Grand Haven, MI (WGHN) – The Grand Haven Area Community Foundation (GHACF) announced plans to move the organization from its current location at 1 South Harbor Drive to a larger office space at 6 Sherman Avenue.
As a public, charitable organization, the GHACF is committed to advancing the well-being of Northwest Ottawa County and beyond. Ottawa County remains one of Michigan’s most philanthropic and rapidly growing counties. The GHACF has grown alongside the charitable community it has served and will continue to serve.
“We are fortunate to be located in a such a generous community that has a long history of supporting the GHACF,” said Hadley Streng, President of the GHACF. “Looking to the future, I envision the Foundation and our partners continuing to grow and evolve to collaboratively address needs in our region. The larger and more innovative space is essential to expand our team and programs to serve our community for many years to come.”
Community members founded the GHACF in May 1971. At the end of the foundation’s first year, total assets equaled $1,241. During its first ten years, the foundation operated without paid staff or an office location. In 1982, the foundation rented space in downtown Grand Haven until its move to 1 South Harbor Drive in 1985. Since then, the organization has grown from 1 staff member with $2.1 million in assets to 14 staff members with $160 million in assets and over 700 funds.
“Through careful investing, continued contributions, and dedicated trustees and staff, the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation has been able to award millions of dollars in grants and
scholarships over the years, impacting more lives than we could ever have imagined,” said Dottie Johnson, founding GHACF Board Member and ongoing generous benefactor. “This new
space will allow the Foundation to continue to bring people and partners together to forever care for our community,” she added.
The building at 6 Sherman Ave was built in 1927 as the City of Grand Haven Water Filtration and Distribution Facility. The 8,653 sq. ft. building was restored and repurposed as office space in 2000. The building is currently owned by the Jackoboice family, who has a long-standing relationship with the Foundation.
The GHACF is currently in due diligence and hopes to close on the building in mid-to-late summer. The building will undergo some minor renovations in the following months and the GHACF anticipates moving into the new space in the fall of 2023.
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