2022 Fall PARTNERS in Community, The Collaboration Issue

in community

The Collaboration Issue GR A N D

RAP I D S

S P EC I AL

COMMUNI TY

C E N TE N N I A L

FOUNDATION

COL L ECTION

WHY IS COLLABORATION IMPORTANT? HOW CAN OUR COMMUNITY COLLABORATE MORE EFFECTIVELY?” “Collaboration is such a critical component of community building.

Sharing experiences, ideas, resources and potential solutions to problems not only brings people together, but ensures that issues and opportunities are addressed from multiple angles and considered from different perspectives.”

AS E HL EY RENÉ L

E

SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM

Ashley René Lee Community Foundation vice president, strategic communications

Diana R. Sieger President Ashley René Lee Vice President, Strategic Communications Kate Luckert Schmid Vice President, Program Stan Vander Roest Chief Financial Officer

EM ILY LOEKS

Marilyn W. Zack Vice President, Development

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

WHY DO YOU TRUST GRAND RAPIDS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION TO BE A COLLABORATIVE PARTNER IN YOUR PHILANTHROPY? “In the last couple of years, some of those places of disconnect in our community have become more pronounced. Something I appreciate about the Community Foundation is the intentionality in connecting across those. It reminds me there is always a bigger story than the one I comfortably see.”

TO HEAR MORE PERSPECTIVES ON LEGACY, FLIP TO PAGE 9.

Emily Loeks Community Foundation trustee

Kyle D. Caldwell (Chair) Reneé Williams (Vice Chair) Ken Fawcett, M.D. Thomas Kyros Emily Loeks Brandy Lovelady Mitchell, Ed. D. Ana Ramirez-Saenz Samantha Rivera 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

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.

quarterly publication of Grand Rapids Community Foundation Contributing writers: Ashley René Lee, Heather Gill Fox, Audra Hartges-Stern, Diana R. Sieger Graphic Design: Michele Keren Design

@GRCommFound

Photography: Alfield Reeves Photography, Bird + Bird Studio, Isabel Media Studios Copyediting: Joan Huyser-Honig

PARTNERS in community

FALL 2022 | Issue 93

3

PARTNERS IN COLLABORATION

4

CELEBRATING 100 NEW PHILANTHROPISTS

5

VISUALIZING COLLABORATION

6

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES ON COLLABORATION

7

PARTNERS IN PROGRESS

8

ENDURING LOCAL PHILANTHROPIC PARTNERSHIPS

9

SUSTAINED COLLABORATION

10

PHILANTHROPY LEADERSHIP LEVEL DONORS

12

THIS & THAT

PARTNERS in Collaboration I have been reorganizing my office, digging through files and finding reports that I’d thought “invaluable,” and then realizing that they belong in the recycling bin. We are transitioning to a hybrid work situation, so I am bringing more files back to the office from home. During this treasure hunt, I uncovered a wonderful relic—the first strategic plan I wrote in 1990! The plan’s “Philosophy of the Grand Rapids Foundation” section included: “We recognize that the process of change and enhancement often involves a partnership of individuals, groups and institutions.”

So many things in that and subsequent plans led us to where we are today. Although Grand Rapids Community Foundation was perceived in 1990 primarily as a funder, I was determined to send the message that we needed to collaborate with community partners. I intentionally connected more with organizations, businesses, leaders of various sectors and individuals to catalyze the actions needed to collaboratively move the community in a direction that included everyone. The Community Foundation shifted its role to being a convenor.

Rooting ourselves ever more deeply in partnership and community opened our eyes as we dove into issues and began advocating for more equitable change.

In 1992, we focused on the year 2000 and how we could shape the future! We coordinated a community listening session to ask, “What should the Community Foundation focus on as we approach the new millennium?” Despite the January snow, 200 people attended. Because of recent high-profile cases of child abuse and neglect, the group determined we should zero in on children and youth. We convened a nine-month community process involving child welfare experts and people who cared deeply about vulnerable youth.

to protect our children were failing them. This led to the Perspective 21 action plan. Many of its 16 recommendations were gradually implemented and led to increased funding for prevention services and a renewed effort for the social sector to stand together. This work required significant collaboration among nonprofit and government sectors and other key parties. It helped set the stage for other collaborative efforts the Community Foundation has initiated or participated in ever since. As a result, we have become a trusted partner in efforts that led to founding Kent Schools Services Network and KConnect.

Fast forward to 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic began. The Community Foundation convened local funders to collaborate on how we were prepared to respond to the crisis in real time—and ensure our efforts would be sustained. Collaboration has been essential as this community works to expose and address the disparities that Black and Latinx communities have experienced before and during the pandemic and, unfortunately, continue to navigate.

Throughout our 100-year history, we’ve repeatedly seen how collaboration leads to promising outcomes. Our partners have taught us that it takes guts, tenacity and standing together when resolution seems impossible. The Community Foundation has been and continues to be intentional about listening to community voice. As we embark on a new century of service and impact, we stand alongside the people most affected by the disparities. We will continue to lean in to assure their voices are heard and revered.

