PARTNERS in community | Winter 2018

PARTNERS in community

4 “If our dream came true, there would be no more homeless kids out there tonight.”

– Shelley Padnos & Carol Sarosik

G RA N D

RA PIDS

COMMUNITY

FOUNDAT I ON

SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM Diana R. Sieger President Laurie Craft Vice President, Community Investment

TRANSFORMATIONAL

Leaders

Ashley René Lee Vice President, Public Relations & Marketing

4

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

6

Marilyn W. Zack Vice President, Development

ONE HUNDRED

New Philanthropists

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

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

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 @GRCommFound

Graphic Design: Pretty Little Bow Photography: Bird + Bird Studio, Terry Johnston Copyeditors: Joan Huyser-Honig

PARTNERS in community

LEGACY &

Homeownership

DONOR ADVISED

Funds

PARTNERS in community is a

Contributing writers: Ashley René Lee, Heather Gill Fox, Diana R. Sieger, Emily Anderson

7

WINTER 2018 | Issue 78

9

PARTNERS in Legacy Serving as Grand Rapids Community Foundation president for more than 31 years, I have seen our community grow and change in so many ways. Throughout these changes, we have remained committed to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to prosper. That is the legacy of the Community Foundation and of every partner who has walked alongside us in this work since our founding in 1922.

I am signing year-end donor letters that will have been received by the time this edition of PARTNERS in community hits many of your mailboxes. I have signed thousands of these appeals over the years, and, while it does take time, it is truly a privilege. Like you, I receive a myriad of year-end requests rivaled only by the recent onslaught of political and holiday sales ads. I want you all to know that I do not take lightly the gravity of asking for your support. The opportunity to make a positive impact in our community for everyone is a heavy lift, and your partnership with us is critical.

Together, we are building a strong legacy in our community. Thank you all for demonstrating your love, commitment and vision for West Michigan.

3

PARTNERS IN PROGRESS

8

METZ LEGACY SOCIETY

10

THIS & THAT 12

We want to hear from you! What legacy do you wish to leave for our community? Also, please let us know what you think about the magazine redesign on social media: @GRCommFound.

PARTNERS in community | 3

PARTNERS IN LEGACY

TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERS: SHELLEY PADNOS

A N D C A R O L S A R O S I K

2018 DONOR CELEBRATION SPONSORS PLATINUM Louis Padnos Iron & Metal Company GOLD BDO USA LLP Varnum LLP SILVER Paul & Caroline Freihofer Corporate Live Fifth Third Bank Grand Valley State University Miller Johnson Plante Moran Wealth Management PNC Smith, Haughey, Rice & Roegge Worksighted

Want to Support Shelley and Carol’s Work at the Community Foundation?

If you are interested in joining the Leadership Circle, please contact Marilyn Zack at: mzack@grfoundation.org, or 616.454.1751.

“One great thing about Shelley and Carol as leaders is their generosity,” said Jason Franklin, a friend and Our LGBT Fund committee member. “They show up, over and over again. It is not just for the Our LGBT Fund, it is not just for a single passion project, but it’s for places across the city and region. They host events, contribute to campaigns and speak out about the importance of leadership and inclusivity.”

They invest in a variety of causes and organizations throughout West Michigan.

From creating an endowed professorship of civil discourse at Grand Valley State University, to serving on the boards of various arts organizations, to advocating for social justice rights and investing with the American Civil Liberties Union, Shelley and Carol are touching many facets of our community. They are particularly proud of the establishment and growth of Our LGBT Fund at Grand Rapids Community Foundation. “In terms of impact, on a very short-term basis we hoped to raise awareness and gain a sense of community for the LGBT community in West Michigan,” Shelley said. “Our LGBT Fund gives people a place to land in terms of being able to make a difference and give. If our dream came true, there would be no more homeless kids out there tonight.”

Shelley and Carol are overjoyed that the fund has grown to almost $1 million. It makes annual grants to organizations helping to end LGBT youth homelessness. “In particular, LGBT homelessness has become almost an epidemic. Of all the homeless youth, 40 percent are LGBT,” Carol said.

