Grand Rapids Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that connects people, passion and resources. For more than a century, 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.
PARTNERS in Love & Legacy
As this community’s foundation, we have been working to make small steps toward big change for more than 102 years. We are in the business of changing systems to improve the lives of everyone who calls Kent County home, today and in the future. We are proud to stand alongside passionate partners like you who graciously offer your time, talent, treasure and testimony. You help us get things done to realize our mission of building and managing our community’s permanent endowment and leading the community to strengthen the lives of its people.
While inspiring, this work can be intimidating. The issues are nuanced or “knotty,” as we like to describe them. The labor is heavy, but the rewards are meaningful. So, we persist. We are fueled by love for this place and, more importantly, love for people. We are motivated by the progress we have made together—iterative, yet impactful. We are transformed by the lessons we’ve learned and the lives we’ve been touched by. This work matters. Your contributions matter.
The commitments of partners from generations past are being felt today in the many ways we are showing up in the pursuit of racial, social and economic justice. We see many institutions—who leaned into diversity, equity and inclusion efforts when it was popular—now step back from these commitments. We invite new and existing partners to join us as we continue to step up and look to our North Star as our guide:
For West Michigan to grow and prosper, we must make sure that everyone can apply their talents and creativity to fuel our future. It is only by connecting across perspectives and overcoming inequities that we can build and sustain an inclusive economy and thriving community.
We are staying the course for as long as inequities persist.
I encourage you to keep showing up with us and to keep pushing toward the collective change we want to see in our community. As we embark on strategic planning for the next chapter in the Community Foundation’s long history of service and impact, we are inspired by your generosity, steadfastness and vision for the future.
In this issue of PARTNERS in community, we honor the life and legacy of Ken Larm, who partnered with the Community Foundation to ensure his philanthropic legacy was felt in our community long after his passing. We do a deep dive into how our investments through our Fund for Community Good have evolved over time, maximizing our impact. And we learn more about how donor partners Bill and Karen Lawrence have strengthened their partnership with the Community Foundation over the years to help make their vision for a more equitable West Michigan a reality.
Partners together,
LaSandra A. Gaddy President and CEO Grand Rapids Community Foundation
A LEGACY THOUGHTFULLY Planned and Well Lived
For many people, establishing a will or updating an estate plan is a task on their “future” to-do list. Instead of a task to avoid, try thinking of it this way: planning your future giving is a way to ensure the causes you care about continue to thrive, even after you are gone. Setting a plan in place also shares your intentions and priorities with your loved ones.
How you approach planned giving might depend on many factors, including your philanthropic goals. There are many ways to give and many causes to support. What will your legacy be?
KEN LARM’S METICULOUS PLANNING
Bertil Kenneth Larm was a friend and donor partner of Grand Rapids Community Foundation for many years, giving annually through a variety of methods. He also included the Community Foundation in his estate plans, making him a member of the Metz Legacy Society. When Ken passed away in 2023, his gifts created a philanthropic legacy that reflects the humble and generous way he lived.
Ken was a grandfather figure to Matt Tanis, who describes him as thoughtful, devoted to his interests and proud of his Swedish heritage. Ken’s father immigrated from Sweden to join the booming furniture industry. Ken did not have siblings, or any additional family in the United States.
“It wasn't important to him to have material possessions, or the acknowledgment of building wealth, but to figure out how to use his wealth to do the most good and have that live on long past his time on Earth,” Matt said. “Ken didn’t need pats on the back or fanfare. But if there was a luncheon with dessert, he’d be there.”
"I feel that giving back to the community is the right thing to do. I see it as doing my part to strengthen and improve the quality of life here...giving back what the community has given me."
—Ken Larm, in a 2008 interview
Recognizing that our community needs change over time and the Community Foundation’s role in addressing these needs— Ken designated a portion of his estate to support the Fund for Community Good. Hundreds of partners have built this fund, allowing millions of dollars to be invested in community organizations each year. Ken’s gift created the unrestricted B. Kenneth Larm Fund for Community Good, carrying on his name for generations to come.
Reflecting on Ken’s legacy, Matt said, “it was really important for him to leave a mark on a community that he loved and support the causes and organizations that were important to him throughout his life.”
Ensuring the nonprofit organizations he cared about most had future support, Ken also designated gifts for multiple organizations. The Community Foundation administers the funds as a lasting source of support for each organization, which will receive annual distributions.
Many donor partners find it helpful to use an advisor when creating their planned gift, but it is not required. Ken was very detailed when it came to his personal finances, taking care to invest wisely and live simply. He knew that his legacy would be support for the causes he cared about.
YOUR LOCAL PLANNED GIVING PARTNER
Philanthropists choose the Community Foundation for our range of giving options, ability to accept complicated assets and deep community knowledge. Partnering with a community foundation also gives donor partners peace of mind, knowing the commitment to long-term financial stability means an ability to respond to community needs today and in the future.
Whether you are creating a will or estate plan for the first time or updating your plans to reflect life changes, the Community Foundation’s staff members promise to create a personal, comfortable experience as you explore your options. Contact us at 616.454.1751 to get started.
A.H.S
Pictured: Ken Larm
HOW WE GIVE: Partners in Creating a Philanthropic Legacy
Generations of donor partners have built Grand Rapids Community Foundation through gifts of many shapes and sizes. In the “How our partners give” series, we highlight donor partners who are committed to carrying this legacy into the next 100 years. As they accomplish their specific philanthropic goals, these donor partners are creating change in West Michigan. This is legacy and love in action!
MEET BILL AND KAREN LAWRENCE. Since making Grand Rapids their home in 1983, Bill and Karen Lawrence have invested their time, expertise and financial gifts. Self-described lifelong learners, they balance dedication to causes they have supported for years with an openness to new opportunities. Bill and Karen partner with many organizations—but their first partnership as teammates in philanthropy is to each other. Bill and Karen established Donor Advised funds at the Community Foundation, and support the Black Legacy, Somos Comunidad and Our LGBTQ Funds. The Lawrences recently shared with Audra Hartges-Stern, strategic communications manager, how they make giving decisions and what creating a legacy means to them.
AUDRA: What motivated you to give and be involved with different organizations as volunteers and donors?
KAREN: We've been involved in the community from the start. I think initially it was through our church, volunteering there. Over time, we learned more about nonprofit organizations and what they each do.
BILL: I'd say diversity, equity and inclusion is very important to us. If you look at where we give and volunteer our time, they probably all touch on that in some way. Some of our priorities are the planet, clean water and clean air, and democracy.
KAREN: And children and education. Again, a big equity component. I’ve been a reading tutor for first graders at Martin Luther King Academy for almost 20 years now, which has been important to me.
AUDRA: Let's talk a bit more about how you make giving decisions as a couple.
KAREN: I'd say this is something we talk about, basically daily in some way. “Somebody's doing good work here. Did you see that? Or what about this organization? This is what happened with the kids at school.” It's a regular topic of conversation for us. And it’s shifting too. That's interesting about getting older. It's like “Okay, we've done that for a long time now. Now where do we want to focus?”
BILL: We have increasingly tried to set priorities. It is good to have a structure, to make it a bit easier to move forward. Using the Community Foundation, with all the research that you can do about the organizations, takes some of the burden off us. Being active and involved in the community allows us to have an eye for smaller organizations that maybe aren't as well-known. Maybe they don’t have a full staff to do fundraising. So, we've made more room for them.
"Our lives are connected. We're not in isolation. We give because that's what we're meant to be doing."
—Karen Lawrence
AUDRA: How do you think about sharing your values with others or creating a legacy through your giving?
BILL: We’re not here just for ourselves and our family. We're here for our neighbors and the world. Everybody deserves a fair shot and support. And I think that's at the root of our activism and financial giving.
KAREN: For both of us, we get a lot out of what we give. It makes you feel good to help others. Our lives are connected. We're not in isolation. We give because that's what we're meant to be doing. And I think how you support others is a measure of who you are during your life. It was important to us, too, to model that kind of behavior for our kids, teaching them about volunteering. Our three adult kids give back and advocate in their own ways.
AUDRA: Why do you choose to partner with Grand Rapids Community Foundation?
BILL: I really think the Community Foundation is the glue of the philanthropic community. There's a lot of knowledge here. So, partnering with the Community Foundation—including through our Donor Advised fund—gives us ideas and support. The Community Foundation is willing to take positions on issues that aren't necessarily universally popular. We appreciate that. Giving through the Community Foundation is an effective way to show our support and make a public commitment to giving.
Grand Rapids Community Foundation is honored to support donor partners in discussing, establishing or adapting their philanthropic investments. To start a conversation, contact the development team at 616.454.1751.
