Dear Partners and Friends,
Strength in our community comes from our connections to each other, our shared vision of what could be and our commitment to creating a better future.
For more than 100 years, Grand Rapids Community Foundation has grown, gaining breadth, stability and strength from our partnerships. Today, we face new uncertainty, scrutiny and disinvestment that directly impacts the work of the nonprofit and social sectors locally.
When things are unclear, we return to our core purpose and embrace our unique role. As a community foundation, we are charged to make decisions that balance immediate and long-term needs. We consider today and the future and strive to act as a force that brings about sustainable impact. We double down on listening and learning to ensure we are hearing from those closest to the problems we are working together to solve. We lean on the collective strength of our donor, nonprofit and community partners and actively seek new partnerships to expand our reach and impact.
As this community’s foundation, we are only as strong as the community of individuals who choose to invest their time, talent, treasure and testimony. Our work is only possible with the support of our partners who are fiercely committed to making Kent County a place where opportunity, prosperity and belonging are accessible to all. We are so grateful.
During the 2024-2025 fiscal year, our generous donor partners have started 16 new funds and helped award $24.18M in grants to dedicated nonprofit partners and scholarships to hardworking students. We have stewarded our total assets to $486,075,237.
Our gratitude for the continued trust and support of our partners runs deep. We look forward to all we will accomplish together.
Partners Together,
LaSandra A. Gaddy President and CEO
Reneé Williams Board of Trustees Chair
Determining Our Direction Together
Our thriving future and the solutions to get there will be shaped by community. Grand Rapids Community Foundation listens to donor, nonprofit, grant and community partners to help guide our work. We stay focused on giving and learning by being in conversation with partners, building relationships and sharing data. This helps us keep up with what our community needs.
“When you have a community that is rooted in giving, sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in ‘we’ve always done it this way,’ and so the fact that there’s even a listening session is huge to me.”
Sonja Forte Executive Director, Baxter Community Center
“Everyone I know [who partners with the Community Foundation], they’re connected. They’re business people, they’re donors, they’re involved in education, they’re doing innovative projects. And their center point is right at Grand Rapids Community Foundation, so it feels like it’s the place to be.”
Laura Young Donor Partner
For Generations to Come
In a region known for its generosity, the Community Foundation does philanthropy differently. Our giving is collective. We all have a role in shaping our impact, and we need your continued partnership to keep striding toward a more equitable future.
Many partners who give through Donor Advised funds, like Iain and Kalie Charnley, increased their philanthropic activity and support for nonprofit organizations this year.
Our team, trustees and community partners are committed to making Kent County a place where everyone can thrive.
Read the Full Stories
Visit us online to dive deeper GRFoundation.org/AnnualReport
Statement of Financial Position as of June 30, 2025
Assets
Cash and Investments, at Market Value
Beneficial Interests in Perpetual Trusts
Split-Interest Agreements Receivable
Gifts and Pledges Receivable
Notes Receivable
Property, Furniture and Equipment, Net of Accumulated Depreciation
Other Receivables & Prepaids
Reinsurance Contracts
Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance
Total Assets
Liabilities and Net Assets
Accounts Payable
Grants and Scholarships Payable
Charitable Gift Annuities Payable
Funds Held on Behalf of Nonprofit Endowments
Total Liabilities
Total Net Assets $469,481,875 $2,473,787 $5,252,186 $2,735,745 $1,615,870 $2,815,442 $5,547 $661,581 $1,033,204 $486,075,237 $189,431 $5,072,952 $1,034,746 $26,026,064 $32,323,193 $453,752,044
Statement of Activities for year ended June 30, 2025
Revenues and Gains
Contributions
Investment Income/Net of Fees
Change in Fair Value of Charitable Gift Annuities & Split-Interest Agreements
Less: Amounts Allocable to Nonprofits
Total Revenues and Gains
Grants and Expenses
Grants and Scholarships Authorized
Community Initiatives and Fund Program Expenses
Charitable and Philanthropic Expenses
Other Operating Expenses
Less: Amounts Allocable to Nonprofits
Total Grants and Expenses
Change in Net Assets
Net Assets, Beginning of Year
Net Assets, End of Year $13,408,153 $53,257,356 $384,300 ($3,213,189) $63,836,620 $24,180,887 $104,253 $1,542,843 $3,665,515 ($715,429) $28,778,069 $35,058,551 $418,693,493 $453,752,044
Audited financials have been given an unmodified opinion by our auditors, Plante & Moran PLLC. If you would like a copy of the full audit, please call Grand Rapids Community Foundation at 616.454.1751 or visit our website, GRFoundation.org/About.
LaSandra Gaddy President and CEO
Danielle R. Brown, CPA Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Jessica Hermann-Wilmarth, CFRE Vice President, Development
Ashley René Lee Vice President, Strategic Communications
Kate Luckert Schmid Vice President, Program
Reneé
Thomas G. Kyros
Emily J. Loeks
Tim Long
Daniel Williams, Ed.D.
Immediate