Their positive work to affect the lives of the LGBT community through this fund is unforgettable, a legacy that will live on for generations. Yet they are deeply humble and would be the first to deflect attention to those who have joined their causes along the way. The number of partners who support Our LGBT Fund has grown beyond even what Shelley and Carol imagined it might.

“I am really thrilled that Shelley and Carol are being honored in this way. Not only do they give their time, talent and treasure, they share their reputation and relationships, and they share risk. Those three things are critical to a partnership to advance social justice,” said Mary Beijan, director of philanthropy at ACLU of Michigan.

Their accolades, effort and heart for the West Michigan community explain why Shelley and Carol received the 2018 Jack Chaille Community Philanthropy Award.

Grand Rapids Community Foundation created this award to recognize the contributions of community leaders who share a spirit and passion for the Community Foundation, philanthropy, community involvement and leading by example. It is presented annually at the Community Foundation’s donor celebration.

H.G.F.

T.J.

PARTNERS in community | 5

Our LGBT Fund Leadership Circle is a great way to ensure the fund’s sustainability.

To join the Leadership Circle, complete these simple steps: give a minimum of $2,500, which may be pledged over five years, and advocate and share your enthusiasm with others about the fund.

Shelley Padnos and Carol Sarosik embody what it means to be a power couple of transformational leadership.

They balance each other well: when one produces lofty, innovative ideas, the other grounds them in practical steps toward achieving that goal. They are bold pathbreakers who have a knack for building deep relationships along the way, and they know how to draw people to a cause about which they are passionate.

ONE HUNDRED NEW PHILANTHROPISTS:

Dan Grzywacz and Holly Westhouse

Every month, Dan Grzywacz and Holly Westhouse live out their deep passion for volunteering and giving. Dan volunteers regularly at God’s Kitchen, helps out at Friends of Grand Rapids Parks and cleans up the Grand River with West Michigan Environmental Action Council. Besides these traditional models of giving, they give back in innovative ways, from attending dinners to supporting local nonprofits and artists through the décor in their home.

Dan remembers as a child giving wallpaper and groceries to a church family that couldn’t afford simple home repairs. In adulthood, his philanthropy has changed in form but not in passion. “Being in the housing business, I am passionate about helping people get homes and have a place to raise their family.

People are stuck for different reasons and sometimes just need some help,” Dan said.

Dan and Holly know how to keep the fun in philanthropy. They’ve raised money for Easterseals Michigan to earn the right to rappel down the Plaza Towers. They’ve raised money for other local nonprofits by creating “Dinner by Holly,” a full dinner party auction item for six people.

WHY GRAND RAPIDS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION?

Both Dan and Holly want to participate in creating a better tomorrow and lasting legacy for their children, pets and community. Holly spent most of her career as a social worker and supervisor with Child Protective Services. Dan became a mortgage loan officer right out of college and now is senior vice president of Mortgage 1. They see how homeownership can bless an individual or family. They have a heart for those impacted by homelessness and work to assist those experiencing tough times.

WHY DO YOU GIVE?

PARTNERS in community | 6

Throughout the year Holly and Dan consider a variety of causes and nonprofits in the community. They sit down together and think through where their resources can have the greatest impact. “There is so much need in the community and so many organizations that we can help,” Holly said.

Dan has been giving all of his life. “I learned a lot about giving back in church growing up,” he said. “There is something rewarding about it. It is good for the community.”

Dan and Holly resonate with the Community Foundation’s philosophy and appreciate that staff members have the knowledge base to help guide giving. “We like their community approach.

They help you. My big thing has always been to want to leave a legacy through a scholarship or fund for homeless people. That is something that I can do easily through the Community Foundation rather than trying to set up my own foundation,” Dan said.

Another way that Dan and Holly have chosen to leave a lasting legacy for generations to come is by becoming part of the Community Foundation’s 100 New Philanthropists. They know that in sharing their story and joining the 83 other people who are part of this legacy, they are signing their names to a story that began generations before them and will continue in perpetuity.

H.G.F.

B.+B.S.