A.H.S Alfield Reeves Photography
PARTNERS in Progress
Grand Rapids Community Foundation recently awarded four grants from our Fund for Community Good and Field of Interest funds. Learn more about our grant application, funding priorities, and recent grant partners at GRFoundation.org/Grants.
IMMIGRANT ASSISTANCE CENTER OF WEST MICHIGAN,
$330,000
Immigrant Assistance Center is on a mission to provide immigration services and equal access to affordable legal services in Kent County. This grant supports Immigrant Assistant Center of West Michigan with general operating support and increasing financial stability.
YOUNG MONEY FINANCES, $50,000
Young Money Finances’ goal is to empower youth and families with financial literacy through culturally responsive and accessible education. This grant supports Young Money Finances with general operating support and increases organizational capacity.
Two grants were made possible through donations from the Consumers Energy Foundation. CEF is collaborating with community foundations across the state to increase their diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Grand Rapids Community Foundation was awarded $20,000 to regrant to organizations aligning with CEF’s standards of projects and organizations that impact people, the planet, and prosperity.
GLIMPSE OF AFRICA,
$10,000
A Glimpse of Africa brings people together to showcase, educate, celebrate and share the diverse African cultures. It fosters essential community programs that voice, advocate for, and address African refugees' and immigrants' needs and disparities.
PUERTAS ABIERTAS,
$10,000
Puertas Abiertas mission is to provide culturally specific mental health support for those Latinx women and their families who are survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking and/or sexual abuse.
Pictured (top to bottom): Asher Legacy Group, Grandville Arts and Humanities, SWAGGR, Sistas in Development
BLACK LEGACY FUND & SOMOS COMUNIDAD FUND
Black Legacy Fund and Somos Comunidad Fund, two Field of Interest funds of Grand Rapids Community Foundation, recently held competitive grant rounds. Each fund has a volunteer advisory committee that reflects the communities they prioritize and serve. In partnership with Community Foundation staff, the committees influence and inform grantmaking and promote collective giving.
SOMOS COMUNIDAD FUND
FOCUS AREAS
Reduce barriers to accessing services and basic needs for Latinx communities, especially for those who are undocumented. This includes support through mutual aid spaces.
Offer safe spaces and development opportunities for youth.
Provide a sense of belonging and celebrate Latinx communities.
Organize community and/or advocacy efforts.
31 APPLICATIONS from nonprofits and community organizations requesting a total of $1,148,997
11 organizations were awarded a total of
$100,000
Latinx-led serving Latinx-communities
2 grant partners who had never received funding from competitive grant rounds at the Community Foundation GRANT PARTNERS
Cambiando Vidas Sedientas Code on Wheels
Diatribe
Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities
Immigrant Assistance Center of West Michigan
Kent School Services Network
Michigan Immigrant Rights Center
Movimiento Cosecha GR
No Surrender Running Club
Reyna’s Gallery Latino Cultural Art
Roosevelt Park Ministries
Learn more about Somos Comunidad Fund’s recent competitive grant round, including the focus areas, eligibility requirements and grant partners at GRFoundation.org/SomosComunidad.
BLACK LEGACY FUND
FOCUS AREAS
Black health and wellness
Black safety and justice
Black youth
Black leadership
Black wealth
Black employment
Black arts and creativity
94 APPLICATIONS from nonprofits and community organizations requesting a total of $7,284,114
16 organizations were awarded a total of $382,000
Black-led
6 grant partners who had never received funding from competitive grant rounds at the Community Foundation GRANT
African Resource Center
Asher Legacy L.I.F.E. Series
Battle Ground JKD – Men’s Mental Health Event
Beyond the City Connect Café
Community of Hearts
Deborah’s House Dynamic Dyad
PARTNERS
National Young Farmers, Co.
The Sewing Academy Respite for Wives
GR MiFi
Hues of Hospitality
Sistas in Development
S.W.A.G.
Taylor Made Re-Entry
Learn more about Black Legacy Fund’s recent competitive grant round, including the focus areas, eligibility requirements and grant partners at GRFoundation.org/BlackLegacyFund.
FUND FOR COMMUNITY GOOD Over Time
Over the years, Grand Rapids Community Foundation has often described our competitive grantmaking as “meeting the most urgent needs of the time.” We’ve built a growing endowment through over a century of donations from generous community partners. This lets us provide unrestricted funds to support the parts of our community that need it most.
