Foundation grants supports Rosy Mound expansion

The Grand Haven Area Community Foundation recently awarded six Community Impact Grants worth $526,620, including $200,000 to expand the Rosy Mound Natural Area.

With its 164 acres, including 116 acres of state-designated critical dunes, Rosy Mound has been a valuable natural resource for the community. Since 2017, it has had 445,400 visits, with over half coming from outside of Ottawa County. The Ottawa County Parks Foundation’s purchase of an adjacent 127-acre property includes an additional 108 acres of critical dunes. 

“The Grand Haven Area Community Foundation’s generous gift to the ‘Fulfilling the Rosy Mound Vision’ campaign demonstrates their tremendous commitment to protecting one of the world’s most unique natural resources – Lake Michigan’s freshwater dunes,” says Anita Yoder, president of the Ottawa County Parks Foundation. 

“This grant will help to ensure that one of the Ottawa County Parks and Recreation Commission’s most beloved parks – Rosy Mound Natural Area – is expanded, protecting its natural features and making it more accessible to people of all abilities.” 
The expansion plan includes additional trails, parking, and beach access points; a scenic overlook; and added accessibility features and park upgrades. 

“Rosy Mound is one of our community’s most wonderful assets, and we are happy to support the  OCPF’s mission to expand this beautiful natural resource that we’re so lucky to have right in our own backyard,” says Holly Cole, the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation’s vice president of grants and program. “Supporting economic growth, as well as the preservation of our majestic dunes, is what we would call a win-win.” 

The other Community Impact Grants awarded are: 

Lakeshore Nonprofit Alliance, capacity building ($160,000) 
The grant to the Lakeshore Nonprofit Alliance will support its efforts in assisting local for-impact partners. The funding will provide resources, training and tools to these partners, including launching an IT pilot program, creating new learning opportunities, investing in internal infrastructure, and establishing an online membership portal for user-friendly accessibility and resource sharing.  

Muskegon YMCA, Camp Pendalouan upgrades ($50,000) 
Camp Pendalouan is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a campaign to increase inclusivity,  accessibility, and sustainability. This grant will help fund updates such as a new high ropes course and renovated bathrooms to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for all ages and ability levels. 

Girls on the Run West Michigan, new curriculum ($29,620) 
Girls on the Run is designed to empower girls in grades 3-5 through physical activity and life skills development while fostering a supportive and inclusive community. After analyzing the current 8-year-old curriculum, the organization determined that an updated curriculum was needed to provide an experience that was fresh and relevant while increasing retention. The grant will support the cost of purchasing the new curriculum.  

Opportunity Thrive, educator wellness coaching ($45,000) 
Through its educator wellness coaching program, Opportunity Thrive provides personal wellness inventories, one-on-one coaching, and staff culture development at Grand Haven Area Public Schools, Coopersville Area Public Schools, and Spring Lake Public Schools. This grant will ensure the program continues to support educators, with a focus on staff resilience, enhancing self-efficacy, and improving emotional regulation to better support students.

Foundation for Muskegon Community College, Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion ($42,000)
This year, the Muskegon Community College Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion held nine sessions for hundreds of attendees to advance their understanding of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. To build off the success of this programming and increased requests for sessions, the foundation granted funds to support continued operations as well as stand-alone community workshops, seminars, or cultural events with the goal of delivering at least six additional programs in Northwest Ottawa County.