We met regularly, listened to stories of children and youth and had robust discussions about how systems designed Throughout our centennial year, we will be gathering stories and aspirations to understand our community’s collective vision for the future of Kent County. This will inform our work in our next century of service and impact.

Please visit GRFoundation.org/Centennial and follow us on social media @GRCommFound to learn more.

Celebrating 100 New Philanthropists Bound together by a commitment to invest in community, 100 New Philanthropists is an incredible group of caring people stepping into the next century with Grand Rapids Community Foundation. The 100+ participants have shown their commitment to Kent County in four ways: both current donations and future planned gifts to the Community Foundation, volunteerism and sharing their story to inspire others.

This year at the Community Foundation’s Centennial Partner Party, our 100 New Philanthropists were awarded a very special celebratory philanthropic award. They truly exemplify the attributes that inspired the very first Jack Chaille Community Philanthropy Award. “This award is a distinct honor, and we at the Community Foundation welcome this chance to recognize some of our incredible partners,” said Diana Sieger, president. “In our centennial year, it feels appropriate to recognize this diverse group, which is individually and collectively committed to our community’s future.”

In 1997 the award was established and named to honor its inaugural recipient. Jack Chaille exuded care for community. He financially invested in the Community Foundation and various nonprofits; he volunteered his time through local organizations; and he offered talent and testimony by encouraging his peers to get involved in giving to community. Since that initial award, the Community Foundation has used the Chaille Award to honor individuals and couples who demonstrate those same qualities. For the first time, this year’s award is being awarded collectively,

because the 100 New Philanthropists demonstrate a broad range of diversity and philanthropic legacy in our community.

A decade ago, the 100 New Philanthropists cohort kicked off to inspire collective giving and plan for a new century of service and impact.

Their influence is already rippling throughout our community. They are volunteering at 155+ unique organizations, inspiring others to get involved with community care and together have gifted over $1 million to the Community Foundation. This cohort also serves as thought partners who encourage and challenge us to boldly pursue our organizational commitment to meeting today’s most pressing needs.

This incredible group of leaders and difference makers has committed to carrying the Community Foundation and our community to an equitable future. They are community-minded people who have a clear vision for tomorrow. Join us in celebrating 100 New Philanthropists as the 2022 Jack Chaille Community Philanthropy Award recipients.

To learn more and watch a short video highlighting our 100 New Philanthropists, visit GRFoundation.org/News.

H.G.F. I.M.S.

100 New Philanthropists at Centennial Partner Party

VISUALIZING Collaboration in Education

Grand Rapids Community Foundation’s work in establishing educational opportunities has grown and adapted over time—from granting student scholarships to collaborative community initiatives and partnerships with nonprofit organizations to adapting the scholarship award process.

Challenge Scholars is one of the Community Foundation’s education initiatives. While we continue to support Challenge Scholars, we are also reimagining our education work. Driven by data, we keep students at the center of our decisions while they work toward higher education. As we explore new ways to make impact, we know systems change can’t happen without collaboration.

CHALLENGE SCHOLARS

LEADERSHIP & ADVOCACY

CURRENT COLLEGE STUDENTS

SCHOLARSHIPS

1945 80 $22 million+

(Cohorts: 2020, 2021 and 2022)

12

112 CURRENT COLLEGE STUDENTS

The Community Foundation awards its first scholarships to local nursing students

112 current college students at 12 colleges or universities across Michigan

scholarship funds More than established by donor partners

55 PERCENT

in scholarships since 1956

of Challenge Scholars attend GRCC, some with the opportunity to transfer to 4-year colleges

425 scholarship awards totaling

$1,189,500

Collaborative relationships with higher education institutions help connect students to campus resources so they have individual support through their college experience.

for school year 2022-2023 (excluding Challenge Scholars)

112

ELIGIBLE STUDENTS (Cohort: 2023)

APPROX 300

Staff participate in 8 local, statewide or national committees: learning, making connections and influencing the education landscape to be more student-centered

Challenge Scholars expected to graduate from Union High School in cohorts 2023-2028.

• • •

CHALLENGE SCHOLARS DREAM FUND

Supports projects that benefit Challenge Scholars $80,000+ awarded for 15 projects during the 2021-2022 school year Students participate as members of the committee since it began, helping to make grantmaking decisions

• • •

KEYS FOR CREATING A MORE EQUITABLE EDUCATION SYSTEM: Lean in to commmunity-led grantmaking Cultivate an infrastructure for community-led advocacy Explore new ways to build equity into our scholarship program

Building on prior relationships, the Community Foundation participates in efforts that led to launching Kent Schools Services (KSSN), which began in 2006 as a pilot program to support families and students in Kent County. Working with County government and other partners, the Community Foundation’s support for KSSN helped them grow, mature and create sustainable change.

To discuss how your giving can help local students achieve their goals, reach out to our development team at 616.454.1751.

PARTNERS in community | 5

Long term relationships with Grand Rapids Public Schools—in establishing the Challenge Scholars program, encouraging and supporting students and tracking success and learnings— have benefited students and helped evolve the approach.

Community volunteers are members of scholarship advisory committees

Historical Perspectives on Collaboration

Grand Rapids Community Foundation has long pursued it goals by participating in local, county, state and national collaborations.