Looking back, we can see how grants have made a big difference. Projects, education initiatives and buildings funded decades ago are now key parts of our community’s story. But it can be harder to see how individual grants, partnerships and process changes are creating meaningful change right now.
Change is most visible today through the lens of our commitment to racial, social and economic justice—especially through the investments of our Fund for Community Good. In 1993 we formed a volunteer advisory committee to bring more community voice into Fund for Community Good grant decisions. This group keeps evolving and refining its processes to be more equitable and responsive to our nonprofit ecosystem.
In 2017, the Community Foundation released our North Star. Since then, the FFCG Advisory Committee has changed our grant practices, policies and applications to better embody justice. One change is to support nonprofits and movements led by people of color and those who are or aim to become actively anti-racist. We work with those who are trusted and deeply connected to their communities. This helps create a strong, well-resourced ecosystem that reduces racial inequities in our community.
We know that creating a thriving community for everyone in Kent County requires a mix of both new and established nonprofits and community organizations with varied sizes and approaches. Community-trusted organizations are often best at creating solutions and driving change. They’ve proven their commitment to racial, social and economic justice by mobilizing people, creating safe spaces, advocating for change, disrupting harmful systems and promoting new policies. They are essential for empowering communities to challenge inequitable systems.
We believe that without these organizations, conditions in communities of color would be much worse. Communitytrusted organizations are essential for empowering communities to challenge inequitable systems. However, smaller nonprofits often face barriers to funding, such as limited access to capital or restrictive funding requirements. They are often underfunded because their social capital is not always valued by dominant culture. This limits their access to philanthropic support.
The FFCG is dedicated to providing resources to these organizations. So, we frequently provide multi-year, unrestricted funding, and we simplify application and reporting processes. We build relationships based on transparency, clear communication and shared learning. In the past eight years we have dramatically shifted our investment in organizations that reflect this description.
We’ve increased the percentage of grants awarded through our FFCG to organizations led by people of color.
We strive to strengthen and sustain an ecosystem of nonprofits serving our community. By working closely with these organizations, who are bridging the gap between grassroots advocacy and long-term systems change, we hope to advance our North Star. We’re committed to standing alongside our grant partners, working intentionally toward a shared vision for racial, social and economic justice.
H.G.F.
1960
Grants focus on education, and the Community Foundation issues its largest gift to date: $50,000 to establish Grand Valley State College.
1990s
The Community Foundation grants about $3 million each year to a variety of nonprofit organizations.
Pictured: Frederik Meijer Botanic Gardens ribbon cutting
1993
Volunteer partners lead the formation of a grant committee at the Community Foundation, creating greater community participation in funding decisions.
Shirley Daniels, volunteer and donor partner
Pictured: GVSU groundbreaking
Pictured:
2003
The Nonprofit Technical Assistance Fund for Kent County, a collaborative program, is established. Through the fund, nonprofit organizations can apply for grants of up to $10,000 to support capacity building or technical assistance.
2005
The Community Foundation Board of Trustees vote in 2005 to change the governance model from one of appointed members from various community entities to a board appointed model, an accepted practice in the community foundation field that removes potential conflicts of interest.
2008
The Encore initiative was designed to challenge conventional thinking about aging and to spark innovation among local nonprofit organizations. These efforts were established to ensure Kent County fully leverages the talent and expertise of people in mid-life and beyond.
2019
Grantmaking guidelines for the Fund for Community Good and Field of Interest funds are shifted, reflecting a commitment to racial, social and economic justice.
2017
In a new approach to strategic planning, the Community Foundation developed and introduced its North Star.
2020PRESENT
Area nonprofits face new challenges and create innovative solutions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Community Foundation collaborates with government, grassroots and faith-based organizations to address immediate and longterm impacts.
2024
Last year, thanks to the generosity of our donor partners and the growth of endowed funds, the Community Foundation was able to award $16.05 million in grants and scholarships. $4.8 million of that total were grants awarded through the Fund for Community Good.
Pictured: Encore event
Pictured: Baxter Community Center
Pictured: Ben Oliver (former staff) and Janean Couch (staff)
Pictured: A Shot of Love community members.
