Judy and Ken Betz
our 2016 Chaille Award for
Community Philanthropy Winners
Serving all of
Kent County
since 1922
Winter 2016
No. 69
Winter 2016 / Volume No. 69
3
Challenge Scholars: Meet One of Our Families
4
Giving a Gift of Stock at Year-End
5
One Hundred New Philanthropists: Rebecca and Steve Steketee
6-7 So Much Fun at Our Donor Party
13 Metz Legacy Society—Meet Staff Who Are Giving Back
14 Great New Grants
15
Looking Forward and Back Again
Tel: 616.454.1751, Fax: 616.454.6455
Email: [email protected]
Website: grfoundation.org
Current is a quarterly publication of Grand Rapids
Community Foundation ©2016
Contributing Writers: Roberta F. King, Amanda St. Pierre
Graphic Design: James Falk
Illustration: Yolanda Gonzalez
Photography: Bryan Esler, Terry Johnston
Copyeditor: Joan Huyser-Honig
Board of Trustees
Leadership Team
Laurie Finney Beard
(Chair)
Diana R. Sieger
President
Carlos Sanchez
(Vice Chair)
Laurie Craft
Program Director
Paul M. Keep
(Immediate Past Chair)
Roberta F. King, APR
Vice President, PR & Marketing
Wayman P. Britt
Christina L. Keller
Thomas G. Kyros
Emily J. Loeks
John Lown
Arend D. Lubbers
Michael G. Rosloniec
Robert W. Roth
Wayne D. Wilson
About the Cover
Judy and Ken Betz were named winners of our 2016 Chaille Award for Community
Philanthropy. The Betzes are long-time supporters of the Community Foundation
and other great nonprofits. This photo was taken at Blandford Nature Center,
where Judy was a docent.
Kate Luckert Schmid
Program Director
Stan Vander Roest
Chief Financial Officer
Marilyn W. Zack
Vice President, Development
facebook.com/GRCommFound
@GRCommFound
@grcommfound
Challenge Scholars
Growing Upward
• The Challenge Scholars schools are on Grand Rapids’ West
Side. All students who enroll for sixth grade at Harrison Park
or Westwood Middle School and attend all four years at Union
High School are eligible for a scholarship.
• Challenge Scholars offers a two-year Grand Rapids
Community College scholarship opportunity and a four-year
scholarship opportunity that can be used at more than 46
Michigan colleges and universities. Both scholarship types
cover tuition and fees and have grade and behavior
requirements. The four-year scholarship also requires
95 percent attendance.
• The current program focuses on college and career exposure,
family engagement, summer enrichment and, most
importantly, academic achievement. We work closely with
Grand Rapids Public Schools and other partners to implement
adaptive programs that keep students on the path to success.
• In spring 2016, Grand Rapids Community College announced a
significant additional commitment to Union High School
students. All incoming freshmen, starting with Union’s Class of
2020, will have at least a two-year, tuition-free option for
This is Leadership
college or career training at Grand Rapids Community
College. GRCC Success Coaches will work with students
starting in ninth grade to identify college and career goals.
• In fall 2015, Challenge Scholars began partnering with
WestSide Collaborative, a network of nonprofit, faith-based
and community-based organizations on the West Side.
Community Engagement Coordinators from WestSide
Collaborative connect our families with information on
Challenge Scholars and other community resources.
Donors are the heart of keeping our
promises to Challenge Scholars.
There is no end date for Challenge Scholars,
so we’ll continually need funds to provide
scholarships and in-school programs. Endowed
gifts fit well with this work. Please contact Vice
President of Development Marilyn Zack if you’d
like to make a gift. You may also donate online
at www.challengescholars.org.
admittedly a good student: “I pretty much like all of my classes.”
He’s in four honors classes—English, history, biology and
geometry. He’s also willing to help out his classmates and lead on
a project when a leader is needed. “I want my classmates to
succeed too,” he said.
You’ve Got This:
Cody Garrison
Cody is interested in attending the University of Michigan after
his graduation in 2020. “I’ve been a Michigan fan since I was
really young, and I’d like to be a doctor. U of M has a hospital
right there on campus. I’d like to help people and have a lot of
variety in my work. Being a doctor would be different every day,”
he said. He is also interested in criminal justice, and, with a
college education, the world will be his to explore. Cody is a
Union Redhawk football player—a freshman playing at the varsity
level. He also plays basketball, wrestles and was recently
accepted as a member of Grand Rapids Community
Foundation’s Youth Grant Committee. He’s also joined Union’s
Junior ROTC.
Challenge Scholars Advisor Ben Oliver said, “What’s impressive
about Cody is that he is dedicated to his sports, but also to his
studies. He exemplifies the scholar-athlete.”
hen Kara Garrison first heard about the Challenge
Scholars program, her son Cody was a fifth grade
student at Harrison Park School. “It was the number
one factor in sending him on to Westwood Middle School and
now Union High School. I couldn’t wait to learn more about
Challenge Scholars. It takes a huge load off of us and has really
given him motivation,” she said.
W
While Kara always wanted Cody to attend college, she wasn’t
thinking too hard about how to pay for it while he was in
elementary school, though she sensed that finances would be a
roadblock. “I never put a whole lot of thought into it. Then
Challenge Scholars came along, and now we’re looking at
colleges, places I never heard of, and keeping a close eye on
his grades. We need to keep his GPA where it needs to be,”
she said.
Cody is now a freshman at Union and is very focused on the years
ahead. “Challenge Scholars makes college so attainable. All you
have to do is keep up with it,” Kara said. “I just have to stay on
task—keep up my grades and stay out of trouble,” Kara said. He’s
Cody is adjusting to the fast pace at Union High School and likes
not being treated like a kid anymore. “He’s confident in himself
and that helps me,” Kara said.
R.K.
B.E.
As Year-end Approaches,
a Gift of Stock May Be Right for You
Donating publicly traded stocks, bonds or mutual fund shares offers unique tax advantages
and allows donors to make an even bigger impact on the issues that matter most to them.
As year-end approaches, now is an opportune time for you to consider this option.
Key Benefits of Giving Stock
Call us With Questions!
Charitable contributions of appreciated stock give you
two income tax advantages.
We are here to help. If you would like to speak
with a Community Foundation staff member about
whether a gift of appreciated stock is right for you,
please contact a member of our development
staff by calling 616.454.1751
• For long-term capital gain property (stock held more than 12 months), the first is a charitable deduction equal to the full
fair market value of the gifted property, up to 30 percent of
your adjusted gross income. Note that any deduction over 30 percent that can’t be used the first year can be carried
forward for up to five more years.
• The second advantage of giving stock is that you will also avoid
capital gains tax, money you’d have to pay if the property was
liquidated first.
