Nonprofits
SPONSORED BY GRAND RAPIDS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Ronald McDonald House West Michigan plans $2M expansion to meet growing needs
Written by Kate CarlsonGRAND RAPIDS — A West Michigan nonprofit that provides free temporary housing for families of children receiving medical care plans to renovate and expand its Grand Rapids campus after experiencing pandemic-related delays.
Grand Rapids native to help craft KConnect’s policy agenda for lawmakers
Written by Andy Balaskovitz
Born and raised in Grand Rapids, Shayla Young won a prestigious Gates Millennium scholarship just before graduating from Central High School in 2008 that paid for all of her post-secondary education. After earning a doctorate in education from Michigan State University, Young will now play a key role in a new effort by KConnect, a nonprofit that convenes cross-sector partners to address inequities where she will help build a common policy agenda that closes the “unacceptable achievement gaps for children and families of color in Kent County.” Alongside assistance from the Michigan League for Public Policy and local experts Kathleen Bruinsma and John Helmholdt, Young serves as the postdoctoral fellow who will convene community members to craft policy objectives around issues such as education, housing and family stability, to name a few. This policy agenda will then be communicated with local, state and federal lawmakers, and also help to inform KConnect’s internal and external policies around advocating for legislative issues. Young recently discussed her role in KConnect’s new policy initiative and how her background prepared her for the job.
Nonprofits explore non-traditional leadership structures to avoid burnout, grow diversity
By JOSH SPANNINGA
Nonprofit organizations are increasingly turning to alternative leadership structures with shared responsibilities to help combat burnout as well as open doors for more diverse executives.
Vista Maria, a Dearborn Heights nonprofit serving abused and neglected girls, has named a new CEO following a six-month search.
Frey Foundation invests $500K in Grand Rapids capital fund for minority-owned businesses
Written by Mark SanchezGRAND RAPIDS — The Frey Foundation has invested $500,000 in the New Community Transformation Fund, a Grand Rapids capital fund that invests in minority-owned businesses.
GRAND RAPIDS — At the beginning of her 35 years leading the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, Diana Sieger was often the only woman in the room. But during her tenure, the foundation sought out diverse voices to shape its philanthropic efforts, distancing itself from the “donor knows best” model common in many nonprofit circles.
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New documentary follows 3 families through West Michigan’s housing shortage
By Rachel Watson, Crain’s Detroit BusinessGRAND RAPIDS — Three Grand Rapids organizations on Thursday will air a documentary about housing insecurity with the goal of breaking down the “silos” between groups working to solve the crisis in West Michigan.
The merger last year of three United Way chapters serving mid- and Southwest Michigan into a single entity created one of the largest United Way chapters in the country and will expand local support services to more Michigan residents.
West Michigan nonprofit leaders are helping state officials distribute the first round of $50 million in operational support grants for small and medium-sized nonprofits.
Grand Rapids Trans Foundation moves into offices with full-time executive director
Written by Kate CarlsonGRAND RAPIDS — The Grand Rapids Trans Foundation plans to grow its programming via new office space and a full-time, paid executive director position for the first time in the nonprofit’s seven-year history after being entirely volunteer-run.
Children’s Healing Center expanding to SE Mich. with second location near Ann Arbor
Written by Mark SanchezThe Children’s Healing Center, a Grand Rapids nonprofit that operates a recreation center for children with compromised immune systems, plans to open a second location in Southeast Michigan.
MacKenzie Scott’s $226M to Michigan nonprofits ‘changed the face of philanthropy’
Written by Margot AmouyalWilliam Coderre received a “cryptic” email last summer saying a private philanthropist wanted to donate $1.1 million to his organization.
Sieger retiring after 35 years leading Grand Rapids Community Foundation
Written by Andy BalaskovitzGRAND RAPIDS — Diana Sieger plans to retire as president of the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, the organization she helped to grow significantly over her 35-year tenure during which she became a powerful voice for Michigan’s philanthropic sector.
