SPOTLIGHT ON
Field of Interest Funds Besides supporting grant partnerships from the Fund for Community Good, the Community Foundation has awarded $415,200 from Field of Interest Funds to local nonprofit organizations since December 2020. Over the last year, Community Foundation staff have intentionally activated resources from Field of Interest Funds to align with our approach to equitable grantmaking. This method strives to create partnership onramps with the Community Foundation and set organizations up for future success. While our Field of Interest Funds are always critical, they’ve been even more important this year, because they let us inject resources into local nonprofits struggling with COVID-19. Our Youth Field of Interest Fund awarded 18 grant partnerships totaling $60,000. Learn more on page 4. The Mary I. and David D. Hunting Family Fund awarded $95,000 to Access Camps partners. These grants provide resources for select West Michigan camps to increase access to overnight camps for children in Kent County who have historically been unable to experience summer camp. Read more at grfoundation.org/access-camps. Lucy E. Barnett Trust for the Elderly Baxter Community Center Armand F. and Gretchen B. Burch Fund Community Food Club Our Kitchen Table Elizabeth J. Steed Johnson Fund for Healthcare and Community Health Baxter Community Center Grand Rapids Pride Center Health Net of West Michigan – FitKids 360 Mental Health Clinicians of Color
Kenneth M. Sweers Fund for Homeless A Mother’s Touch
Robert D. Mieras Fund for Dance and Music West Michigan Jewels of Africa New City Kids Leonard and Eileen Newman Fund for the Arts Baxter Community Center DisArt Ebony Road Players Grandville Avenue Arts and Humanities Host Productions Mixed Roots Collective Mus(ed) Patricia Haan Timmer Fund for Downtown Charities Cherry Health Social Venture Philanthropy Fund Grand Rapids Pride Center
WHAT IS A Field of Interest Fund? When creating Field of Interest Funds, donor partners select a specific area of interest, such as the arts, environment, children or health and establish a fund to permanently support it. Grand Rapids Community Foundation staff, committee members and the Board of Trustees decide how these funds are granted to honor the donor partners’ intent.
Lynne!
In 1988, when Lynne Black began her career at what was then called Grand Rapids Foundation, the three staff members were using a single word processor and huge floppy discs to manage $35 million in assets. Today, as she celebrates retirement after an incredible 33-year career at the Community Foundation, many things have changed. Technology has evolved, and the staff team has grown to more than 30 people managing assets of nearly $400 million. Lynne reflects that at the heart of it all, much has remained consistent. “We’re still doing things right,” she said. “The Community Foundation staff love what they do and are willing to do what it takes to get the job done. That includes honoring our donor partners and the intent of their gifts.” Retiring as our director of finance, Lynne’s many roles have made a deep impact. Her keen ability to manage all financial aspects of the Community Foundation, including investment pools, financial statements and audits, have helped the organization grow over the last three decades. And she knows that financial growth has a direct impact on our community. One of Lynne’s favorite parts of working for the Community Foundation has been witnessing the power of the endowment. “I love seeing how a fund set up years ago continues to support needs in our community,” she said. We are grateful for the many years of precision, laughter and skill Lynne brought to the Community Foundation. Join us in celebrating Lynne as she heads into what promises to be an adventurous retirement for this outdoor lover. H.G.F. B.B.S.
PARTNERS in community | 7
Gordon and Janet Moeller Food Security Fund Our Kitchen Table Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Association
Homeless Prevention Fund New Destiny Pathways
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR RETIREMENT,