Working with individuals, families and organizations enriches our perspective, deepens our understanding of community needs and offers opportunities for advocacy and leadership based on our values.

1921 Lee Hutchins approaches the local Association of Commerce with a bold idea—to create a community foundation.

The Association (now the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce) is closely involved in creating what was then called Grand Rapids Foundation. S. George Graves, its president, becomes the new organization’s first donor partner in 1923.

Pictured: S. George Graves

1988 The Community Foundation awards $1 million—its largest grant to date—to the Grand Rapids Public Museum capital campaign, joining many other funders.

In the decade to follow, it supported capital campaigns for other regional landmarks, including Van Andel Arena and Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.

Pictured: The ribbon cutting at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

1994 Youth Grant Committee is established to address the needs of young people. It receives support from a W.K. Kellogg Foundation program designed to grow community foundations in Michigan while engaging young people in philanthropy. It also benefits from partnering with United Way’s youth volunteer program.

Pictured: YGC members in 2005

PARTNERS in community | 6

2020 The Community Foundation becomes fiscal sponsor of La Lucha Fund, an emergency COVID-19 response to provide financial resources directly to families who are undocumented or have mixed immigration status and are ineligible for government support.

Pictured: Lorena Aguayo-Marquez, a Movimiento Cosecha GR volunteer

1967 The Community Foundation awards a grant to help fund La Grande Vitesse, the first civic sculpture in American history to be jointly financed by federal, private and philanthropic funds. The artwork by Alexander Calder becomes emblematic of the City of Grand Rapids.

Pictured: La Grande Vitesse at its opening, courtesy Grand Rapids Public Library

1992 The Community Foundation convenes a community forum to identify community priorities for the 21st century. The 200 attendees identify high child abuse and neglect rates as their biggest concern. The Perspective 21 Task Force forms to hear from more people and organizations. Its process marks a significant step in opening Kent County’s child welfare system to community involvement.

Pictured: Perspective 21 participants

2000 Social Venture Investors begins. This group of philanthropists pools their charitable dollars to make grants. Each year members contribute to both a grantmaking pool and the endowment, and they work together to make decisions on fund distribution. The program ends in 2009.

Pictured: Leaders of SVI in 2012.

A.H.S.

Partners in Progress

In June, Grand Rapids Community Foundation’s Board of Trustees approved $835,000 in grant awards to local nonprofits from our Fund for Community Good and Field of Interest funds. Each partnership demonstrates one way the collective impact of generous donor partners can help meet current pressing needs. These awards showcase the incredible collaboration within West Michigan’s nonprofit ecosystem and how our local nonprofits are working to dismantle barriers to equity for everyone who calls Kent County home.

CITY OF GRAND RAPIDS, $175,000 This grant award supports the participatory budgeting process so that residents determine how public funds are spent to improve their neighborhood. This partnership was made possible by the Kent County COVID-19 Recovery Fund.

GRAND RAPIDS AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM & ARCHIVES, $50,000 GRAAMA collects, preserves and shares stories of African American and Black communities globally and locally. They are the only operational African American museum and archives in Kent County. This grant supports pre-development of a permanent location. This will provide opportunity for an expanded exhibit dedicated to telling the story of hometown heroes, provide space for programming and allow GRAAMA to host pop-up and traveling exhibits.

GRANDVILLE AVENUE ARTS & HUMANITIES, $300,000 This grant supports organizational capacity and infrastructure as GAAH engages with neighbors through arts and humanities to cultivate curiosity, creativity and trusting relationships in ways that validate them as they forge new pathways.

GAAH provides community art classes, after-school and summer tutoring and academic support and teen leadership opportunities. This partnership was made possible by the Leonard and Eileen Newman Fund for the Arts and the Robert D. Mieras Fund for Dance and Music.

HISPANIC CENTER OF WESTERN MICHIGAN, $10,000 The Hispanic Center of Western Michigan strives to provide an avenue for education and openness while serving the needs of Latinx communities in greater Grand Rapids. This grant supports language interpretation services for mental health providers and clients.

H.G.F.

SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS FOR THE 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR WERE ANNOUNCED THIS SUMMER Head to page 5 to learn more about the variety of ways we support students.

425 Scholarship Awards Totaling:

$1,189,500

for school year 2022-2023 (excluding Challenge Scholars)

62% to first generation college students 52% to students of color

PARTNERS in community | 7

REALISM IS LOYALTY, $300,000 The Each One Teach One program is an intensive mentoring program focusing on parent engagement for youth returning to the community from residential placement, jail or prison. This program supports youth with culturally appropriate mental health and mentoring services by pairing them with an adult advocate with similar lived experiences. These mentors help youth navigate their psychosocial development and economic realities and develop self-discipline.

2022 SCHOLARSHIPS

Latino Community Coalition

Community Collaboration

Latino Community Coalition believes that community change happens through strong, honest, respectful relationships. LCC’s volunteer steering committee works with Latinx communities and its membership to advocate for their collective priorities, serve as accountability partners for organizations and institutions and advance Latinx voices and experiences in our community.

