Igniting Our Future: The Annual Sparks of Change Campaign

In 2026, the Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation (GRACF) will launch its third annual giving campaign—now reimagined as Sparks of Change. This campaign invites our community to come together to ignite generosity, inspire action, and create meaningful impact across the Greater Itasca Area.

“Just like a shooting star, even a brief moment of generosity can light the way for lasting change. Sparks of Change is about turning those moments into momentum for our community.” – Mindy Nuhring, GRACF Executive Director 

Sparking Change Today—for Generations to Come

This year, the Sparks of Change campaign will support an endowed Youth in Philanthropy Fund, guided by a Youth in Philanthropy Advisory Board made up of local high school students.

Each year, a small cohort of students will gain hands-on experience in leadership, nonprofit work, and grantmaking—directing real funding to youth-focused programs throughout the Greater Itasca Area. These young leaders represent the spark that will shape our community’s future.

We invite you to join GRACF by making a gift, attending a campaign event, or sharing the Sparks of Change story. Together, we can turn moments of generosity into lasting impact.

By giving to Sparks of Change, you’re not just donating—you’re igniting possibility, purpose, and progress.

Save the date!  

Join us for the 2026 Sparks of Change annual celebration the evening of September 24, 2026, at CoHaus in Grand Rapids. Additional details and ticket information will be available soon.

The Story Behind the Spark

In 1994, a group of community members came together with a shared vision: to create an organization where local residents could invest in improving quality of life across the Greater Itasca Area. From that spark of an idea, the Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation was born.

More than 30 years later, that initial spark has grown into a lasting force for good. GRACF now stewards more than $30 million in assets, continually reinvesting in the well-being of our community.

“Our commitment to positive change continues to evolve. We want to demonstrate that philanthropy isn’t reserved for a select few—small gifts can create powerful ripples of impact when we come together.” – Mindy Nuhring, GRACF Executive Director 

From Seeds to Sparks: Campaign Impact

Launched in 2024, the original Seeds of Change campaign laid the groundwork for community-driven philanthropy through public engagement and shared decision-making.

2024 Campaign Impact:

• Great Tails Animal Rescue – $10,000
• Boys & Girls Club of Grand Rapids and Greenway – $3,500
• New Beginnings Pregnancy + Family Support – $2,500
• $15,000 added to GRACF’s Foundation Fund

2025 Campaign Impact:

Funds raised supported four Field of Interest Funds, with community members voting on distribution at the Harvest Fun(d) Fest:

• Fund for Women – $8,000
• Katherine T. Dodge Fund for the Arts – $4,000
• Fund for Animals – $2,000
• Fund for the Environment – $1,000
• $15,000 added to GRACF’s Foundation Fund

Thank You

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the donors, sponsors, and community members who supported the 2024 and 2025 campaigns and Harvest Fun(d) Fests. Your generosity helped transform ideas into action—and seeds into sparks.