PARTNERS in community is a publication of Grand Rapids Community Foundation
Contributing writers:
Ashley René Lee, LaSandra Gaddy, Audra Hartges-Stern, Claudia Pohlen, Grace Swanson and Tammy Danh.
Graphic Design: Michele Keren Design
Photography: Isabel Media Studios
Copyediting: Joan Huyser-Honig
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...Today and the Future
“If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.” Though this proverb’s origin is uncertain, its message reflects the heart of Grand Rapids Community Foundation. For over a century, we have worked together to build and manage a lasting endowment that strengthens lives. By pooling resources of time, talent, treasure and testimony, we tackle our community’s most urgent needs—both now and for the future.
The community foundation model is unique. It allows us to collaborate with people who are passionate about Kent County, connecting them with resources to make this a place we can all be proud of. Whether they live in West Michigan now or simply hold it close to their hearts, they are invested in its present and future well-being. Through collaborative giving and goodwill, they unite to make the greatest possible impact.
This is what has driven the Community Foundation’s 100-plus years of service and impact, and it is what will chart the course for the future good we will do together.
We have been intentional about maintaining a posture of listening and actively seeking input and feedback. Community voices have guided our work throughout our history. It helped shape our North Star nearly a decade ago, highlighting the importance an inclusive economy and thriving community would have on our future success. As we move forward with the development of our new strategic framework, community voices will again guide us in strengthening our commitment to creating opportunity, prosperity and a sense of belonging for everyone who calls Kent County home.
Together with our partners, we are going the distance. Thank you for being on this journey with us.
In this issue, we share an overview of how the Community Foundation has brought together residents throughout our history to identify the most pressing issues facing our community and strategize solutions, an invitation to join the Centennial Campaign, a profile on how students are speaking into the change they want to see, a farewell to staff who have lent their professional expertise to helping make our community’s philanthropic visions a reality and so much more.
Partners together,
LaSandra A. Gaddy President and CEO Grand Rapids Community Foundation
CONVENING:
How Community Voices Shape Our Work
At the heart of Grand Rapids Community Foundation’s work lies a responsibility to the people who make up our community. Over more than a century, our partners have placed their trust in this organization. To honor that trust and ensure our effectiveness, we maintain a deep commitment to listening, learning and acting alongside our community. We are honored to play a convening role—bringing together residents, partners and organizations who share both feedback and insights from their professional, personal and family experiences. We are so grateful for their commitment and generosity; without them, our work would not be possible.
Listening to and centering the voices of community is how we approach our daily work. Below are some key moments when community members have, and will continue to, come together in recent decades to shape the Community Foundation’s strategies and programs.
1992
Perspective 21! Task Force
The Community Foundation convened a task force, Perspective 21, to define community priorities for the 21st century. The 200 people at a community forum identified child abuse and neglect rates as their biggest concern. The Perspective 21 process marked a significant step in opening Kent County’s child welfare system to community involvement.
1999
Grand Rapids Education Reform Initiative
Partnering with the Frey Foundation and Steelcase Foundation, this effort formed in response to a series of regional conversations around quality education and student achievement. Resulting initiatives sought to improve academic performance and develop a worldclass, high-performance work environment. It also supported the development of the Kent School Services Network and Meijer Good Schools program.
2000
Social Venture Investors
A group of up-and-coming philanthropists pooled their charitable dollars to make grants, facilitated by the Community Foundation. Members each contributed $2,000 per year and worked together to decide how to distribute funds.
2004
Creating Community For a Lifetime Initiative
With the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan, we assessed older adults’ needs and desires to create a Kent County that is more responsive to the needs of an aging population. This work kicked off a body of work centered around aging, called Encore.
2012-2018
Envisioning and Evaluating Challenge Scholars
In 2012, we worked to connect with parents, school staff, community leaders and business leaders to gather their insights and perspectives, shaping the development of our Challenge Scholars education program. Continued evaluation and direct engagement with additional stakeholders led to the creation of the Dream Fund, a grassroots grantmaking initiative.
