Blog
Board Feature: Anil Mandala
Anil Mandala joined the GHACF board in 2015, is the current chair of the Grants Committee, and has served on the Executive, Governance, and Impact Investing committees. His discerning approach, in partnership with his insight on community needs, makes him a valuable member of the board.
Dedicated to Building a Strong Future
As we reflect on 2019 and look forward to 2020, we here at the foundation are filled with an overwhelming amount of gratitude. Whether it was coming together around critically important community issues or generously donating time, talent, treasure, and ties, we thank each of you. We thank you for your continued trust, for partnering with us, and for continuing to support our mission to enhance the quality of life for all in our community.
The Impact of Giving Back
We say it a lot: we can’t do any of the work we do without the generosity of people like you supporting for-impact partners in our community through our Greatest Needs and Field of Interest Funds. Below are a few stories from recent grant recipients that were made possible because of your donations.
Youth Grantmakers Support Grants Benefitting Youth and Their Families
The Grand Haven Area Community Foundation’s (GHACF) Youth Advisory Council (YAC) is pleased to announce nine, third-round grant awards, totaling $33,393, in support of Northwest Ottawa County and our surrounding communities. This includes a $4,800 grant to Loutit District Library to revitalize the play area to help children develop skills they need to enter school ready to read and learn.
Making a Positive Impact in Our Community
Every contribution to the Greatest Needs Fund—whether it’s $5 or $5,000—means one more program can increase self-esteem in young girls, or combat invasive species that threaten our trees, or help update zoning ordinances to allow more affordable housing to be built in our community.
–> Your contributions make a difference – right here in Northwest Ottawa County <-- As our community’s needs evolve, we remain committed to improving the quality of life for all, because we all benefit from a healthy and vibrant community. Your gift to the Greatest Needs Fund makes this possible.
How Will You Give Back?
Today is Giving Tuesday, a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. Celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving and the shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday, GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season, when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving.
Recent Grants Support Teen Center, Books for Students
We are pleased to announce thirteen third-round grant awards, totaling $450,085, in support of Northwest Ottawa County and our surrounding communities. This includes a $75,000 grant to Momentum Center for their Teen/Pre-Teen program, which provides community and support to area youth and focuses on positive relationships, mental health, and wellbeing, with the goal of reducing mental health crises in the youth population.
This is Community Foundation Week
There’s a quote you hear a lot in the world of community foundations: “If you’ve seen one community foundation, you’ve seen one community foundation.” What that means is while at our core each foundation is here to impact lives, solve problems, and improve futures, each foundation reflects its community and therefore is unique.
Inspiring Philanthropy
We’re redefining philanthropy to include time, talent, treasure, and ties, because it’s not about how much you give, but how deeply you care.
Why We Give: Joyce & Andy Cawthon
Andy and Joyce Cawthon chose to open a named greatest needs fund because “there is great value in pooling resources with other people of a similar mind,” said Andy. “My individual giving might not have an impact on a pressing community need, and if I’m picking the beneficiary, how do I know if I’m picking the best thing? We trust the foundation to make that decision for us.” By making an unrestricted contribution to the foundation, the Cawthons can rest assured that today, tomorrow, and forever those resources will be invested wisely and with a focus on impact.
Expanding the Definition of Diversity
Many people’s first thought when they hear the word diversity has something to do with race. With race relations as a constant nationwide conversation and at the forefront of our education, and therefore our understanding, it’s no wonder diversity and race tend to be synonymous within ourselves and popular culture.
Diversity can come from any part of a person’s identity. Race, gender, sexuality, socio-economic status, age, religion, education, disability, and so many others influence who we are and how others interact with us.
Youth Are Changemakers
Our overall goal remains is to empower youth to be changemakers, give them the tangible skills to make sound decisions, become critically aware of some of the issues their peers face, and provide them with platforms to be community advocates.
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