Grand Haven Area Community Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $12 million+ (2024)
• Total Assets: $182.7 million
• Decision Time: 2 weeks for preliminary review
• Grant Range: $5,000 - $1,239,000 (typical Community Impact Grants vary widely)
• Geographic Focus: Northwest Ottawa County, Michigan (Grand Haven, Ferrysburg, Spring Lake, and surrounding townships)

Contact Details

Address: 6 Sherman Ave, Grand Haven, MI 49417
Phone: 616-842-6378
Email: info@ghacf.org
Website: https://ghacf.org
Grant Application Portal: https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=ghacf

Overview

Founded in 1971 by twelve visionary community leaders who each contributed $100, the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation (GHACF) has grown to become the 9th largest community foundation in Michigan with assets exceeding $182 million. The foundation's mission is to "advance the well-being of the Northwest Ottawa area by creating the best places to live, learn, work, give and engage." In 2024, GHACF granted more than $12 million back to the community through competitive grants, donor-advised funds, designated funds, and scholarships. The foundation serves the City of Grand Haven, City of Ferrysburg, Village of Spring Lake, and surrounding townships including Crockery, Grand Haven, Robinson, and Spring Lake Township. Regularly recognized as a top 100 community foundation nationally, GHACF operates under the motto "For good. For all. Forever."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Impact Grants - Amounts vary widely (recent grants have ranged from approximately $5,000 to over $1 million for major capital projects like warehouse facilities)

• Rolling preliminary application process
• Recent round awarded $928,538 across 11 grants; another round totaled $232,000

Youth Advisory Council (YAC) Grants - Total pool approximately $110,000-$117,000 annually

• Awarded to more than a dozen organizations
• 12 grants totaling nearly $117,000 in recent cycle

Scholarship Programs - 70+ scholarship funds

• Deadline: March 7 annually
• Support graduating seniors in the service area

Designated Funds - Provide annual grants to specific organizations in perpetuity

Donor Advised Funds - Allow donors to recommend grants to causes they care about

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on strategic grantmaking in six core areas:

Arts & Culture

• Regional and national arts and cultural experiences brought to the community
• Arts and cultural experiences for underserved populations
• Collaboration and growth of local arts and cultural organizations

Health & Human Services

• Access to physical and mental health services
• Healthy lifestyles and relationships for all
• Priorities based on Community Needs Assessments and Community Health Improvement Plans
• Local health initiatives endorsed by multi-sector collaboration
• Addressing human needs for underserved populations

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

• Projects that advance equity and inclusion in Northwest Ottawa County

Education

• Educational programs and initiatives throughout the service area

Economic & Community Betterment

• Programs that strengthen the local economy and community infrastructure

Environment

• Environmental protection and sustainability initiatives

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions were not publicly documented in available sources. Contact the foundation before applying to discuss project eligibility.

Governance and Leadership

President

Hadley Baas Streng - Appointed October 29, 2018. Previously served as Senior Vice President of Strategy and Development at Centegra Health System and their Foundation in Crystal Lake, IL. She brings expertise in strategic planning, community outreach and engagement, and nonprofit governance.

Quote from President Streng: "It is an honor to be selected to serve as the next president of the GHACF. I look forward to working with the board, staff, donors, and community members to continue to advance the incredible work the foundation does in the community."

Board of Trustees

The foundation is governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees composed of local leaders from diverse backgrounds:

• Mary Carole Cotter (Chair) - Attorney/NOCH Volunteer Services Dept.
• Natalia Kovicak (Vice Chair) - President of Economic Club of Grand Rapids
• Robert Peel (Treasurer) - Managing Director at Baird
• Dean Reisner (Secretary) - Partner at Varnum Law
• Brandon Brown - CEO of American Repair Maintenance
• Reyna Orellana - Investigator, Ottawa County Friend of the Court
• Dr. David H. Swain - Dentist
• Peter Haines - Consultant, Michigan Leadership Institute
• Cindy Moe - Human Resources Manager at LightCorp
• Kelly Larson - Owner of Sweet Temptations / Fortino's
• Blake Phillips - President and CEO of EQI Ltd.