2017
Our North Star
To develop the organization’s guiding direction, the Community Foundation undertook a research process with a small group of staff, trustees and community members. The North Star, alongside our values, mission and vision, guides our strategic work.
2018-2019
Shaping Grantmaking and Education work
Following the development of the North Star, we asked “How can a 21st century community foundation help build an inclusive economy and thriving community?” Community members provided the answers by participating in a human-centered design process, which shaped future grantmaking priorities. A specific focus on education led to strategic changes in grantmaking and scholarships
2022
Expanded Community Listening
The Black Legacy, Our LGBTQ and Somos Comunidad funds hosted focus groups with members of their communities. Their goals were to listen deeply, to build relationships and to co-create investment opportunities. Key themes and learnings shaped the funds’ focuses, processes and grantmaking.
2025
Strategic Framework
This year we are embarking on a strategic planning process. Our staff and trustees, working with a team of consultants, will gather input from donor, nonprofit and community partners and residents that will shape our next century of service and impact.
OUR NORTH STAR
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.
STUDENT ASSOCIATION For Leadership and Transformation
All students deserve the opportunity to thrive and learn. Here is one way they are advocating for themselves.
At Student Association for Leadership and Transformation, or SALT, student voices are heard loud and clear. A program of Urban Core Collective, SALT helps student leaders identify issues in their schools and prepares them to influence decision makers to ensure schools and education systems are responsive to their needs and priorities. Twice a month, youth from area high schools facilitate meetings, discuss priorities, share experiences and create strategies to hold decision makers accountable on the issues that matter to them most. So far, their priorities have included access to nutritious and culturally diverse foods, mental and physical health, safety and teacher pay. The students have already seen their influence at work, gaining favor from decision makers to meet demands and acknowledge their lived experience.
Grand Rapids Community Foundation supports Urban Core Collective’s organizing and community-led advocacy through a grant partnership as they develop grassroots leaders and design structures that support those leaders.
Anchal Singh, a high school senior at Success Virtual Learning and SALT student organizer, and Betsaida Valdivia, UCC youth education organizer, recently shared with Grace Swanson, Community Foundation strategic communications specialist, about their work and vision for our community.
GRACE: How does SALT fit into UCC’s education justice work?
BETSAIDA: SALT is a space for youth working towards making [education justice] even more youth-led than it currently is. What’s unique about SALT is it’s really about shaping youth leaders that hold these different systems and experiences accountable. It also creates a space for them to be part of the co-creative process.
GRACE: Why is it important for teens to speak out about their experiences?
ANCHAL: If we don’t know a problem, we can’t solve it. Teens’ experiences are really important in decision-making, because we share these same spaces [with decision makers]. Even though we share these same spaces, we lack that ability to kind of shape how they look. Just because we’re not involved.
BETSAIDA: I mean, [students] being the main people that are being impacted, that’s really what a lot of grassroots organizing is about. It’s centering those who are most impacted by the issue because their experience, their challenges, their creativity, their backgrounds, all of that is so necessary.
GRACE: What’s your favorite part of SALT?
ANCHAL: My favorite part of being involved in SALT is seeing new students evolve. They are open to learning new skills and we watch them navigate difficult topics. It’s really exciting to watch all the students come out of their shells and push themselves out of their comfort zones.
GRACE: What have you learned about through your experience in SALT?
ANCHAL: I’ve grown so much . . . I’ll always care about my education, SALT kind of helped me see that. SALT helped me learn and navigate through my career path. Now I want to become a teacher. I’d always kind of known I wanted to be in education. But being in SALT kind of solidified that for me. That’s what I should do, that’s the career path that I should take because that is what I truly care about.
Pictured: Anchal Singh, student organizer
BUILDING OUR COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
for Today, Tomorrow and Generations to Come
Grand Rapids Community Foundation is committed to making positive changes in our community, working in partnership to create opportunity, prosperity and belonging for all. We believe that together, we can create a fairer and more equitable West Michigan.
