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Giving Tuesday is a global day of generosity that will take place on November 28, 2023. Giving Tuesday is described as a generosity movement with the power to unleash generosity and transform communities and the world. Giving Tuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good.   You can show your generosity in a variety of ways during Giving Tuesday⁠ by giving some of your time, a donation, or the power of your voice in your local community.   Locally, in 2022, the Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation awarded $1.37 million in

Holidays and tax planning (although very different in the ways they are celebrated!) are both year-end traditions. No doubt (?) you’ve got the holidays covered, and perhaps your advisors are already helping you make sure your tax planning is in place. It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with several important year-end charitable giving techniques and deadlines so you can be prepared for conversations with your attorney, accountant, and financial advisor, and possibly with the team at the Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation. We stand ready to assist!   Standard deduction reminders. Remember that the 2023 standard deduction for single

The Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation is proud to participate in the 15th annual Give to the Max Day on Thursday, Nov. 16.  Give to the Max Day was created in 2009 to launch GiveMN, a collaborative venture led by Minnesota Community Foundation and many other organizations committed to helping make our state a better place.  The initial spark touched off an outpouring of generosity - $14 million in 24 hours.  Celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2023, Give to the Max Day has become Minnesota’s annual giving holiday, raising $290 million in its first 14 years.  Every year, thousands of

SmartNorth, a Minnesota based, 501 C(3) organization with a mission to promote digital equity and improve the quality of life in the state, has been working since 2020 to establish technology hubs in Deer River and Minneapolis.  The tech hubs were completed in both locations in November of 2022.  The Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation awarded a grant to the Deer River Tech Hub in their 2022 Annual Grant Cycle.   The two Minnesota tech hubs have been operating for almost a year with new equipment and technology being added throughout that time.  SmartNorth works in partnership with public-private-academic-civic-community leaders

The Reif Center draws annual audiences of 25,000+ each year for live arts events, but an even bigger impact can be found through The Reif’s education and outreach efforts. The “Art For All” Fund was established to reduce or remove financial barriers related to participation in dance, theater, music, and film classes at the Reif Performing Arts Center.   This fund also supports daytime, bus-in field trips for regional school students to experience live arts events at The Reif. Furthermore, it provides access to live performances for community seniors in assisted care and other settings, persons of different abilities, and