Save the date!
2024 mindshare gala
at houseman field
May 30 - 7:00pm
You're invited to join us for an unforgettable evening at our annual Mindshare Gala! This year, we're bringing the excitement to historic Houseman Field in Grand Rapids, a venue steeped in athletic history.
As the starting ground for hometown heroes like former President Gerald R. Ford, as well as NFL players Rueben Riley and David Harris, this field holds a special place in the hearts of sports enthusiasts.
Get ready to experience the thrill of being cheered into the stadium, where you’ll be transported back to the electrifying atmosphere of Friday night lights. It’s an evening that promises to be filled with fun, camaraderie, and the spirit of competition.
By joining team GRPS for our one-of-a-kind gala evening, you’ll be playing a vital role in inspiring our students, celebrating our dedicated teachers. Your support makes a real difference in the lives of our students and helps to build a brighter future for our community. Grab your letterman jacket or sweater and lace up your snazziest sneakers for a night on the field with the GRPS Foundation. It’s a blast from the past you won’t want to miss!
We can’t wait to have you with us as we come together to celebrate the power of sports, education, and community. Will you join us in making this gala a night to remember?
Cocktail Hour and Registration begin at 6pm
Dinner and Program begin at 7pm
Join us for an evening of highlight the historic Houseman Field and our Grand Rapids Public Schools scholars, coaches and teachers.
Have questions about the evening? Here are some FAQ’s:
Water, Soft Drinks, Iced Tea, Lemonade and Coffee will be provided as non-alcoholic options.
There will be a hosted bar that includes craft beer from City Built Brewing and Brewery Vivant and wine from Fenn Valley.
The evening’s theme will highlight historic Houseman Field and our GRPS scholars, coaches & teachers.
Attire for the event is school spirit: come wearing your snazziest sneakers and if you have one, your high school team jacket, sweater or t-shirt.
We partnered with alumni owned, Screen Ideas to create shirts just for the occasion and a portion of the sales will go towards our mission. You can purchase a shirt here.
Distinguished Alumni 2023 Winners
Dave Custer, Ottawa Hills Alumni 65'
Lisa Lowery, Ottawa Hills Alumni 85'
Kenyatta Brame, City High Alumni 88'
Past Community Partners of the Year
Rockford Construction
Lake Michigan Credit Union
About the Foundation
Funds Raised Support
GRPS Programs for Sports, Art, Music, and Experiential Learning: GRPS offers a variety of programs to enrich students’ educational experience beyond traditional academics. These programs include sports teams for athletics, art classes or clubs for creative expression, music programs for musical education, and experiential learning opportunities that provide hands-on, real-world experiences to complement classroom learning.
Resource Support for Students: The Foundation provides additional resources to support students. This support might include providing warm gear for students in need during colder months, school supplies to ensure all students have the tools they need to succeed academically, and formal dresses to enable students to participate in formal events like dances or ceremonies.
Teacher Innovation Fund: The Teacher Innovation Fund is a program that provides mini grants to teachers. These grants enable teachers to implement innovative teaching methods, develop new educational materials, or create unique learning experiences for their students. This fund aims to support teachers in bringing their creative ideas to life in the classroom.
Teresa Weatherall Neal Principals Fund: The fund is designed to support GRPS principals in addressing any barriers that students may face in their educational journey. This support could include funding for resources, initiatives, or programs that aim to ensure that all students have an equitable opportunity to succeed in school.
Overall, these programs and initiatives demonstrate a commitment to providing a well-rounded education for students in the GRPS system, addressing both their academic and non-academic needs to support their overall growth and success.
Mindshare Committee
Emily Cantor
Bob Chapla
Christopher Dean
Kellie Dean
Brendan Geary
Kristian Grant
Jonathan Harper
Becky Knack
Senita Lenear
Maggie Malone
India Manns
Brianne Pitchford
Alexis Reame
Monica Steimle App
Zachary Verhulst
Executive Board
Brendan Geary
Amy Turner Thole
Board of Directors
Misti Stanton
Monica Steimle App
Gretchen Mousel
Dr. Peter Knoester
Anne Marie Carson
Greg Rios
Max Gibbs
Raynard Ross
Bridget Cheney
Joe DiBenedetto
Mike Huff
Sommar Boese
Javier Cervantes
Charissa C. Huang
Dr. Leadriane Roby
Paul Lee
Tim Duflo
Emily Cantor
Alexis Reame
Matt Marlow
Tony Baker, Pd.D.
Ruth Posthumus
Our Mission: Cultivating community resources to enrich educational
experiences and remove barriers so every student learns, develops, and thrives.