Local foundation ranks high on national list

Thu, Jul 29, 2010    to del.icio.us

The Grand Haven name is once again making the top of national lists — this time regarding the work done by the local community foundation.

Out of 700 community foundations in the U.S., the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation ranked fourth out of 100 in terms of gifts per capita and 63 out of 100 in total activity in a new ranking list released by CF Insights.

"I think that we all keep saying this is a generous community," said Ann Tabor, the local foundation's president. "But now we have proof."

These first-ever rankings caught Tabor by surprise when she first opened the packet containing the numbers.

"I've probably read this (report) 10 times, making sure I was understanding it," she said.

The total activity rank is based on the number of gifts received and grants given out. In the Grand Haven foundation's case, there were 4,344 charitable transactions in 2009.

Nearby communities mentioned by CF Insight included the Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area ranked 67th on gifts per capita and 81st on activity volume; the Community Foundation for Muskegon County was 46th on the gifts per capita list and 20th on activity volume; and the Grand Rapids Community Foundation ranked 66th on the most activity volume list.

"I do think there is a culture and a spirit that we give back to the community in West Michigan," Tabor said.

In the gifts per capita category, this ranking is based on the total dollar amount of gifts received. The Grand Haven foundation received $4.6 million in gifts in 2009; and when compared to the population of the community, which was listed as 45,000, the Grand Haven organization was ranked fourth.

"We raised a really significant amount of money in a really small community," said Holly Johnson, development director of the local community foundation.

Johnson said that while there were community foundations that raised much more money than the Grand Haven foundation did across the country, what set GHACF apart was that it raised $4.6 million in a relatively small community.

"That 4.6 million number was achieved because of many annual givers, but also because of the generous planned gifts individuals made in their estate plans," Johnson said. "Typically, families and individuals are able to make a much larger gift at their death than they are able to do while living. We are grateful for our community members who have plans to support our community foundation at their death."

The Grand Haven Area Community Foundation's total assets are currently at $50 million.

Online: www.ghacf.org