Legacy and

HOMEOWNERSHIP

Nothing speaks to the legacy of an individual, family or neighborhood like a home. It is where memories of love, laughter, trials and triumphs are created. It is where lessons of work ethic, sacrifice, investment, financial stewardship and pride are first taught. It is where the foundation of generational wealth is built.

We know that for many families throughout the country, and, right here in West Michigan, the history of homeownership has been a troubled one. “Redlining had a huge impact on wealth accumulation and prosperity, for African Americans in particular, for a very long time,” said Laurie Craft, Grand Rapids Community Foundation vice president of community investment. “It was basically legal in this country to discriminate, and it had a huge impact on families’ abilities to succeed today.”

Many families throughout West Michigan still feel the sting of housing discrimination and predatory lending practices that led to the 2007-2010 foreclosure crisis. We are still in crisis. “Twenty percent of homeowners lost their homes in the city of Grand Rapids,” Laurie said. And while many neighborhoods decimated during the foreclosure crisis are rebounding in West Michigan’s hot housing market, many families have been less fortunate.

They’ve lost their legacy of homeownership.

Kate Luckert Schmid, Community Foundation vice president of program, notes that Habitat Kent’s project in the Roosevelt Park neighborhood is a targeted, culturally responsive, neighborhood approach. “They are about building community,” she said. “It’s more than just buying a home in a community now. They are intentional and neighborhood focused. This speaks to legacy of not only family, but also the legacy and culture of the neighborhood and community.”

BriAnne McKee, Habitat Kent executive director, said a key way to help individuals and families build wealth—especially people of color or other community members experiencing inequities—is to help them access credit from the financial mainstream with a Habitat mortgage. “Individuals and families who buy a home from Habitat learn financial literacy and credit building skills that they can pass on to their children as they grow older.

They also receive an opportunity to build a legacy of positive credit history that can help the next generation begin their adult lives on strong financial footing,” BriAnne said.

PARTNERS in community | 7

We also made a $150,000 grant and $500,000 program-related investment to Opportunity Resource Fund. This statewide loan fund, dedicated to social and economic justice, works to improve communities throughout Michigan.

The investments will help bring the Fresh As the Community Foundation looks to Opportunity Mortgages Program to Grand cultivate economic equity for all in West Rapids, so people who have been denied by Michigan, we must address historical wrongs traditional sources of credit can now get home that have been, and continue to be, perpetuated mortgage loans. against certain populations. This is why recent grant partnerships with organizations These partnerships—and others that create like Habitat for Humanity and Opportunity paths to homeownership and a legacy of Resource Fund are so important. generational wealth—are critical to our work.

They help build and sustain an inclusive We invested a grant of $800,000 in Habitat for economy and thriving community for every Humanity of Kent County’s Brighter Future individual, family and neighborhood in West Campaign for Roosevelt Park neighborhood.

Michigan.

This comprehensive market intervention strategy will increase homeownership and B.+B.S. A.R.L. establish a sustainable land acquisition fund.

PARTNERS Grand Rapids Community Foundation has a wonderful opportunity to collaborate with many local nonprofits who are leading change and influencing the legacy of our community for generations to come. Thanks to donors’ generous support and partnership, our Board of Trustees approved $411,500 in grant dollars to the following nonprofit partners this fall.

PARTNERS in community | 8

GRAND RAPIDS NEHEMIAH PROJECT, $150,000

in Progress

OPPORTUNITY RESOURCE FUND, $150,000

This grant supports a project to purchase and renovate a property in the Madison Square neighborhood. This will create a permanent, sustainable and multi-use space through an economic and racial equity lens.

The Grand Rapids Center for Community Transformation addresses the lack of accessible employment for young adults and community residents in Grand Rapids’ urban core. It also creates opportunities for community transformation and serves as a model for cross-sectoral, interagency partnerships.

This grant helps bring the Fresh Opportunity Mortgages program to Grand Rapids. A disproportionate percent of people of color in low to moderate-income households have low credit scores. Fresh Opportunity offers loans to individuals and families who’ve been turned down by traditional lenders when trying to buy a home. It looks at a borrower’s entire financial picture, not just credit scores.

It uses education and financial literacy counseling to help mortgage clients succeed. Getting a mortgage to buy a home is a vital step for accumulating tangible wealth over the long term.

NIA CENTRE, $100,000

SAMARITAS, $4,000

NIA Centre is a nonprofit launching a major effort to place a world-class AfricanAmerican Cultural Centre in Grand Rapids.

This grant supports project development and pre-campaign efforts to establish a business plan, grow their audience and expand programming. Organizations supporting and celebrating African American culture, family and community are under-represented in Grand Rapids.

This space will share and amplify the voice of the local African American community and raise awareness on issues that affect communities of color at local, state, national and international levels.

This grant will help fund opportunities to present Gateways for Growth research to the broader Grand Rapids community.

This report details how immigrants (including people without documents) and refugees make a major economic contribution to Kent County. The report will be used as a catalyst to make our community more welcoming and diverse.

WESTSIDE COLLABORATIVE, $7,500 This grant supports a collective project to create an online tutor and parent literacy curriculum. The goal is to reduce literacy inequities in Grand Rapids Public Schools on the West Side of Grand Rapids.

A Candid Conversation about

DONOR ADVISED FUNDS

Many donors want to make a greater impact on organizations and causes that matter most to them. That’s why many choose a Donor Advised Fund as their go-to charitable giving tool. DAFs are also a great way for donors to leave a lasting legacy of giving for their family and community, for generations to come. We sat down with Jonse Young, director of philanthropic services at Grand Rapids Community Foundation, to learn more about this unique giving tool.

ASHLEY RENÉ LEE: FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH DONOR ADVISED FUNDS, CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT THEY ARE AND HOW THEY WORK? JONSE YOUNG: Donor Advised Funds are charitable funds established with an entity such as Grand Rapids Community Foundation. The assets are turned over to the Community Foundation, we invest and grow them, and then we help advise donors and their families on where they should direct grants according to their interests.

A: DO MOST DAF FOUNDERS COME TO THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION KNOWING EXACTLY WHERE THEY WANT THEIR DOLLARS GRANTED? J: It varies. We have donor advisors who say, “I know that I want to support these specific organizations. Please make these grants.”

Other donors have a set list of their favorite organizations, but they also welcome our community knowledge of who else is doing great work in the areas they are passionate about. Lately, we have noticed that many donor advisors really lean on us for recommendations. They say, “I am charitably minded, but I am not necessarily connected to any particular organizations. I know that, as a community foundation, you are able to make that connection for me. I have established a DAF because I want to benefit from your community knowledge.”

A: WHAT IS THE BENEFIT OF GIVING TO A DAF AT THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION VERSUS GIVING DIRECTLY TO ORGANIZATIONS?

For more information about Donor Advised Funds, please contact Jonse at 616.454.1751 x108 OR jyoung@grfoundation.org

J: A DAF is good for anyone who is charitably minded but just a bit busy doing life. Families who want to pass on the tradition of philanthropy often choose DAFs, because the next generation can advise beyond the fund founder. Also, a DAF is a great giving strategy for people with a liquidity event. Perhaps they’ve sold a business, inherited funds or, because of other income, need to donate a certain amount of money for tax purposes. If that certain amount is at least $25,000—our minimum amount to start a DAF—then we can help them establish a fund, and they can get an immediate tax deduction. We keep in contact with professional advisors who may introduce us to clients who might benefit from the services the Community Foundation offers.

A: HOW DO DAFS HELP CREATE A SENSE OF LEGACY FOR DONORS AND THEIR FAMILIES? J: We talk to donors about things that matter to them individually. Many want to leave a legacy of giving, so we talk about how that transfers to their children or other family members. We talk with families about their family values and mission statements, and we help them stay on target with their philanthropy. Each year we provide them a report that shows their focus areas for the year. We ask, “Does this align with what we talked about initially in terms of your charitable goals and your family values?” They can either say, “Yes, that works,” or “No, I think I really want to do more of this, because I really want my children to understand the value of supporting education, the environment and the like.”

A: WEST MICHIGAN IS A VERY PHILANTHROPIC COMMUNITY, AND WE HAVE THIS LONG LEGACY OF GIVING. HOW DO DAFS PLAY INTO THAT COMMUNITY LEGACY? J: DAFs play into that legacy in many ways. Most notably, DAFs can do good now, but their impact can be felt in perpetuity.