Hispanic Center of West Michigan weighs forming CDFI to serve Latinx community
Written by Mark SanchezGRAND RAPIDS — A new community development financial institution could form in West Michigan to support Hispanic entrepreneurs.
A Chicago organization that provides capital and other support to nonprofits looks to build momentum and reach across the west side of the state after opening an office in Grand Rapids last spring.
GRAND RAPIDS — After a tumultuous year of internal dissension, as well as internal and external reviews based on allegations of executive wrongdoing, the Grand Rapids Community Media Center has regained its footing under a new leader.
Pandemic fundraising and new beginnings: The 10 most-read nonprofit stories of 2022
Written by MiBiz StaffAfter nearly two years of contending with a pandemic that brought fundraising uncertainty and growing community needs, West Michigan nonprofits spent 2022 finding new ways to serve and capturing much-needed federal relief funding.
New Hope Network CEO discusses canceled neuro rehabilitation deal, 2023 plans
Written by Mark SanchezA former office furniture executive whose career includes positions at Kentwood Office Furniture and the former Herman Miller Inc., Bob Von Kaenel took over as Hope Network’s CEO on Dec. 1.
Nonprofits confront economic challenges to fundraising in 2023 as community needs grow
By JOSH SPANNINGAAs 2023 approaches with rising interest rates and widespread predictions of at least a mild recession, some nonprofit leaders are already seeing the effects of rising consumer prices and other economic headwinds on fundraising.
‘HONEST CONVERSATIONS’: Report spotlights racial gap in Michigan nonprofit leadership
Written by Abigail HamA major statewide survey of nonprofit organizations highlights significant and persistent racial gaps in the sector as roughly three-quarters of Michigan nonprofits remain white-led.
The Diatribe still plans arts, culture hub after $2M Kent County ARPA rejection
Written by Kate CarlsonGRAND RAPIDS — The Diatribe Inc. will still pursue plans for a mixed-use arts and cultural center despite the controversial removal of its $2 million request from Kent County’s list of federal stimulus-funded projects.
Public-private partnership aims to create 1,000 child care slots across Ottawa Co.
Written by Andy BalaskovitzOttawa County officials have signed off on plans to leverage $7.5 million in federal stimulus funds with nearly $25 million from the private sector to create 1,000 new child care slots in the next three years.
GRAND RAPIDS — Dozens of individuals and organizations in Grand Rapids have formed the Coalition for Community Owned Safety to educate residents on the city’s budget and explore new ways to direct city funding to address the root causes of crime.
Goorhouse stepping down as leader of Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area
Written by Andy BalaskovitzHOLLAND — Mike Goorhouse began his work with the Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area when he was just 14 years old. In the coming months, Goorhouse will say goodbye to the organization that he has led for the past eight years.
More foundations, more giving: Johnson Center report offers 30-year retrospective on philanthropy
By Josh SpanningaSince Grand Valley State University’s Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy was founded 30 years ago, the nonprofit industry has seen seismic shifts in the amount of charitable giving, nonprofits’ assets, and the overall number of nonprofit organizations.
Opera Grand Rapids, formed in 1966 to host musical productions that in prior decades had occurred through multiple local community and civic theater companies, is taking measures to help expose the arts to future and more diverse audiences.
Video Q&A: Council of Michigan Foundations leader shares philanthropy sector outlook
Written by MiBiz StaffCouncil of Michigan Foundations President and CEO Kyle Caldwell spoke with MiBiz to discuss his outlook for the philanthropy sector heading into 2023.
Lakeshore Habitat for Humanity launching first affordable townhomes for residents with disabilities
Written by Kate CarlsonHOLLAND TWP. — Lakeshore Habitat for Humanity will break ground this week on its first housing project aimed specifically at individuals with disabilities.
Kalamazoo Foundation for Excellence endowment confronts inflation, stimulus funding
Written by Andy BalaskovitzKALAMAZOO — The Kalamazoo Foundation for Excellence plans to cut spending on annual “aspirational” projects by more than half in 2023 to protect the endowment from economic headwinds and allow the city’s federal stimulus funding to potentially fill in gaps.