In 2020 Grand Rapids Community Foundation, LCC and six other community organizations together created La Lucha Fund. This temporary emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic provided financial resources directly to Kent County families who were undocumented or had mixed immigration status making them ineligible for government assistance. More recently, the Community Foundation partnered with LCC on Nuestra HERencia a project of Women’s Way GR, an alley activation initiative started

by Downtown Grand Rapids, Inc., Women’s Way features alley murals of local women trailblazers. We interviewed three LCC steering committee members: Javier Cervantes, Eleanor Moreno and Veronica Quintino-Aranda.

What do you love about LCC? Javier Cervantes: I like being a part of this because so many of us are from different places and backgrounds. We’re able to share and learn from each other in a space where it’s okay to be ourselves and ask questions. It’s a judgment free zone with people who look like you and have some shared life experiences.

The Community Foundation has been excited to collaborate with LCC on projects like the alley activation and La Lucha Fund. What discoveries, accomplishments or collaborative lessons can you share?

Veronica Quintino-Aranda: The discoveries related to La Lucha are our community needs, disparities and inequities. The demand and the stories collected from community members who applied for La Lucha amplified the reality of our neighbors. The alley activation accomplishment was to make our community at large aware of the history of Latinos in Grand Rapids. We are a growing and thriving community. This project allowed us to share our narrative.

PARTNERS in community | 8

JC: It is very important to collaborate not just solely based on one person or one organization. That’s not what it is about.

Collaboration is about tapping into your networks, your resources, the knowledge that each of us has within ourselves and the places that we represent.

Eleanor Moreno: Both of these collaborations created opportunity on laying out a foundation on How. How can our BIPOC communities glean and learn from these experiences and lean into spaces to also build relationship with partners like Grand Rapids Community Foundation?

The Nuestra HERencia project shifted after you heard community feedback about featuring only one woman in alley murals. How does the project embody true collaboration and adaptability?

EM: At one point I felt like we got chewed out by the community.

Not in a bad way—it just gave us time to pause and reflect. That’s the beautiful and hard part. We have to be willing to be uncomfortable,

lay out what is possible and be transparent on all the who’s, what’s and how’s. Those moments of vulnerability are always a good time to pause, reflect, listen and learn.

For HERencia we came in wanting this grand gesture for one person, and it turned into powerful heartfelt stories of all these beautiful women who I admire.

Photos from LCC’s HERencia video event.

What’s next for Nuestra HERencia?

VQA: I am super excited for the second phase of Nuestra HERencia!

We’ll work with families to imagine how the alley will be activated for future generations to know our history. We’ll create opportunities for schools or tour groups to learn about the history of Latinos in Grand Rapids, our accomplishments in the city. [Past and future projects] embody true collaboration as we work with many different community partners.

“COLLABORATION IS ABOUT TAPPING INTO YOUR NETWORKS, YOUR RESOURCES, THE KNOWLEDGE THAT EACH OF US HAS WITHIN OURSELVES AND THE PLACES THAT WE REPRESENT.” -Javier Cervantes Why is collaboration so critical for our community?

VQA: Our community has lived experiences. They are the experts in knowing what services and resources are needed in our neighborhoods. Working together with organizations, volunteers, community members and activists allows the voice of our community to be heard and moves the work forward. If we put the needs of our community first, we are able to gain the trust of our community.

EM: Collaboration feels so ingrained in the Latinx community.

It always starts with our own family, but specifically thinking of Grand Rapids or West Michigan as a whole, we are seeking to support one another. The complexity of West Michigan is tough.

We talk a lot about partnerships or collaboration, but there is so much lack of trust due to historical issues. This is why it’s so

important to build a foundation of right relationship with partners like the Community Foundation. Is it perfect? No, but that’s the beauty in a good collaboration, in being in right relationship. We can sit and listen and be authentic without being defensive. We need collaboration to do the work, to care for our people.

professionals through various LCC projects—creating the next generation of leaders in our community!

EM: During an LCC monthly meeting, we were talking about liberation. What does it look like for us, for LCC, for the Latinx community? Freedom to run, walk, participate in camping, not be harassed or deported. Delivering access to essential services like public internet, an excellent educational experience, healthcare and quality food choices, to name a few, regardless of where they live or the color of their skin. The LCC can help bridge this. It is my hope we continue to build collaborations where we do this and get to this goal.

What’s next for LLC? JC: We’re excited to see how far we have come and where that will lead us.

Sometimes things don’t go as planned Matilde’s Chavez and we have to pivot. But that’s exciting husband, to do with a group of people who I’m pretty daughters, granddaughter, sure are going to be here for a while. Also, son in law and it’s exciting to see what the community wants. close friend We’ve been able to learn and grow and have difficult conversations which lead to bigger things.

H.G.F.

VQA: HERencia has allowed us to learn about our history in Grand Rapids and share our narrative. I believe you cannot be called a leader until you create other leaders. For our LCC future, I imagine myself walking alongside and providing opportunities for Latinx young

What Our Partners Are Saying:

Latino Community Coalition

To learn more about the Latino Community Coalition, visit latinocommunitycoalition.org.