COMMUNITY Partnership Funds
Community Partnership Funds are funds of Grand Rapids Community Foundation, created in collaboration with community members, that focus specifically on targeted communities with shared identities or interests. The work of Community Partnership Funds includes volunteer-led advisory committees who recommend grants, promote collective giving, and engage with the community to guide their initiatives. These funds have been a part of the Community Foundation’s history for years and are shaping the future of philanthropy while also honoring historical cultures of giving in Black, Latinx, LGBTQ+ and youth communities.
Below we honor donor partners of Black Legacy, Somos Comunidad, Our LGBTQ and Youth funds who have made a gift, grant or pledge between July 1, 2022 and December 31, 2024.
BLACK LEGACY FUND
Andrew and Sonja Acosta . Jamecia Adams . Robert N. and Catherine R. Alt Family Fund . Anonymous (2) . Duane Bacchus . Elaina and Jake Baffi . Maurice A. and Connie U. Barnes . Mercedes Barragan and William Jackson . Nikeidra Battle-DeBarge . Ken Betz* and Pat Brewer . Tasha Blackmon . Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan - Grand Rapids Office . Latoya Booker . Shawndea Boyd . Brenda Brame . The Honorable Winnie Brinks and Mr. Steve Brinks . Eric and Maleika Brown . Rebecca Buchholz . Bobbie Butler . Kyle and Juliann Caldwell . Delois and Zaaron Campbell . Zaaron and Delois Campbell . Jessa Challa . Veneese V. Chandler .
Joan Chee . Sergio Cira-Reyes . City of Grand Rapids . Craig and Alison Clark . Clark Communications . Duriel Sr. and Shannon Cohen . Huey G. and Mary Copeland . Corewell Health . Janean and Michael Couch . Brandon Davis, Esq. . Gwendolyn D. Dawkins . Taylor A. Devota . Diatribe . Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy . Paul T. and Celeste Doyle . Taylor Ellison . Ryan and Danielle Engle . Council on Foundations . Barbara Bradley and Ronald Feenstra . Sonja Forte . Dell and Shaundra Frazier . Frey Foundation . Enid Gaddis .
Arlen-Dean and LaSandra A. Gaddy . Synia and Johnnie
Gant-Jordan . Bing and Jean Goei . Gordon Food Service . Grand Valley State University . Greater Grand Rapids
NAACP . Phillip and Vanessa Greene . Derether Greer
. Jason Griffin . Dwight and Mia Gutridge . Mr. and Mrs. James P. Hackett Sr. . Jaila Hall . Kirk and Tatum Hawkins . David Hill and Elizabeth Kidd . Alvin Hills IV . G & K Hoffman . Preston and Sylvia Hopson . Tashuna Hunt . Margaret P. Idema . Michael Inge . Win and Kyle Irwin . Carlton and Wendy Jackson . Ellen M. James . Matthew and Keri Jaynes . Emma and Michael Johnson . Your Pretty Pennies with Tara Jones-Williamson . Pastor Brad and Christy Knetsch . Cris and Tom Kutzli . Nakia
Kyler . Lake Michigan Credit Union . Ben Langston . Bill and Karen Lawrence . Ashley and Ryann Lee . Legacy
Homes GR . Dallas and Senita Lenear . Ms. Emily Loeks
. James and Tiffany Logan . Mr. Marc Mitchell and Dr. Brandy Lovelady Mitchell . Janis Lunquist and Michael May . Tracy Lunquist . Mr. Eugene G. Lyons . Tempy
Mann . Bill and India Manns . Marvelous Lifestyles
Outreach Corporation . BeAnka Masefiade . Dr. Andola L. Mathis M.D. . Dr. Ralph E. Mathis . Brian and Aimee McCants . Jazz and DL McKinney . Diane McMillan and Robert B. Hurd, Sr . Mercantile Bank - Grand Rapids
Main Office . Tom Merchant . David Michel . Michigan
Nonprofit Association . Will and Alexandra Miller .