Consider a donor in the 25% federal tax bracket who would like
to make a $5,000 donation. Assuming a $1,250 basis in the stock,
a gift of stock would result in a $562 savings over the same size
gift of cash.
Gift of Stock
Gift of Cash
$5,000
- $1,812
$1,250
$5,000
- $1,250
$1,250
$562
= $3,188
$0
= $3,750
GIFT
TAX SAVINGS
Income Tax Savings (at the 25%
federal income tax level)
Capital Gains Tax Avoided
NET COST OF GIFT
When to Consider a Gift of Appreciated Securities
A gift of appreciated securities might be a smart option for you if
you are holding stocks, bonds or mutual funds shares that have
increased in value—and if you’ve held these assets for a year or
longer. It is also an advantageous option if you want to make a gift
that doesn’t affect your liquidity or cash flow.
Four Tips for Giving Stock
• To ensure a deduction for 2016, transfers should be initiated
before December 15, 2016.
4
• Call a Grand Rapids Community Foundation development
team member for transfer instructions and to discuss your
intentions for your gift.
• Have your broker transfer the shares to Grand Rapids
Community Foundation; don’t sell them yourself. If you sell
the stock first, the IRS will impose a capital gains tax on your
sale, taking away the benefits of a stock gift arrangement.
• Visit our website at grfoundation.plannedgiving.org
for helpful tools such as a cash vs. stock calculator.
Marilyn Zack
vice president of development
[email protected]
Shaun Shira
planned and major gifts director
[email protected]
Jonse Young
philanthropic services director
[email protected]
Jenine Prus
development officer
[email protected]
Other Convenient Ways to Give
at Year-end and Year-round
The Community Foundation is here to help you make a
difference in our community, and we want to make giving
back easy for you. If you find the clock running down on the
year and have more giving to do, please consider a gift to the
Community Foundation. Here are two easy ways to give:
1. Giving online is secure, quick and easy! To make an
online donation, visit www.givegr.org/donate
2. For your convenience, we’ve also included a remittance
envelope with this publication so you can mail in a check.
3. Make sure your gift envelope is postmarked on or before
December 31, 2016.
We thank you for considering a year-end gift to the
Community Foundation to strengthen Kent County for
years to come!
One Hundred New Philanthropists
I
What do you get from giving?
“I feel like giving isn’t a choice. It’s what
you do, for the world and for humanity.
Period,” Rebecca said. “I’ve had so many
people do so much for me in life. People
have helped open doors and shepherd
my way along the path. This [giving] is
my very small way of being able to
help others.”
f you’ve been around Grand Rapids
long enough, you’ve likely heard of
Steketee’s—a chain of West Michigan
department stores that had a
community presence for over 140 years.
To answer the obvious question right off
the bat, yes, Steve is related.
Steve and Rebecca met in Chicago
13 years ago, while she was working for
the Detroit Symphony and he was
working for a post-production house
off Michigan Avenue. Rebecca’s move
to Chicago followed. Eleven years ago,
they moved back to Steve’s hometown
and now reside in East Grand Rapids
with their 9-year-old daughter, Elise.
In their professional lives, Steve is the
owner of Shutterwerks Media, a video
production company. Rebecca is the
digital sales and business manager for
Steelcase, after a decade with nonprofits
in Detroit, Chicago and locally.
“For me, I don’t write a check and pat
myself on the back. I get ‘my feels’ when
I’m working with organizations—getting
to know them, filming their stories and
hearing from people directly impacted.
That’s when it really sinks in…that’s what
gets me,” Steve said.
Steve and
Rebecca
Steketee
“We’ve been lucky, through our network
of friends and my previous roles in
development, to be exposed to the
evolution of Grand Rapids and West
Michigan as a community,” said Rebecca.
“I’ve lived all over the country and have never seen any place that
functions like West Michigan. There’s something special about this
community that begs all to participate. Giving is infused into what
West Michigan is.”
The Steketees favor causes in the areas of arts, education and
healthcare. Rebecca is currently on the board of Broadway
Grand Rapids and participated in Mercy Health Saint Mary’s up
next program. Steve does video production for several nonprofits
and enjoys working with students at WMCAT.
While they have different approaches to their philanthropy,
giving back is core to their family culture. The Steketees beam
while talking about the leadership they see developing in Elise,
who currently sits on the youth advisory council for Camp Newaygo.
“As an only child, Elise spends a lot of time with us and our
friends. They’re such an inspiring group of people, and from
them she hears stories of philanthropy,” said Steve. “We don’t
make a big deal about it. It’s just infused into her life and now we
see her living it.”
“Growing up, my family went up and down the economic
spectrum. Our highs were high and lows were low,” said Rebecca.
“With where we are and what we’ve achieved personally in life,
Elise is exposed to a lot. We want her to know that you have to
work really hard to attain what we have. We want her to be
grounded and know the whole world, not just a bubble.”
Why grand Rapids Community
Foundation?
“It was really all about the timing,”
Steve said. “We met up with Shaun Shira
and felt that One Hundred New
Philanthropists offered a simplified and
streamlined version of giving. We were
able to direct our dollars to support
things we care about.” The Steketees’
gifts are currently directed to
Challenge Scholars.
“As I saw the checks that we were writing increase, it made sense
to choose a couple of places to target so that we could make a
bigger impact,” Rebecca said. “Community foundations are
essential for what happens in a community. The Community
Foundation funds things that no one else will touch, and that is
so important.”
Just as Steketee’s department store left a lasting mark on this
community, so will Steve and Rebecca as part of the next
generation of givers in Grand Rapids. If you are interested in
joining them as one of the One Hundred New Philanthropists,
please contact Jenine Prus, at 616.454.1751 or email her at
[email protected]. n
One Hundred New Philanthropists
As Grand Rapids Community Foundation moves toward its
100th anniversary in 2022, we want to recognize people’s
philanthropy. That’s why we created our One Hundred New
Philanthropists campaign. This outreach effort asks people to
do just four simple things:
• Make an annual gift to the Community Foundation.
• Volunteer in the community.
• Make a provision in your estate plan for the Community
Foundation.
• Share your philanthropic story with others.
A.S.
T.J.
Thanking Donors at Our Annual Party
6
So many donors, such a good time! On November 4 we welcomed nearly 500 donors, volunteers and event sponsors to
our annual donor party at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum. The highlight of the event was the presentation of the
Chaille Award for Community Philanthropy to Ken and Judy Betz. Special thanks to emcee Fred Stella and Marty Allen,
Ford Foundation board chairman emeritus, for their comments.
1.
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14.