This region is special to each of us, and we are all invested in its future. Our region can only prosper if everyone has pathways to success. But today, there are still staggering disparities, including in education, employment and health.
When the Community Foundation turned 100 in 2022, we kicked off a fundraising campaign to support our work today and in the future. After enriching conversations and generous gifts, we are proud to open this Centennial Campaign to our whole community. Many partners have already shared their support, contributing more than $29 million to provide for immediate grantmaking and programs and to grow our endowment to support ambitious future projects.
Building a More Equitable West Michigan
We believe in the power of people coming together. When we act strategically, give generously and have faith in the future, we can create lasting change.
West Michigan’s people have always worked together to build something bigger than themselves. Their trust in each other has built the Community Foundation of today. We engage in community to listen, plan and direct resources to solve complex problems, like supporting social services during the Great Depression, fighting AIDS, equalizing access to post-secondary education.
We’re committed to building a future where everyone in West Michigan has the opportunity to succeed. We’re focusing on proven strategies, investing in new ideas and listening to our partners. We will continue to address racial, social and economic inequities. Together, we can make a difference and create a fairer community.
Please join us as we tackle today’s challenges and prepare for a better, more inclusive future.
PARTNERS in Progress
Grand Rapids Community Foundation recently awarded 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.
MOSAIC
FILM EXPERIENCE, $10,000
Mosaic Film Experience offers middle school students a career pathways program that uses immersive digital storytelling to empower underrepresented youth with essential creative and professional skills. This one-time grant will support their efforts to nurture talent and build equitable access to creative career opportunities. This partnership was made possible by the Estate of Annette Richards for the Arts.
WOMEN’S
RESOURCE CENTER, $10,000
As Women’s Resource Center continues its vital work empowering women across West Michigan, this grant will help fortify the organization and ensure its longterm sustainability.
AFRICAN COLLABORATIVE NETWORK, $200,000
African Collaborative Network works to equip African immigrants with skills for living-wage jobs. This grant expands its internal capacity to ensure long-term sustainability and lasting impact.
BLACK IMPACT COLLABORATIVE, $300,000
Black Impact Collaborative addresses the systemic challenges facing Black communities in Greater Grand Rapids. This grant supports their general operations and helps expand their senior program, which provides financial and legal literacy programming for Black elders.
IMMIGRANT CONNECTION, $225,000
Immigrant Connection at City Life Church provides lowcost legal services to immigrants and refugees in West Michigan. This grant was made possible by the Kathryn L. Adamson Fund for the Elderly, George M. Ames Fund, Lucy E. Barnett Trust for the Elderly and Healthy Youth Healthy Seniors Fund.
PUERTAS ABIERTAS, $150,000
The mission of Puertas Abiertas is to provide culturallyspecific mental health support for Latinx women and their families who are survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking and/or sexual abuse. This grant invests in Puertas Abiertas’ administrative support to increase long-term sustainability and expand the agency’s reach.
BETTER WISER STRONGER, $120,000
Better Wiser Stronger empowers young men in Grand Rapids through education, mentoring and leadership development. This funding will help Better Wiser Stronger expand its programs and strengthen its fundraising efforts.
CHERRY HEALTH, $10,000
This grant supports Cherry Health’s Sheldon Clubhouse, a member-driven community that creates opportunities for people who live with mental illness. This grant was made possible by the Patricia Haan Timmer Fund for Downtown Charities.
MICHIGAN IMMIGRANT RIGHTS CENTER, $400,000
Michigan Immigrant Rights Center provides immigration legal services to unaccompanied refugee minors.
KENT SCHOOL SERVICES NETWORK, $450,000
This grant will ensure students, including our Challenge Scholars at Union High School, have access to holistic, non-academic support that creates the conditions for academic success. This partnership was made possible by the Challenge Scholars Fund.
LATINO COMMUNITY COALITION, $10,000
This grant supports Latino Community Coalition’s 2025 monthly meetings, which gather various Latinx advocacy groups and grassroots movements in West Michigan. The funding pays for meeting space and attendee meals and helps Latinx community groups and people build their networks.
UNITED METHODIST COMMUNITY HOUSE, $400,000
United Methodist Community House’s mission is to strengthen communities across generations. This grant will help UMCH expand its senior programming, enhance operations and support developing a new state-of-the-art senior center in Grand Rapids. This grant was made possible by the Lucy E. Barnett Trust Fund for the Elderly.
CONGRATULATIONS ON Your Retirement!
MARILYN ZACK VICE PRESIDENT OF DEVELOPMENT
“My career at the Community Foundation has provided me the opportunity to understand the community I live in and get to know and develop relationships with people who are at their core, are very generous,” says Marilyn Zack after 24 years with Grand Rapids Community Foundation.
Marilyn has led the Community Foundation’s Development department in fundraising efforts. She is proud that during her tenure she has “been part of a development team that has raised hundreds of millions of dollars.” She has advocated for new avenues for donor partners to support social justice in our greater community, emphasizing that she is very proud of her part in establishing Our LGBTQ Fund and the 100 New Philanthropists campaign as part of the Community Foundation’s centennial celebration. “[Our donor partners] surprise me every day with regard to the gifts that they make and what it is they want to accomplish with them.”
We appreciate the lasting mark Marilyn has left on our community. In her retirement, Marilyn shares she will miss the people she has developed such close relationships with – both staff and donor partners – and looks forward to being spontaneous with new-found free time.
STAN VANDER ROEST VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
When asked what he’s learned about leadership in his career and 10 years with Grand Rapids Community Foundation, Stan Vander Roest humbly replied, “I can only be an effective leader with a great team behind me . . . I am so inspired by my team every day.”
Since 2015, Stan has been instrumental in the financial position of the Community Foundation as vice president and chief financial officer. After working in for-profit finance for the majority of his career, he came to the Community Foundation as its first chief financial officer ready to make an impact. Stan has worked to further our mission to build and manage our community’s permanent endowment. Through his leadership and with the Investment Review Committee, the Community Foundation has seen a $170 million return on investments during his tenure, allowing us to continue supporting the community for years to come.
We are grateful for the direction Stan gave to the Community Foundation. In his retirement, he looks forward to spending time with his children, picking up past hobbies and traveling. Stan will continue his impact through his involvement with several nonprofits and his church.
G.L.S.
Pictured: Marilyn Zack
Pictured: Stan Vander Roest
THANK YOU
CENTENNIAL CAMPAIGN VOLUNTEER PARTNERS
Grand Rapids Community Foundation would like to thank our volunteer partners who’ve already done so much to support our Centennial Campaign, including the campaign chairs, campaign council, honorary council and endorsement council. Our volunteer partners have dedicated their time, treasure and talent to support our campaign goals. The funds raised and relationships built will help create a thriving community.
CAMPAIGN CHAIRS
As campaign chairs, Win Irwin, Dr. Brandy Lovelady Mitchell and Dr. Juan Olivarez provide strategic direction to this campaign, endorse its goals and believe in the purpose and promise of its success. In partnership with Community Foundation staff and consultants, they guide efforts to complete goals and provide leadership and support for the Campaign Council.
CAMPAIGN COUNCIL
As advocates for the campaign and the Community Foundation, campaign council members are helping cultivate prospects, making asks and thanking donor partners.
Eva Aguirre Cooper
Mercedes Barragan
Betsy Borre
Linsey Gleason
Derether Greer
Christina Keller
Bill and India Manns
HONORARY COUNCIL
Thomas Merchant
Bryant Mitchell
Ryan Slusarzyk
Carol Paine McGovern
Fred A. Stella and Teresa Thome
Cameron Young
Honorary council members provide public support for the Centennial Campaign and offer insights into cultivating and soliciting donor prospects.
Shirley and James Balk
Ricardo Benavidez
Jesse Bernal
Kenneth D. Betz* and Patricia Brewer
Robert and Katherine Brower
Timothy Chester and Henry Matthews
Shannon and Duriel Cohen
Rob and Diane Collier
Gail and James Fahner
Thomas S.* and Mickie Fox
David* and Judy Frey
James Hackett
Dirk and June Hoffius
Teri Jourdan and Mira Krishnan
Bill and Karen Lawrence
Dan and Susan Miller
Denavvia Mojèt
Nathaniel and Laura Moody
Robert and Marcy Roth
Gerald Olson
Carlos Sanchez and Lynne Pope
John Sebastian
Ben and Emily VerWys
Ellie Frey Zagel and Chad Zagel
ENDORSEMENT COUNCIL
Members of the endorsement council provide public support for the Centennial Campaign in the community, helping build community awareness.
Jamon Alexander
Ken Bandstra and Ken Terpstra
Justin Beene
Dr. Matthew P. Biersack
Lynne Black
Tasha Blackmon
Rosalynn Bliss
Eric D. Brown
Gail O. DeYoung and F. Jay Schoettley
William S.* and Kay Farr
Dr. Kenneth J. Fawcett
Eric K. Foster
Joan Garety
Bing and Jean Goei
Jorge Gonzalez
George K. and Susan Heartwell
Jan B. Heerspink
Edith Evans Hyde and Mike Hyde
Cherry and Phillip R.* Jacobus
Ellen James
Kenneth and Tamasha James
LaKiya Jenkins
Arthur C. and Patricia A. Johnson
Joseph D. Jones
Michael E. Kooistra
Dr. David and Mary Kutsche
Dallas and Senita Lenear
Elias and Ruth Lumpkins
Janis Lunquist
Suzie Mackeigan
Dr. Philomena Mantella
Max Matteson and Bud Baty
Dr. Edward Montgomery
Dr. Khan J. and Liza Nedd
Molly and Steve Parker
James B. and Nancy Peterson
Dr. Bill Pink
Mary Reagan Shapton and Bob Shapton
Dr. Leadriane Roby
Lisa M. Rose
Megan Rydecki
Maureen Quinn Slade
Kelli Smith, CFRE
Dr. Jacqueline D. Taylor
Mary D. Taylor
Michael and Susan Taylor
Mary Tuuk Kuras
Michelle L. Van Dyke
Michael Van Haren
Lou VanderHave
Dr. James and Janet Watkins
John Woudstra and Kathleen Woudstra
Dick and Barbara Young
Milinda Ysasi
*Remembered
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.
WE ARE GRATEFUL
to the members of our Centennial Campaign volunteer groups and to those who have powered this effort to raise more than $29 million through their gifts! Donor partners who have supported the Campaign will be recognized in our building and online. You, too, can make an impact by donating at GRFoundation.org/CentennialGiving.
Grand Rapids Community Foundation 185
THIS & THAT
WELCOME, NEW STAFF!
Help us welcome new team members to Grand Rapids Community Foundation! See their staff profiles and read about their experience on our website at GRFoundation.org/News.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK PLANNING BEGINS
Over the summer and fall we will engage partners and residents in building a new strategic framework, which will shape how we continue our impact in our second century. There will be multiple ways to share your feedback, including a survey created with the support of national and local consultants. Look for email communications inviting your participation soon!
FAREWELL, JANEAN AND ALEJANDRO
Alejandro Esterline has accepted a new role as program officer at the Wege Foundation. Since joining the Community Foundation as development assistant in 2024, Alejandro led our gift entry and acknowledgement processes and provided operational support to the development team.
He also played an important role in streamlining our transition to a new database system. We are grateful for his contributions and wish him the best in the next chapter of his career.
Janean Couch has accepted a new role as associate director of grants and special programs at the Jamie and Denise Jacob Family Foundation. Since joining us in 2016, Janean has led our proactive grantmaking and our Fund for Community Good activities. Her leadership was significant in advancing our resource allocation strategies to support racial, social and economic justice. We thank Janean for her dedication and wish her continued success as she continues to champion equity in communities of color.
