Grand Rapids Public Schools Foundation

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Grand Rapids Public Schools Foundation

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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.

10/30/2026

10/27/2026

An exciting AND important moment for GRPS!

As a proud partner in supporting GRPS students, educators, and the schools, we recognize the importance of leadership in shaping the future of public education in our community.

Our CEO, Stephanie Andrews, will have the opportunity to meet with both candidates as they visit Grand Rapids this week. We look forward to continuing to build partnerships that support student success and strengthen our public schools.

The Grand Rapids Board of Education voted Monday to advance two finalists in its search for the next superintendent of Grand Rapids Public Schools.

The finalists are:
•Kelly Greene, Chief Area Instructional Leader, Grand Rapids Public Schools
•Allison Tingwall, Executive Director of Principal Quality, Chicago Public Schools

Both finalists will be in Grand Rapids on Wednesday, Oct. 28, to tour the district, meet with key stakeholders, and be interviewed by the Board of Education. The board interviews will begin at 5 p.m. at GRPS University (1400 Fuller Ave. NE). The interviews are open to the public and will also stream live at live.grps.org.

“Our board believes both finalists align closely with the qualities and leadership characteristics our community identified as priorities in the next superintendent,” said Board of Education President José Rodriguez. “We are confident that both candidates would be exceptional leaders for GRPS.”

You can learn more about both candidates here: https://grps.org/pub/stories/view/two-finalists-selected-in-nationwide-superintendent-search

10/23/2026

We're wrapping up our Faces of the Foundation series with our very own Stephanie Andrews, President & CEO of the GRPS Foundation!

She is passionate about making sure every young person has the opportunity to discover their potential and build a bright future. That belief is at the heart of the work we do every day, and it's a big part of what makes the foundation's mission so meaningful.

We're so grateful for Stephanie's leadership, heart for public education, and commitment to creating more opportunities for Grand Rapids students. Swipe through to learn more about the person behind the title!

10/16/2026

This week, we're putting a face to the person behind some of the Foundation's stories and social media!

Meet Karla Smith, our Development and Communications Manager! From managing our databases to creating content that connects our community with the work we're doing, Karla helps tell the story of how we're creating more opportunities for GRPS students and educators.

But there's more to Karla than emails and social media! Swipe through to learn a few fun facts! We're excited to give you a glimpse of the person behind the posts as we continue introducing the people who make the GRPS Foundation's work possible!

10/09/2026

💙🧡 Five years of making a difference!

This week, we're introducing (or re-introducing) you to Suzanne Prell, our Business and Grants Manager! As she celebrates more than five years with the GRPS Foundation, Suz continues to bring her belief in the potential of every student to the work we do to support GRPS students and educators.

From nostalgic school-day memories to bike trail rides, there's plenty more to Suzanne than meets the eye!

Swipe through to get to know Suzanne beyond her job title. We're grateful to have her on the team!

10/07/2026

Attention educators and principals:
We've seen what a little funding can do. 🧡💙

A mini-grant can turn a teacher's idea into a hands-on learning experience, bring new resources into a classroom, or help a principal bring a bigger idea to life.

These are just a few examples of what GRPS educators have made possible with support from the GRPS Foundation.

Apply before the October 15th deadline: https://grpsf.org/im-a-grps-employee/

10/02/2026

✨ We're kicking off the staff edition of Faces of the Foundation with our newest team member, Christine!✨

As our Project Manager, Christine brings a thoughtful, community-minded approach to the work we do to support GRPS students and educators.

But, of course, there's more to Christine than project plans and getting things done. Swipe through to get to know her a little better, from her favorite school memories to what she's currently binge watching on tv!

10/01/2026

Every artist starts somewhere. 🎨

Right now, for about 25 GRPS students, that “somewhere” is ArtPrize.

Students from Innovation Central Middle School, City High/Middle School and Coit Creative Arts Academy created colorful dragonflies that are now on display throughout Heritage Hill.

It’s a great reminder of what can happen when students have the tools and freedom to create.

That’s what Color Our Classrooms is all about.

$2 for every GRPS student → $26,000 goal.

Help us put creativity into every classroom. 🎨

Donate Now:
https://givebutter.com/color-our-classrooms-art-supplies-for-scholars

09/24/2026

“I didn’t think of myself as a poet before I made this poem.”

That’s the kind of moment we love to see. 💙🧡

With support from a $500 Teacher Innovation Fund mini-grant, CA Frost teacher Bea McPherson gave her students the opportunity to explore blackout poetry and other creative projects—and more than 150 students got to see what they could create.

This is what mini-grants are all about: giving GRPS educators the resources to turn great ideas into meaningful learning experiences.

📚 Read the story and learn more about Teacher Innovation Fund and Principal Fund mini-grants at grpsf.org.

Address

125 Ottawa Avenue Northwest
Grand Rapids, MI
49503

Website

https://grpsf.org/donate/

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