Fall 2018 | PARTNERS in community

PARTNERS in community

8 “We want to support efforts that lead to systemic change and advance equity.”

NICK THOLE & AMY TURNER-THOLE

G RA N D

RA P ID S

COMMU NI TY

FOUNDAT I ON

SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM

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Diana R. Sieger President Laurie Craft Vice President, Community Investment

A Stake in Student Success

Ashley René Lee Vice President, Public Relations & Marketing

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Kate Luckert Schmid Vice President, Program Stan Vander Roest Chief Financial Officer

Challenge Scholars: A Community’s Dream

Marilyn W. Zack Vice President, Development

BOARD OF TRUSTEES Christina L. Keller (Chair) Michael Rosloniec (Vice Chair) Carlos Sanchez (Immediate Past Chair) Laurie Finney Beard Kyle D. Caldwell DeUnique Dorris Thomas Kyros Emily Loeks Ana Ramirez-Saenz Ric Roane Amy Ruis Kathleen B. Vogelsang

Tel: 616.454.1751 Fax: 616.454.6455 Email: grfound@grfoundation.org Website: grfoundation.org

PARTNERS in community is a quarterly publication of Grand Rapids Community Foundation

Grand Rapids Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization made up of more than 800 funds that have been established by people over the last century to do good in our community, forever.

Community members like you partner with us because they love greater Grand Rapids and they trust us to steward the assets they have worked a lifetime to earn. We stay in front of the ever-changing issues that impact our community and help local philanthropists accomplish their goals and leave a lasting legacy.

Contributing writers: Ashley René Lee, Heather Gill Fox, Diana R. Sieger Graphic Design: Pretty Little Bow

@GRCommFound

Photography: Bird + Bird Studio, Dreams

by Bella Photography Copyeditors: Joan Huyser-Honig

PARTNERS in community

FALL 2018 | ISSUE 77

8 One Hundred New Philanthropists: Nick Thole and Amy Turner-Thole PARTNERS IN EDUCATION

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PARTNERS IN PROGRESS

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DONOR LISTING

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THIS & THAT

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You may be wondering what new things are happening with our magazine. We heard from many of our loyal readers, and agreed, that it was time for a refresh. Our

PARTNERS in education

team held discussions with some of you, our partners.

Your insights helped us reset our intentions and determine a new direction for our magazine. The new name, PARTNERS in community, reflects the role we play in West Michigan and describes the kind of stories we will share here. Each issue will focus on an area where we’re working together to bring about sustainable change. We’ll keep shining light on the magnificent impact all our partners—donors, nonprofits, community leaders and doers, and more— make on our community.

It has been quite some time since I’ve officially been a student, but there is something about the fall that always makes me think of back-to-school times and new beginnings. We’re experiencing a lot of that in our community and at Grand Rapids Community Foundation. Our Challenge Scholars, scholarship recipients and local students have embarked on a new school year. We wish them a year filled with an abundance of learning, growth, memories and success.

We are very excited about launching the Challenge Scholars Dream Fund | Fondo de Sueños! Challenge Scholars is a transformational community initiative, funded by Grand Rapids Community Foundation, that takes away the burden of affording post-secondary education for families on Grand Rapids’ west side. Challenge Scholars exists to nurture the talent on the west side by providing access to the resources and skills necessary to achieve success.

Through focus groups and listening sessions, we listened to and learned from students, parents, Grand Rapids Public Schools staff and many community partners who work with our Challenge Scholars. This expert community feedback led to the creation of the Dream Fund. This fund offers financial support to projects that help students feel motivated, be engaged in school and have great attendance. These projects can be led by students, parents, teachers, school staff, community organizations—really, anyone who has an idea to help our Challenge Scholars succeed! Read more about how what started as an idea from the community came to life on page 5.

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We want to hear from you! What new things do you wish to see happen in our community? What excites you?

What fills you with hope for the future? Also, please let us know what you think about the magazine redesign on social media @GRCommFound.