When a DAF advising period ends, such as when the last advisor successor dies, then the funds usually go into the Community Foundation’s unrestricted Fund for Community Good. This allows the Community Foundation to address ever-changing community needs by way of its competitive grantmaking process. That speaks to legacy and ensures that philanthropic dollars are always there for our community.

A.R.L.

B.+B.S.

PARTNERS in community | 9

J: The DAF is sort of like a one stop shop. Once the funds are here and a donor says they want to make five grants this year, they can just do all of that in one sweep if they want to. It’s a convenience.

Also, the Community Foundation has more access to due diligence than many donors have and can take a deeper dive to vet organizations. We do this work for our donors, so they know their funds are supporting a viable organization.

A: WE KNOW THAT THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OFFERS MANY WAYS TO GIVE AT DIFFERENT LEVELS OF INVOLVEMENT. WHAT TYPE OF DONORS OR COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE DAFS A GOOD GIVING STRATEGY FOR?

METZ LEGACY SOCIETY

Donors

PARTNERS in community | 10

All donors to Grand Rapids Community Foundation demonstrate their love for our community through their gifts. Members of our Metz Legacy Society have elevated us to the level of family by including us in their estate plans or creating a life income gift to benefit the Community Foundation. Here, we recognize and thank the following members of our Metz Legacy Society, as of November 1, 2018.

Ms. Mary Abbott Mr. William E. Alt Gasper J. Amodeo Mark and Wendy Anderson Anonymous (17) Mr. Willem Antonides Mr. and Mrs. Noyes Avery Rev. David Baak and Betty Zylstra Brian Bakker Ken Bandstra and Ken Terpstra Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Bassett Nancy Batts Roger and Willa Bauer Laurie Finney Beard Lois Eberhard Beckering Tanya and Tom Berg John R. Bertsch Judy* and Ken Betz and Family Kristine Bishop John and Claire Bissell Lynne Black Ms. Bonnie L. Blandford George and Jill Bosnjak Janet and John Boyles Tom Braciak Larry* and Genny Bratschie Tracy Breihof The Honorable Hugh W. Brenneman Jr. Mark Breon Robert D. and Katherine M. Brower Renwick Brutus Robert and Sandy Burnham Jan Burns Anna Moore Butzner Sharon M. Buursma Linda Byington Dr. and Mrs. Mark Campbell John* and Marie Canepa Ms. Esther A. Carew David M. and Cara V. Cassard Mandy and Christian Chardoul Colin Chelovich and Molly Tupper Chelovich Ms. Libby Child Mr. and Mrs. Ronald L. Cornetet Gina Covert-Ostergren and Craig Ostergren Bill and Marilyn Crawford Ms. Elizabeth J. Crosby Mal and Mary Abbott Cumming Mr. and Mrs. Robert Currier

Erica Curry VanEe and Brian VanEe Tom and Jan Czerney Tom and Gale Czerwinski John and Edy Davies Gilbert R. and Patricia K. Davis Norman B. and Mary M.* De Graaf Joy DeBoer Barbara DeMoor Bill and Carolyn DeNeut David R. and Helene M. Despres Rick and Sue DeVries Mr. and Mrs. Phillip DeWildt Danielle DeWitt Gail DeYoung and F. Jay Schoettley Rita Didrichsons Mr. Max Doering Elizabeth Tinney Donley Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence E. Dooge Jr. Marilyn J. Dooge Beth Dornan Mr. and Mrs. Ronald L. Ducharme Mr. Robert J. Dunlap Ms. Patricia S. Duthler David G. Dvorak, M.D. Lucy Dyer Joswick and Scott Joswick Mr. and Mrs. Kenton H. Eavey Mr. and Mrs. Jay Egan Ben and Susan Emdin Ms. Elaine E. Emmons Bill Essling Hank and Marcia Fairchild Diane S. Farage Bill and Kay Farr Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Finazzi Michael Finton, Ph.D. Mary and Bill Ford Dr. Anthony Foster and Mrs. Linda Nemec Foster Joy Foster Mr. and Mrs. Ben A. Fowler Thomas S. and Maxine J. Fox Jeffrey and Sheila Frank Ellie Frey Zagel and Chad Zagel Mary Meade Fuger Mr. Henry G. Fuhs Michael and Elyce Fuller James Galer and Marilyn Klyn Galer Iris-Naomi Garcia Brent and Ronda Geers

