Grand Haven Area Community Foundation

09/02/2026

We're excited to connect YOU, our amazing community, with some of the local projects and programs supported by our nonprofit partners!

This week, we're spotlighting Senior Resources of West Michigan, an organization dedicated to promoting the independence, dignity, and well-being of older adults and their families throughout Ottawa, Muskegon, and Oceana counties.

💙 Wishlist Spotlight
Senior Resources of West Michigan is seeking support to purchase essential medical and safety equipment for older adults when those items are not covered by insurance. Examples include anti-wandering tracking devices for individuals living with dementia, blood pressure cuffs and pulse oximeters for homebound participants, and fireproof safes to keep medications and important documents secure.

These resources help older adults remain safe, healthy, and independent while providing peace of mind for caregivers and loved ones.

Through its comprehensive network of services, Senior Resources of West Michigan works to ensure older adults, especially those with the greatest needs, can continue to live with dignity and access the support they deserve.

Want to learn more or explore the full Community Partner Wishlist?
🔗: www.ghacf.org/donors/wishlist/

Thank you for everything you do to make our community stronger for people of all ages! 💙

08/31/2026

Investing in leadership means investing in our community.

As part of our year-long leadership development series for nonprofit executive directors, leaders from across Northwest Ottawa County gathered at North Shore Beach for a Focus Day in the pavilion.

This intentionally unstructured workday provided dedicated time to step away from daily demands, advance key projects, connect with peers, and strengthen relationships with fellow leaders making an impact across our region.

Each gathering in this series is designed to support and strengthen the people leading our nonprofits, creating opportunities for reflection, collaboration, and shared learning throughout the year.

A special thank you to Ottawa County Parks for their partnership and for hosting our group at North Shore Beach. We’re grateful for the opportunity to create space for meaningful connections and the kind of leadership that helps our communities thrive.

08/27/2026

Our Grand Haven Area Community Foundation Board of Trustees met today for our quarterly meeting, with a full agenda and a few opportunities to see community impact in action!

We kicked things off with a tour of the newly renovated Tri-Cities Family YMCA. GHACF has been a partner in the Y For All Capital Improvement Project since the start, and it was exciting to see firsthand the renovations our Foundation and generous donors helped make possible.

We also heard from Grand Haven Area Public Schools Superintendent Kristin Perkowski and ODC Network's Outdoor Discovery Center CEO Travis Williams about the Duneside Discovery Center at Mary A. White. GHACF has been proud to help support the project through both funding and connections, bringing community partners together around a shared vision for this unique nature-based learning environment.

And to sweeten the meeting, we were treated to delicious, customized treats from Smutz Girls Bakery, a new local bakery opening soon!

A productive afternoon of governance, partnership, and community impact.

08/26/2026

We're excited to connect YOU, our amazing community, with some of the local projects and programs supported by our nonprofit partners!

In honor of National Dog Day today, we're spotlighting BestPals Animal Rescue Center, a no-kill shelter dedicated to giving homeless and owner-surrendered pets a second chance.

🐾 Wishlist Spotlight
BestPals provides medical care, food, shelter, training, and love to animals that often arrive neglected, unsterilized, or in need of urgent medical attention. As the cost of veterinary care and supplies continues to rise, additional funding is needed to ensure every animal receives the care they deserve.

Your support helps provide life-saving medical treatment, daily care, and resources for cats and dogs waiting for their forever homes. It also allows BestPals to take in more animals with complex needs and continue its commitment to being a safe haven for pets with nowhere else to go.

Located in Holland, BestPals Animal Rescue Center is committed to creating a No-Kill community by providing guaranteed adoption opportunities for owner-surrendered companion animals and partnering with other organizations to improve animal welfare across the region.

Want to learn more or explore the full Community Partner Wishlist?
🔗: www.ghacf.org/donors/wishlist/

Thank you for everything you do to make our community stronger, one act of kindness at a time! 💙

08/21/2026

Out of unimaginable loss, a lasting legacy has been created.