1. Marilyn Zack, Gerri Pasi and Joy DeBoer, 2. Emily Kieliszewski and Ryan Slusarzyk, 3. Kenny Lyles with Joe and Clara Shelton, 4. Dr. Thomas Haas and Henry Matthews,
5. Paul Doyle and Eddie Tadlock, 6. Marilyn Titche and Dareather Greer, 7. Ken Betz, Karl Betz and Mitchell Padnos, 8. Peter Turner, Janet Haynes and Jean Enright,
9. Teresa Weatherall Neal and Dennis Neal, 10. Fred Stella, 11. Martin and Vicki Simescu, John Stone and George Vasu, 12. Danielle DeWitt and Tara Werkhoven,
13. Beth and Jeremy Beard with Laurie Beard, 14. Zoe Remien and Pat Edison
Our Sponsors
Platinum
Varnum
Gold
Helmholdt & Company
Warner Norcross & Judd LLP
Silver
Andrews & Co
Betz Industries
Chemical Bank
First National Bank of Michigan
Mika Meyers PLC
Miller Johnson
Old National Bank
Plante Moran Wealth Management
PNC Bank
Congratulations to Ken and Judy Betz
K
en and Judy Betz are the recipients
of the 2016 Chaille Award for
Community Philanthropy. This award
is presented each year to honor a special
donor or donor couple who exemplify the
spirit of Jack Chaille. They demonstrate
long-term support for the Community
Foundation and its work, have significant
community involvement and show a
passion for community philanthropy.
Ken and Judy are enthusiastic community
philanthropists. In addition to a private
family foundation, Ken and Judy also hold
a Donor Advised Fund at our
Community Foundation.
They are avid supporters of
our initiatives, especially our
Challenge Scholars program.
Smith, Haughey, Rice & Roegge
Ken and Judy have given many notable
gifts to community causes, but a few
closest to their hearts include: Habitat for
Humanity, where Ken has volunteered;
Blandford Nature Center, where Judy
served as a docent; WMEAC; the Kroc
Center; Cherry Health; and West Michigan
Miracle League.
To see a video commemorating
Ken and Judy, please go to
vimeo.com/grcommfound.
Our relationship with Ken
and Judy started 28 years
ago, when they began
supporting endowed funds
at the Community
Foundation for some of their
favorite nonprofits. We’ve
been honored to work
alongside them more closely
over the years.
Ken and Judy Betz and their family.
A.S.
B.E.
Verbeek & Staples Group of Wells Fargo Advisors
Our Donors Are the Best!
All gifts to Grand Rapids Community Foundation are important and worthy of
recognition. Our philanthropic leadership levels honor and recognize donors that
annually support the Community Foundation and its discretionary funds.
Names listed are based on gifts received July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016 to the
Fund for Community Good or a Community Foundation field of interest funds.
Curtis Wylie Level
($2,500+ each year)
Anonymous
Laurie Finney Beard
Estate of George Cope
Digital Tool & Die Inc.
Hank and Marcia Fairchild
Gazelle Sports
David and Marianne Grooters
Janet A. Haynes
Dirk Hoffius
Keith and Mary Kay Hopkins
Eleanore and Robert Howieson
Sue Ann Jabin
Cherry and Phil Jacobus
Joseph and Elizabeth Junewick
Jack Korff
Janet Krueger and Bruce Goodman
Tom and Sally Kyros
Mark and Wendy Anderson
Anonymous (1)
John and Janet Baab
Mr. and Mrs. Joel Bair
Lori J. Baker
Corey Balkon
John and Kelli Basher
Rob and Shelly Batterbee
Mark and Wendy Holtvluwer
Ms. Jamie Loeks Duffield and
Mr. Ryan Duffield
Bonnie K. Miller
Chief Judge Bill and Paula Murphy
Lynne Black
Estate of Stella A. Shields
Jon and Carol Muth
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas F. Blackwell, Jr.
George and Kerstin Trowbridge
Dr. Anthony Foster and
Mrs. Linda Nemec Foster
Thomas N. Blandford
Mr. Don VandenBos Jr.
Estate of Robert and Barbara Wood
Joan and Jim Zawacki
Ms. Marjorie M. Neubig
Judy and Baldwin Ogden
Dan and Ann O'Keefe
Jim Carpenter Level
($1,000 - $2,499 each year)
Rick and Loy Adamy
Anonymous (2)
Molly Bradshaw
Mark Breon
Fredrick "Fritz" Briscoe
Larry and Chris Burns
Jackie and Bill Bylenga
Jim and Pat Clay
Toni Clay
Steve and Sue Conway
Laurie and Crawford Craft
Tom and Jan Czerney
Tom and Gale Czerwinski
Penny and John Edison
EDP Foundation
Paula and Michael Freed
Ken Grashuis and Lori Lockyear
Mary, Duke, Libby and Benjamin Greene
Doris G. Griffith*
8
Pat Edison Level
($500 - $999 each year)
Larry and Cindy Havard
Mr. Kenneth W. Heffner and
Dr. Gail Gunst Heffner
Phoebe Phelps*
Scott Pruski
Dan and Judy Rau
Curtis and Colleen Ruppal
Diana R. Sieger
Sue Tiggleman
Ms. Marilyn Titche
Robert and Colleen Tobin
Rick Treur
Mr. and Mrs. Marvin C. Veneklasen
Ms. Beverly Wall
Roger* and Luella* Warnshuis
Elizabeth Welch
West Michigan Tag & Label, Inc.
Williams Group Inc.