Christine Gilchrist Ms. Anita M. Gilleo Gene and Tubie Gilmore Linsey Gleason Mr. and Mrs. Thomas D. Gleason Beth Goebel Mr. and Mrs. Philip W. Goodspeed Ms. Derether Greer James* and Patricia Gunn Mr. and Mrs. William H. Hardy Jr. Graci Harkema Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Hathaway Jacqueline E. Haveman Janet A. Haynes Jan Heerspink Mr. and Mrs. William R. Heyne John and Gwen Hibbard Bert Pettis and Gary Hill Jeff and Laura Hill Dirk and June Hoffius Michael Hoffman Jane Hondelink Robert Hooker Gregg and Kim Hughes Katherine Humphrey Bonnie Hunter and Merl Morehouse John Hunting Cherry and Phil Jacobus Chuck and Carol Jennings Shirley Jeter Lynne Jarman Johnson and Robert J. Johnson Tom and Margy Jones Michael and Sarah Julien Karen A. Kania and Margaret H. McClure Carol Karr Mary Karrip Ms. Evelyn A. Kasperlik Mrs. M. S. Keeler II Nancy Kehoe Nielsen Christina Keller Mr. Fred P. Keller Paul and Beth Kelly Mr. and Mrs. Peter Kenny Roberta F. King Ms. Birgit Klohs Herbert and Glenna Knape Raymond E. Knape Michael E. Kooistra David A. and Phyllis E. Koslow

Rochelle Reagan Richard A. Roane and Leandro Robles Marjorie and Bud Roegge Milt and Barbara Rohwer Dr. Jack and Lija Romence Lisa M. Rose Mary C. Roth Bob and Marcy Roth Owen Rottschafer, M.D. Stella A. Royce Alan Rumbaugh Ms. Kathleen M. Russell Margaret Ryan Rebecca and Dale Rynbrandt Megan Sall Jerry Schaefer and Polly Hewitt Robert Schellenberg Mary Jane Schopf Ms. Greta Schuil Ms. Corliss E. Scott John Scott Jim and Susie Sebastian Peter and Joan Secchia Mark A. Sellers Mrs. Elaine Shay Eileen Shedleski Marilyn and Budge Sherwood Shaun Shira Diana R. Sieger Ms. Maureen Quinn Slade Ryan Slusarzyk Mr. and Mrs. Gary R. Snyder Lisa Sostecke, D.D.S. Robert A. Sprotte Amanda and Ryan St. Pierre Terrence M. Start Barbara D. Steil Stan and Norma Sterk Wendy Stock Ms. Patty A. Story Ms. Ann Stuart Burroughs Lawson and Suzanne Sutherland Michael and Susan Taylor Steele* and Mary Taylor Nick Thole and Amy Turner-Thole KG Thompson Jill and Art Tiefenbach Vicki and Brian Tingley Ella M. Topp Jenine and Jose Torres Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Trapp Rick Treur George and Kerstin Trowbridge Selma Tucker Donald and Mary Tuttle

Ms. Rebecca L. Tyke Dr. and Mrs. Ghayas Uddin Don VandenBos Jr. Dave and Lorrie Vander Ark Lou VanderHave Mrs. Dori Vander Mey Frank and Sharon Van Haven Mr. and Mrs. Rick A. VanHorn Selene Van Vleck Ms. Robin E. Velte Carl and Sandra VerBeek Ben and Emily VerWys John P. and Lynn Vinkemulder Phil and Kathleen Vogelsang Theodore J. Vogt David and Kay Wagner Gary Walker Anita Wallgren Ms. Sandra Ward Mary Warner Dr. and Mrs. James K. Watkins Ms. Connie Wenger John Wert Mary White Dave and Stephanie Whitford Dorothy Wiest Reneé Williams Rita Williams and John Gill Jim and Connie Winter-Troutwine Mr. Thomas D. Wisnom Mike and Colleen Wolfe Kate Pew Wolters Dr. Richard J. Woltersom Bob and Aleicia Woodrick Ms. E. Gabriel Works and Mr. John V. O’Connor John S. and Kathleen B. Woudstra Dick and Barbara Young Marilyn and Garrett Zack Mr. and Mrs. John H. Zwarensteyn Bob J. Zylstra

