Wine and Wills Seminar As Catholics, we recognize everything we have is a gift from God. Throughout our lifetime, the blessings we receive are a result of God’s love, and He entrusts us to be good stewards of His manifold gifts. You have spent decades building your life and living your faith, and yet, arranging for your final intentions can be a daunting task. That’s why the Catholic Foundation partners with local parishes, cemeteries, funeral homes, and estate attorneys to offer seminars on the circle of life. In February, Foundation staff collaborated with St. Paul the Apostle Parish in ..read more

Anyone raised in the Catholic Church would have learned early on that each of us is, “A light of the world.” But few, perhaps, have taken that lesson to heart as much as Ken Boerma. The former altar boy and Eagle Scout credits strong role models at St. Mary’s Church and School in Spring Lake with helping him to grow into a man able to inspire others — and who will continue to do so for years to come through a charitable legacy. In a recent interview, Ken was eager to describe faith’s role in his life. Smiling and proudly wearing an Air Force baseball cap as he sat down with staff from the C ..read more

Second Annual Love & Charity Event The Catholic Foundation of West Michigan’s second annual Love & Charity Event was a huge success! Together, we celebrated our community’s dedication to love and charity, which encapsulate the essence of Christian life. At the reception, donors, business and nonprofit leaders, along with Most Reverend David J. Walkowiak, came together to celebrate programs and ministries spreading the Good News throughout West Michigan.  The Catholic Foundation continues to expand its impact through this pool of funding provided by the Bishop’s Angels&nb ..read more

“I’m the luckiest mom ever,” says Kate Dorsey, mother of two and head of outpatient cardiology services at the University of Michigan Health West campus. Kate sends her sons, Cooper and Harry, to All Saints Academy where they receive tuition assistance from a variety of sources thanks to donor generosity. Their enrollment in the northeast Grand Rapids school has enabled them to benefit from quality, faith-based education while contributing to a community of faith and service. Kate relocated to Grand Rapids from Whitehall to attend Aquinas College after high school. It was there that she was f ..read more

When Jim and Nancy Hunter first met as students at West Catholic High School, “It was kind of a chance encounter,” says Jim. Details get a bit murky with time, but both remember a friend introducing one to the other while Nancy stood near her locker between periods. “We’ve been together since then…which was a long time now,” he adds. “60 years.” In the decades that have passed since the couple first met, the two have built a life founded in faith and dedicated to family. Together they have prioritized Catholic education, even through challenging times, ensuring that the Hunter family would se ..read more

The Holy Spirit guides Peter and Michelle Baldwin on their stewardship journey “You can never out-give God.” This observation by an impactful priest inspired and challenged Peter and Michelle Baldwin’s philanthropic journey. Peter and Michelle’s stories may be very different, and their approaches to giving unique, but their shared perspective on first fruits has made generosity a foundational  part of their marriage, business,  and parenting philosophy. Members of Shrine of St. Francis Xavier & Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Peter and Michelle’s stewardship journeys started small ..read more

Dear Friends, Would you say you are confident in your understanding of the Catholic giving ecosystem here in West Michigan? Do you know how the Foundation partners with parishes, schools, and the diocese? If you think it is confusing, you’re not alone. Let me begin to demystify this puzzle. Today, the Catholic Foundation serves as the umbrella organization that manages funds and distributes grants for a variety – and majority – of parishes, schools, and Catholic ministries throughout West Michigan. It is likely that the Catholic organizat ..read more

The Stranz family plans their giving impact for today and tomorrow Like many couples with grown children, Terry and Kristina Stranz are in a new phase of their lives. Married for over 30 years, they raised their family of five in the St. Sebastian parish community. Now as grandparents to three little ones, the Stranz’s have found themselves thinking about the future–and how to leave a legacy. “Charitable giving has always been a part of our lives,” Terry says. “I’ve always felt that it’s just a normal part of being brought up in the Church. So Kris and I enjoy supporting different organization ..read more

Most Reverend Robert J. Rose 1930 – 2022 The Catholic Foundation of West Michigan celebrates the life and mourns the death of its founding bishop, Most Reverend Robert J. Rose, at the age of 92. The Lord called him home on March 2, 2022, Ash Wednesday. Bishop Rose’s legacy is significant and multi-faceted. Of his many accomplishments, one that will surely endure is his leadership in establishing the Catholic Foundation of West Michigan. In the early 1990s, it was the hope of many Church and lay leaders that the Diocese of Grand Rapids establish a charitable giving foundation to provide an o ..read more

God loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor. 9:7) This time of year, it’s customary to begin making plans for the new year to feel happy and accomplished in the year ahead. Yet, it’s hard to dispute that one of the most direct paths to happiness is not by focusing on one’s self, but by giving and serving others. We offer you these acts of generosity to consider as you plan the new year: Pray – Ask God how you can better reflect the life of Christian stewardship. Celebrate a Pandemic Hero – Make a gift in their honor to an associated charity. Involve the Whole Family in Charity Decisi ..read more