A STAKE IN

Student Success

“We’re the Harrisons of Harrison Park!” Keith and Connie Harrison like to joke. Their last name matches the name of the school where they taught for many years. From their adjoining classrooms, they saw the transition that began when Grand Rapids Community Foundation and Grand Rapids Public Schools introduced Challenge Scholars to Harrison Park School.

“Our first class of Challenge Scholars will graduate from Union High School in 2020, and it is so exciting because we know these kids,” Keith said. “We were there when Challenge Scholars started.”

Keith and Connie watched the west side neighborhood become more culturally diverse. They also saw the gaps in opportunity and access to experience that many of their students faced compared to students in other Grand Rapids neighborhoods. “So you see all these things happening and you really care,” Keith said. “You want them to make it. You know they can make it. You can see the kind of people they are going to be.”

That passion for student success feeds their excitement for Challenge Scholars. Connie told us, “I am just crazy about the kids and the Challenge Scholars program. To see the kids actually have a chance, the ones that will actually do it, and who might not have the opportunity otherwise, it makes our hearts different.”

Watching the community show up to support Challenge Scholars students warmed Connie and Keith’s hearts. They felt inspired as college representatives decorated hallways and spoke to students. They applauded volunteers who showed up to help guide students along a college-going path. And they watched attitudes change, as students who didn’t see success beyond high school started to consider college or career training as an option.

After careers dedicated to educating and encouraging students, Keith and Connie have settled into retirement. They live on a peaceful wooded lot with chirping birds and a babbling brook. They are raising chickens and learning the ins and outs of farm life. Yet they are not content to rest on their accomplishments. They remain personally invested in the future of “their students”—those they taught and any future Challenge Scholars. From following student successes on Facebook to donating to the Challenge Scholars Fund, the Harrisons are all in. “We have a personal stake in their future success. We are not millionaires and we cannot give a lot, but we give what we can,” Keith said.

The Harrisons emanate pride when they talk about the fast-approaching Class of 2020 graduation day. They describe the path to success as a collection of building blocks.

Teachers, community members, families and, of course, the students themselves, pave the path. As lifelong student advocates, educators and donors, Keith and Connie are proud to be stepping stones that put students closer to a brighter future.

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H.G.F.

D.B.B.P.

“

To see the kids actually have a chance, the ones that will actually do it, and who might not have the opportunity otherwise, it makes our hearts different.”

CHALLENGE SCHOLARS:

In the seven years since Challenge Scholars began, we have often been inspired and excited by stories of small investments that have yielded big returns. How a slushie machine or an alarm clock improved attendance. How pizza parties and class competitions created a sense of community. How a college visit inspired a student to see herself as a future engineer. How students formed a group to perform simple acts of kindness.

“These stories highlight the passion, creativity, innovation and ingenuity of Challenge Scholars students, families, school staff and community advocates,” said Cris Kutzli, director of Challenge Scholars at Grand Rapids Community Foundation. “They illustrate how the Challenge Scholars community is already doing what needs to be done to create an environment where students can succeed. What might happen, we wondered, if we were to make resources available for more of these types of things to happen?”

We asked. The community answered.

And the Dream Fund | Fondo de Sueños was born.

It’s no secret that youth who are excited about their future, engaged in learning and attending school every day will be best prepared to take on the challenges of college or career training after graduating from high school. The Challenge Scholars Dream Fund asks those most closely involved with the program, especially students, “How can we make that happen?”

“We like to operate from the assumption that the community is the expert,” said Ben Oliver, the Community Foundation’s Challenge Scholars program officer. “It’s best when the ideas come from them, and our role becomes elevating and supporting. That’s when we move from charity to justice, because we are equipping the community with tools for self-determination.”