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

*Deceased

PARTNERS in community | 11

Mrs. June Kosten Hoyt Kremer Cris and Tom Kutzli Mrs. Paula La Claire Marilyn Lankfer and Jeff Schad B. Kenneth Larm Mr. Claire R. and Mrs. Debra G. Larson Dr. Sandra Last R. Lawrence and Marilyn Leigh Harvey Lemmen Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Lemmen Norm and Marilyn Leven Family Foundation Mike Lloyd Michael Loughman Arend and Nancy Lubbers Jan Lunquist and Michael May Mr. Eugene G. Lyons Suzie Mackeigan Barbara P. Marcus Ronald Marsteiner Max Matteson and Bud Baty Kate and John McGarry Michele McHale-Adams and George Adams John and Betsy McIntyre Bonnie K. Miller Daniel Miller and Susan Wright-Miller Bryant and Audrey Mitchell Kim S. Mitchell Ronald and Karen Modreski Gordie and Jan Moeller David and Diana Morgenstern Terri A. Mulligan Ms. Dorothy Munson Rosemary D. Murphy Judge William B. Murphy and Paula Murphy Matthew and Stephanie Muscat Jon and Carol Muth Ardith V. Neath Adams Mr. and Mrs. Bradley D. Nelson Dale C. and Cynthia Dewees Nelson Gary and Peg Novosad Judge W. Baldwin and Judy Ogden Fred Olert Jr. Mr. Gerald Olson Steve and Molly Parker Mr. and Mrs. James B. Payne John L. Peterson Cynthia Pimm Mr. John H. Pimm Sr. Ms. Cecilia Pius Kathleen Stewart Ponitz Jim and Marie Preston Mr. and Mrs. Michael H. Price Scott Pruski Marcia L. Rapp

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

THIS

& THAT WELCOME, ERIKA VANDYKE AND ASHLEY EMAUS We are thrilled to have Erika join our team as a program officer. Erika is a Grand Valley State University alum and has a master’s degree in community psychology from Michigan State University. She most recently worked as a Kent School Services Network community school coordinator, where she helped connect families with community partners and worked to strengthen their relationships with school staff.

We are also excited to welcome Ashley, our new finance and administrative assistant. She is also a GVSU alum who, with her husband, owns a commercial flooring business. She manages all office activities for that company and joins us with ample experience in bookkeeping and account payables.

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN! Grand Rapids Community Foundation’s General Scholarship application is open December 1 - March 1. Completing one scholarship application enters students in the selection process for 500+ scholarships from 70+ funds. Apply today by visiting:

grfoundation.org/apply-for-scholarships

HOLIDAY OFFICE HOURS AND YEAR-END GIFT DEADLINES GRAND RAPIDS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION WILL BE CLOSED:

Monday, December 24, 2018 Tuesday, December 25, 2018 Monday, December 31, 2018 (beginning at noon) Tuesday, January 1, 2019 YEAR-END GIFTS TO BE CREDITED FOR 2018 TAX RETURNS MUST BE:

CONGRATULATIONS, GIULIANA!

Delivered to the Community Foundation by noon on December 31, 2018

The Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of Grand Rapids recently honored Giuliana Estrada with the Breakthough Award at their annual leadership awards. This award recognizes an individual whose work has led to a new process that has positively impacted the community and/ or discovered a new solution to a complex problem within the nonprofit sector.

Given online by 11:59 p.m. on December 31, 2018

Postmarked on or before December 31, 2018

Please note that complex gifts, such as an IRA transfer or a gift of stock or mutual funds, may take longer to facilitate, please allow enough time for processing. We’re here to help. Please call the Community Foundation development staff at 616.454.1751 with any questions.