Grand Haven, MI (WGHN) – The Grand Haven Area Community Foundation (GHACF) and its affiliates—the Allendale Community Foundation and Coopersville Area Community Foundation—are joining communities nationwide in recognizing Community Foundation Week, November 12–18, 2025. The annual celebration honors the crucial role community foundations play in strengthening and supporting local neighborhoods.
For more than 100 years, community foundations have served as trusted philanthropic partners, channeling charitable resources from individuals and institutions to nonprofits addressing local needs. GHACF President Hadley Streng said the organization remains committed to working with donors and partners to meet challenges and opportunities across West Michigan.
Over the past year, the GHACF awarded more than $12 million in grants, including over $2 million through its Community Impact Grant Program, and distributed more than $900,000 in scholarships to area students. The Foundation’s assets are largely held in permanent endowments, ensuring ongoing support for the community. Donors contributed over $9.5 million in gifts last year, including unrestricted funds that help the Foundation respond quickly and effectively to emerging needs.
Accredited by the Community Foundations National Standards Board, the GHACF reports a 10-year average return of 9.4% and continues exploring Impact Investment opportunities to achieve positive social outcomes alongside financial returns.
Streng noted the collaborative spirit among local philanthropy leaders, thanking staff and partner organizations including the Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area, the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, and the Grand Rapids Community Foundation.
Community Foundation Week was established in 1989 by President George H.W. Bush to recognize the unique role community foundations play in bringing together the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to strengthen communities of all sizes.
About the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation
Established in 1971, the GHACF is consistently recognized as one of the nation’s top 100 community foundations and among the largest in Michigan. The Foundation serves Northwest Ottawa County by stewarding charitable funds, supporting local nonprofits, convening community partners, and advocating for the region’s for-impact sector. GHACF also oversees the Allendale Community Foundation and Coopersville Area Community Foundation. Learn more at ghacf.org or on Facebook.
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