Melissa Mitchell . Danah Montgomery . Rev. Nathaniel and Mrs. Laura Moody . Nancy L. Morales . Dr. Khan Nedd . Raven Odom . Shelley Padnos and Carol Sarosik . Terry McGovern and Carol Paine-McGovern . Tamiea
Palmer . Victor Pan . Jenny Peterson . Claudia and Joe Pohlen . Tanya Powell-May . Joseph Prewitt . Wende and Greg Randall . Carole C. Redwine . Laci Resendiz . Nastaciea L. Robert . Milt and Barbara Rohwer . Dieterik and Nichelle Rozelle . Henry Sapp . Drs. James and Charsie Sawyer . Sarah Schlukebir . Matthew and Kate Schmid . Marie Selleck . Jenni Shaffer . Shannon Cohen, Inc. . Shaun and Ruth Shira . Percell and Harriet Singleton . J. Patrick and Kathleen M. Smith . Peggy J. Smith . Stephen and Taylor Smith . Matt and Jennifer Snyder . Lisa Sostecke DDS . Rev. Lynette Sparks . Kamara Sudberry . Eddie T.L. Tadlock . Jim and Pat Talen . Bradley J. and Jennifer J. Taylor . The Rapid . Doug and Alix Thompson . Quiana Thompson . Aleka Thrash . Together West Michigan Education Fund . Jenine and Jose Torres . Selma Tucker . Bethany Underwood . Betsaida Valdivia . Erika VanDyke . Vanguard Funds . Dawn K. VanHorn . Andy and Tracy Van Solkema . Iman Verser . Robert Washington . Fifth Third Bank . Danielle Williams and Kyama Kitavi . Reneé Williams . Williams Group . Tierra Willis . Kurt and Sally Yost . Austin J. Young . Jonse and Allen Young . Marilyn, Garry, and Macie Zack . Rosa Leon Zayas
OUR LGBTQ FUND
Brian and Ronna Alexander . Emily Ambs . Anonymous (6) . Paul J Asselin and Jack H Sytsma . Mary Kay and Mark Baker . Ken Bandstra and Ken Terpstra . William J. Barrett . Connie Bellows and Darlene Zwart . Ricardo Benavidez . John and Claudia Berry . Rick and Kim Billings . Andrew Bixel . Lynne Black . Bob Nawara . Ben Boerkoel . Rebel Reclaimed LLC . Tracy Breihof . The Brooks Family . Jonathan Burr . Marge Potter . Debra and John Byl . Campit Outdoor Resort . Marsha Caspar and Glenna DeJong . Timothy Chester and Henry Matthews . Cigna . Dr. Matthew Clark . Mike Clawson and John April . Paul Cook and Andy Brookhouse . Lisa Cooper . Steven and Christine Crandall . Corinne N. Curtis . Roger and Marcia DeKock . Dennis and Merrit DeLano-Taylor . DTE Energy Foundation . Lucy Dyer Joswick and Scott Joswick . Romeo Ferrer Jr. and Sam Curcuruto . Jason Franklin . Franklin Weinberg Fund . Arthur H. Frederick . Paula and Michael Freed . Frey Foundation . Bill and Karen Lawrence Family Fund 2 . Lawrence Gammons . Nancy Garber . Linsey Gleason .
Mary, Duke, Libby and Benjamin Greene . Kailyn Hamm
. Jana and John Hanson . Graci Harkema . Haworth, Inc.
. Jon Helmrich and Stephen Mottram . Eric and Annette Hendrickson . Jason Herlands and Gen Kobayashi . Jay and Jessica Heydenburg . James V. Higgins and Kathleen Delp Higgins . David Hill and Elizabeth Kidd . Randy and Carol Hoekstra . Mr. Mark Holzbach and Mr. Dana FriisHansen . Sue Hood and Anne Vlcek . Charissa C. Huang . Heather Huber Homes . John Hunting . Win and Kyle Irwin . Dr. John Ivancich . Eloise Jelinek . Karen Kania and Peg McClure . Brett Karhoff . Ruth and Carl Kelly . Raymong Kennedy and Tyllor Parker . Mike Kerkorian and Christopher Penzien . John Kershek and John Potter . Roberta King and Mike Miesch . Walter J. Klimek . Aaron E. Koehn . Michael E. Kooistra . Jan Koopman
. John and Melinda Kopec . Scott and Linda LaFontsee
. Marilyn Lankfer and Jeff Schad . Claire and Debbie Larson . Dustin Lautenbach . Bill and Karen Lawrence . Brett Leingang and Eric Icard . Rabbi and Dr. Albert Lewis . Lostn Foundation . Michael Loughman . Arend and Nancy Lubbers . Janis Lunquist and Michael May . Tracy Lunquist . Sam and Jean Martin . Jill May . Brad and Wendy McGinnis . Jennifer McKay . Austin McNeal . Tom Merchant . Brian Merucci . Ann Moll . Michael Moody and Karen Zivi . Joseph and Gretchen Murphy . New Urban Home Builders, LLC . Mark and Janet Nisbett . Enid Packard* . Daniel Padnos and Dex Phillip Family Fund . Douglas and Nancy Padnos . Hannah Padnos . Bill Padnos