We started by creating a Core Team of representatives from each Challenge Scholars constituent group. First, they helped engage community members in listening sessions to design an accessible and inclusive grantmaking process. Then the Core Team helped distill the rich stories and best practices gathered during listening to surface community-defined accelerants of change. Accelerants—such as exposing students to new networks and opportunities, honoring culture or supporting parent engagement and buy-in—will help push our students toward greater success.

The final step was pushing decisions about community to the community.

That’s why Dream Fund funding decisions will be made by a committee of students, parents, school staff and community partners.

“We’re making grantmaking easy. Using human-centered design principles, we are developing what has previously been a complicated maze into something much more accessible to the average person,” Ben said.

The Dream Fund | Fondo de Sueños application is a simple Google Form.

Anyone can apply for up to $10,000 to do an accelerant project to help Challenge Scholars students feel motivated, be engaged in school and have great attendance. “Anyone” includes students, parents, teachers, school staff and community organizations.

The Dream Fund is ultimately about uplifting students, improving their attendance and engaging them in learning and post-secondary aspirations.

It’s also about community coming together and building relationships while collaborating on innovative ideas that will foster success.

A.R.L.

D.B.B.P.

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For more information about Challenge Scholars or to apply to the Dream Fund | Fondo de Sueños, visit challengescholars.org.

A Community’s Dream

PARTNERS

in Progress

Grand Rapids Community Foundation has a wonderful opportunity to collaborate with many local nonprofits who are leading change throughout our community.

Thanks to the generous support and partnership of donors, our Board of Trustees approved $1,845,000 in grant dollars to the following nonprofit partners this summer.

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GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOLS, $290,000 This grant supports year eight of Challenge Scholars to promote post-secondary readiness, access and success for all students. It matters because youth who are excited about their future, engaged in learning and attending school every day will be best prepared to take on the challenges of college or career training after high school graduation.

GRAND VALLEY UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION, $200,000

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF KENT COUNTY, $800,000

This grant will be used to establish a Scholar in Residence for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at GVSU’s Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy. The philanthropy sector still has much work to do in these areas, and scholars in residence will use this grant to conduct in-depth research on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and share insights with West Michigan nonprofits.

Habitat will use this grant to invest in a comprehensive market intervention strategy to increase home ownership and establish a sustainable land acquisition fund.

The strategy will help Habitat use innovative tactics to tackle gentrification and home affordability, thus alleviating some of our community’s housing crisis.

MICHIGAN NONPROFIT ASSOCIATION, $150,000 This grant supports the Michigan Nonprofit Counts Campaign to mobilize organizations in Kent County to encourage participation in the 2020 Census. An inaccurate count due to the new internet first model has implications that include the potential loss of congressional seats and $1,800 per person/per year in funding for West Michigan. It could lead to a domino effect of hard-to-count populations relying more heavily on nonprofit organizations and nonprofit organizations relying more heavily on philanthropic dollars to support services and programs.

URBAN INSTITUTE FOR CONTEMPORARY ARTS, $5,000 This grant supports grassroots and media outreach to invite and engage diverse audiences for the “Transitions: New Photography from Bangladesh� exhibit. It matters because experiencing art can break down institutional barriers, give amplification to oft-suppressed voices and create change, one viewer or audience member at a time.

SPECTRUM HEALTH FOUNDATION, $40,000 Grant dollars will continue funding the Youth Tobacco Prevention Program, a classroom-based tobacco prevention education for K-12 students, including education, advocacy and refusal skill development. This program is important because the average age of initial tobacco use in Kent County is just under 11 years old, and 23 percent of Michigan high schoolers report using e-cigarettes.

THE RIGHT PLACE FOUNDATION, $50,000 This grant supports participation in an Inclusive Development Lab where outreach and research exercises will lead to a compelling business case for inclusion. The Right Place is a key influencer in the Grand Rapids and West Michigan business communities.

It is well positioned to influence the narrative around diversity, equity and inclusion within the business sector in order to create an inclusive economy and thriving community.