Drs. Chad and Kathy Williams
Mr. and Mrs. Craig Wisner
Susan Wittenbach
Marjorie Yardley*
Darlene Berghorst
Dianne Boozer
Mr. and Mrs. Steve J. Boshoven
Jonathan and Grace Bradford
John and Virginia Braley
Mr. and Mrs. Karl E. Braunschneider
Andrew and Janay Brower
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Burkhart
Robert and Sandy Burnham
Anna Moore Butzner
Mandy and Christian Chardoul
Iain and Michaele Charnley
Linsey Gleason
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas D. Gleason
Keith and Lisa Gohlke
Beverly F. Grant
Drs. Thomas and Denise Gribbin
Jackie Haveman and Nathan Dwiri
John Hornbach and Darva Boot
John and Janyce Huff
Sonya Hughes and Marianne Butcher
Mark and Lauren Jacoby
Mr. Mark Johnson
Ms. Cynthia Kay Afendoulis
Paul and Beth Kelly
Mr. and Mrs. Neil L. Kimball
Ron and Jeanne Koehler
Diane and Mike Kroll
Blake and Mary Krueger
Marcia and Chuck Logie
Arend and Nancy Lubbers
Laurie and Larry Luciani
Peter and Barbara Lundeen
William and Janis Malpass
Tom & Carol Monaghan
Gary and Peg Novosad
Clark Communications
Mr. John V. O'Connor and
Ms. E. Gabriel Works
Dan and Linda Conway
Benjamin Oliver
Allen and Vivian De Jonge
Timothy J. and Debra D. O'Rourke
Barbara DeMoor and Clive Morris
Matt and Beth Osterhaven
Martha and Nick Dewey
Peter and Carroll Perez
Kurt and Janet Dietsch
Abby Peters
Nancy L. Douglas
John L. Peterson
Paul and Celeste Doyle
Mr. Larry R. Petrick
Douglas and Kristine Dozeman
Larry and Jean Pinckney
Ron and Carole Dykstra
Dr. James E. and Kathleen Stewart Ponitz
Ben and Susan Emdin
Martha J. Porter
Jean Enright
Mr. and Mrs. D. Andrew Portinga
Barbara and Ronald Feenstra
Mary Zoe Remien
Marilyn and David Fernstrum
Jacob and Delores Robinson
Mary and Bill Ford
Marjorie and Bud Roegge
Brad and Jeanie Friedland
Steve and Amy Ruis
Robert and Rose Schenck
Ann and Drew Barton
Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell H. DeJonge
Barbara J. Hoag
Mr. and Mrs. Mark A. Schremp
Betsy and Jim Barton
Daryl and Connie Delabbio
Mr. and Mrs. Bryson B. Hoff
David and Jerri Schroeder
Mr. John O. Barton
Dorothy DeMaagd
John and Lindel Hoff
Shaun and Ruth Shira
Mr. James Bearman
Harvey DeMaagd
Ken and Sandy Hofman
Ryan Slusarzyk
Ms. Helen Beenen Hoermann
Tuti and Pete DeMaagd
Jane Hondelink
Eric and Amy Smith
Mrs. Jane Beld-Smith and Mr. Don Smith
Gail DeYoung and F. Jay Schoettley
David Horning
Dr. and Mrs. James K. Smith
Connie Bellows and Darlene Zwart
Daniel and Catherine Diedrich
Richard A. and Anne Horvitz
Jarv and Mary Spreng
Rosemary Bennett (Posie)
Mr. Mickey L. Dotson
Katherine Humphrey
Susan A. Stoddard
Mr. Louis M. Berra
Jason and Stephanie Doublestein
Hungerford Nichols
Ms. Ann Stuart Burroughs
Dr. and Mrs. William H. Beute
Shavon Doyle-Holton and Jason Holton
Bonnie Hunter and Merl Morehouse
Sytsma Wealth Strategies
David and Sue Bird
Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Edgar
Marilyn Hunting
Vicki and Brian Tingley
Kristine Bishop
Patricia H. Edison
Steven and Joan Huyser-Honig
Wayne Titche
Ruth E. Bishop
Ms. Marla J. Ehlers
Paul Hyink and Judy Hackett
Colin Chelovich and
Molly Tupper Chelovich
Mr. and Mrs. Rodney Boerman
Mark and Jennifer Ellis
Integrity Business Solutions, LLC
John and Sharon Bouma
Bill and Cheryl Endres
Robert Israels
Mr. Eric Bouwens
Bill Essling
Carlton and Wendy Jackson
Janet and John Boyles
Mr. and Mrs. Roger Faber
Don* and Lois Jandernoa
Doug and Dawn Brackmann
Meredith Fennema
Matthew and Keri Jaynes
Christina Brewton and Craig Tanis
Amy Flick
Larry and Janine Jewell
Ms. Christina Brewton
Barb and Mike Forseman
Mr. and Mrs. Donald Johnson
Wayman and Dinah Britt
Jeffrey and Sheila Frank
Ms. Sarah Jolman
Jim and Susan Brown
O.N. and Joyce French
Tom and Margy Jones
Mr. Willard Burkhardt Sr
Mr. and Mrs. David G. Frey
Dr. Julian and Judith Joseph
Chuck and Mary Jo Burpee
Ms. Deanna Fridley
John and Mary Ellen Karcis
Thomas and Sandra Burr
Mr. Stephen Frykholm
Mary Karrip
Fred Bw'Ombongi
Margaret Gage
Corrine E. Kass
Cornelius and Wilma Bykerk
Pat and Patty Geary
Dick and Deb Kay
Mark, Joan and Ziya Cabanayan
Ms. Jane George
Mrs. Nancy P. Kehoe Nielsen
Ann and John Cameron
James Gillard
Keller Williams
David and Jean Campbell
Gene and Tubie Gilmore
Paul Kellermann and Pat Hartsoe
Katharine Cangelosi
Ed and Chris Goodrich
Mr. Richard D. Kennedy
Michael Cary and Marjorie Loughrin
Robert E. Goodrich
John Kershek and John Potter
Rick and Willow Chapla
Grace Church Guild
Mr. and Mrs. Kristopher Kimball
Tom and Natalie Chase
Mr. and Mrs. Phillip X. Greene
Kurt and Randy Kimball
Mr. and Mrs. William D. Christensen
Ms. Mary Grummer
Tom and Vicki Kimball
Ms. Sara L. Clay
Mr. Daniel N. Grzywacz
Anthony King and Lisa Oliver-King
Mr. and Mrs. Frederick R. Clemens Jr.
Rená and Gary Guttrich
Mrs. Janice Kirchgessner
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ambs
Kay and Gerry Colby
Lewis and Sheryl Haeck
Douglas and Patricia Klein
Emily Ambs
Robert and Diane Collier
Maureen P. Hale
Jim and Jane Knack
Anonymous (13)
Mrs. Cathy Collins
Jennifer H. Hall
Garry and Barb Knott
Thomas Appel
Bob and Julie Connors
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Hall
Mr. Kevin Kobiela
Paul and Marti Arnold
Ms. Mary Cook
Dick Hansen
Douglas and Louann Kohlbeck
Deborah Autman
Janean and Michael Couch
Mr. and Mrs. William H. Hardy, Jr.
