Grand Haven Area Community
The Grand Haven Area Community Foundation (GHACF) is a public charity and community foundation based in Grand Haven, Michigan. Founded in 1971 by twelve community leaders who each contributed $100, the organization has grown to become the 9th largest community foundation in Michigan. GHACF operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that receives gifts and donations, invests them to generate growth, and distributes funds back to the community through strategic grantmaking and philanthropic initiatives.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$192.9M
+5.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$10.9M
+27.7% YoY
Grant Count
197
+21.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$56K
+5.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
GHACF'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." The foundation aims to improve and enhance the quality of life in the Tri-Cities area by:
- Serving as a leader, catalyst, and resource for philanthropy
- Building and holding a permanent and growing endowment for the community's changing needs and opportunities
- Striving for community improvement through strategic grantmaking
- Providing a flexible and cost-effective way for donors to improve their community now and in the future
Primary funding priorities include:
- Arts & Culture
- Diversity & Inclusion
- Economic & Community Betterment
- Education
- Environment
- Health & Human Services
Grantmaking
GHACF distributes grants through multiple mechanisms including competitive grants, donor-advised funds, designated funds, and scholarships.
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
GHACF serves Northwest Ottawa County, Michigan, specifically:
- City of Grand Haven
- City of Ferrysburg
- Village of Spring Lake
- Surrounding townships including Crockery, Grand Haven, Robinson, and Spring Lake Township
The foundation's primary geographic focus is the Tri-Cities area and western Michigan region, though grantmaking has extended to organizations in Michigan, Missouri, and Georgia.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets:
- $183 million (2023)
- $192.9 million (2024)
- $182.7 million (as of recent filing)
Annual Giving:
- $12 million+ (2024)
- $11.8 million in expenses (2023)
Revenue:
- $17.3 million (2023)
- $53.0 million annual revenue (company profile data)
Liabilities:
- $454,000 (2023)
Donor-Advised Funds: The foundation operates a donor-advised fund through which donors can direct the distribution or investment of funds.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $192,887,178 | $182,746,977 | $158,176,337 |
| Revenue | $21,451,520 | $17,344,326 | $17,775,794 |
| Expenses | $14,250,690 | $11,762,215 | $11,858,947 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $14,272,021 | $9,557,385 | $5,937,760 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
66 open opportunities from Grand Haven Area Community
Allendale Community Foundation Scholarship Grant
GRAND HAVEN AREA COMMUNITY
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Aryln J. Walt Memorial Scholarship Grant
GRAND HAVEN AREA COMMUNITY
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Athena Scholarship Fund Grant
GRAND HAVEN AREA COMMUNITY
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is governed by a volunteer board of trustees. GHACF employs approximately 11-18 staff members across various departments including operations, finance, customer service, project management, and general management.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KEITH KONARSKA | TRUSTEE/VICE CHAIR/BOARD CHAIR | 1 | — |
| CINDY ANDERSON | TRUSTEE/BOARD CHAIR - PART YEAR (JAN-MAY) | 1 | — |
| PAT VERDUIN | TRUSTEE/SECRETARY - PART YEAR (JAN-MAY) | 1 | — |
| REYNA MASKO | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ROB PEEL | TRUSTEE/TREASURER | 1 | — |
| NATALIA KOVICAK | TRUSTEE/SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| SHIRLEY WOODRUFF | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| MARY CAROLE COTTER | TRUSTEE/TREASURER/VICE CHAIR | 1 | — |
| DAVID SWAIN | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| BRANDON BROWN | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| DEAN REISNER | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| CINDY MOE | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| PETER HAINES | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| HADLEY STRENG | PRESIDENT | 40 | $278,368 |
| CHRISTOPHER RIKER | V.P. ADVANCEMENT & DONOR SERVICES | 40 | $143,936 |
| HOLLY COLE | V.P. GRANTS & PROGRAM | 40 | $138,089 |
| PATRICIA MACDONALD | V.P. FINANCE & ADMINISTRAT | 40 | $142,492 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Recent grant announcements and activities include:
GHACF awarded $551,000 in grants across Northwest Ottawa County
Community foundation awards $551K in grants across Northwest Ottawa County\The foundation awarded $288,000 in Community Impact Grants in a recent funding round
Community foundation awards $551K in grants across Northwest Ottawa County\GHACF announced its largest amount of Community Impact grants ever in a recent cycle
Community foundation awards $551K in grants across Northwest Ottawa County\The foundation supports the Lakeshore Advantage program
GHACF supports Lakeshore Advantage program | Local News | grandhaventribune.comGHACF has been regularly recognized as a top 100 community foundation nationally
Community foundation awards $551K in grants across Northwest Ottawa County\The organization maintains a perfect 100% rating from Charity Navigator with a four-star designation
Contact Information
Address: 6 Sherman Ave, Grand Haven, MI 49417
Phone: 616-842-6378
Email: info@ghacf.org
Website: ghacf.org
Grant Application Portal: grantinterface.com
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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