SENIOR SING ALONG, $10,000 This grant helps to fund arts enrichment programming at Grand Rapids Home for Veterans. Access to arts has a proven positive affect on senior health and wellbeing. Arts participation alleviates boredom and depression, enhances cognitive abilities and bolsters problem-solving skills.

URBAN CORE COLLECTIVE, $300,000

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This grant will help develop and support strategies that authentically engage and partner with communities of color to shift power and influence, thus reducing effects of systemic racism. It is vitally important for Grand Rapids to have an organization that unites communities of color to address stubborn racialized outcomes in education, health and employment.

ONE HUNDRED NEW PHILANTHROPISTS:

Nick Thole and Amy Turner-Thole WHY DO YOU GIVE? Nick and Amy give to make a difference in people’s lives.

In fact, that’s the first question they ask themselves when making giving decisions.

“We want to support efforts that lead to systemic change and advance equity,” Nick said. “Our family loves living in metro Grand Rapids, but we need to make sure this is a great community for everyone, a place where all children and families can thrive.”

“When we give, we get to live in a stronger community and feel like we had a role—even a small role—in strengthening it,” Amy added. “Individually, our gifts may not make a significant difference. Collectively, we can change systems and empower people who have historically been marginalized.”

Nick Thole and Amy Turner-Thole have been in the Grand Rapids community for almost 20 years. They now live in East Grand Rapids with their children—Alex, age 12, and Lauren, age 11. Nick is the CFO at Amway, and Amy works with nonprofits focused on early childhood and education. “We love that Grand Rapids maintains the close sense of community that you associate with a small town while still offering much of the culture, entertainment and restaurants of a big city,” Nick said.

WHY GRAND RAPIDS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION? “The Community Foundation understands the diverse needs of the community and is in it for the long haul.

There are no quick fixes to longstanding, systemic problems. Because of the kind of work the Community Foundation does, we feel like our gifts will have a lasting impact. That impact is magnified tremendously when combined with everyone else’s gifts,” Nick said.

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A.R.L.

When they aren’t exploring Grand Rapids, they enjoy traveling with their kids. “We really got the bug to explore when we lived in Munich, Germany, for two years while Nick was working there with Amway,” Amy said.

Supporting the health, development and education of vulnerable children is most important to them. They believe all children should dream big and have the opportunity to pursue their dreams. “Far too many children in our community face barriers that keep them from reaching their full potential and ultimately realizing their dreams. We want all kids in Grand Rapids to have the same opportunities our own kids have,” Amy said.

B.+B.S.

As Grand Rapids Community Foundation moves toward its 100th anniversary in 2022, we want to recognize people’s philanthropy. That’s why we created our One Hundred New Philanthropists campaign. This outreach effort asks people to do just four simple things:

Make an annual gift to the Community Foundation; Volunteer in the community; Make a provision in your estate plan for the Community Foundation; Share your philanthropic story with us.

If you are interested in joining One Hundred New Philanthropists, please contact Jenine Torres at 616.454.1751 x126 or jtorres@grfoundation.org.

“My parents have always stressed the importance of education and encouraged me to be better, achieve more than they have. Graduating from college is important to me, so I am working hard. Prayerfully, my efforts will not be in vain…I would like to extend my greatest and utmost gratitude for your generous contributions to my college education, and thus, my future. You’ve made my load a little bit lighter and my future that much brighter.”

Your Gifts I N V E S T E D IN STUDENTS

through Scholarships In another record-breaking year, Grand Rapids Community Foundation’s Board of Trustees approved $1.45 million in scholarships. “The Community Foundation remains committed to increasing education opportunities for first-generation college students,” said Ruth Bishop, education program officer.

This year the Community Foundation offered more scholarship opportunities for students interested in pursuing a certification or degree in a construction or technology-related field. “This was due to increased interest by donors in supporting occupational or vocational curriculums. The number of applications and awards for trade-related fields continues to increase, with two new scholarship funds established specifically for technology and mechanical, electrical or structural engineering,” Ruth said.

