Grand Rapids Public Schools Foundation

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Please join us in welcoming Matt Mankivsky to the GRPS Foundation Board of Directors! Matt is a seasoned banking professional with over a decade of experience in commercial and community development finance. As VP of Community Development Lending at Huntington Bank, he specializes in structuring and closing debt and equity transactions using the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program. A strong believer in the power of education, Matt holds an MBA in Finance from Wayne State University and a B.A. in Management and Political Science from Hope College. He also serves on our Finance Committee and has a background in coaching high school lacrosse. As Matt likes to remind us with one of his favorite Ben Franklin quotes: “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” 💡 Welcome, Matt!

Tomorrow’s the deadline! Apply now for the Teacher Innovation Fund and Teresa Weatherall Neal Principal’s Fund grants. Empower GRPS scholars by giving yourself, and them, the tools to spark curiosity, creativity, and growth. Don’t miss your chance! Applications close tomorrow, October 15. Apply today: https://lnkd.in/givwRx2R

Grand Rapids Public Schools students were recently inspired by award-winning author Christina Diaz Gonzales and muralist Arturo Morales Romero. Through art and storytelling, they explored themes of identity, culture, and perspective, discovering that education goes far beyond the pages of a textbook. It’s about engaging with the world, embracing new experiences, and learning through the rich opportunities their schools and educators provide. Thanks to Grand Rapids Public Schools for yet another powerful step toward shaping future-ready scholars. Read or listen to the full story below!

Last chance! Grant applications close next week! Our grants directly support Grand Rapids Public Schools classrooms, funding hands-on learning, immersive outdoor adventures, and resources for educators. Know someone with a great idea to inspire young minds? Share our Teacher Innovation Fund and Teresa Weatherall Neal Principal's Fund grants! Recipients announced in November and March! Apply by October 15: https://lnkd.in/givwRx2R

💡 Exciting opportunity for GRPS educators! The Teacher Innovation Fund and Teresa Weatherall Neal Principal’s Fund (TWNPF) are still accepting applications. These mini-grants (up to $500) help teachers bring fresh, creative ideas to life in their classrooms — from hands-on projects to the arts. 📅 Apply by October 15, 2025 🏆 Awards announced: November 2025 If you know a GRPS teacher, please encourage them to apply! 🔗 https://lnkd.in/givwRx2R

Thanks to a GRPS Foundation mini-grant, fifth graders at Southwest Elementary took science to new heights by designing and launching straw rockets, learning how gravity affects motion firsthand. Under the guidance of Ms. Joline Andrews, students explored physics through hands-on experiments, critical thinking, and a whole lot of fun. 👩🔬👨🔬 Dive into the work of these Grand Rapids Public Schools scientists in the making by reading the full blog on our site: https://bit.ly/3VOY9jT

Thanks to the support of the Ottawa Hills Athletic Boosters, Meijer, and Consumers Credit Union, the first-ever electronic scoreboards are now shining bright at: ⚽ Ottawa Hills Soccer Field ⚾ Mickey Stanley Field (Baseball) 🥎 Marti Beckering Field (Softball) During the ribbon-cutting, Superintendent Dr. Leadriane Roby said it best: “This is what community looks like. Your investment tells our scholars that the hard work they put in on these fields truly matters.” Here's to more game days and a future full of new possibilities!🏆

Be One of the 1,000 Who Care! We’re rallying 1,000 GRPS alumni to invest in the next generation, because we know what education, opportunity, and community can do. $250 each = $250,000 for: 🎨 Arts & music programs 🏀 Athletics & field trips 🧑🏫 Teacher innovation grants 🧃 Essential student needs Let’s give back to the district that gave us so much. Join the movement. Give today: https://lnkd.in/g9uJP3_R #GRPSAlumni #1000WhoCare #SupportGRPS #GiveBack #EducationMatters #GRPSStrong

Turkey Trot Season is Here! We had such an energizing start to the season with our Turkey Trot Kick-Off last week! There’s still time to join the fun — register today and be part of this year’s tradition. Whether you walk, run, or trot, it’s a great way to support our community and kick off the holiday season. Sign up now: https://lnkd.in/g59YxBD7 It's also not too late to become a corporate sponsor! Click here for more info: https://lnkd.in/dE8GErc3 Let’s make this the biggest Turkey Trot yet!