The Mandy Karolkiewicz Family Foundation Fund was established to honor Mandy, Keegan, Bennett, Caroline, Ella, Smith, and Teddy by supporting causes that were close to their hearts: music, the arts, and helping children who need extra support.

We're grateful to the Grand Haven Tribune for sharing the story behind the fund and the family's vision for how it will impact Grand Haven students for years to come.

Read the story here: https://www.grandhaventribune.com/news/education/mandy-karolkiewicz-family-foundation-fund-created-to-support-ghaps-students/article_0ca087aa-c4d2-5339-9374-b31f10da1cc2.html

If you'd like to support the fund, you can learn more and make a gift at https://ghacf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=3970.

In honor of Amanda “Mandy” Karolkiewicz and her children, Mandy’s family has established the Mandy Karolkiewicz Family Foundation Fund at the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation.

08/19/2026

We're excited to connect YOU, our amazing community, with some of the local projects and programs supported by our nonprofit partners!

This week, we're highlighting the Ottawa County Department of Public Health and its efforts to strengthen the health and well-being of families throughout our community.

💙 Wishlist Spotlight
Support for this initiative will help expand community health programming through outreach, education, and family support services. Funding will be used to reprint important educational materials for families, provide resources that improve access to services for parents and young children, enhance training opportunities for Community Health Workers, and offer meaningful support items for families experiencing perinatal loss.

These investments help ensure families have access to the information, resources, and compassionate support they need during some of life's most important and challenging moments.

The Ottawa County Department of Public Health's mission is to create conditions where all people can achieve optimal health through community collaboration, education, and prevention efforts.

Want to learn more or explore the full Community Partner Wishlist?
🔗: www.ghacf.org/donors/wishlist/

Thank you for everything you do to make our community stronger and healthier! 💙

08/12/2026

August is National Make-A-Will Month, a timely reminder of the importance of creating or updating your will. A will is one of the most meaningful ways to ensure your values, passions, and priorities continue to make an impact for generations to come. It provides peace of mind for your loved ones while creating an opportunity to support the causes and community you care about most.

By including a gift in your will to the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, you can leave a lasting legacy that benefits the people, programs, and organizations that make our community thrive, all without affecting your current finances. Whether you wish to support community grantmaking or a specific charitable cause, a bequest is a simple and powerful way to make a difference far into the future.

Contact the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation today to learn more about creating your charitable legacy and how your future gift can help strengthen our community for years to come.

08/12/2026

We're excited to connect YOU, our amazing community, with some of the local projects and programs supported by our nonprofit partners!

This week, we're spotlighting READ Ottawa, a nonprofit organization in Ottawa County providing free one-on-one literacy tutoring for adults.

📚 Wishlist Need: Literacy Champions
READ Ottawa is seeking monthly donors who can become Literacy Champions. A commitment of $100 per month provides the resources needed to support one tutor and learner pair for an entire year, helping local adults build the reading, writing, and language skills they need to succeed.

Every gift helps empower learners, strengthen families, and create lasting impact throughout our community.

Want to learn more or explore the full Community Partner Wishlist?
🔗: www.ghacf.org/donors/wishlist/

Thank you for everything you do to make our community stronger! 💙

08/11/2026

What began years ago when the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation hosted a gathering with the Community Foundation for Muskegon County and the Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area continues today as a valued opportunity to connect, learn, and strengthen our relationships across the region.

This year, the Community Foundation of Holland/Zeeland welcomed us to the beautiful Holland Ice Park, where we enjoyed great conversation, shared insights, and a renewed commitment to the communities we serve. Here's to the power of partnership and the tradition that brings us together each year. 💙

08/03/2026

🎓 Investing in the future of our community! We’re proud to see the impact of local generosity highlighted as the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation awarded more than $1.1 million in scholarships to 234 students across the region. Congratulations to this year’s recipients as they take the next step in their educational journeys! 🌟

Grand Haven Area Community Foundation honored scholarship recipients while investing $1.1 million in diverse educational pathways across West Michigan communities.