Committees

The Grand Haven Area Community Foundation relies on volunteers from the community to serve on our committees. The majority of our committees are made up of current board members, but some include people from the community at large.

Blank
Audit Committee

The Audit Committee is responsible for assisting the Board of Trustees in fulfilling its
fiduciary responsibilities by overseeing the Foundation’s financial reporting and public
disclosure activities. Ensure the organization has the proper risk-management provisions
in place.

The Audit Committee will have three (3) members which include two current Board
members and a third person, selected at large, someone with accounting expertise and not currently serving on the Board.

 

  • Mary Carole Cotter, Chair
  • Natalia Kovicak
  • Terry Nash
Executive Committee

The Executive Committee, subject to those limitations as may be required by law or imposed by resolution of the Board of Trustees, may exercise all powers and authority of the Board of Trustees in the management of the business and affairs of the Foundation between meetings of the Board of Trustees, with the exceptions stated in the Foundation Bylaws. 

The officers of the Foundation and the Chairperson of the Grants and Program Committee, if that person is not an officer, will constitute the Executive Committee. The Chairperson of the Board will be Chair of the Executive Committee. The President and foundation leadership team will serve as ex-officio committee members.

  • Mark Pereira, Chair
  • Cindy Anderson, Vice Chair 
  • Pat VerDuin
  • Keith Konarska
  • Mary Carole Cotter
Grants & Program Committee

The Grants and Program Committee is responsible for oversight of the grantmaking and program activities of the Foundation. 

The Grants and Program Committee will have no fewer than five (5) members, with the majority always being current Board members. In selecting non-Board members, consideration will be given to past Board members and persons having qualities consistent with potential new Board members. The Grants and Program Chairperson will be a current Board member. The President and other Foundation staff will serve as ex-officio members without vote. The Committee Chair has the option to invite a Youth Advisory Committee member from time to time to attend committee meetings without a vote.

  • Mary Carole Cotter, Chair
  • Cindy Anderson 
  • Brandon Brown
  • Natalia Kovicak
  • David Swain
  • Kelly Larson
  • Jennifer Essex
  • Caroline Henry, Youth Representative 
Governance Committee

The Governance Committee is responsible for ongoing review and recommendations to enhance the quality and future viability of the Board. 

The work of the Committee includes oversight of Board responsibilities and orientation, Board composition, Board effectiveness, and Board leadership.

  • Mark Pereira, Chair
  • Cindy Anderson
  • Pat VerDuin
  • Keith Konarska
  • Mary Carole Cotter
  • Barb VanHeest 
Impact Investing Committee

The Impact Investing Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving impact investments presented by GHACF Staff for recommendation to the Investment Committee and Board for final approval.

The Impacting Investing Committee will have no fewer than five (5) members and will include representation from the GHACF Investment Committee, representation from the GHACF Grants Committee and other at large members of the community who have the specialized expertise or skills to help guide the investment as recommended by GHACF President. The Impact Investing Committee Chair will be a current Board Member. Advisors from the Northern Trust as Investment Manager and Housing Next may serve as ex-officio members without vote and the GHACF President and the Foundation leaders overseeing Finance and Grants will serve as ex-officio members without vote.

  • Shirley Woodruff, Chair 
  • David Swain
  • Barb VanHeest
  • Tammy Bailey
  • Tom Boven
  • Deborah Kasemeyer (Ex-Officio, Advisor)
Investment Committee

The Investment Committee is responsible for implementing the Foundation’s Investment Policy. 

The Investment Committee will have no fewer than five (5) members, with at least two (2) who are current Board members. The Board Treasurer may serve as the Investment Committee Chair. The President will, and the Foundation leadership team can, serve as ex-officio members without vote.

  • Rob Peel, Chair
  • Mark Pereria
  • Shirley Woodruff
  • Abby Selby
  • Blake Philips 
Scholarship Committee

The Scholarship Committee is responsible for oversight of the scholarship program activities of the Foundation.

The Scholarship Committee will have no fewer than five (5) members and will include at least one Board member. In selecting non-Board members, consideration will be given to persons having expertise in the fields of education and youth programs. Donors and parties related to donors may serve on the Committee from time to time, but must make up the minority of the Committee. The majority of the committee must be made up of individuals who are not related parties and who are not designated or appointed by the Donor. The Scholarship Chairperson will be a current Board member. The President and other Foundation staff will serve as ex-officio members without vote.

  • Keith Konarska, Chair, Board
  • Cindy Anderson
  • Pat VerDuin
  • Kim McLaughlin
  • Julia Wagner
  • Aaron West
  • Naomi VanSingel
  • Amanda Davids-Mundt

Latest Blog Posts

Learn from the top thought leaders in the industry.

Join our community – get the latest in your inbox.


By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact