Grand Rapids Business Journal
ORGANIZATION: Grand Rapids Community Foundation
As program officer for the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, one of the things Erika VanDyke is most proud of is working with a network of Latinx leaders to help establish the foundationâs La Lucha Fund in April that had raised $735,000 as of mid-November and helped about 1,200 undocumented and mixed-status families in Kent County receive COVID-19 relief dollars as of Nov. 30.
Undocumented community members do not qualify for federal assistance or state unemployment benefits, making them particularly vulnerable during the pandemic.
Although VanDyke was the point person inside the foundation for creating the La Lucha Fund (which translates into English as âthe struggleâ or âthe fightâ), she stressed it was a highly collaborative effort. Eight community organizations were involved, including Movimiento Cosecha and the Grand Rapids Area Mutual Aid Network, as well as the five orga
Grand Rapids Business Journal
Courtesy GROW
The leader of Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women is retiring at the end of the year.
Bonnie Nawara, who has led the organization for 10 years, said Monday that she will be hanging up her hat as of Dec. 31.
“These past 10 years have been a whirlwind, and it’s been an honor to lead the organization to a whole new level,” Nawara said. “GROW is now at another pivotal point for the organization, and it is time for new energy to take us into the next 10 years, as I pursue other interests.”
Nawara came to GROW with 20 years of experience as a small business owner and in the nonprofit space. She said it was her love of entrepreneurship that drew her to apply for the position.
Grand Rapids Business Journal
Photo by iStock
Flagstar Bank announced it is awarding $5,000 grants to over 180 small businesses owned by people of color in Flagstar’s banking markets.
The grants are designed to assist businesses whose operating expenses have been impacted by COVID-19.
“Based on the overwhelming response we’ve received, I think we’ve struck at the heart of a huge need in our communities,” said Alessandro DiNello, president and CEO of Flagstar Bank. “The economic impact of the pandemic has hit small businesses hard and small businesses owned by people of color even harder. We are pleased and proud to provide critical funding at such a critical time in the life cycle of these businesses.”
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