Janet L. Koopman
Dr. Mayda Gunnell and John Gunnell
Ed and Linda Cox
Dr. Earl Harper and Louise Harper
Ron and Bonnie Kopp
Tod Bailey
Mal and Mary Abbott Cumming
Mrs. Donna Lynn Hecker
John and Marnie Kotwick
Carl and Claudia Bajema
Tim and Anne Armstrong Cusack
Dr. and Mrs.* Dewey R. Heetderks
Jerry and Wendy Kregel
Rita D. Balczak
Drs. Thomas and Virginia Davis
John and Gwen Hibbard
Steve and Mary Kretschman
Glenn & Kathi Barkan
Mr. Robert Dean
David Hill and Elizabeth Kidd
Mr. and Mrs. Rex Kuhn
Mr. Peter M. Turner
Randall and Laurie Van Houten
Mr. and Mrs. Rodney J. Van Tol
Selene Van Vleck
Dave and Lorrie Vander Ark
Jan Vander Kooy
Marianne and Werner Veit
Phil and Kathleen Vogelsang
Bill and Pat Waanders
Gary R. and Janice M. Walker
Andy and Katherine Weatherbee
Larry and Betsy Willey
Worksighted
Bruce Young
Rev. David Baak and Betty Zylstra
Robert J. Zylstra
George Graves Level
(up to $499 each year)
Tom and Melissa Aaberg
Dr. Marc and Mrs. Darcy Afman
Susan C. Allaben and
Lawrence W. Allaben
George Graves Level
(continued)
Ms. Nakia Kyler
Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Landstra
Paul and Nora LeBlanc
Jessica Ledesma
Dr. and Mrs. Robert Levine
Ms. Anne G. Lewis
Ping and Tim Liang
Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Lippert
Ray Loeschner
Glenn G. Lorch*
Marty and Cheri Luchtefeld
Ms. Cheryl Lulias
Heather and Michael Lunt
Dick and Genie Lyman
Mrs. Brenda Marean and
Mr. Ronald Palmitier
Ms. Eugenia Marve
Gerald and Theresa Matthews
Dr. and Mrs. John F. McMahon
Judith McQueen
Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Menninga
Mr.* and Mrs. Roger Meyer
Ronald and Karen Modreski
Mr. and Mrs. Randall Morris
James Moyer
Kathy Muir Laidlaw
Ms. Dawn M. Mumford
Peggy Murphy
Bruce Myers
Bob and Margaret Nault
Valerie B. Nelson
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Nobel, Jr.
Northern Trust Bank
Fred Olert, Jr.
Ken and Jan Oosterhouse
Terry and Maureen O'Rourke
Jim and Cathy Osborne
Cal and Ann* Owen
Steve and Melissa Ozinga
Martin and Enid Packard
Ms. Cheryl A. Palkowski
Steve and Molly Parker
Part 2 Events LLC
10
Joe and Ruth Pasman
Miss Rebecca Passarelli
Ms. Linda B. Patterson
Robert and Suzanne Payne
Deborah N. Snow
Mr. and Mrs. Gary Vruggink
Ken and Jill Peirce
H. David Soet and Ann Sullivan Soet
Mr. Michael T. Walenta
Phil Simon Properties LLC
Amanda and Ryan St. Pierre
Anita Wallgren
Ms. Shirley A. Plaska
Mr. Steven A. Starnes
James Walsh
Alice Porter
Terrence M. Start
Dixie Wege
Marlowe G. Pranger
Wendy Steele
Barbara Wepman
Amy Price
Craig and Cheri Stein
John Wert
Gene* and Virginia Proctor
Deb and Fred Steketee
David Westphal and Kathryn Stieler
John and Ann Puckett
Rick and Sue Steketee
Robert and Deborah White
Tom and Hollie Rademacher
Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Steketee
Mary White
Dave and Laura Radle
Stan and Norma Sterk
Mr. Walter F. Whitman
Marcia L. Rapp
Wendy Stock
Mr. and Mrs. Louis M. Wickman
Reagan Marketing + Design LLC
Lee Strodtman
Ryan and Stacey Wieland
Mr. and Mrs. Michael H. Redman
Dennis and Deborah Sturtevant
Jeffrey S. and Janet K. Williams
Hilda H. Reed
Greg and Audrey Sundstrom
Mr. Robert C. Williams
Ms. Barbara A. Richardson
Frank and Ruth Suskey
Joan Wilson
Susan and Phillip Rios
Lon and Sandy Swartzentruber
Charles S. Winslow and Judy K. Sopeland
Sally and Larry Robson
Tom Swets
Ms. Emma E. Winter
Judy Rodriguez
Bob Synk
Mr. Thomas D. Wisnom
Sandy and Brian Roelof
Mr. and Mrs. Rodman M. Taber
Mr. Mark Withey
Mr. Jim Rogers and
Mrs. Joyce A. French Rogers
Eddie T.L. Tadlock
Mr. and Mrs. Henry I. Witte
Christine Taylor
Andy Wolber
James Taylor and Amy Piscopink Taylor
Kurt and Sally Yost
Michael and Susan Taylor
David and Kathleen Young
Mrs. Robert Thoits
Dick and Barbara Young
Jill and Art Tiefenbach
Mindy Ysasi
Dan and Betsey Tinkham
Anne G. Zimmerman
Claude and Sharyl Titche
Ruth and Jack Zimmerman
Ms. Candace R. Titus
William F. Zoellmer III
Phil Tower and family
George and Gretchen Zuiderveen
Megan Sall
Mrs. and Mr. Caitlin and
Paul Townsend Lamb
*Deceased
Carlos Sanchez and Lynne Pope
Carol L. Townsend
Joan Sargeant
Robert and Beth Townsend
David Sarnacki and Bridget Flynn
Ms. Patti Trepkowski
Robert Schellenberg
Ms. Ann M. Trost
Robert and Karen Schermer
Rudy and Nancy Van Donk
James L. Schipper and Jane M. Frey
Geraldine M. Van Herp
Harold and Carol Schmidt
Andy and Tracy Van Solkema
Rana and Joseph N. Schwartz
Don and Ruth Van Stee
Melissa A. Seguin
Doug and Kathy Vance
Jessie M. Seven
Emily VandenBerg
Martin Shedleski Family
Judy and Dan Vandersteen
James and Sheryl Siegel
Ms. Sheila VanderWoude
Martin and Victoria Simescu
Mr. and Mrs. Matthew VanZetten
Ms. Sharon E. Smith
Ms. Edith G. Vasu
Sara Smolenski and Linda Burpee
Larry A. and Margaret D. Ver Merris
Mr. Nicholas V. Smylnycky
Ben and Emily VerWys
Richard and Esther Ross
Abraham G. and Anne L. Rossi
Mary Beth Roth
Mr. and Mrs. A. Rougier-Chapman
Dan and Jane Royer
Brian and June Rudy
Ronnie Ruple
Rebecca L. Rynbrandt
Holly Salas
Metz Society
David M. and Cara V. Cassard
Ellie Frey Zagel
Lucy Dyer Joswick and Scott Joswick
Members of the Metz Legacy Society
have made a provision in their estate
plans that include Grand Rapids
Community Foundation. The Metz
Legacy Society is named in honor of
George and Mary Metz, whose
$100,000 gift in 1929 was the first
bequest received by the Foundation.
