As we continue to navigate this rapidly evolving pandemic and the challenges that it is creating, we wanted to share with you the steps that the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation has taken so far to care for our community:
- Created careottawacounty.com with the Community Foundation of Holland/Zeeland and Greater Ottawa County United Way
- Created the Emergency Human Needs Fund and seeded it with an initial $25,000 from the GHACF
- Processed two rounds of grants totaling $118,450 from the Emergency Human Needs Fund and sent those to area nonprofits who are directly helping to meet increased needs
- Continue to actively process gifts to the Emergency Human Needs Fund and grant recommendations from our fund holders to area nonprofits
- Created and updated ghacf.org/covid19 to provide an up-to-date accounting for what we know and how we’re responding
- Closed the GHACF office and staff are working remotely
We remain in close contact with local and county government officials, neighboring community foundations, the Council of Michigan Foundations, the Greater Ottawa County United Way (GOCUW), the Lakeshore Nonprofit Alliance (LNA), and many of our local for-impact partners as we continue to learn about the challenges and opportunities that are being created.
Establishment of Emergency Human Needs Fund
A community coalition comprised of the GOCUW, the GHACF, LNA, Community Spoke, and the Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area (CFHZ) has been monitoring ongoing developments surrounding COVID-19 and proactively working to assist with the increasing needs of our community.
The coalition has launched careottawacounty.com to keep the public informed of how they can help. This website lists ways to volunteer, as well as how to donate goods and/or monetary gifts. We have established an Emergency Human Needs Fund at the GHACF. The GHACF, the CFHZ, and the GOCUW are working together to provide funds to nonprofit organizations that are helping the most vulnerable in our community in this time of crisis.
This fund is a short-term emergency response fund. As we learn more in the coming weeks and months, longer-term solutions will require additional planning with our community partners, as well as significant funds. Should any money remain in this fund after the next 4-6 weeks, it will be used for that long-term community response.
Immediate Needs Grants
The community coalition created to respond to the COVID-19 crises has granted $118,450 from the Emergency Human Needs Fund to area nonprofit organizations that are helping our community in this time of crisis. Funding is provided on behalf of the Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area (CFHZ), the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation (GHACF), and the Greater Ottawa County United Way.
- $750 to Barnabas Ministries
- $10,000 to Community Action House
- $2,700 to City on a Hill
- $5,000 to Coopersville Cares
- $5,000 to Four Pointes Center for Successful Aging
- $25,000 to Good Samaritan Ministries
- $5,000 to Harvest Stand Ministries
- $10,000 to Holland Rescue Mission
- $5,000 to Kids’ Food Basket (Holland)
- $10,000 to Love in Action
- $10,000 to Love Inc Allendale
- $10,000 to Love Inc Hudsonville
- $7,500 to The People Center
- $5,000 to Resilience
Day-to-Day Business
As the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis continues to increase in severity, we want you to know that we are taking steps to maintain everyone’s health and safety, while also maintaining full and uninterrupted service to our fund holders, our partners, and our communities. At the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation (GHACF), the Allendale Community Foundation, and the Coopersville Area Community Foundation, our partners, teammates, along with their families, fund holders, donors, and the communities that we serve remain our top priorities.
While we’re working remotely, the most effective way to give is online at ghacf.org/donate, as check processing may be delayed.
We will continue to offer the level of personalized service and customized solutions that individuals, organizations, and corporations have come to expect. We have long been committed to a flexible workplace, and we have the technological, cultural, and operational infrastructure for the organization to work virtually.
Adaptive Schedules & Office Hours
As of Monday, March 23, our office is closed and staff is working remotely. We can all be reached via phone or email during normal business hours and remain committed to serving our donors, fund holders, partners, and community. Email addresses can be found on our Meet the Team page.
We have instructed staff who may be experiencing symptoms of the COVID-19 virus to stay home and to contact their health care provider. GHACF will continue to monitor and follow best practices published by the Ottawa County Department of Public Health, Michigan Department of Health & Human Services, and the CDC.
We will be hosting committee and group meetings via phone and/or Zoom. One-on-one meetings with external guests that can be conducted by phone and/or Zoom are encouraged. We will be reaching out regarding any meetings currently planned at our office, or please feel free to contact the person with whom you are scheduled to meet.
Our Investment Strategy
This global health pandemic has led to increased financial market volatility in the past month. Coronavirus uncertainty will continue to impact the financial market outlook. Our staff has been in touch with Northern Trust Foundation and Institutional Advisors, our Investment Committee, and our Board of Trustees. We are actively monitoring the situation but remain invested for long-term growth and currently plan to maintain our passively managed approach.
Ongoing Communication
The GHACF will continue to communicate as needed related to COVID-19’s impact on our fund holders, our for-impact partners, our community, and our investment performance. These updates will be shared on our COVID-19 Response page.
We appreciate your confidence and flexibility during this challenging time. If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact me or any member of our team.
Sincerely,
Hadley Streng
President