—Delonte Pearson, 2018 scholarship recipient, pursuing a career in architectural graphic design.

“As I continue my studies at Ferris State University for construction management, I am more than thankful for the opportunity to grow as a young professional. I am looking forward to emerging as a leader in the construction industry and making positive impacts on those in the community who surround me.”

—Russell Rothenthaler, 2018 Darooge Family Scholarship recipient, pursuing a career in construction management.

“I am grateful to have family and friends that believe in me. But, sometimes, it takes people that hardly know you to take a chance on you.

For this I want to thank you. Because of your generosity, I am closer to my dreams. I am once again in the state of mind where I know I can achieve anything.”

Donors who wish to honor a family member, support education in the community, provide a scholarship at their alma mater or pursue a specific profession often create scholarship funds.

These generous community members make it possible for the Community Foundation to award over one million dollars in scholarships every year.

—Christian Lopez, 2018 Fred & Lena Meijer Scholarship recipient, pursuing a career in sports medicine or as a physician assistant.

H.G.F.

TOP FIELDS OF STUDY FOR

Scholarship Recipients

—Jaleah Corp, 2018 Dave and Laurie Russell Family Scholarship for Habitat for Humanity of Kent County Families recipient, pursuing a career as a registered nurse.

HEALTHCARE

BUSINESS

LAW / SOCIAL SCIENCE

EDUCATION / LANGUAGE

ARTS

SCIENCE / ENGINEERING

2018 SCHOLARSHIP STATISTICS

57% of scholarship awards to first-generation college students

69% will attend college in Michigan

61% of scholarship awards to students from low-income households

PARTNERS in community | 9

“Communities are important because they’re like a big family.

They help each other when things get hard, and they make sure no one is left behind…At times I was on the verge of giving up and dropping out of school, because I didn’t think I would get anywhere. Now, here I am, in my last year of high school, making one of the most important decisions of my life. Thank you so much for your contribution. This scholarship will make a very important impact on my future and my next step in life.”

PHILANTHROPY LEADERSHIP LEVEL

Donors

Every year Grand Rapids Community Foundation makes more than $10 million in grants to achieve long-term strategic goals in our funding areas: education, health, neighborhoods, art and social engagement, economic prosperity and environment.

Donors who give to our community endowment funds—including our unrestricted Fund for Community Good—make it possible for us to do this important leadership work in Kent County. To recognize annual donors who give to our community endowment funds, we created philanthropy leadership levels. We recognize and thank the following supporters for their giving in the fiscal year that ended on June 30, 2018.

C U R T I S W Y L I E L E V E L ($2,500+ annually) In 1958, a significant bequest from Curtis Wylie transformed the Community Foundation, dramatically increasing our ability to support local nonprofits.

Rick and Loy Adamy Anonymous (2) Vickie and Tom Bergers Judy* and Ken Betz and Family Thomas N. Blandford* Ruth Brush* Bill and Jackie Bylenga Bill and Margie Darooge

The Charles J DeLanoy Family Charitable Foundation Digital Tool & Die Inc. Mark and Jennifer Ellis Hank and Marcia Fairchild Mr. and Mrs. Michael Gill Janet A. Haynes Barbara J. Hoag*

Stephen Klotz Family Foundation Tom and Sally Kyros Bonnie K. Miller Valerie B. Nelson* Martin and Louise Timkovich Don VandenBos Jr. Frank and Sharon Van Haven

J I M C A R P E N T E R L E V E L ($1,000-$2,499 annually)

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A former Trustee, advocate and enthusiastic supporter, Jim Carpenter epitomized loyalty and service. He catapulted the Community Foundation’s growth and public image and was instrumental in starting the giving group “Friends” in the late 1980s.

