To the Next 50
As many know, 2021 marked the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation’s 50th year of service. As our 50th celebration concludes, we want to extend our most sincere gratitude to those who paved the way for this organization.
Grand Haven Area Community Foundation Grant Supports Educator Well-Being Program
GHACF Awards more than $160,000 in final round of Community Impact Grants for 2021
$50,000 in Grants Awarded to Local Municipalities in Celebration of 50 Years of Service
In continuation of our 50th anniversary celebration, our foundation recently granted $50,000 to local municipalities to improve the quality of life and promote a healthy, inclusive, collaborative, and diverse community in Northwest Ottawa County.
Community Book Read
In honor of our 50th anniversary, we were able to make possible several smaller, community-focused activities including the donation of books to students. In May of this year, we gave a copy of the book Have You Filled a Bucket Today? to every Northwest Ottawa County second grader, local public libraries as well as school and classroom libraries. This resulted in a total of nearly 1,000 books gifted.
Grant Lifts Up Program for Latinx Leaders
The Board of the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation is pleased to announce four third-round Community Impact grant awards, totaling $275,000, in support of Northwest Ottawa County and our surrounding communities. This includes a $40,000 grant to Tri-Cities Puentes Initiative for “LEADeres Lakeshore,” a leadership and professional development program for Latinx professionals and leaders in the lakeshore area.
Leaving a legacy, one student at a time
Education affordability is a significant issue for our local graduates. Improving the accessibility of post-secondary opportunities is a priority for the foundation. This year, we awarded scholarships to 224 students in the Northwest Ottawa County area, providing a total of $655,095 worth of assistance.
Enriching our Community through Arts and Culture
We also understand that celebrating art begins with investing in programs that make it accessible—and enjoyable—in our community. Because of this, we dedicate grants and resources to programs that bring regional and national art and cultural experiences into the community while also supporting the growth of local organizations.
Changes to the Board
As a community foundation, we rely on the wisdom and guidance of our Board of Trustees as we work to carry out the mission of our organization. This year our board members donated their time, energy, and expertise to help us best respond to our community’s needs during a particularly unprecedented time. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank our outgoing board member and to welcome our new member. This year, Chad Bush has reached the end of his term and we welcome Natalia Kovicak to the board.
Grant Benefits Community Space in Spring Lake
We recently awarded five second-round Community Impact grant awards, totaling $308,000, in support of Northwest Ottawa County and our surrounding communities. This includes a $125,000 grant to the Village of Spring Lake for the redevelopment of Tanglefoot Park. This...
A Celebration of History
Pioneered by a group of civic-minded individuals with a heart for this community and led by E.V. “Vin” Erickson, our foundation started in 1971 with just $1,200 and a vision to deliver a positive impact through dedicated service. Despite doubt from skeptics questioning whether a community foundation could be successful in a community the size of the Grand Haven area, our committed leaders relied on their desire to equip our community with the resources needed to endure any and every future challenge.