Sustained Collaboration

During our centennial year, Grand Rapids Community Foundation is releasing four special centennial collection issues of our quarterly magazine PARTNERS in community. In each issue, we feature perspectives on the quarterly theme from staff, partners, volunteers and historical voices. Our fall issue theme is collaboration through community partnerships. Collected responses are featured below.

CARLA VILLASANA MOORE Former Scholarship and Education Assistant

Why is collaboration important? How can our community collaborate more effectively?

“This undoubtedly is one the of the most important accomplishments of the Association of Commerce this year. The amount of revenue that will accrue each year to the foundation and the amount of good it will do in Grand Rapids is almost incomprehensible. It will increase in size and importance as the years roll on, and the foundation will last as long as the city of Grand Rapids exists.”

DAN MILLER AND SUSAN WRIGHT-MILLER

JASON AND STEPHANIE DOUBLESTEIN

Why do you trust the Community Foundation to be a collaborative partner in your philanthropy?

“We trust the Grand Rapids Community Foundation to act as a conduit for the nonprofit organizations we have determined meet the diverse goals we have established for our charitable giving strategy because they are transparent with their financial data and communications.

Where we see needs, at the local level, we chose to support those organizations because keeping our dollars in the community in which we live allows us to, hopefully, lead to a lasting impact and improve the life situation of others.”

Why do you trust the Community Foundation to be a collaborative partner in your philanthropy?

“The Community Foundation has such a deep knowledge of the needs and opportunities in our community. We appreciate their thoughtful, inclusive approach to creating a West Michigan community where everyone can thrive. And we love knowing that money we give now will be well stewarded and be available to support our community even after we’re gone.”

100 New Philanthropists

100 New Philanthropists

Are you interested in submitting a perspective on equity, the theme of our next issue of PARTNERS in community?

Send an email with your thoughts to Communications@GRFoundation.org.

PARTNERS in community | 9

Why is collaboration important? How can our community collaborate more effectively?

“Collaboration with community partners is key for Grand Rapids Community Foundation to achieve its goals. As our partners are present and familiar with the community’s needs, working closely with them puts the Community Foundation in the right direction to support projects and initiatives that will have a meaningful impact on the community.”

S. GEORGE GRAVES President of the Association of Commerce (now Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce), was closely involved in the Community Foundation’s creation. Graves gave the first gift of $25 in 1923.

Philanthropy Leadership Level Donors

The power of collective giving is reflected in the names you see listed here. Because of these donors’ annual support, we allocate resources that build an inclusive economy and thriving community and allow us to respond to our community’s ever-changing needs. This important unrestricted support makes our work possible now and into the future.

These leadership giving levels recognize our annual donors who made gifts or payments towards a pledge between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022, supporting our Fund(s) for Community Good including: Fund For Community Good, Fund for Education, Fund for Engagement, Fund for Prosperity, Fund for the Environment, Fund for Health or Fund for Neighborhoods.

CURTIS WYLIE LEVEL ($2,500+ ANNUALLY) In 1958, a significant bequest from Curtis Wylie transformed Grand Rapids Community Foundation, dramatically increasing our ability to support local nonprofits.

Anonymous (3) . Mr. and Mrs. Matthew S. Berger . Ken Betz and Pat Brewer . Jim and Wendy BooydeGraaff . William H. Bylenga . Thomas C. & M. Lynn Dandridge . Bill and Margie Darooge . The Charles J DeLanoy Family Charitable Foundation .

Laura DeVos . Jason and Stephanie Doublestein . Gene and Tubie Gilmore . Holtvluwer Law . Douglas and Mildred Holtvluwer . Aaron and Dr. Emily Johnson . Margie Jones . Carol Karr and Kevin Briggs . The Keeler Foundation . Stephen Klotz Family . Tom and Sally Kyros . Terry McGovern and Carol Paine-McGovern . Clare McDonnell Portinga and David Andrew Portinga . Robert E and Marcia L Schaub Family Foundation . Marjorie and Bud Roegge . Curtis and Colleen Ruppal . Diana R. Sieger . Judy Subar .

Martin and Louise Timkovich . Ms. Marilyn Titche* . George and Kerstin Trowbridge . Frank and Sharon Van Haven . Lynn T. White

JIM CARPENTER LEVEL ($1,000-$2,499 ANNUALLY) A former Trustee, advocate and enthusiastic supporter, Jim epitomized loyalty and service. He catapulted the Community Foundation’s growth and public image and was instrumental in starting the giving groups “Friends” in the late 1980s.

Mr. William E. Alt . Anonymous (2) . Christopher Barnes and Jessica Lalley . Laurie Finney Beard . Jesse M. Bernal . Al and Phoebe Bower . Andrew and Janay Brower . Jim and Susan Brown . John and Sheila Buchanan . Anna Moore Butzner . Iain and Michaele Charnley . Jim and Pat Clay . Tom and Jan Czerney . Tom and Gale Czerwinski . Ron and Jeanne DeWaard .

