Grand Rapids Public Schools Foundation

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Grand Rapids Public Schools Foundation

We exist to remove barriers and enrich the education of ALL Grand Rapids Public Schools students.

The Grand Rapids Public Schools Foundation is about more than just raising money. We identify and strengthen partnerships and engage the community to use their resources to support Grand Rapids Public Schools students. Since 1993, we’ve raised money to provide tools and enrichment experiences for the students of Grand Rapids Public Schools. We currently invest our energy and funds in the following

priorities: Literacy, The Arts, Math Science & Technology, Environmental Education, and Physical Wellness. Mission: Cultivating community resources to enrich educational experiences and remove barriers so every student learns, develops, and thrives. Vision: All GRPS students are inspired and supported to pursue their dreams and shape their community’s future. Values:
● Dedication: We are a dedicated partner to GRPS by being intentional in our consistency and responsiveness in meeting the needs of the scholars.
● Equity: We pursue equity in opportunities and outcomes by ensuring all scholars share in the abundance of our community.
● Inclusion: We create equity-based solutions by fully valuing and affirming all identities and experiences in our design, decision making, and partnerships.
● Integrity: We demand integrity from ourselves, GRPS, and all partners by focusing on accountability, financial responsibility, and transparency.
● Collaboration: We value collaboration by working openly, honestly, and authentically with donors, partners, and GRPS.
● Possibility: We believe that every student has the potential to be an educated, self-directed, and contributing member of society.

06/11/2026

We're kicking off our board spotlight series by recognizing a few members whose board terms are coming to a close.

Today we're celebrating Anne Marie Carson, attorney at Miller Johnson.

We're so grateful for the leadership, advocacy, and support Anne Marie has provided throughout her 6 years with the foundation. Her impact will continue to be felt long after her term concludes.

06/10/2026

Yesterday, we proudly celebrated our Board President, Misti Stanton, who was recognized as an honoree at Michigan Women Forward's WomanUp & Celebrate.

Her message centered on a simple but powerful idea: courage isn't just about being strong for yourself—it's about being brave enough to let your strength become a light for someone else.

Congratulations, Misti, and thank you for the leadership, vision, and heart you bring to our work and to the community every day.

06/09/2026

We're excited to share that the GRPS Foundation is launching a campaign to bring a new playground to Gerald R. Ford Academic Center.

Every child deserves a safe, welcoming place to play, explore, and connect with friends. This project will help create opportunities for movement, imagination, and joy for students for years to come.

This is just the beginning, and we can't wait to share more about the vision, the impact, and how our community can help make it happen.

Stay tuned!

06/04/2026

We've welcomed some new followers recently, and we realized it's the perfect time to reintroduce ourselves.

This summer, we'll be spotlighting the people who help make the work of the GRPS Foundation possible—from our staff team to our dedicated board members.

We hope you'll follow along and get to know the people behind the mission.

06/03/2026

Another school year is in the books!

This year, GRPS students learned, explored, created, competed, performed, persevered, and achieved incredible things. We're honored to support opportunities that help students thrive both inside and outside the classroom.

Congratulations to our students, educators, and families on a successful school year. Here's to a summer filled with rest, adventure, and new memories.

See you in the fall! 🍎

06/02/2026

Big thanks to the West Michigan Sports Commission for donating footballs to the student-athletes at Ottawa Hills and Union High Schools! 🏈

Support like this helps ensure our scholars have the equipment and opportunities they need to grow, compete, and build confidence both on and off the field.

We’re grateful for community partners who continue to invest in GRPS students and athletics. Thank you for helping our athletes gear up for a great season ahead!

05/26/2026

A huge THANK YOU to the team at Rockford Construction for volunteering their time and energy at our Sibley Elementary Playground Beautification last week! 🎨🛝

From painting to cleanup and everything in between, their team helped create a brighter, more welcoming space for Sibley students and families. Community partnerships like this make a lasting impact, and we are so grateful for their support of our schools.

Thank you for showing up for our students and community! 💙

05/19/2026

Big congratulations to our President & CEO, Stephanie, on being named Board President of the Michigan Education Foundation! 🎉

Stephanie’s passion for students, educators, and community impact is at the heart of everything she does, and we’re so excited to see her step into this statewide leadership role.

We’re proud to celebrate this incredible accomplishment and the continued work being done to support public education across Michigan. 💙

Join us in welcoming Stephanie Andrews (Grand Rapids Public Schools Foundation) as the incoming MEF Board President. We are very excited for her leadership and vision for the MEF organization.

05/14/2026

33 years of music, mentorship, and magic. 🎹✨

We are still vibrating from the energy of Mindshare 2026, where we had the incredible honor of celebrating Debra Perry. From her former students to her closest colleagues, the message was clear: Debra doesn’t just teach music; she builds community.

This video, a collaboration between the GRPS Foundation and the GRPS team, tells the story of an educator who has spent over three decades proving that the "Sound of Possibility" is real.

Thank you, Debra, for your unwavering dedication to our students and for always making sure the music never stops.

Let’s make sure the music never stops. Support the Debra Perry Music Fund today and help us provide instruments and scholarships to GRPS students. Every gift counts!
grpsf.org/donate

05/13/2026

What a night!

Mindshare 2026 was filled with joy, connection, and so much love for public education. One of the most impactful moments of the evening was hearing our honoree, Deb Perry, speak about the vital role educators and community members play in the lives of students and the responsibility we all share to help young people feel seen, supported, and inspired.

We’re excited to share the full album from a night that meant so much to so many. 🤩

Address

125 Ottawa Avenue Northwest
Grand Rapids, MI
49503

Website

https://grpsf.org/donate/

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