News

Updates and Insights from the Community Foundation

Featured Posts

  • 2023-2024 Annual Report

    Posted on November 08, 2024

    2023-2024 Annual Report
    In a pivotal year, Grand Rapids Community Foundation awarded $16,078,689 in grants to nonprofit partners and scholarships to students. The organization's total assets were stewarded to $448,331,707. Other results and stories from partners are highlighted [...]
Stories

  • Posted on December 14, 2015

    One Hundred New Philanthropists: Emily and Ben VerWys
    Ben and Emily VerWys, an investment advisor at Action Point Financial and realtor at Keller Williams respectively, are strategic thinkers and connected community members. “When we heard about how the Community Foundation could help us [...]

  • Posted on November 17, 2015

    From Our Annual Report: Bev Drake, Ruth Lumpkins and Betty Burton Groce
    Whether for economic, educational or healthcare justice, these three friends have strong feelings about removing barriers, providing access and creating opportunities for people in our community. Coming from diverse career backgrounds—job training, education and business—Bev [...]

  • Posted on November 17, 2015

    From Our Annual Report: Rick Gillett
    Rick Gillett is long time philanthropist and advocate for the children of Grand Rapids and is passionate about their growth and development. “We feel so strongly for the Grand Rapids community and its children and [...]

  • Posted on November 17, 2015

    From Our Annual Report: Ken and Judy Betz
    Understanding all of the factors that influence success in education, Ken and Judy Betz were early major donors to Grand Rapids Community Foundation’s Challenge Scholars program. “It’s not just about the scholarship,” Judy said. [...]

  • Posted on November 17, 2015

    From Our Annual Report: Christina and Andy Keller
    For Christina and Andy Keller, their work values and philanthropy values are braided. “I think about giving as I do business—through the lens of the triple bottom line—which means maximizing value along three areas: people, [...]

  • Posted on September 15, 2015

    One Hundred New Philanthropists: Linsey Gleason
    As an estate planning attorney with Varnum Law, Linsey Gleason is a passionate philanthropist who wants to create solutions. Her understanding of the challenges older adults face motivates her charitable contributions to Senior Neighbors, [...]

  • Posted on September 08, 2015

    One Hundred New Philanthropists: Mark Breon
    For Mark Breon, giving back is at the core of who he is and what he believes in. “For as long as I can remember, my parents have given back and empowered others to [...]

  • Posted on July 01, 2015

    One Hundred New Philanthropists: Brent and Ronda Geers
    Young professionals Brent and Ronda Geers, an attorney and a teacher respectively, are engaged Grand Rapidians. They give back with their time, talent and treasure to a variety of local causes and organizations. Their [...]
  • Our LGBT Fund: Shelley Padnos and Carol Sarosik

    Posted on March 30, 2015

    Our LGBT Fund: Shelley Padnos and Carol Sarosik
    In August, 2014, Donor Advisors, Shelley Padnos and Carol Sarosik, created Our LGBT Fund , a Field of Interest Fund at the Community Foundation. It was created with a matching gift of $100,000. Through this [...]