Key Committees

• Executive Committee - Officers and Chairperson of Grants and Program Committee
• Grants and Program Committee - Oversees grantmaking and program activities
• Governance Committee - Enhances board quality and future viability
• Impact Investing Committee
• Scholarship Committee - Oversees scholarship program activities

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Preliminary Application

• Submit at any time through online portal
• Recommended submission: 4-6 weeks before grant deadline
• Foundation reviews within 2 weeks
• Team determines if project aligns with grantmaking priorities

Step 2: Invitation to Full Application

• If preliminary application is eligible, applicants receive access to full online application portal
• Appropriate grant application made available

Step 3: Comprehensive Review

• Foundation conducts thorough due diligence
• May schedule site visit
• Grant applications reviewed by Grants Committee

Important: The foundation strongly encourages organizations to reach out before beginning a grant application to discuss what could be in your best interest to bring forward. Contact info@ghacf.org or 616-842-6378.

Decision Timeline

• Preliminary review: Within 2 weeks of submission
• Full decision timeline: Not publicly specified; varies by grant cycle and amount
• Notification method: Direct contact from foundation

Success Rates

Specific success rate data and application statistics are not publicly available. In 2021, the foundation made 1,524 grants totaling $11,211,400, demonstrating substantial grantmaking activity.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants is publicly documented. Contact the foundation directly to discuss reapplication options.

Application Success Factors

Based on guidance from the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, successful applications demonstrate:

1. Planning and Preparation

• Carefully note application steps, required information, and deadlines
• Consider local collaborations and project sustainability
• Reach out to the foundation before starting the application

2. Strong Alignment

• Ensure your organization and project fit the foundation's six priority areas
• Projects should clearly advance the well-being of Northwest Ottawa County
• Demonstrate how the project benefits the specific communities served (Grand Haven, Ferrysburg, Spring Lake, and surrounding townships)

3. Effective Storytelling

• Tell your story "in a structured and meaningful way"
• Concisely convey funding need and community impact
• Support narrative with data and testimonials
• Balance quantitative evidence with qualitative stories

4. Pre-Submission Review

• The foundation offers to review complete application drafts and provide feedback before submission
• Have someone outside your organization proofread the application
• Take advantage of staff guidance and feedback

5. Evidence of Collaboration

• Multi-sector collaborations are particularly valued, especially for health initiatives
• Demonstrate partnerships with other local organizations
• Show how your project complements existing community resources

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Pre-application contact is strongly encouraged - Don't submit blind; reach out to foundation staff at 616-842-6378 or info@ghacf.org to discuss your project first
• Take advantage of draft review - The foundation will review your complete application draft and provide feedback before final submission
• Submit preliminary applications early - Allow 4-6 weeks before you need funding for the preliminary review and full application process
• Focus on Northwest Ottawa County impact - Clearly demonstrate how your project benefits the foundation's specific service area communities
• Emphasize collaboration - Multi-sector partnerships and collaborative approaches are viewed favorably
• Tell a data-driven story - Balance compelling narratives with concrete evidence of need and impact
• Alignment is critical - Ensure your project genuinely fits one or more of the six priority areas before applying

References

• Grand Haven Area Community Foundation official website: https://ghacf.org (Accessed January 2026)
• Grant Application Process page: https://ghacf.org/grants/types-of-grants/community-impact/grant-application-process/ (Accessed January 2026)
• Board of Trustees: https://ghacf.org/who-we-are/board/ (Accessed January 2026)
• 4 Key Grant Writing Tips: https://ghacf.org/4-key-grant-writing-tips/ (Accessed January 2026)
• Committees page: https://ghacf.org/who-we-are/committees/ (Accessed January 2026)
• Introducing Our New President: https://ghacf.org/introducing-our-new-president/ (Accessed January 2026)
• Council of Michigan Foundations profile: https://www.michiganfoundations.org/redhen/org/2514 (Accessed January 2026)
• Instrumentl 990 Report: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/grand-haven-area-community-foundation-inc (Accessed January 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/237108776 (Accessed January 2026)