Mr. William E. Alt Anonymous Laurie Finney Beard Molly Bradshaw Fredrick "Fritz" Briscoe Andrew and Janay Brower Anna Moore Butzner Mandy and Christian Chardoul Jim and Pat Clay Tracie and Chad Coffman Tripp and Kelli Corl Creative Change Mission LLC Tom and Jan Czerney Tom and Gale Czerwinski John and Penny Edison Family Foundation Mr. M. S. Gates Gene and Tubie Gilmore Ken Grashuis and Lori Lockyear Mary, Duke, Libby and Benjamin Greene Keith and Mary Kay Hopkins Sue Ann Jabin* Carlton and Wendy Jackson Cherry and Phil Jacobus

Laura Jeltema Tom and Margy Jones Joseph and Elizabeth Junewick Carol J. Karr and Kevin J. Briggs Paul Kellermann and Pat Hartsoe The Korff Foundation Blake and Mary Krueger Janet M. Krueger and Bruce Goodman Christopher Barnes and Jessica Lalley Jamie Loeks Duffield and Ryan Duffield Judge William B. Murphy and Paula Murphy Jon and Carol Muth Dan and Ann O'Keefe Peter and Carroll Perez Scott Pruski Daniel and Judy Rau Reagan Marketing + Design Richard V. and Maria Del Pilar Rice Barbara A. Robinson Richard and Esther Ross Steve and Amy Ruis Curtis and Colleen Ruppal

Deanna and Jamie Smith Judy Subar Nick Thole and Amy Turner-Thole Dave Thompson Dan and Betsey Tinkham Ms. Marilyn Titche Rick Treur Randall and Laurie Van Houten Selene Van Vleck Marianne and Werner Veit Marvin and Donna* Veneklasen Gary and Janice* Walker Elizabeth Welch and Brian Schwartz Larry and Betsy Willey Drs. Chad and Kathy Williams Loyd and Suzanne Winer Joan and Jim Zawacki

P A T R I C I A “ P A T ” E D I S O N L E V E L ($500-$999 annually) Pat Edison is a former trustee, who served as the first female board chair and first female executive director. She has maintained her commitment to the Community Foundation as a donor and dear confidant.

Jeff and Laura Hill Russell J. and Barbara Hohman Family Abby Holcomb John Hornbach and Darva Boot John and Janyce Huff Mark and Beth Johnson Mrs. Chloe Jones Paul and Beth Kelly Diane Kroll Paul and Nora LeBlanc Ray Loeschner Marcia and Chuck Logie Laurie and Larry Luciani Peter and Barbara Lundeen Jan Lunquist and Michael May Michele McHale-Adams and George Adams Ms. Barbara Mieras Bryant and Audrey Mitchell David and Diana Morgenstern Matthew and Stephanie Muscat Bob and Margaret Nault Gary and Peg Novosad Mr. John V. O'Connor and Ms. E. Gabriel Works Benjamin Oliver Timothy J. and Debra D. O'Rourke Dr. Theresa Osmer and Dr. Eric Graf Matt and Beth Osterhaven Dr. and Mrs. Robert C. Payne Larry and Jean Pinckney Kathleen Stewart Ponitz Martha J. Porter Mr. and Mrs. D. Andrew Portinga Dale and Sherri Remmelts Marjorie and Bud Roegge Abraham G. and Anne L. Rossi Rebecca and Dale Rynbrandt Robert and Rose Schenck David and Jerri Schroeder Mark F. Sherwood and Saralyn Coupe Ryan Slusarzyk Eric and Amy Smith Steel Cat Bar Steve Steketee Susan A. Stoddard

Lawson and Suzanne Sutherland Tiffany Szakal Scott Thomas Wayne Titche Phil Tower and Family Robert and Beth Townsend Colin Chelovich and Molly Tupper Chelovich Mr. Peter M. Turner Mr. and Mrs. Rodney J. Van Tol Dave and Lorrie Vander Ark Ben and Emily VerWys Phil and Kathleen Vogelsang Bill and Pat Waanders Andrew and Katherine Weatherbee Williams Group Inc. Jeffrey S. and Janet K. Williams Jack and Andrea Woller Greg and Sarah Yoder Kurt and Sally Yost Bruce Young Bob J. Zylstra

IF YOU WOULD PREFER YOUR RECOGNITION NAME TO BE LISTED DIFFERENTLY, PLEASE CONTACT US AT 616.454.1751.

