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Grand Rapids Community Foundation
Grand Rapids Community Foundation was established in 1922. It functions as a nonprofit that builds and stewards Kent County's permanent endowment.
Grand Rapids Community Foundation
Grand Rapids Community Foundation was established in 1922. It functions as a nonprofit that builds and stewards Kent County's permanent endowment. The foundation provides grants to nonprofits and scholarships to students while addressing barriers to opportunity and equity in the region. The endowment follows a diversified strategy that includes public equities, fixed income, and alternatives. Private equity represents 6.82 percent of assets. Alternative investments total $93 million within the Balanced Plus Pool. Geographic focus remains on West Michigan with limited exposure outside the United States. Mission-related loans of $1.4 million support local nonprofit development projects. The foundation employs 46 professionals and maintains its headquarters at 185 Oakes Street SW. LaSandra Gaddy was appointed President and CEO in February 2024. The organization holds memberships in the Council of Michigan Foundations, the Council on Foundations, and the Mission Investors Exchange. Governance centers on a board and investment review committee that includes representatives from local family offices and corporations. This structure ties investment oversight directly to community grantmaking priorities rather than external fund commitments.
General information
Firm type
Endowment / Foundation
Year founded
1922
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Grand Rapids
Corporate office
185 Oakes Street SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, United States
Principals
LaSandra Gaddy
President & CEO
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at Grand Rapids Community Foundation?
LaSandra Gaddy serves as President and CEO. An investment review committee that includes Laina Mills of RDV Corporation and Karen Dujovny of VA Enterprises provides oversight. NEPC acts as external investment advisor.
Does Grand Rapids Community Foundation participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?
The foundation maintains allocations to mutual funds and private equity through pooled vehicles. It also extends mission-related loans directly to local nonprofits such as Dwelling Place Inc.
What investment stages does Grand Rapids Community Foundation typically target?
The foundation holds exposure across buyout, venture, growth, and secondaries strategies through its alternative allocation. No single stage dominates the disclosed portfolio.
Where does the underlying wealth come from?
The endowment originates from donations to more than 850 individual funds established by local donors over the past century. No single family or corporate source accounts for the majority of assets.
How is Grand Rapids Community Foundation related to other local entities?
Trustees and committee members maintain ties to the Wege Foundation, RDV Corporation, and GE Aviation. The foundation operates independently as a public charity.
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