Proactive Grants Invest in Key Issue Areas

As part of our commitment to a fully thriving community, the Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area (CFHZ) makes targeted investments through our proactive grant program towards key issues affecting the Holland/Zeeland area. These issues are informed by local data and input from stakeholders including nonprofit leaders, educators, and health professionals.

Research shows that third and fourth grade are key years for students. This is when they build strong reading, writing, and math skills – the foundation for everything they’ll learn later. The pandemic interrupted that foundational learning for students, many of whom are now struggling to keep up with their grade level in these key subjects. Beyond academics, some students are also facing challenges in social development and need extra support to interact with others and manage and express their emotions appropriately in a classroom setting.

We committed $120,000 in grants to support two nonprofits assisting local students struggling with learning loss.

Hope College – Office of Educational Outreach

RISE Academy
$60,000 over 2 years

To launch the new RISE Academy which offers individualized academic support to ninth grade students. RISE Academy will provide two hours of after-school learning assistance, four days per week, for 40 students from Holland Public, West Ottawa, and Zeeland Public schools. The program aims to improve proficiency in reading, writing, and math, especially for historically underserved students. This grant will assist in hiring a curriculum and intervention specialist to support students and the Hope College mentors who work one-on-one with students. To reduce barriers to participation, RISE Academy also assists students and their families with limited access to resources or transportation, and financial constraints.

“RISE focuses on academic and social-emotional support as well as providing opportunity, access, and belonging. We are excited to help students see their strengths and interests and start thinking about their future while building connectedness to their current and future education,” said Carla Bos, Associate Dean at the Office of Educational Outreach at Hope College.

ODC Network

Equity for Education Program
$60,000 over 2 years

To provide year-round academic support for kindergarten – 8th grade students in Zeeland Public Schools. ODC partners with local schools for nature-based, experiential learning. The Equity for Education program will support more than 70 students who are falling behind in reading and math, with a focus on prioritizing students from low-income households or challenging situations. The program will also create mentorship opportunities for aspiring educators from underrepresented backgrounds.

“There has been excellent interest in this program from some wonderful, bright young future educators. This is a huge win-win as we will provide great career development opportunities to future educators while impacting the lives of students in our community in a positive way,” said Bob Wandel, ODC Education Network Director.

Yadah V. Ramirez, Director of Community Impact at CFHZ, said, “We understand that investing in our children’s early education is crucial to building a thriving community. The pandemic interrupted some of the foundational learning for students who were in third and fourth grade during that time. We are proud to support these grant recipients who are helping children catch up academically and also develop the social-emotional skills that are fundamental to their long-term success in and out of the classroom.”