Auto manufacturer Gentex creates nonprofit foundation, STEM scholarship for women
Written by MiBiz StaffZEELAND — Tier 1 automotive supplier Gentex Corp. has created a nonprofit charitable foundation for its philanthropic efforts as well as a new scholarship program for women pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering or mathematics.
Q&A: West Michigan’s first Black-founded, Black-led community foundation takes root
Written by Andy BalaskovitzCiarra Adkins formed the first Black-founded and Black-led community foundation in West Michigan with a primary goal to shift the narrative about Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) communities and philanthropy. Specifically, she wants to advance the notion that these residents are not simply “receivers” of funds, but also serve as “distributors.”
HOLLAND — Fifteen lakeshore arts organizations are part of the latest capacity-building initiative facilitated by the prestigious University of Maryland-based DeVos Institute of Arts Management (DVIAM).
GRAND RAPIDS — Well House is working to construct new housing units in addition to its existing 15 homes that are occupied by renters that were formerly homeless.
New Gerber Foundation leader ‘deeply invested’ in advancing research on infants and children
By DANNEISHA MCDOLEFREMONT — The Gerber Foundation has a new top advocate for enhancing the quality of life of infants and young children who shares a deeply personal connection to the organization’s mission.
GRAND RAPIDS TWP. — David Hooker is retiring from his role as CEO and president of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park after leading the organization for 16 years.
GR Community Media Center begins ‘new chapter’ after naming next executive director
Written by Andy BalaskovitzGRAND RAPIDS — The Grand Rapids Community Media Center will start a “new chapter” under a new executive director following months of internal dissension involving previous leadership.
A Q&A with La June Montgomery Tabron, president and CEO of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation
Kellogg Foundation exec sees growth opportunity under company restructuring
Written by Andy Balaskovitz
BATTLE CREEK — The top executive at Kellogg Co.’s largest shareholder sees opportunity for greater growth and earnings under the Battle Creek food manufacturer’s transformation into three separate publicly traded companies.
Larry J. Bell Library Foundation ‘two years ahead of schedule’ after purchasing Food Dance building
Written by Joe BoomgaardKALAMAZOO — After exiting from the brewery he founded in 1985, Larry Bell initially planned to create a new downtown space to house his collection of Michigan history books, jazz artifacts and historic brewery industry memorabilia.
Grand Rapids-based Guiding Light Mission Inc. has tapped a longtime Amway Corp. community relations specialist to lead the nonprofit’s fundraising and communications.
Kent Co. senior millage extension to boost nonprofit’s new technology support program
Written by Abigail HamA Grand Rapids nonprofit providing independent living services received a boost last week when Kent County voters extended a senior services millage that will help the organization’s recently launched technology support program.
Armed with new data on economic security, education and health outcomes, nonprofit officials hope an array of policy changes enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic to address children’s and families’ needs are made permanent.
Arts and cultural organizations are helping to define Muskegon’s downtown resurgence as they innovate out of slumps in attendance and events caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prince Shema arrived in Michigan from the Democratic Republic of the Congo via Ethiopia in 2013. With help from a local nonprofit organization, he completed an independent living preparation program while going to high school.
Michigan Nonprofit Association to help oversee $50M relief grant program
Written by Andy BalaskovitzThe Michigan Nonprofit Association is gearing up to help oversee a new $50 million grant program included in the latest state budget to help small nonprofits recover from pandemic-related losses.
The Diatribe acquires West Mich. nonprofit with similar mission to empower youth
Written by Kate CarlsonGRAND RAPIDS — The Diatribe Inc. is acquiring another Grand Rapids-based nonprofit that shares a similar mission of empowering youth and underrepresented populations through art and creativity.
GRAND RAPIDS — A $110,000 grant will help expand the Literacy Center of West Michigan’s Family Literacy Program, which helps equip non-native English speakers whose children attend local schools with literacy and communication skills.
Philanthropic giving by U.S. corporations surged last year compared to 2020, a positive sign for Michigan nonprofits that tend to rely more on corporate donors than individuals compared to other states.