Olga Cassard
Mary Meade Fuger
Mandy and Christian Chardoul
Mr. Henry G. Fuhs
Ms. Karen A. Kania and
Ms. Margaret H. McClure
Ms. Libby Child
Michael and Elyce Fuller
Brian Cloyd and Agnes Kempker-Cloyd
James F. and Marilyn Klyn Galer
Mr. and Mrs. Ronald L. Cornetet
Iris-Naomi Garcia
Bill and Marilyn Crawford
Mr. and Mrs. Paul K. Gaston
Mal Cumming
Brent and Ronda Geers
Ms. Mary Abbott
Tom Czerney
Christine Gilchrist
Mr. William E. Alt
Tom and Gale Czerwinski
Ms. Anita M. Gilleo
Gasper J. Amodeo
John and Edy Davies
Gene and Tubie Gilmore
Mark and Wendy Anderson
Gilbert R. and Patricia K. Davis
Linsey Gleason
Anonymous (13)
Norman B. and Mary M. De Graaf
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas D. Gleason
Mr. Willem Antonides
Joy DeBoer
Beth Goebel
Mr. and Mrs. Noyes Avery
Barbara DeMoor
Gary Goode
Ken Bandstra
Bill and Carolyn DeNeut
Mr. and Mrs. Philip W. Goodspeed
Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Bassett
David R. and Helene M. Despres
Ms. Dareather Greer
Nancy Batts
Rick and Sue DeVries
Franklin K. Gregory
Roger and Willa Bauer
Mr. and Mrs. Phillip DeWildt
Dr. James and Patty Gunn
Laurie Finney Beard
Danielle DeWitt
Terri A. Handlin
Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. Becker
Gail DeYoung and F. Jay Schoettley
Mr. and Mrs. William H. Hardy, Jr.
Lois Eberhard Beckering
Rita Didrichsons
Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Hathaway
Tanya and Tom Berg
Mr. Max Doering
Jacqueline E. Haveman
John R. Bertsch
Elizabeth T. (Mrs. Carson) Donley
Janet A. Haynes
Kristine Bishop
John and Marilyn Dooge
Mrs. Doris B. Heartwell
John and Claire Bissell
Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence E. Dooge, Jr.
Jan Heerspink
Lynne Black
Beth Dornan
Mr. and Mrs. James Hegarty
Ms. Bonnie L. Blandford
Mr. and Mrs. Ronald L. Ducharme
Mr. and Mrs. William R. Heyne
Thomas N. Blandford
Mr. Robert J. Dunlap
John and Gwen Hibbard
Glen and Betsy Borre
Ms. Patricia S. Duthler
Bert Pettis and Gary Hill
Gina M. Bovee
David G. Dvorak, M.D.
Barbara J. Hoag
Mr. and Mrs. Paul D. Bowers, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Kenton H. Eavey
Dirk Hoffius
Janet and John Boyles
Mr. and Mrs. Jay Egan
Michael Hoffman
Tom Braciak
Ben and Susan Emdin
Jane Hondelink
Mr. and Mrs. Larry Bratschie
Ms. Elaine E. Emmons
Robert L. and Judith S. Hooker
The Honorable Hugh W. Brenneman, Jr.
Bill Essling
David Horning
Mark Breon
Hank and Marcia Fairchild
Gregg and Kim Hughes
Mrs. Richard F. Brush
Mrs. Diane S. Farage
Katherine Humphrey
Renwick Brutus
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Finazzi
Bonnie Hunter and Merl Morehouse
Mrs. Gretchen B. Burch
Michael Finton Ph.D.
John Hunting
Robert and Sandy Burnham
Mary and Bill Ford
Henry Idema II
Jan Burns
Joy Foster
Sue Ann Jabin
Anna Moore Butzner
Mr. and Mrs. Ben A. Fowler
Cherry and Phil Jacobus
Sharon M. Buursma
David E. and Dawn* O. Fowler
Chuck and Carol Jennings
John and Linda Byington
Thomas S. and Maxine J. Fox
Shirley Jeter
Dr. and Mrs. Mark Campbell
Jeffrey and Sheila Frank
John and Marie Canepa
Jason Franklin
Lynne Jarman Johnson and
Robert J. Johnson
Ms. Esther A. Carew
Susan S. Freihofer
Tom and Margy Jones
Carol Karr
Mary Karrip
Ms. Evelyn A. Kasperlik
Mrs. M. S. Keeler II
Mrs. Nancy P. 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
Mr. Alvin Koop and
Mrs. Robin A. Horder-Koop
David A. and Phyllis E. Koslow
Mrs. June Kosten
Ken and Melinda Krei
Hoyt Kremer
Ms. Marjorie Kuipers
Mrs. Paula La Claire
Jeff Schad and Marilyn Lankfer
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
Mike Lloyd
Michael Loughman
Arend and Nancy Lubbers
Jan Lunquist and Michael May
Mr. and Mrs. Eugene G. Lyons
Suzie Mackeigan
Donald W. Maine
Ernest and Lorraine Malkewitz
Frank and Nancy Manning
Barbara P. Marcus
Ronald Marsteiner
Inetta Martindill
Chet Maternowski
Max B. Matteson
Kate and John McGarry
Bonnie K. Miller
METZ SOCIETY
(continued)
Daniel Miller and Susan Wright-Miller
Kim S. Mitchell
Ronald and Karen Modreski
Gordie and Jan Moeller
David and Diana Morgenstern
Ms. Dorothy Munson
Rosemary D. Murphy
Chief Judge Bill and Paula Murphy
Jon and Carol Muth
Ms. Paula Neal
Ardith V. Neath Adams
Mr. and Mrs. Bradley D. Nelson
Dale C. and Cynthia Dewees Nelson
Dr. Anthony Foster and
Mrs. Linda Nemec Foster
Ms. Pat Nevala
Gary and Peg Novosad
Fred Olert, Jr.
Mr. Gerald Olson
Mr. Armen G. Oumedian
Steve and Molly Parker
Mr. and Mrs. James B. Payne
Richard A. Perkins
John L. Peterson
Cynthia Pimm
Mr. John H. Pimm, Sr.
Dr. James E. and Kathleen Stewart Ponitz
Jim and Marie Preston
Mr. and Mrs. Michael H. Price
Scott Pruski
Mr. and Mrs. Larry Purcey
Marcia L. Rapp
Rochelle Reagan
Richard A. Roane and Leandro Robles
Marjorie and Bud Roegge
Milt and Barbara Rohwer
Dr. Jack and Lija Romence
Ms. Lisa M. Rose
Mr. Andrew F. Rossano
Mary C. Roth
Bob and Marcy Roth
Owen Rottschafer, M.D.
Stella A. Royce
12
Ms. Kathleen M. Russell
Margaret Ryan
Megan Sall
Jerry Schaefer and Polly Hewitt
Ben and Emily VerWys
Robert Schellenberg
John P. and Lynn Vinkemulder
Mary Jane Schopf
Phil and Kathleen Vogelsang
Ms. Greta Schuil
Theodore J. Vogt
Ms. Corliss E. Scott
David and Kay Wagner
John Scott
Gary R. and Janice M. Walker
Jim and Susie Sebastian
Anita Wallgren
Peter and Joan Secchia
Mr.* and Mrs. Russel Warner
Mark A. Sellers
Dr. and Mrs. James K. Watkins
Mrs. Elaine Shay
Ms. Connie Wenger
Eileen Shedleski
John Wert
Marilyn and Budge Sherwood
Mary White
Shaun Shira
Dorothy Wiest
Diana R. Sieger
Rita Williams and John Gill
Ms. Maureen Quinn Slade
Jim and Connie Winter-Troutwine
Ryan Slusarzyk
Mr. Thomas D. Wisnom
Mr. and Mrs. Gary R. Snyder
Mike and Colleen Wolfe
Lisa Sostecke DDS
Kate Pew Wolters
Robert A. Sprotte
Dr. Richard J. Woltersom
Amanda and Ryan St. Pierre
Bob and Aleicia Woodrick
Terrence M. Start
John S. and Kathleen B. Woudstra
Barbara D. Steil
Dick and Barbara Young
Stan and Norma Sterk
Marilyn and Garrett Zack
Wendy Stock
Mr. and Mrs. John H. Zwarensteyn
Ms. Patty A. Story
Rev. David Baak and Betty Zylstra
Ms. Ann Stuart Burroughs
Robert J. Zylstra
Michael and Susan Taylor
Steele and Mary Taylor
KG Thompson
Jill and Art Tiefenbach
Vicki and Brian Tingley
Ella M. Topp
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Trapp
George and Kerstin Trowbridge
Colin Chelovich and
Molly Tupper Chelovich
Donald and Mary Tuttle
Ms. Rebecca L. Tyke
Dr. and Mrs. Ghayas Uddin
Selene Van Vleck
Mr. Don VandenBos Jr.
Dave and Lorrie Vander Ark
Mrs. Dori Vander Mey
Lou VanderHave
Erica Curry VanEe and Brian VanEe
Mr. and Mrs. Rick A. VanHorn
Ms. Robin E. Velte
Carl and Sandra VerBeek
*Deceased
Metz Legacy Society Profile:
L E GACY
SOCIETY
Staff Members Who Belong
There are nine Community Foundation staff members who belong to the Metz Legacy
Society. In past issues of Current we’ve profiled them and since then, there are a few others
who have been added to the list. We appreciate their forward-looking gifts.
“When we made our will we decided that creating a fund for “Grand Rapids Community Foundation embodies many
the environment at the Community Foundation would be an of my values: inclusion, equity, and a desire to make
ideal way to leave our mark—to carry our St. Pierre family
Grand Rapids a better place for ALL of its residents—
name forward and to impact something that we care deeply
present and future. I chose to give
about for future generations. It didn’t cost us anything
an unrestricted gift through my
additional to make a
trust because it provides flexibility
provision, and it gave us
and empowers the Community
peace of mind knowing that
Foundation to address the needs of
something permanent was
the community in perpetuity.”
set up in case the worst were
— Shaun Shira
to happen.”
— Amanda and Ryan St. Pierre
“I named Grand Rapids Community
Foundation the beneficiary of my
Health Saving Account. I’ve worked
my entire career in the nonprofit field
and I feel that giving back to where I
made my livelihood is important.”
— Roberta F. King
There are so many ways to remember the Community
Foundation in your will or estate plans. You can create
a provision in your will for a specific amount of your
estate or a percentage, you can make a bequest of an
asset of real property or make the Community
Foundation the beneficiary of your 401 (k), a life
insurance policy or another retirement asset. Let us
know what you are thinking! Our development team
can be reached at 616.454.1751.
Businesses Making Good Happen Here
T
he investment firm Edward Jones is passionate about
seeing the Kent County community thrive and that’s
one reason the firm’s West Michigan leadership
decided to establish a corporate advised fund with Grand
Rapids Community Foundation. “Having a great local partner
like Grand Rapids Community Foundation was important to us,
too, the Community Foundation knows our community and its
needs better than any national provider does,” said Philip
Streng, fund co-founder and regional leader of Edward Jones.
Chad Zagel, financial advisor at the office in East Grand
Rapids, also appreciates how establishing a fund at the
Community Foundation has made it easier for everyone in
Edward Jones’ West Michigan offices to be involved and
contribute. Financial advisors contribute to the fund and also
help determine where grants should go—and the past two years,
Junior Achievement has been the recipient of funding.
“Establishing our fund through the Community Foundation
allowed us to be more accessible to our team members, thanks
to lower minimum contributions. With the help of tools the
Community Foundation has provided, ongoing administration
has been a breeze. Of course we appreciate not having the
burden of tracking everything ourselves,” Chad said.
“This fund has allowed our team
members all over West Michigan feel
more connected to something bigger
than ourselves. Regardless of how
much they can contribute, all team
members feel that they are making a
difference when our collective money
makes grants larger than any one
person could do on their own,” he said. To learn more about how your company may benefit from a
corporate advised fund with the Community Foundation,
contact Shaun Shira, development officer, at 616.454.1751.
R.K.
New Grants!
This is Leadership
This fall our Board of Trustees approved
five grants totaling $990,000.
Dwelling Place
How much: $500,000
Purpose: It will help construct
multifamily, quality affordable housing
for families living on Grand Rapids’
West Side. (This grant is contingent on
the approval of Low-Income Housing
Tax Credits support.)
Why it matters: Housing on the West
Side is in high demand, and many
families are being priced out of the
neighborhoods that they’ve called
home for years. We want to change this
by increasing the stock of affordable
options for families, including families in
our Challenge Scholars program.
Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts
How much: $10,000
Purpose: Through grassroots efforts
and media outreach, this grant engages
diverse audiences for three UICA
exhibitions: US IS THEM, Here + Now
and the Seitu Jones foodways project.
Kingdom Minded Ministries
How much: $5,000
Purpose: It establishes a food service
job training and certification trade
school for people returning to the
community after incarceration. The
grant will pay for uniforms and
equipment to launch the program.
Why it matters: UICA is intentionally
focusing more on artist equity, because
everyone in our community should have
access to making, showing and
experiencing art.
Why it matters: It’s hard for
ex-offenders to find jobs. Evidence
shows that people with access to
personal and professional growth
opportunities and employment are less
likely to return to prison.
KConnect
How much: $375,000
Purpose: KConnect helps local
organizations share data and track their
collective impact in creating a clear
path to economic prosperity for all
children in Kent County. It addresses
pervasive inequity—in housing,
transportation, education, healthcare
and economic security—by creating a
common agenda and shared
measurements.
14
Why it matters: Many groups are doing
great things in our community, often in
isolation. KConnect evaluates what’s
working and identifies the most
effective strategies to harness our
community’s collective impact. When
the most marginalized among us thrive,
then our overall community prospers.
Donors Make
it happen!