Martha and Nick Dewey . Marilyn Dooge . Beth and Ross Dornan . Paul and Celeste Doyle . John and Penny Edison Family Foundation . Jean Enright . Richard E Fister Jr. . Mary and Bill Ford . Dr. Tony Foster and Linda Nemec Foster . Jeffrey and Sheila Frank . Paula and Michael Freed . Peter and Lori French . Mr. and Mrs. David G. Frey . Heather and Sam Fox . Mr. and Mrs. Thomas D. Gleason . Ken Grashuis and Lori Lockyear . Dan Grzywacz and Holly Westhouse . Jackie Haveman and Nathan Dwiri . John and Gwen Hibbard . Jean and David Hitchcock . Dorothy and Donald Hoopingarner . Jeannie Hosey and Tony Travis . John and Janyce Huff . Cherry and Phil Jacobus . Laura Jeltema . Joseph and Elizabeth Junewick . Marilyn Knol . Blake and Mary Krueger . Janet M Krueger and Bruce Goodman . Paul and Nora LeBlanc . Jason and Kate Meyer . Timothy J. and Debra D. O’Rourke . Larry and Jean Pinckney . Thom and Jane Pritz . Scott and Heather Pruski . Daniel and Judy Rau . Reagan Marketing + Design LLC . Sally and Larry Robson . Jerri Schroeder . Shaun and Ruth Shira . Brent and Diane Slay . Eric and Amy Smith . Jerome P. Subar Foundation . Nick Thole and Amy Turner-Thole . Amanda and Scott Thomas . Dave Thompson .

Betsey Tinkham . Peter M. Turner . Randall and Laurie Van Houten . Selene Van Vleck . Douglas and Kathy Vance . Lorrie and Dave Vander Ark . Collin Veele . Werner Veit . Phil and Kathy Vogelsang . Gary Walker . Elizabeth Welch and Brian Schwartz . Ms. Connie Wenger . Drs. Chad and Kathy Williams . Jeff and Janet Williams . Loyd Winer . Mr. and Mrs. Craig Wisner .

Wittenbach Wellness Inc. . John S. and Kathleen B. Woudstra . Ms. Laura A. Young . Joan and Jim Zawacki . Robert J. Zylstra

PARTNERS in community | 10

PATRICIA “PAT” EDISON LEVEL ($500-$999 EACH YEAR) Pat, a former Trustee, served as the first female board chair and first female executive director. She maintained her commitment to the Community Foundation as a donor and dear confidant.

Anonymous (3) . John and Janet Baab . Joel and Susan* Bair . Darlene Berghorst . Louis and Linda Berra . Barbara Bradley and Ronald Feenstra . John Braley . Rick and Willow Chapla . Margarita and Jeffrie Chappell . Craig and Alison Clark . Jennifer and David Deamud . Tina Freese Decker and Jason Decker . Dennis and Merritt DeLano-Taylor . Barbara DeMoor and Clive Morris . Benjamin and Katherine DeVries . Daniel and Catherine Diedrich . Nancy L. Douglas . John H. Edlund . Ben Emdin . EV Construction . Frey Foundation . Freddie and Cynthia Gladyness . Linsey Gleason . Srikanth Gopal . Rená and Gary Guttrich . Kelsey Haynes Bako . Jeff and Laura Hill . Jane Hondelink . Steven and Joan Huyser-Honig . Russ and Leann Jelsema . Larry and Janine Jewell . Vicki and Tom Kimball . Doug and Pat Klein . Jim Knack . Chris and Amy Knape . Ron and Jeanne Koehler . Douglas and Louann Kohlbeck . Anna and Jason Kraai . Cris and Tom Kutzli . Ray Loeschner . Paul Malloure and Barb Richards Malloure . Maltese Marketing . Ron Marsteiner . Carmela McIntire . Angel Mendiola-Riggs and Lance Riggs . Bill and Pam Mitchell . Bryant and Audrey Mitchell . Mr. David W. Morgenstern . The Honorable William B. and Paula Murphy . Matthew and Stephanie Muscat . Bob and Margaret Nault . Gary and Peg Novosad . Dianne O’Brien . Matt and Beth Osterhaven .

Joan Panopoulos . Dr. and Mrs. Robert C. Payne . Joe and Claudia Pohlen . Martha J. Porter . Jim and Marie Preston . Mary Zoe Remien . Dale and Sherri Remmelts . Dr. Patrice Riga . Barbara A. Robinson . Lisa M. Rose . Alwyn and Chris RougierChapman . Emil and Nancy Sabolish . Carlos Sanchez and Lynne Pope . Rana and Joseph Schwartz . Melissa A. Seguin . Mark

F. Sherwood and Saralyn Coupe . Ryan and Emily Slusarzyk . Rob and Connie Smith . Jarvis L. Spreng . Craig and Cheri Stein . Stan and Norma Sterk . Lon and Sandy Swartzentruber . Elliot Talen . Michael and Susan Taylor . Aaron Terpstra and Berniz Constanza Terpstra . Claude and Sharyl Titche . Wayne Titche . Philip and Diane Tower . Caitlin and Paul Townsend Lamb .

Rick Treur . Lita Trevino . Hattie Van Haaften . Mr. and Mrs. Rodney J. Van Tol . Ben and Emily VerWys . Robert C. Williams .

