Celebrating 75 Years of CFHZ
Total Assets
Total Grants Awarded Since our Founding
Total Gifts Received Since Our Founding
Fundholders
Stories of Impact
History of CFHZ
1951
Founding of the Holland Community Foundation
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The Holland Community Foundation was founded by Mayor Harry Harington, and Holland City Council Members Judge Cornelius C. Vander Meulen, Peter Kromann, Marvin C. Lindeman, and City Attorney O.S. Cross.
1960
Grant to build the Kollen Park Band Shell
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In its early years, the Foundation focused on community projects in partnership with the City of Holland and other local agencies. It often served as a Fiscal Sponsor, connecting donors with initiatives that provided meaningful impact to the community.
1962
Grant to procure DeZwaan Windmill from the Netherlands
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The De Zwaan Windmill is the last working windmill to leave the Netherlands to the United States. It is the only authentic, working Dutch windmill in the U.S.
1973
Founding of the Zeeland Community Foundation
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Established to provide a method for individuals, families, and companies to fund charitable, educational, and civic projects for the greater Zeeland area. The original Board of Trustees was comprised of Melvin Boonstra, Robert Den Herder, Jack DeWitt, Frank Hoogland, Robert Hoover, Ronald Klamt, Raymond Schaap, Adrian Vandenbosch and Ruth Wolbrink.
1978
Holland Harbor Lighthouse “Big Red” Fund established
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The Holland Harbor Lighthouse Historical Commission establishes a fund to support preservation of “Big Red.” The fund is now called the Lighthouse Preservation Fund.
1989
$1M in assets
1991
Youth Advisory Committee Formed
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This year also marks the 35th year of our Youth Advisory Committee (YAC)! YAC is a group of local high school students who are responsible for reviewing and recommending grants for programs that benefit area youth. The mission of the YAC is to empower young people, involve them in the community, and teach them about philanthropy while they serve as stewards through grantmaking.
1994
First Executive Director, Bill Vanderbilt hired
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Bill Vanderbilt served as Executive Director from 1994–2006. Under his leadership, the Foundation grew from 16 funds to 316 funds, and assets grew from under $3M to over $26M.
1995
$5M in assets
1996
Merger of the Zeeland and Holland Community Foundations
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Zeeland Community Foundation Board Chair, Grace Piersma, and Holland Community Foundation Board Chair, Ken Peirce, led their respective organizations in a conversation about a merger. The opportunity to partner and raise $2 million in unrestricted endowment and complete a second youth endowment fund challenge match from the W.K. Kellogg Company secured the deal.
1997
Major grant for Zeeland Pedestrian Foot Bridge (also known as the Bridge Builder Bridge)
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One of first grants made by the newly formed Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area was designated to the Paw Paw Drive Pedestrian and Cycling Bridge. A walking bridge that connects the City of Zeeland to Holland Charter Township. Today, the bridge displays engraved bricks honoring members of the Bridge Builder Legacy Society, individuals who have made legacy charitable commitments which will benefit our community for years to come.
1998
$10M in assets
2001
First Annual Recognition Awards Gala
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The Foundation hosted its first Awards Gala and honored Gordon Van Wylen and Randall Dekker with an inaugural Community Hall of Fame award. The event has evolved over the years and is now the Foundation's signature event – the Celebration of Philanthropy. Held each September, Celebration is a special night where donors, nonprofit partners and community leaders gather to celebrate all who give of their time, talent, and treasure to support a thriving Holland/Zeeland.
2005
$25M in assets
2007
Howard Miller Library Endowment Fund reaches $1 million after multi-year campaign led by Mayor Les Hoogland
2008
Certified in compliance with National Standards for Community Foundations
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The Community Foundations National Standards accreditation seal represents a community foundation's commitment to rigorous, sector-driven best practices that exceed federal and state law requirements and demonstrates accountability and excellence to communities, policymakers, and the public.
2008
Ready for School Initiative launched
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The Foundation awarded over $355,000 from 2008–2017 for the launch and scale up of Ready for School and Start School Ready which prepare children for success in kindergarten.
2010
The Holland/Zeeland Promise Scholarship is founded
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The Promise was founded in 2010 by local donors and administered by the Foundation to provide last-dollar scholarships and intensive side-by-side support for local high-achieving, high-financial-need students. In 2018, the Foundation’s board voted to assume full strategic stewardship of the program, officially establishing it as our community’s scholarship. Today, the Promise supports 15 new scholars each year.
2013
Major grant for Project Clarity Initiative
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The Foundation awarded $250,000 from 2013–2014 to dramatically improve water quality in Lake Macatawa.
2013
$50M in assets
2015
Today. Tomorrow. Forever. campaign launched
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The Foundation launched a campaign to grow awareness and resources for the Community’s Endowment. The campaign raised $5 million in “today” gifts and a pipeline of 100 “tomorrow” future estate gifts.
2017
Housing Next launched
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The Foundation awarded $500,000 and helped lead the efforts of Housing Next from 2017–2022. Housing Next is an initiative to significantly improve the affordability of housing in our community at all income levels.
2020
Launched collaborative emergency response during the COVID-19 Pandemic
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The Foundation acted quickly to partner with United Way, The Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, Lakeshore Nonprofit Alliance, and Community Spoke to launch a county-wide response to the pandemic that included coordinating efforts among government, nonprofit agencies, community partners and donors.
2021
$100M in assets
2022
Strengthening the Nonprofit Sector Campaign
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The Foundation commits $1.5M over 10 years and raises an additional $1.7M endowment toward its efforts to strengthen the nonprofit sector through capacity building programming and investments to help equip nonprofit organizations with the resources, information, and people to do their best work.
2023
Proactive Grant Making program launched
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The Foundation launches a new proactive grant making strategy using community data to identify key priority areas essential to the health and success of Holland/Zeeland.
2026
CFHZ celebrates 75 Years of Impact and the Youth Advisory Committee celebrates 35 years