We appreciate the generosity of
the following funds for making
these grants possible:
George M. Ames Fund
Allan and Claudia Carlson
Family Fund
Dallas and Helen Darling Fund
West Michigan Center for Arts
and Technology
How much: $100,000
Purpose: This grant is for WMCAT’s
capital campaign to build a larger
permanent facility on the city’s West
Side.
Fund for Community Good
Why it matters: Having more room will
let WMCAT serve more entrepreneurs
and train more people for living-wage
jobs.
Chalmers and
Esther Quaintance Fund
C. John Gill and
Rita Williams Fund
Haslinger Family Fund
Leonard and Eileen Newman
Fund for the Arts
M y C omm u nity M atters
A
Looking Forward and Back Again
s 2016 ends and 2017
begins, I want to note some
important things that
happened at Grand Rapids
Community Foundation and what
we’re looking forward to in the new year.
This year we reached the $200
million mark in grant awards since our
first grant in 1930. You can see some of
it in buildings we’ve helped build:
Grand Rapids Art Museum, Gilda’s
Club, Gerald R. Ford Presidential
Museum and the VanAndel Arena, to
name a handful. Less visible is how
your support and our endowed
grantmaking in neighborhood
development, housing and the
environment have touched or
improved hundreds of thousands of
lives in Kent County!
As you know, philanthropy is about
systemic change. Even our less visible
work, such as with Kent Schools
Services Network, is important. In 30
schools throughout our county, KSSN
provides support and structure to
students who need health, human and
social services. We support KSSN,
because it helps students stay in
school—and we know that when they
are present, they’re learning.
Part of that $200 million in grants
has been for college scholarships,
which we’ve been awarding since 1947.
This year we gave $1.1 million scholarships
to 630 students, including 296 first
generation college attendees and 84
Grand Rapids Public Schools
graduates. Within 10 years we’ll see the
impact of this year’s decision to expand
our Challenge Scholars scholarship
model. That’s because now all
incoming freshmen who maintain
good grades and attendance—and
graduate from Union High School—
will be able to attend Grand Rapids
Community College tuition free.
Most Challenge Scholars (CS)
students live on Grand Rapids’ West
Side, where rapid growth risks
displacing longtime residents and
neighborhood businesses. That’s why
we made significant grants to Habitat
for Humanity of Kent County and
WestSide Collaborative. Habitat’s
Building Blocks campaign helps people
afford to own and repair homes near
Harrison Park School, our first CS
school. The collaborative—a newly
formed group of churches, nonprofits,
neighborhood associations and faithbased organizations—strengthens
residents’ voices in housing, education
and economic development decisions.
It also helps make sure that residents
learn about housing and CS program
benefits. As we have been for several
years, we expect to remain very
involved with affordable housing
issues this year.
Our five Encore Innovation Fellows
are building a network in Grand Rapids
to harness the talent of people looking
to do good work in their second act of
life. Our fellows meet with newly
retired or mid-career people who want
to make a meaningful difference in our
community. While attracting young
people to Grand Rapids is vital, we
know our community will be stronger
when we also value and use the talents
of experienced people. In the new year,
we look forward to greater outreach to
the community. We want to share the
stories and experiences of a more
diverse group of people doing great
work.
This year our donor advisors
awarded more than $4 million to
support great projects at local
nonprofits such as Davenport
University, Grand Rapids Community
College Foundation, YMCA of Greater
Grand Rapids, Family Promise of
Grand Rapids and Arbor Circle. Our
donors also co-invested with us on
several grants. In all, 81 percent of
Donor Advised Fund grants stayed in
West Michigan, 7 percent went to other
Michigan organizations and 12 percent
went to organizations outside of our
state. Our donor advisors make us
much stronger as an organization.
While Donor Advised Funds are a
growth area for us, we will be showing
you the many benefits of unrestricted
and planned giving, both of which
sustain the Community Foundation
over time.
Thank you all for a great year—for
your financial support and volunteer
time. It’s been my honor to work with
you, and I look forward to our new year
together.
Grand Rapids Community Foundation
185 Oakes Street S.W.
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503
If you are receiving duplicate copies of Current, let us know,
and please pass one along to a friend.
We are delighted to introduce you to our
newest staff member, Jenine Prus. She
joined our development team
early this fall as development
officer. Jenine is building
relationships with annual
donors, growing our One
Hundred New Philanthropists
program and getting to know
Jenine Prus
our Metz Legacy Society
members. Outside the office, Jenine is
participant engagement chair for
BL2END (Business Leaders Linked
Encouraging New Directions). She came
to us from her role as chief advancement
officer with Family Futures. We hope that
you get to meet her soon!
16
Congratulations to Challenge
Scholars Assistant Jessica
Ledesma, who was nominated
for two Leadership Awards
from Young Nonprofit
Professionals Network of
Grand Rapids. She was a
Jessica Ledesma
finalist in two categories—
Advocate and Breakthrough—and she
won the Breakthrough Award for her
work with Challenge Scholars.
In October, our new website
launched! It’s been a few years
since the last time we changed
it up, and we’re pleased totally
with the result. We worked
with the great team of designers,
developers and project managers at
Mighty in the Midwest, a Grand Rapids
based company. If you’ve not been to our
site lately, check out grfoundation.org
and let us know what you think.
We’re excited to introduce a new Encore
Innovation Fellow—Shannon Cohen.
Shannon is an award-winning industry
leader and sought-after
strategist, innovator
and inspirational leader.
Through her business,
Shannon Cohen Inc.,
she has served The
White House Office of
National Drug Control
Policy, Michigan High Shannon Cohen
Intensity Drug Trafficking Agency,
Network180, Wyoming Public Schools,
Camp Blodgett and others. She will be
serving Encore with community
education, communication and outreach
and program management.
Nonprofit Organization
U.S. Postage
P A I D
Grand Rapids, MI
Permit No. 360
Holiday Office Hours
Grand Rapids Community Foundation
will be closed:
• Friday, December 23,
2016
• Monday, December 26,
2016
• Friday, December 30,
2016, at noon
(though we will have
a few staff members
on site for last
minute donations).
Gifts to be credited for 2016 tax returns
must be:
• Delivered to the Community
Foundation by 5 p.m. on Friday,
December 30, 2016
• Postmarked on or before
December 31, 2016
• Given online by 11:59 p.m. on
December 31, 2016
College-bound?
Our college scholarship application is
available January 1, 2017. Students have
until April 1 to complete and submit an
application for scholarship consideration.
Questions? Call 616.454.1751 and ask for
Jill or Ruth.
Please note that complex gifts, such as an
IRA transfer or a gift of stock, may take
longer to facilitate. If you are considering
this type of gift, please allow enough time
for processing. We’re here to help. If you
have questions, please call the
Community Foundation development
staff at 616.454.1751.
Thank you and
happy holidays!