Elan Winterberger . Gabriel Works and John O’Connor* . Chelsie Wyse . Sarah and Greg Yoder . Kurt and Sally Yost . Bruce Young . Joseph and Kelley Young

S. GEORGE GRAVES LEVEL (UP TO $499 EACH YEAR) Named to honor S. George Graves, who in 1923 gave the Community Foundation its first gift of $25. His modest contribution provided the catalyst for others to give.

*RECENTLY DECEASED WE GO TO GREAT LENGTHS TO LIST EACH DONOR ACCORDING TO THEIR PERSONAL PREFERENCE. IF YOU WISH TO HAVE YOUR RECOGNITION NAME LISTED DIFFERENTLY OR SPOTTED A TYPO IN YOUR NAME, PLEASE ACCEPT OUR APOLOGIES AND LET US KNOW BY CALLING 616.454.1751 WITH ANY CHANGES.

PARTNERS in community | 11

Mary Abbott Cumming . Dr. Lawrence and Susan Allaben . Emily Ambs . Anonymous (12) . Mr. Willem Antonides . Lawrence M. and Mary E. Austin . Deborah Autman . Joanne Ayotte . Ashley Badour . Claudia Bajema . Baker Holtz . Rev. Katherine Lee Baker and Danny Montoya Reyes . Lori J. Baker . BakerHostetler . Brian and Deanna Bakker . Rob and Shelly Batterbee . Bellabay Realty LLC . Rosemary Bennett . Dr. William H. Beute . Ruth E. Bishop . Lynne Black . Mr. and Mrs. Thomas F. Blackwell Jr. . Mr. and Mrs. Rodney Boerman . Michael and Dr. Rhae-Ann Booker . Glen* and Betsy Borre . Eric Bouwens and Yenching Hsu . Jonathan and Grace Bradford . Ms. Carol Bratt . Christina Brewton . Thomas and Sandra Burr . Danielle M. Buth . Alex Caceres . Katharine Cangelosi . Jill Ellen Carnaghi and Paul R. Schimmele . David M. and Cara V. Cassard . Phil and Caroll Catlett . Tom and Natalie Chase . The Chelovich Family . Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Chovanec . Dotti Clune and Jill Henemyer . Gerry and Kay Colby . Rob and Diane Collier . Laura Conrad . Ms. Mary Cook . Ty Cook . Ann M. and Robert P. Cooper .

Janean and Michael Couch . Deborah and Mark Crane . Mike and Mary Ann Crete . Elizabeth Crosby . Daneman & Associates . Andy and Pam Daugavietis . Bob and Lois De Boer . Allen and Vivian De Jonge . Dave and Bridget De Vos . Danielle DeWitt . Gail O. DeYoung and F. Jay Schoettley . Katherine Downes Lewis . Mr. and Mrs. Carl W. Dufendach . Bob Dunlap . Patricia H. Edison* . Mr. and Mrs. Jay Egan . Marla Ehlers . Sky and Ashley Emaus . Cheryl and Bill Endres . Bill and Kay Farr . Ms. Donna E. Farris . Mr. and Mrs. Mark E. Fatum . Jennifer Fisher . Jennifer Folsom . Barb Forseman . Mary W. Forslund . Trace Frandsen . Ms. Elisabeth R. French . Mr. Henry G. Fuhs . Sue Gilbert . Dr. Thomas Gribbin . Maureen P. Hale . Dick Hansen . Audra Hartges-Stern and Jeffrey Stern . Mr. Kenneth W. Heffner and Dr. Gail Gunst Heffner . Todd and Hester Hendricks .

Elizabeth Henley . David Hill and Elizabeth Kidd . James W. Hocum . Robert L. Hooker . Sandra Hopwood . Richard and Anne Horvitz . Humanity United . Katherine Humphrey . Bonnie Hunter . iNFable Socks . Robert and Paulette Israels . Carlton and Wendy Jackson . Jenifer Jackson . Richard S. Jackson Jr. . Karla Jaeger . Kenneth and Tamasha James . Mrs. Lois Jandernoa . Matthew and Keri Jaynes . Mark and Beth Johnson . Judith Joseph . Mamie Kalliel . Mary and Dan Karrip . Corrine E. Kass . Nancy Kehoe Nielsen . John Kershek and John Potter . Theresa and Dale Keyes . Mr. and Mrs. Kristopher Kimball . Kurt and Randy Kimball . Brad and Christy Knetsch . Carrie and Mike Kolehouse . Jan Koopman . Ron and Bonnie Kopp . John E. Kotwick . Jerry and Wendy Kregel . Steve and Mary Kretschman . Ashley and Ryann Lee . Josh Leffingwell . Mark and Marcie Lewis . Ping and Tim Liang . Thomas H. Logan . Carol and Perry Lopucki . Michael Loughman . Katherine Lowry . Marty and Cheri Luchtefeld . Peter Lundeen . Tracy Lunquist . Jon and Mary Ann March . Brenda Marean and Ron Palmitier . Sarah and Sam Massie . Ardath McCall . Mr. John T. McFarland . Andrew and Devyn McMahan . Connie R. Medema . Dr. Barbara Mieras . Kim S. Mitchell . Mr. Marc Mitchell and Dr. Brandy Lovelady Mitchell . Traci Montgomery . Terri A. Mulligan . Peggy Murphy . Sharon Naughton . Gary and Pat Nederveld . Thomas and Marcia Nobel . Phil Okerlund . Jeffrey A. Ott and Mary Ann Sabo . Martin* and Enid Packard . Molly and Steve Parker . Jennifer A. Pascua . Ms. Linda B. Patterson . Ken and Jill Peirce . Kelli Jo Peltier . Mr. Mark B. Periard and Dr. Barbara Periard . Kathryn Perlmutter . Dave and Melissa Pettijohn . Kathleen Stewart Ponitz . Marlowe Pranger and Melvina Vanderlinde . John and Ann Puckett . Nancy Reahm . Alexis and Brandon Reame . Red Hat . Marianne Redslob . Erwin Register . Stephen Rehmann . Maureen Rice . Carlyn Richards . Barbara A. Richardson .