and Margy Kaye . Terry McGovern and Carol Paine-McGovern . Joan Panopoulos . Mr. Ward Paul and Mr. Charles Schoenknecht . Wally Petersen and Mike Tischleder . Mr. and Mrs. William P. Peterson . Jim and Marie Preston . Ginger Randall . Mary A. Roeser . Milt and Barbara Rohwer . Ron Mekkes . Lawrence Rush . Mary Ann Sabo and Jeff Ott . Sabo PR . Annie Sammons . Matthew and Kate Schmid . Dale Schriemer . Marie Selleck . Colweck-Silverstein Family Fund . Jackie Sirianni . John Slater and Michael Penrod . Deanna and Jamie Smith . Ms. Linda A. Smith . Lisa Sostecke DDS . Aimee Sterk and Joe Kurnik . Audra and Jeffrey HartgesStern . Philip and Dawnielle Streng . Sandra Thieda . Doug and Alix Thompson . Colleen and Bob Tobin . Nancy Toledo . Kevin Toler and Joseph Trudeau . Jenine and Jose Torres . Timothy Tuthill . Scott Urbanowski . Jaye Van Lenten and Janette Tazzia . Lou VanderHave . Scott and Melissa VanderLeek . Erika VanDyke . Carl and Sandra VerBeek . Vervint . Steve Villa and Malcolm MacLeod . J. Spalding Wall . Mrs. Patricia Waring . Lynn A. Warshaw and Vicki A. Esch . Dick Waskin and W. Larry Hanlin . Karin and Steve Waterbury . Elizabeth Welch and Brian Schwartz . Lizzie Williams and Steve Faber . Williams Group . Charles S. Winslow and Judy K. Sopeland . Mark W. Yonkman & Andrea C. Yonkman . Bruce C. Young . Marilyn, Garry, and Macie Zack . Karen Zivi and Michael Moody
SOMOS COMUNIDAD FUND
AC Hotel Grand Rapids Downtown . Lorenzo Aguayo Jr. . Ms. eMily Aleman-McAlpine . Darrell Allen . Robert N. and Catherine R. Alt Family Fund . Anonymous (3) . Arvon Brewing Co. . David A. Baker . Amanda Barnett
Angel J. Barreto-Cruz . Eric Bouwens and Yenching Hsu . Brett Bradshaw . Brewery 4 Two 4 . Dr. Maria C. Cimitile . Sergio Cira-Reyes . Tom C. Clinton . Tracie and Chad Coffman . City Built Brewing . Huey G. and Mary Copeland . Rev. Steven D. Cron . Omar and Miriam Cuevas . Davenport University . Evelyn EsparzaGonzalez . Giuliana and Aaron Estrada . Tina Fierro . Alisa Flores . Frey Foundation . Enid Gaddis . Bill and Karen Lawrence Family Fund 2 . Brian and Beth Gardner . Lucas Giacometto . Simon Golden . Gabriela Gomez . Mike and Rachel Goorhouse . Grand Celebration Center . Grand Rapids Community College . Grand Valley State University . David Hill and Elizabeth Kidd . Khamai Strategies . Isabel Media Studios . Matthew and Keri Jaynes . Vanessa Jimenez . José G. Jiménez . Sue Keil . Andy and Christina Keller . Eunice Kimm . Daisy Kirkbride . Shay Kraley and Jeff Hayes . Bill and Karen Lawrence . Wege Foundation . Salvador Lopez . Ericka Lozano-Buhl . Janis Lunquist and Michael May . Mr. Eugene G. Lyons . Ricardo Macias . Ace Marasigan . Franco Marchetti and Claudia Cid-Espinach . Dr. Amanda McCaleb . Paola R. and Alberto Mendivil . Ken MiguelCipriano . Ara Mihalik . Mark Miller and Patsy Allen . Maria Mora Bowen . Juan and Mary Olivarez . Benjamin Oliver . Terry McGovern and Carol Paine-McGovern . Luis A. Perez . Peter C. and Emajean Cook Foundation . Cynthia Pimm and Vicki Poleni Pimm . Claudia and Joe Pohlen . Wende and Greg Randall . Alexis and Brandon Reame . Mr. and Mrs. Kurt Reppart . Laci Resendiz . Rogelio Rodriguez . Liz and Andy Rosario . Nelson and Barb Sanchez . Celeste Sanchez-Lloyd and Robert Lloyd . Mary Scanlan and Alain Gadeau . Matthew and Kate Schmid . Shaun and Ruth Shira . Lisa Sostecke DDS . Elissa Soto . Stacy Stout and Daniel Vallie . Jan Strait . Alison Sutter . Wanda Thomas . Lea Tobar . Adnoris “Bo” Torres . Jenine and Jose Torres . Dr. Gary Stark and Dr. Kathleen Underwood . Urban Core Collective . Betsaida Valdivia . Erika VanDyke . Andy and Tracy Van Solkema . Raul Alejandro Velasco . Maria VelasquezLopez . Danielle Veldman . Larry and Lee Nelson Weber . Fifth Third Bank - Grand Rapids . Michael and Mary Alice Williams . Jennifer Wolf . Jonse and Allen Young . Milinda Ysasi and Rafael Castanon . Marilyn, Garry, and Macie Zack
YOUTH FUND
