Who We Are

We are a nonprofit that works to help raise money and resources for GRPS, so that all GRPS students can have an opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive!

While we work to support GRPS, we are a completely independent nonprofit organization. Our organization works with the help of 23 volunteer board of directors, three ex-officio board members, four staff members, and countless volunteers.

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.

Newsletters + Updates

Committed to Diversity and Inclusion

The GRPSF recognizes that diversity and inclusion is pivotal to the success of any non-profit initiative seeking to create a sustainable environment. The GRPS Foundation believes in incorporating multiple perspectives to demonstrate our commitment to fair and equal access to public education. Diversity fosters an environment that facilitates exchange of different perspectives and ways of being. Diversity creates an environment that fosters appreciation and recognition of the values, skills, voices and abilities of everyone. The GRPS Foundation will recognize and define this through incorporation of a multiplicity of voices, cultures, genders, race, creeds, perspectives in thought and action, in policy and practice, in all spheres of the Foundation. The GRPS Foundation prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national or ethnic origin, physical or mental disability, marital or veteran status or any other characteristic or status protected by state or federal laws.

Our Core 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.

Our Team

Stephanie Andrews

President and CEO

Matt Hoffman

Development Director

Suzanne Prell

Business and Grants Manager

Denise Hillen

Development Coordinator

Holly Visser

Co-Race Director

Board Of Directors

Executive Board

Misti Stanton, President
Mercantile Bank

Monica Steimle App, Vice President
Rockford Construction

Gretchen Mousel, Treasurer
Heart of West Michigan United Way

Amy Turner Thole,  Secretary
Community Member

Dr. Peter Knoester, Member at Large
Anesthesia Practice Consultants

Brendan Geary, Immediate Past President
Private Capital, LLC

Board of Directors

Anne Marie Carson
Miller Johnson

Bridget Cheney
GRPS Liaison

Charissa C. Huang
Smith Haughey Rice and Roegge

Alexis Reame
PNC Bank

Greg Rios
Huntington Bank

Joe DiBenedetto
Lambert

Dr. Leadriane Roby
GRPS Superintendent

Matt Marlow
GREA President Exoffico

Max Gibbs
Community Member

Mike Huff
Padagis LLC

Paul Lee
All in Hospitality

Tony Baker, Ph.D.
Ferris State University

 Aarie Wade
Board of Education Liaison

Sommar Boese
X-Rite

Tim Duflo
Deloitte

Ruth Posthumus 
Community Member

Javier Cervantes
The Diatribe

Emily Cantor
Warner Norcross + Judd LLP

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GR8 SPORTS, GREAT KIDS ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Art Gray, Chair

Kurt Johnson

Walter Moore, Jr.

Katelin Spielmaker

Jason Zylstra

Michael Huff, Vice Chair

Joel Kamstra

Ana Aleman-Putnam

Misti Stanton

Anne Marie Carson

Ron Knaus

Alexis Reames

Amy Turner-Thole

Kellie Dean

Greg Meyer

Calli Schmid

Lynn Yardley

Expenses and revenue

Expenses

$2,297,908 in total expenses

No Data Found

Revenue

$4,703,581 in total revenue

No Data Found

*Source: 2022-2023 Fiscal Year Audit by Hungerford Nichols CPA & Advisors

2023 Form 990

FAQ

The Grand Rapids Public Schools Foundation is dedicated to the educational well-being of every Grand Rapids Public Schools student. As the exclusive fundraising partner for GRPS, we are committed to linking community resources and raising funds to benefit the more than 15,000 students and 44 schools in the district.

You can visit the site directly at https://grps.org

ESSER Funds stands for Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund. Learn more here.

We’re always on the lookout for individuals like you wanting to share their talents with us. Visit our How To Help section to find out ways to donate or volunteer.

We have a responsibility to our community and our donors and work hard to ensure long-term sustainability of the organization. We make our IRS Form 990 available for review, as required by law. 

Check out our financials and most recent audit. 

Teachers can apply directly through GRPS!

The Student Advancement Foundation is now the GRPS Foundation. Same organization, new name!

Our organization takes its privacy policy seriously and takes steps to protect and ensure the safety of our supporters. We do not sell or otherwise disclose information about our volunteers or supporters outside of our immediate organization. This policy has no exceptions. We do not sell or exchange your information with any other organizations, public, private or nonprofit. For more detailed information visit our Privacy Policy page.