Huemartin Robinson II . Rodewald Family Fund . Milt and Barbara Rohwer . Mr. Andrew F. Rossano . Brian and June Rudy .

Mrs. Margaret E. Ryan . Megan and Noel Rydecki . Rebecca and Dale Rynbrandt . David Sarnacki and Bridget Flynn . Eric L. Schellenberger . Robert and Karen Schermer . Harold and Carol Schmidt . Carol Settles . Jim Siegel . Kathy Siegenthaler . Eva Sitek . Dr. Gary Stark and Dr. Kathleen Underwood . Steven A. Starnes . Terrence M. Start . Deb and Fred Steketee . Rick and Sue Steketee . Sue and Art Stern . Wendy Stock . Susan A. Stoddard . Stuart and Bridget Strickler . Mr. Bradley Sturm . Frank and Ruth Suskey . Tom Swets and Carol VanderWal . Eddie T.L. Tadlock . Tara Takken . Jim and Pat Talen . Jacqueline D. Taylor . Jill and Art Tiefenbach . Catherine Tillotson . James and Mallory Timyan . Jenine and Jose Torres . Carol L. Townsend . Ms. Patti Trepkowski . Douglas and Elizabeth Triezenberg . Mrs. Joy Uddin . Annette M. Vandenberg . Dan and Judy Vandersteen .

Rudy and Nancy Van Donk . Karl Van Harn and Joanna Bailey . Jaye VanLenten and Janette Tazzia . Andy and Tracy Van Solkema . Don and Ruth Van Stee . Mr. and Mrs. Matthew VanZetten . Mr. Randall L. Velzen . Richard and Christine Verburg . Mr. and Mrs. Larry A. Ver Merris . Bobbie and Gary Vruggink . Rob and Christine Wait . Anita Wallgren . Doug and Maryln Walton . Dr. and Mrs. James K. Watkins . Mr. David Weinandy . Barbara Wepman . Elizabeth West . Mary White . Ellen J. Wicks . Nancy Wierenga . Reneé Williams . Joan Wilson . Charles S. Winslow and Judy K. Sopeland . Jim and Connie Winter-Troutwine . Jack and Andrea Woller . Aleicia Woodrick . Gib and Barbara Wynn . Mary Yoak . David and Kathleen Young . Dick and Barbara Young . Michael and Katherine Zago . Betty Zylstra and David Baak

Grand Rapids Community Foundation 185 Oakes Street SW Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage P A I D Grand Rapids, MI Permit No. 360

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

CONGRATULATIONS, JENINE!

WELCOME, HOLLI Help us welcome Holli Schlukebir, who recently joined Grand Rapids Community Foundation as development assistant. Holli leads gift entry and acknowledgement processes and provides department support. Most recently, she worked at the Community Foundation for Oceana County as administrative and program intern. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in public administration, with a concentration in nonprofit management and leadership, at Grand Valley State University.

PLAN AHEAD FOR YEAR-END GIVING Investments from donor partners are critical to our community’s future. If you are beginning to think about year-end giving, our team can share strategies that support your goals. Complex gifts may take longer to facilitate, so it’s not too early to start the conversation.

Read more at GRFoundation.org/News. You can reach any member of our development team at 616.454.1751.

Jenine Torres was recently recognized as one of the “40 under 40” by the Grand Rapids Business Journal editorial staff. These annual awards recognize dynamic young professionals who have achieved personal success and made significant civic contributions to our community. More than 350 nominations were reviewed this year before selecting the list of 40 honorees.

FAREWELL, CARLA In August, after four years of service, Carla Villasana Moore transitioned out of her role as scholarship and education assistant. During her time with the Community Foundation, Carla assisted with scholarship administration and provided support to the Youth Enrichment Scholarship (YES) Program and Challenge Scholars.

“Carla has been a critical member of the team working to ensure students have the supports necessary to pursue their academic and career aspirations. Her attention to detail, problem-solving skills, thought partnership and commitment to centering equity at every turn will be sorely missed,” said Kate Luckert Schmid, vice president of program. We wish Carla all the best!

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION PRESENTING SPONSOR: