PARTNERS in community
4 “It’s okay to want to belong to something, especially when it’s positive and it’s giving.” – Anthony Lambers
G RA N D
RA PIDS
COMMUNITY
FOUNDAT I ON
SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM Diana R. Sieger President Ashley René Lee Vice President, Strategic Communications Kate Luckert Schmid Vice President, Program
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Stan Vander Roest Chief Financial Officer Marilyn W. Zack Vice President, Development
BUILDING A PHILANTHROPIC LEGACY IN WEST MICHIGAN
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BOARD OF TRUSTEES
SCHOLARSHIPS CREATE OPPORTUNITY: 2020 SCHOLARSHIPS DATA
Kathleen B. Vogelsang (Chair) Kyle D. Caldwell (Vice Chair) Ryleigh Fischer Thomas Kyros Emily Loeks Ana Ramirez-Saenz Richard Roane Michael Rosloniec Amy Ruis Carlos Sanchez Daniel Williams Reneé Williams
Tel: 616.454.1751 Fax: 616.454.6455 Email: grfound@grfoundation.org Website: grfoundation.org
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Grand Rapids Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization made up of nearly 800 funds that have been established by people over the last century to do good in our community, forever. Our community partners—donors, nonprofits, leaders, doers, and more—collaborate with us because they trust us. We stay in front of the ever-changing issues that impact our community and the organizations working to bring sustainable change. We help local philanthropists leave a lasting legacy by stewarding their assets to accomplish their goals.
quarterly publication of Grand Rapids Community Foundation Contributing writers: Ashley René Lee, Heather Gill Fox, Audra Hartges-Stern, Diana R. Sieger
@GRCommFound
Graphic Design: Seventh Creative
7 DONOR ADVISED FUNDS: PERSONALIZING PHILANTHROPIC PARTNERSHIPS
8 LISTENING AND RESPONDING: COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS SHAPE OUR WORK
9 TRANSFORMATIVE JUSTICE THROUGH ART: FEATURING THE DIATRIBE
Photography: Bird + Bird Studio, Bria’nna Hoffman Copyediting: Joan Huyser-Honig
STARTING A LEGACY OF HER OWN
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PARTNERS IN PROGRESS
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PHILANTHROPY LEADERSHIP LEVEL DONORS 10
PARTNERS in community FALL 2020 | Issue 85
THIS & THAT 12
PARTNERS in Belonging “Diversity is having a seat at the table, inclusion is having a voice, and belonging is having that voice be heard.” —Liz Fosslien and Mollie West Duffy, co-authors In a season when many of us are physically distant from our families, friends, colleagues and networks, it’s even more important to find and maintain a true sense of belonging. We all need to feel a sense of community and connection. And, despite the constant noise of today’s polarizing landscape, it is important that our voices—ALL of our voices—are shared, heard and, most importantly, valued. That is belonging. You’ve heard that Grand Rapids Community Foundation is shifting our focus to create a true sense of place and belonging for everyone in Kent County. That means we are more intentional about standing alongside all our partners as we work together to create a brighter tomorrow. We honor the causes that keep you up at night. We affirm the future you dream of for yourselves, your families and our community. We are challenging ourselves to really listen and to co-create efforts to help heal and strengthen our community. We don’t have all the answers and, frankly, sometimes we don’t have the questions either. What we do know is that your passion, generosity and unwavering commitment fuel us and makes our work possible. In fact, this is the strength and the heart of the Community Foundation. In this issue of PARTNERS in community, community we share stories of how our partners have found belonging by tapping into the Community Foundation’s collective power of giving. This collective power amplifies their voices to champion important causes.
The passion and talent of students brightens our hope for the future. The photo on this page was taken by Bria’nna Hoffman, a scholarship recipient and recent graduate of Wyoming High School. Read the article on page 5 to learn more about Bria’nna.
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To all of our partners, in this season especially, we hope you know that we see you, we hear you and we value you. Continue to take care of yourselves and of one another.
BUILDING A PHILANTHROPIC LEGACY
IN WEST MICHIGAN
When he was a student at Wyoming Public Schools, Anthony Lambers faced serious challenges. Today, he is changing the circumstances for others, honoring a mentor and friend, and writing a new story by establishing a scholarship.
A LIFELONG RELATIONSHIP INSPIRES GIVING An intangible quality first connected Anthony and Richard “RP” Pullen, an English teacher at Wyoming High School. “There was something about him that I just trusted more than I trusted anybody else,” Anthony said. “I told him what I was going through, and our story started from there. The reason I even stayed in school was because I wanted to see him every day.” Their relationship grew to that of father and son. When RP passed away of colon cancer in late 2015, Anthony began to consider how to honor RP’s life and the lessons he had shared. After evaluating different philanthropic avenues for giving and fund types, Anthony decided to focus on benefitting students and created an endowed scholarship, so a perpetual gift and legacy would be created in their names. The Pullen/Lambers Family Memorial Scholarship supports students from either Wyoming High School or Muskegon High School, where Anthony now lives, with preference given to students planning to major in education or entrepreneurial studies. The first scholarship from the fund was awarded in 2020.
ESTABLISHING A LEGACY THROUGH AN ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP When Anthony was deciding how and where to establish the scholarship, his friend and financial advisor, Brenda Kading-Payne, recommended Grand Rapids Community Foundation. Unlike some sponsor organizations, the Community Foundation requires $50,000 to establish an endowed scholarship. Anthony thought of it as a challenge to, as he put it “be in the books in Grand Rapids,” to have his name connected to others of importance. Anthony donates a portion of the commission he earns as a real estate agent to the fund. He has also taken unique approaches to fundraising, like hosting annual Backspin dance parties. As he has grown the scholarship fund and established a legacy for RP, Anthony has also come to terms with the scrutiny and recognition he receives. He has found worth in establishing his own legacy. “It is okay to want to have something for yourself, especially when it’s positive and it’s giving. At the end of the day, the thing that I get out of it is a sense of belonging. I don’t get any money from it. I’m not getting
a scholarship from it. Other people are. That’s the giving part that goes back to the community,” he said. Anthony hopes his sons will embrace and carry on the legacy and sense of belonging established through the Pullen/Lambers Family Memorial Scholarship. And he would be the first to tell you how stark the contrast is between his current life and past. He said, “Growing up, I was a troublemaker, you know, I was a criminal. I had a bad attitude. I was fighting all the time. I went to prison for robbery. There was some things in my life coming through Wyoming where I really hurt Wyoming. How cool is it to be able to start in Grand Rapids as an armed robber and then end up as a giver? How often does that happen?”
BELIEVING IN STUDENTS Before establishing the scholarship, Anthony would visit Wyoming High School, acting as a listening ear to students facing their own challenges. He found young people with dreams he wanted to foster, facing barriers he knew could be overcome. “A lot of them did want to go to college. And a lot of them did want to be entrepreneurs, but in their mind, financially that just wasn’t going to happen for them. And they were, just being accepting that they were never going to be able to take that route. Anthony’s hope for the students who receive this scholarship is that they feel supported in pursuing their goals, like RP supported him. “I think one thing RP was really good at was that he never killed my dream,” Anthony said. “Any dream I ever had, an adult killed. It wasn’t my work ethic or it wasn’t what I felt about it or believed in, it was always an adult that killed that dream. ‘You can’t do it. You shouldn’t do it. It won’t work. Didn’t work for me. Didn’t work for that person.’ RP never did that.” The fund’s first recipients were selected this year. They’ll receive financial support for their education, along with the knowledge that people in their community believe in them. Anthony participated in the scholarship selection process, working with a committee of volunteers to review applications and read essays from students. Many applicants were first generation students. That is meaningful to Anthony, because he sees education as a way to break the cycle of poverty and create a ripple effect for families. “Really, what I’m saying is, I want to contribute to your dreams and your passions. I want to be a little bit of a stepping stone, influence, motivation, inspiration for them to go after whatever it is they want.”
If you are interested in creating opportunities for students in Kent County, let’s talk! Reach a member of our development team at 616.454.1751.
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A.H.S
Anthony with his sons and members of the Pullen family after establishing the scholarship in RP’s honor.
B.+B.S.
As the oldest of six siblings, Bria’nna had a lot of responsibility in supporting her family. She describes herself as someone who isn’t afraid to take that responsibility and likes learning through experience. To learn more about photography and becoming an entrepreneur, Bria’nna connected with a local photographer who captured her senior photos and has become a mentor. Bria’nna’s motivation is evident when she describes her hopes for the future. “I want to have something of my own built, so when I get old enough and have kids, grandkids of my own, they have something to build on. I want to be the start of my own legacy,” she said.
STARTING A LEGACY O F H E R OW N
Meet Bria’nna Hoffman, the first recipient from the Pullen/Lambers Family Memorial Scholarship. A new student at Grand Rapids Community College, she is studying business and hopes to establish her own photography venture in the future.
Like RP was an influence to Anthony, Wyoming High School teacher Jonathan Bushen was an important figure in Bria’nna’s life. “He influenced me into the career I want to get into,” she said. In his business classes and through the Business Professionals of America club, Bria’nna learned about important topics like accounting and personal finance. It was in Bushen’s class, on a “College Friday”— when students explore careers, work on applications and more— that Bria’nna learned about the Pullen/Lambers Family Memorial Scholarship opportunity. Bria’nna says she was shocked to learn she was the scholarship’s first recipient. “Wow, someone thinks I deserve it!” A.H.S.
SCHOLARSHIPS CREATE OPPORTUNITY 2020 SCHOLARSHIPS DATA
$1.16 MILLION
AWARDED THIS YEAR
75 YEARS OF
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR OUR STUDENTS
2 FUNDS AWARDED
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR
106
COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS CRITICAL TO THE PROCESS
50% OF AWARDS TO STUDENTS OF COLOR 63% TO FIRST-GENERATION COLLEGE STUDENTS 77% WILL ATTEND MICHIGAN SCHOOLS In addition to our traditional scholarships, our Challenge Scholars program partners with Grand Rapids Public Schools to increase educational opportunities for students on the West Side attending Union High School. The first class of Challenge Scholars graduated this year, with 64 students eligible for fouryear scholarships. All graduating seniors from Union have benefited from the holistic supports made available through Challenge Scholars.
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THAT'S NOT ALL!
PA R T N E R S
in Progress Grand Rapids Community Foundation has the opportunity to collaborate with many local nonprofits leading change. Together, we are influencing our community today and for generations to come. Thanks to our Board of Trustees recently approved an $800,000 grant. Funds to support this gift have come from the Fund for Community Good and field of interest funds.
CITY OF GRAND RAPIDS, $800,000 The project to revitalize the Grand River, years-long in its planning and implementation, will have significant environmental, social and economic impacts–during restoration and for decades afterward. We are partnering with the City of Grand Rapids to embed equity in City and Cityinfluenced policies, practices, contracts and programming related to river restoration.
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Specifically, funds will support an equity analyst, a staff position with responsibility to influence how the City conducts bidding for contracts and how it partners with businesses owned by people of color. The grant partnership also supports installing an automated Water Quality Notification System. This will improve trust and relationships with residents and visitors, fostering belonging and access to this place of cultural and historic importance. Two Field of Interest funds, the Charles Evenson Fund for the Environment and The J. Leslie Livingston Memorial Fund, fuel this grant partnership, with additional support from our Fund for Community Good. Donor partners established the Evenson and Livingston funds to address environmental issues. We are grateful for this unprecedented opportunity to leverage their commitment to our natural resources alongside our commitment to environmental justice and an inclusive economy.
“The river restoration project is really a catalyst, especially post-COVID. It’s an opportunity to ensure equity in the development along our river’s edge,” said Ciarra Adkins, City of Grand Rapids equity analyst.
Micro-local business enterprises (MLBE) are small businesses certified to meet various criteria, including revenue 25% or less than Small Business Administration small business standards. The City’s equity analyst will support MLBEs in their bids on projects as extensive as the river restoration. CHARLES EVENSON’S LEGACY Charles Evenson was an businessman and environmentalist who through his estate plans established a field of interest fund in 1988 (1991). The Charles Evenson Fund for the Environment is used for environmental projects and has distributed millions of dollars in grants to benefit West Michigan. To learn about Grand River history, revitalization plans and more, visit riverforall.com.
DONOR ADVISED FUNDS:
Personalizing Philanthropic Partnerships Grand Rapids Community Foundation continues to grow our relationships with community members passionate about making an impact through their philanthropy today and in the future. Donor advised funds at the Community Foundation have become an increasingly popular giving strategy. They allow donor partners to personalize their philanthropy by demonstrating their love, commitment and vision for our community’s future. Our donor advisors work alongside the Community Foundation development professionals. This team deeply understands community issues and needs, so it helps guide and support donor advisors’ charitable goals. As more donor partners find belonging through collaboration with the Community Foundation, gifts from donor advised funds are making up a larger percentage of our grantmaking portfolio each year. We connected with Jonse Young, director of philanthropic services, to discuss how donor advisors are responding through their giving to the causes that matter most to them. ASHLEY RENÉ LEE: How have you seen donor advisors find
belonging and personalize their philanthropy in partnership with Grand Rapids Community Foundation?
JONSE YOUNG: Relationships are important to us. It is through meaningful relationships that our donor advisors are engaged and become members of our Community Foundation family. They are passionate and committed to making our community a better place to work, live and play. Many have business and strong family ties to Kent County and are happy to give back. Being part of our community’s philanthropic fabric is important to our donor advisors. To this end, we value and deepen our relationship with them as partners in philanthropy. A: How are you seeing donor advisors shift their philanthropic focus and lead in light of all that has transpired in 2020?
J: In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and racial unrest within our communities, many donors have demonstrated via their grantmaking a desire for our community to heal and grow. They are also open to leaning on our community knowledge in this regard. As a result, we connect our donor advisors with grassroots agencies that provide direct services and are closest to community challenges.
A: Are you seeing any other trends this year with donor advisors? J: Over the last two years, donor advised funds have increased by nearly 20%. This uptick in funds established is a result of tax laws and our donor partners’ desire to make a difference. Our donor partners also tend to make larger grants to organizations. This level of support allows organizations to address the need within our community during a time of uncertainty. A: What messages or advice do you have for donor advisors as we approach year-end?
J: As we approach year-end, we recommend that donor advisors review their grantmaking history to ensure their personal passions and philanthropic goals align. Our team stands ready to provide historical grant data and suggestions to help accomplish their goals. For example, many of our donor advisors support our community through the Fund for Community Good or the recent COVID-19 Recovery Fund. They appreciate being made aware of efforts that allow them to have collective impact in Kent County, especially during these trying times. A.R.L.
A: How are donor advisors aligning with the Community
Foundation’s North Star and our work around racial, social and economic justice?
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J: A significant amount of our donor advisors focus on leading with equity. Many are concerned about the COVID-19 pandemic and racial unrest within our communities. Most often, they lean on our team to advise them on which organizations are meeting community needs. The Community Foundation’s North Star and work around racial, social and economic justice is a common conversation with our donor advisors. Although much of this work addresses systemic practices and behaviors that cannot be eradicated overnight, we can tell from their conversations and grantmaking that a significant number of donor advisors want to do their part.
Listening and Responding:
C O M M U N I T Y C O N V E R S AT I O N S SHAPE OUR WORK Over the past two years, Grand Rapids Community Foundation has been on a journey of listening to reimagine what it looks like to strengthen and deepen our relationship with community. We set out to challenge our assumptions about our traditional philanthropic model. We wondered which conditions would provide support to communities facing persistent inequity. The key to answering those questions required listening to the voices of those closest to the issues. The Community Foundation believes that only by listening to community voice will we be able to support sustainable solutions to systemic inequities. After all, we are the community’s foundation—we need to make sure our actions, policies and procedures reflect that.
PROCESS + PARTNERSHIP We’re grateful for our partnership with Public Agency at West Michigan Center for Arts + Technology. Through their equitycentered design, a methodology rooted in principles of humancentered design, Public Agency has facilitated many rounds of listening and engaging with community and our donor partners. Together, we have created various people-centered and equityfocused opportunities that impact our community and its systems. “Grand Rapids Community Foundation is unwavering in their commitment to overcoming inequities to build an inclusive economy and thriving community for all of us here in West Michigan,” said Daniel Williams. He is the WMCAT president and CEO and serves as a Community Foundation trustee. “Our team at WMCAT really enjoyed leading them through listening, learning and ultimately reimagining their grant process, one that centers equity at the forefront of thriving communities.”
SHAPING OUR WORK
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The Community Foundation evolved throughout our listening and exploration. Listening sessions revealed some ways that our systems unintentionally upheld white supremacy through a disproportionate emphasis on white voices, experiences, leadership styles and preferred processes. Community voices reminded us that charity and justice are not interchangeable terms, and West Michigan sometimes focuses more on giving money than eliminating the systemic causes of inequity.
The Community Foundation’s program team worked to put what we were learning into immediate action. The nature of our conversations with potential grant partners changed. The lens we used to consider competitive grant proposals changed. Our thought process and behaviors changed. The next critical update was our written grant guidelines and application questions. Earlier this year, the Community Foundation purposefully paused and devoted time to update our guidelines. The program team also worked to ensure our grant application process reflected what we had learned from community. Now, thanks to input from community, our language and process is updated and explicit. With our Fund for Community Good and field of interest fund assets, we seek out and respond to requests for partners who share our commitment to becoming actively antiracist. “Now is the time to change broken systems,” says Kate Luckert Schmid, vice president for program. “Reforms often start at the local level—and we are committed to supporting those on the front lines stepping in at this moment to build a new path.”
ONGOING, ACTIVE LISTENING While these updates are important, they are not the final step in the journey. Along the way, we learned the importance of responsiveness and adaptability. Listening to community is not a single moment in time. Rather it requires a constant feedback loop so our lens stays focused on equity. We are committed to being explicit about our values and adding clarity to our funding priorities. We will keep eliciting feedback and evolving alongside our community. We will continue to listen and respond. H.G.F.
T R A N S F O R M AT I V E J U S T I C E T H R O U G H A R T: HOW DOES THE DIATRIBE USE PERFORMING ARTS
Featuring The Diatribe
The Diatribe is a local art organization leading equity in the arts. Its mission is to use performing arts to empower young people to share their stories, raise awareness of social issues and create change within their communities. We interviewed three of The Diatribe’s teaching artists to learn more. The Diatribe is one of the Community Foundation’s nonprofit partners. They work with schools and organizations in West Michigan to facilitate programming and creative writing workshops rooted in poetry. The Diatribe works with students to have conversations about large systemic issues like fair housing practices, toxic masculinity and racism. WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO CONNECT WITH THE DIATRIBE? JOCELYN BARNES: After being a part of Grand Rapids my whole life, [The Diatribe team members] were the piece of the puzzle that made it feel like home. Finding a community where I finally felt a sense of belonging made me thirsty for more. SPROUT “KFG” FOSTER-GOODRICH: I do not remember there ever being a decision to get involved with The Diatribe. It was such an impulse, an intuitive “of course!” The Diatribe’s far-radiating impact pulled me in, as a poet who believes in the power of art in collaboration with social change. KYD KANE: It is my desire to connect with young people, to make them feel loved, acknowledged and admired as they learn the art of poetry and self-expression. Being involved with The Diatribe puts me in a space to do just that. I believe that art has the power to generate vibrations that inspire, heal, challenge, affirm and provoke.
TO EMPOWER YOUNG PEOPLE?
KK: The Diatribe gives young people the freedom to express themselves authentically in a safe space. There is nothing more transformative than being encouraged to be yourself and speak your truth. When that occurs, we become steps closer to justice. KFG: Students are offered a variety of perspectives – some that challenge their way of thinking. Some perspectives represent their identity in a way they have not seen in media or history books. At the heart of transformative justice is the willingness and avid curiosity to find and create new solutions – and that is the kind of critical thinking I see fostered through The Diatribe. JB: Telling a room full of high schoolers to share their feelings with adults sounds like something a guidance counselor does in the movies, something met with groans and spitballs. We provide a safe space and means for our students to share their truths, opinions and experiences. When you tell someone their voice is inherently valuable, magic happens. Every year we get to do magic. HOW DO STUDENTS ARTISTICALLY EXPRESS THEMSELVES BECAUSE OF YOUR TEACHING? JB: Do you remember being in high school, feeling like you didn’t matter, like your choices and your voice had little impact on the world around you? Imagine a world where every young person is told that they are valuable and their truth is valid. How different would that world be from the one we live in? I have felt the power in our students, and our future is brighter because of them. KK: I’ve personally witnessed students increase in confidence and self-awareness as they work to transform their emotions into creative expressions. Kids that were too shy to give eye contact at the start of the program end up boldly asserting themselves. Their confidence and creativity inspire not only their peers, but the teaching artists too. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE POETRY’S ROLE AND POWER TO ADVANCE RACIAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE IN WEST MICHIGAN?
JOCELYN BARNES
KK: The art of poetry has the power to tug at heartstrings. When people feel things, it puts them in a place to reconsider the space they take up in the world. That consideration alone has the potential to bring change. KFG: Words carry potential for action. Poetry is a space where we can imagine new worlds and explore our circumstances with detailed clarity. The sharing of poetry is an invitation to step into another’s shoes. Listeners then must choose where to go from there, with this newly attained level of empathy. We find that we are all connected across racial, social and economic differences. Advocating for others is advocating for ourselves and vice versa. WHICH STARTING POINTS CAN HELP COMMUNITY MEMBERS START TELLING THEIR STORIES?
SPROUT “KFG” FOSTER-GOODRICH
KFG: I’ve found that the toughest obstacle for anybody of any age to start writing is the editor in their brain. Let whatever comes from your pen be exactly as it is, without telling yourself that it doesn’t matter or doesn’t sound good! Whatever your truth is will come pouring out if you make a space for it to be accepted, unconditionally. KYD KANE
To learn more about The Diatribe, head to thediatribe.org thediatribe.org.. H.G.F.
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JB: Learn how to listen to other people’s truths before you start sharing your own. When it comes to community based sharing, being an audience member is just as important as being on the mic. As a prospective artist, you need to be able to do both! And remember that your truth is just as valuable as anyone else’s is. You deserve to be heard.
PHILANTHROPY LEADERSHIP LEVEL
Donor Partners
The power of collective giving is reflected in the names listed below. The annual support of these loyal donor partners allows the Community Foundation to allocate resources to respond to the ever-changing needs of our community. Support from donor partners was critical this year as we responded to the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic and racial uprisings in our community.
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These leadership giving levels recognize our annual donors who made gifts or payments towards a pledge between July 1, 2019-June 30, 2020 supporting our unrestricted funds including: Fund for Community Good, Fund for Education, Fund for Arts and Social Engagement, Fund for Economic Prosperity, Fund for the Environment, Fund for Health and Fund for Neighborhoods. Also included are those who donated to the Kent County COVID-19 Recovery Fund. CURTIS WYLIE LEVEL ($2,500+ annually)
JIM CARPENTER LEVEL ($1,000-$2,499 annually)
In 1958, a significant bequest from Curtis Wylie transformed the Community Foundation, dramatically increasing our ability to support local nonprofits.
A former trustee, advocate and enthusiastic supporter, Jim epitomized loyalty and service. He catapulted the Community Foundation’s growth and public image and was instrumental in starting the giving groups “Friends” in the late 1980’s.
Rick and Loy Adamy Anonymous (1) John R. Bertsch Pat Brewer and Ken Betz Mr. and Mrs. David Burgess Bill and Jackie Bylenga Cascade Engineering Chris-Tina Fund Consumers Energy Foundation Peter C. and Emajean Cook Fund Bob and Julie Currier Bill and Margie Darooge DeLanoy Family Charitable Foundation Laura Devos DTE Energy Foundation Henry A. (Happy) Fox Jr. Brad and Jeanie Friedland Mr. and Mrs. Michael Gill Mark and Wendy Holtvluwer Robert* and Eleanore Howieson John Hunting Invesco Mr. and Mrs. Jon Jellema Laura Jeltema Karen A. Kania and Margaret H. McClure Carol J Karr and Kevin J Briggs Klotz Family Foundation John and Melinda Kopec Tom and Sally Kyros Jon and Carol Muth Terry McGovern and Carol Paine-McGovern Mr. James B. Peterson Curtis and Colleen Ruppal Bob and Marcia Schaub Solomon Family Foundation Martin and Louise Timkovich George and Kerstin Trowbridge Phil and Kathleen Vogelsang Mr. and Mrs. M. Jay Zylstra
Mr. William E. Alt Anonymous (5) Rita D. Balczak Roger and Willa Bauer Darlene Berghorst Lynne Black Jim and Wendy BooydeGraaff Eric and Alice Bouwens Andrew and Janay Brower Jim and Susan Brown Anna Moore Butzner Iain and Michaele Charnley Jim and Pat Clay Dan and Linda Conway Tom and Jan Czerney Tom and Gale Czerwinski Dr. Yvonne DePorre Martha and Nick Dewey Douglas and Kristine Dozeman John and Penny Edison Family Foundation Mark and Jennifer Ellis First National Bank of Michigan Thomas S. and Maxine J. Fox and Family Chuck and Julie Frayer Peter and Lori French Heather and Sam Fox Grand Rapids Rotary Foundation Ken Grashuis and Lori Lockyear Mr. and Mrs. William H. Hardy, Jr. Larry and Cindy Havard Ms. Deborah Herdegen Brandon and Whitney Hewitt Dirk and June Hoffius Russell J. and Barbara Hohman Family Harland Holman and Kira Sieplinga Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Ms. Margaret P. Idema Cherry and Phil Jacobus Joseph and Elizabeth Junewick Blake and Mary Krueger Janet M Krueger and Bruce Goodman
Cris and Tom Kutzli Christopher Barnes and Jessica Lalley Marilyn Lankfer and Jeff Schad B. Kenneth Larm Jean Magolan and Donald Malcolm Patrick and Loren Maloney Ron Marsteiner Barbara Mayo-Johnson Dr. Tony Foster and Mrs. Linda Nemec Foster Timothy J. and Debra D. O’Rourke Chris and Joan Panopoulos William and Sarah Petrovic Scott Pruski Daniel and Judy Rau Reagan Marketing + Design LLC Richard V. and Maria Del Pilar Rice Sally and Larry Robson Marjorie and Bud Roegge Martin Shedleski Family Julia Smith Judy Subar Nick Thole and Amy Turner-Thole Scott and Amanda Thomas Dave Thompson Sue Tiggleman Robert and Colleen Tobin Randall and Laurie Van Houten Selene Van Vleck Dave and Lorrie Vander Ark Gary Walker Elizabeth Welch and Brian Schwartz Mary White Drs. Chad and Kathy Williams Joan Wilson Susan Wittenbach Sarah and Greg Yoder Ms. Laura A. Young Joan and Jim Zawacki Bob J. Zylstra
PATRICIA “PAT” EDISON LEVEL ($500-$999 annually)
Pat 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. Mark and Wendy Anderson David and Mary Annis Anonymous (6) Paul and Marty Arnold John and Janet Baab Joel and Susan Bair Lori J. Baker Judge W. Baldwin and Judy Ogden Ken Bandstra and Ken Terpstra Rob and Shelly Batterbee Louis and Linda Berra Ruth E. Bishop Rich and Debra Black Dianne Boozer Jonathan and Grace Bradford John and Virginia Braley Karl* and Darlene Braunschneider Elizabeth and Peter Bruinsma John and Sheila Buchanan Kyle and Juliann Caldwell Rick and Willow Chapla Timothy Chester and Henry Matthews Bob and Julie Connors Jay Cooper and Eva Aguirre Cooper Laurie and Crawford Craft Tina Freese Decker and Jason Decker Barbara DeMoor and Clive Morris Ron and Jeanne DeWaard Kurt and Janet Dietsch Beth and Ross Dornan Nancy L. Douglas John H. Edlund Ben Emdin Bill and Kay Farr Barbara Bradley and Ronald Feenstra Mary and Bill Ford Paula and Michael Freed Don and Laurie Gardner Linsey Gleason Mr. and Mrs. Thomas D. Gleason Dan Grzywacz and Holly Westhouse Rená and Gary Guttrich Jackie Haveman and Nathan Dwiri Mr. Kenneth W. Heffner and Dr. Gail Gunst Heffner
