Our Mission
The Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area seeks to ensure that our community thrives today, tomorrow, and forever by building our Community’s Endowment to support high impact charitable projects, helping donors achieve their charitable goals, and leading and partnering in community-level initiatives.


A Thriving Community
We envision a fully thriving community where all who live or work in the Holland/Zeeland area equitably experience: physical, mental, and emotional health and safety; financial stability; high quality education; access to opportunities to achieve one’s full potential; and a sense of belonging – are respected, valued, connected and have a voice in community decisions.
Our Values
Excellence is the Standard: We address complex challenges, anticipate needs, work to exceed expectations, and practice continuous improvement in the pursuit of being the best community foundation for the Holland/Zeeland area.
Treat Others How They Would Like to Be Treated: We value the uniqueness of every individual by listening and leading with empathy and being mindful of diverse needs, strengths, and preferences.
Personable Professionalism: We combine expertise and warmth so that individuals and organizations know they can rely on us for trusted guidance and will enjoy working with us.
Positive Vibes: We strive to bring uplifting energy to every interaction and embody the belief that positive change is always possible.
Every Act is Stewardship: We honor the privilege of building and nurturing the relationships that are at the core of our work.
Meet our members
Our Staff

Erin Avery-Zylman
Chair

Scott Brooks
Chair Elect

Jasmine Irish
Secretary

Ed Amaya
Treasurer

Tom Den Herder
Past Chair

Sue Franz
Trustee

Tim Hemingway
Trustee

Micki Janssen
Trustee

Diane Kooiker
Trustee

Jonathan Padnos
Trustee

Jean Ramirez
Trustee

Deborah Sterken
Trustee

Ann VanZalen
Trustee

Karinna Martinez
Youth Trustee
Executive
- Erin Avery Zylman, Chair
- Scott Brooks, Chair Elect
- Tom Den Herder, Past Chair
- Jasmine Irish, Secretary
- Ed Amaya, Treasurer
- Patrick Cisler, staff support
Governance
- Tom Den Herder, Chair
- Erin Avery Zylman, Ex-officio
- Scott Brooks
- Diane Kooiker
- Deborah Sterken
- Patrick Cisler, staff support
Audit
- Scott Brooks, Chair
- Erin Avery Zylman, Ex-officio
- Sue Franz
- Diane Kooiker
- Jeff Brouwer, community representative
- Doug Rotman, community representative
- Patrick Cisler, staff support
- Rob Arnold, staff support
Investment
- Scott Brooks, Chair
- Erin Avery Zylman, Ex-officio
- Tim Hemingway
- Jonathan Padnos
- Ann VanZalen
- Shawn Pacanowski, community representative
- Ilse Saewert, community representative
- PJ Thompson, community representative
- Jim Wiersma, community representative
- Patrick Cisler, staff support
- Rob Arnold, staff support
Distribution
- Deborah Sterken, Chair
- Erin Avery Zylman, Ex-officio
- Ed Amaya
- Sue Franz
- Jasmine Irish
- Winni Xu, youth representative
- Olaf Huebner, community representative
- Phil Perkins, community representative
- Jennifer Remondino, community representative
- Zahabia Ahmed-Usmani, community representative
- Elizabeth Kidd, staff support
- Yadah V. Ramirez, staff support
Program Related Investment
- Diane Kooiker, Chair
- Erin Avery Zylman, Ex-officio
- Ed Amaya
- Tom Den Herder
- Bret Docter, community representative
- Jim Lilly, community representative
- Haans Mulder, community representative
- Doug Rotman, community representative
- Matthew Wiebe, advisor
- Patrick Cisler, staff support
- Elizabeth Kidd, staff support
Scholarship
- Deborah Sterken, Chair
- Erin Avery Zylman, Ex-officio
- Jasmine Irish
- Kathi Buma, community representative
- Kacey Cuellar, community representative
- Diana Hernandez-Garcia, community representative
- Tiara Johnson, community representative
- Cathy Lebster, community representative
- Jessica Lynch, community representative
- Anne Sailers, community representative
- Jennifer Slayton, community representative
- Lisa Smith, community representative
- Pam VanderKamp, community representative
- Stacy Timmerman, staff support
- Mitch Doyle, staff support
Promise scholarship selection
- Deborah Sterken, Chair
- Jasmine Irish
- Liz Colburn, community representative
- Cathy Lebster, community representative
- Michael Sandoval, community representative
- Rodrigo Zavala Cintora, community representative
- Stacy Timmerman, staff support
- Mitch Doyle, staff support
- Karinna Martinez, Chair
- Yazlén Ochoa, Chair Elect
- Winni Xu, Distribution Committee Representative
- Sami DeVries, Secretary
- Miguel Mendoza, Treasurer
- Xiomara Alonzo
Jacob Anagnostopoulos
- Meredith Cook
- Naomi Crandell
- Virchow Dai
- Brenda Garcia
- Lilliana Gitler
- Danielle Lebster
- Emma Palmateer
- Zack Ramsdell
- Abbi Rozman
- Taya Schanski
- Evie Travers
- Brighton Walcott
- Katelyn Witte
Our Grants
Our grants are focused on partnering with nonprofits. We monitor the ever-changing needs in our community and respond in ways that take advantage of opportunities to make the greatest difference.
Our Management
Our funds are professionally managed to protect and grow principal while maximizing income. We use this income to enhance quality of life in our community in ways that are compatible with donor wishes and Community Foundation goals.
Financial Management
The prudent investment and management of assets is a primary function of the Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area’s Board of Directors.
Get in touch
Contact Us
Office Hours
Monday – Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm
We’re located on the first floor of the Plaza East building right on 8th street.
Office Location
- 85 E. 8th Street, Suite 110, Holland, MI 49423
Phone
- 616-396-6590
Fax
- 616-396-3573
- info@cfhz.org
Keep Up to Date on the Latest News
Featured stories and updates on our work to create lasting positive impact and help donors achieve their charitable goals.