design: Michele Keren Design Photography: Alfield Reeves Photography, Bird + Bird Studio, Christopher Groenink Copyediting: Joan Huyser-Honig
PARTNERS in community
WHY IS PHILANTHROPY IMPORTANT? Philanthropy is core to a healthy community and a healthy democracy. Teaching and practicing acts of care and giving can break down barriers, help us see our shared humanity, give us tools for free expression and bolster our belief in helping others. Philanthropy serves as an essential thread in the tapestry of community life—a bright, strong and valuable resource for communities to advance the common good.
10 DIANA R. SIEGER CONSTANT DONOR LEVEL
quarterly publication of Grand Rapids Community Foundation Contributing writers: Ashley René Lee, Heather Gill Fox, Audra Hartges-Stern, Diana R. Sieger
HOW DO YOU DEFINE PHILANTHROPY? Philanthropy is a responsibility. When one has the means to be helping others, it becomes part of the role we play in living in a community. It’s about being sure that we don’t get comfortable once we’re secure; we can only be satisfied once everyone has been accounted for. We all need a little help sometimes. Helping people who need it or ask for it is part of being human.
SPRING 2022 | Issue 91