*Deceased

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Mark and Wendy Anderson Anonymous John and Janet Baab Mr. and Mrs. Joel Bair Lori J. Baker Rita D. Balczak Darlene Berghorst Louis and Linda Berra Jim and Wendy BooydeGraaff Dianne Boozer John and Virginia Braley Mr. and Mrs. Karl E. Braunschneider Mark Breon Jim and Susan Brown Mr. and Mrs. Fred Burkhart Robert and Sandy Burnham Iain and Michaele Charnley Mr. and Mrs. F. Norman Christopher Clark Communications Gerry and Kay Colby Bob and Julie Connors Norman B. and Mary M.* De Graaf Barbara DeMoor and Clive Morris Martha and Nick Dewey Beth and Ross Dornan Nancy L. Douglas Paul and Celeste Doyle John H. Edlund E.D.P. Foundation Ben and Susan Emdin Jean Enright Barbara and Ronald Feenstra Marilyn and David Fernstrum Fifth Generation Inc. Dr. Anthony Foster and Mrs. Linda Nemec Foster Paula and Michael Freed Linsey Gleason Mr. and Mrs. Thomas D. Gleason Frank and Karen Graziano Dan Grzywacz and Holly Westhouse Mr. and Mrs. William H. Hardy Jr. Jackie Haveman and Nathan Dwiri Mr. and Mrs. Ted Heilman John and Gwen Hibbard

Grand Rapids Community Foundation 185 Oakes Street SW Grand Rapids, MI 49503 If you would like to receive PARTNERS in community in your email inbox, sign up at www.givegr.com/PARTNERS or contact us at 616.454.1751

DIANA HONORED WITH TRUST AWARD

WELCOME, CARLA VILLASANA-ACOSTA! We are thrilled to introduce Carla, our scholarship and education assistant! She will assist the education program officer with scholarship administration and provide support to the Youth Enrichment Scholarship Program and Challenge Scholars. A Grand Valley State University alum, she comes to us from the Community Research Institute at the Johnson Center for Philanthropy. Carla is excited to blend her data skills with her passion for helping students successfully navigate the world of scholarship and financial aid.

The Better Business Bureau recognized Diana Sieger, Grand Rapids Community Foundation president, with its inaugural Trust Award.

The BBB commended Diana’s efforts to significantly grow the Community Foundation’s resources and effectively serve as a community, statewide and national leader in community problem solving, policy development and advocacy.

OUTSTANDING YOUTH IN PHILANTHROPY The Community Foundation's Youth Grant Committee and its advisor Janean Couch, program director, will be awarded for their commendable work by the Association for Fundraising Professionals West Michigan. We are proud to watch them receive this award on National Philanthropy Day in November.

THIS

& THAT

CONGRATS, BEN AND GIULIANA!

SAVE THE DATE! This year we will honor Shelley Padnos and Carol Sarosik with the Jack Chaille Community Philanthropy Award at our annual donor celebration. Donors will receive an invite in October to join us at the newly renovatedWest Michigan Center for Arts + Technology on Thursday, November 8.

We are pleased to announce the promotions of Ben Oliver and Giuliana Estrada. We are thrilled to have a talented staff team positioned to grow alongside the evolving Challenge Scholars program.

Giuliana has been promoted to Challenge Scholars associate. She will focus on how to administer the scholarship and stay connected as students move on to a college, university or career training. Ben has been promoted to program officer. He will facilitate the implementation of the Challenge Scholars Dream Fund, provide technical assistance to applicants and grantees, and support the Dream Fund Committee.