Christine Helms-Maletic John and Gwen Hibbard Jeff and Laura Hill Steven and Joan Huyser-Honig Jack L. Hornbach Jeannie Hosey and Tony Travis John and Janyce Huff Win and Kyle Irwin Mark and Lauren Jacoby Larry and Janine Jewell Mark and Beth Johnson Mrs. Chloe Jones Tom and Margy Jones Mr. and Mrs. R. Tyson Keane Paul and Beth Kelly Vicki and Tom Kimball Douglas and Patricia Klein Ms. Marilyn J. Knol Douglas and Louann Kohlbeck Nick and Pat Kokx Carrie and Mike Kolehouse Ron and Bonnie Kopp Diane and Mike Kroll Paul and Nora LeBlanc Ray Loeschner Marcia and Chuck Logie Arend and Nancy Lubbers Peter Lundeen Michele McHale-Adams and George Adams Brenda L. McKean Richard and Elizabeth Meyette Ms. Barbara Mieras Bryant and Audrey Mitchell David and Diana* Morgenstern Judge William B. Murphy and Paula Murphy Matthew and Stephanie Muscat Bob and Margaret Nault Gary and Peg Novosad Dan and Ann O’Keefe Dr. Theresa Osmer and Dr. Eric Graf Matt and Beth Osterhaven Martin and Enid Packard Ken and Jill Peirce Larry and Jean Pinckney
Mr. and Mrs. Jeff C. Poole Mr. and Mrs. D. Andrew Portinga John and Ann Puckett Mary Zoe Remien Dale and Sherri Remmelts Barbara A. Robinson Abraham G. and Anne L. Rossi Rebecca and Dale Rynbrandt Emil and Nancy Sabolish Andrew and Amy Schmidt David and Jerri Schroeder Shaun and Ruth Shira Eric and Amy Smith Jarvis L. Spreng Steven and Cathy Starnes Craig and Cheri Stein Stan and Norma Sterk Susan A. Stoddard Ron and Margaret Story Philip and Dawnielle Streng Lawson and Suzanne Sutherland Lon and Sandy Swartzentruber Elliot Talen Michael and Susan Taylor Wayne Titche Jenine and Jose Torres Philip and Diane Tower Caitlin and Paul Townsend Lamb Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Tuori The Chelovich Family Hattie Van Haaften Mr. and Mrs. Rodney J. Van Tol Mr. Robert P. Vander Wal Andy and Tracy Van Solkema Collin Veele Marianne* and Werner Veit Ben and Emily VerWys Jeffrey S. and Janet K. Williams Ms. E. Gabriel Works and Mr. John V. O’Connor Mary Yoak Kurt and Sally Yost Bruce Young Michael Moody and Karen Zivi
*Recently Deceased
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We go to great lengths to list each donor according to their personal preference. If you wish to have your recognition name listed differently or spotted a typo in your name, please accept our apologies and let us know by calling 616.454.1751 with any changes.
Grand Rapids Community Foundation 185 Oakes Street SW Grand Rapids, MI 49503 If you would like to receive PARTNERS in community and other Community Foundation news in your email inbox, sign up at givegr.org/PARTNERS.
TH I S
& THAT DON’T MISS UPDATES AND NEWS During this time we are using email to send important updates to partners like you. If you are not receiving these communications and would like to, please let us know by signing up at givegr.org/GRCFenews givegr.org/GRCFenews.
DONOR CELEBRATION Each year, our donor celebration is a time to connect and share stories of community impact. To ensure the health and safety of our partners and staff, we will not be holding our in-person event this year. We will miss seeing you in person, and we will be sure to find other ways to honor you through the year.
CONGRATULATIONS, ASHLEY RENÉ LEE! Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce recently recognized Ashley René Lee as a finalist for the ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award. The award recognizes young professional women who demonstrate excellence, community service and actively assist other women in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills. The virtual awards celebration is September 24.
GRAND RAPIDS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OPERATIONS Our staff continues to operate at full capacity in a primarily remote working environment, using the office as needed for critical business functions. For now, you can contact any Community Foundation team member in the ways you normally might, including by phone or email. For each staff person’s individual contact information, please visit grfoundation.org/staff.
