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.