The Grand Haven Area Community Foundation recently awarded Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women (GROW) a grant of 10,000 dollars for our expansion into the lakeshore area. These funds, which are from the Helene D. and Bernath P. Sherwood, Jr. Fund of the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, will be used to add one full-time staff member dedicated to the lakeshore.
Bonnie Nawara, CEO of GROW shared, “We are thankful and excited to be able to expand our service area to small businesses in the lakeshore area. We serve a nine-county area with a limited staff, and this grant will allow us to have a dedicated person available on the lakeshore on a regular basis.”
With the help from this grant, GROW will be able to offer more entrepreneurial training programs, business counseling and mentoring to lakeshore residents, as well as business growth, planning and financial classes. Some of these programs are already being taught on the lakeshore in the Innovation Hub at Grand Valley State University in Muskegon
GROW representatives will continue to serve entrepreneurs in Muskegon and Grand Haven prior to the addition of the full-time staff through regularly scheduled office hours and training classes. Class and workshop schedules can be found online at www.growbusiness.org
About GROW
Don’t let the name fool you, we are an organization focused on women and men at various stages of business ownership. We are the entrepreneurial resource throughout West Michigan to help them take the next step, empowering and supporting them with professional expertise for a lifetime. More than half of those GROW serves are low to moderate income individuals who want to start or build their business.
GROW offers professional, high-quality training and business counseling in all facets of business, including finance, management, marketing, strategic planning, human resources, and more. GROW is one of only 110 certified Women’s Business Centers in the nation, and one of three in Michigan, all in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
About Grand Haven Area Community Foundation
The Grand Haven Area Community Foundation is a public, charitable organization serving Northwest Ottawa County community since 1971. GHACF is regularly recognized as a top 100 Community Foundation in the nation and is the 7th largest community foundation in the State of Michigan. It encourages philanthropy by individuals, families, corporations, and organizations, and serves as a steward of their charitable funds and legacies. In addition to awarding grants, the Foundation offers technical support to nonprofits, convenes community leaders on issues of importance, and advocates for the nonprofit sector. For more information visit ghacf.org.