Anonymous (1) . Katie Burns . Mike and Rachel Goorhouse . Bill and Karen Lawrence . Janis Lunquist and Michael May . Terry McGovern and Carol PaineMcGovern . Erika VanDyke
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 616.451.1751 with any changes.
Grand Rapids Community Foundation
185 Oakes Street SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
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THIS & THAT
WELCOME, HANNAH!
Help us welcome Hannah Fernando, who recently joined Grand Rapids Community Foundation as community giving manager. Hannah is responsible for leading the work of the community partnership funds by providing support and project management to the advisory committees of the Black Legacy Fund, Somos Comunidad Fund, Our LGBTQ Fund and Youth Fund. She was previously involved in development work for Association for a More Just Society, serving the organization through fundraising and event planning.
CONGRATULATIONS, AUDRA!
We are excited to announce the recent promotion of Audra Hartges-Stern to strategic communications manager. In her role, Audra will manage the Community Foundation's brand and strategic communication initiatives, curating content and experiences to connect and engage various audiences.
WELCOMING NEW BOARD TRUSTEES
The Community Foundation is pleased to welcome two new members to our Board of Trustees: Mercedes Barragan and Tim Long. Mercedes, global inclusion and diversity manager for DeMatic, currently serves as co-chair of the Fund for Community Good. Tim Long, managing director, wealth management advisor for Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, is a professional advisor partner of the Community Foundation. Read more about Mercedes and Tim at GRFoundation.org/News.
NEW WAY TO DONATE
The Community Foundation is grateful to all our donor partners who help make our work possible. Join other community donor partners on our new donation page. You can choose a specific fund, establish a recurring gift or search the Fund Catalog to make a gift aligned with your philanthropic interests at GRFoundation.org/Donate.
FUNDHOLDER PORTAL IS OPEN
Our new fundholder portal is open for Donor Advised and Nonprofit Endowment funds. If you manage one of those funds, make sure to log in using the email that was sent to you. You will be able to view fund statements, make grant recommendations and more! If you have questions or need support, email Grant@GRFoundation.org or call the Community Foundation staff at 616.454.1751.
YOUTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT RESULTS 2025
Every few years, the Youth Grant Committee at the Community Foundation conducts a Needs Assessment Survey of high schoolers in Kent County to inform grantmaking priorities and processes for the Youth Fund. You can view the results of that survey, which include top sources of stress and worry, as well as things that help alleviate those factors at GRFoundation.org/YGC
FAREWELL, TRACY, HEATHER AND DESHAWN
After 13 years with the Community Foundation Tracy VanSolkema has recently accepted a position at American Forests as director of philanthropic operations. In her role as annual giving and data services manager, Tracy has helped strengthen our ability to connect with and deepen relationships with donor, grant and volunteer partners.
DeShawn Pope is taking on an exciting new opportunity, joining KConnect as administrative project manager. Since joining the Strategic Communications team in 2022, DeShawn has helped implement processes and procedures to streamline our work. We are excited she is growing in her career with one of our long-time nonprofit partners.
Heather Gill Fox has accepted a new role as a communications manager at the W. K. Kellogg Foundation. Heather’s contributions to our strategic communications team, our work and our community over the last seven years will leave a lasting legacy, and for that, we are so grateful.
While we will miss these team members, we wish them the best in the next chapters of their careers.
