Connecting Communities is an $850,000 capital campaign of the Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan Foundation that will continue to support individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and communities across 12 West Michigan counties.
In early 2021, the Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan Foundation (DSAWMF) and Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan (DSAWM) moved our headquarters to the new Special Olympics Michigan Unified Sports & Inclusion Center at 160 68th Street SW, Grand Rapids, MI. We plan to invest nearly $1 million in our new home, funding program expansion, and enhancing our endowment.
When complete, this project will:
- Give us opportunities to reach more children, teens, and adults throughout our twelve-county service area.
- Allow us to partner with other existing agencies that serve those with physical or cognitive challenges by sharing space on the Special Olympics campus.
- Significantly raise our profile and visibility throughout the community.
We are now approaching those who support our mission to seek your help with this important initiative. Please join us in supporting the Connecting Communities campaign as we seek to help all members of our region reach their full potential.
Campaign Leadership
Campaign Co-chairs
Rich Kloeckner
Jim Leach
Campaign Cabinet
Joel Blanchard
Erica Bode
Bob Boylen
Alyssa Eckel-Martin
Lisa Glover
Tom Hackett
Ben Hughes
Erin Melcher
Rich & Anne Noreen
Mary & Molly VandeWater
Sheena Vogel
Amy Wigger
Matt Witkowski
Dave Wood
DSAWMF Leadership
Bob Boylen
Katie Hollis
Robin Zondervan
Cameron Dolbow
Tom Hackett
Brad Rivard
Jim Scarlett
DSAWM Leadership
Katie Hollis
Victoria Hart
Melissa Perrin
Peri Phillipi
We Empower Individuals and Create Opportunities.
Since 1985, the Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan (DSAWM) has been providing year-round programs for children, teens and adults with cognitive challenges. In our region, there are hundreds of local residents living with Down syndrome, the most commonly occurring genetic, chromosomal anomaly. Down syndrome occurs in one of 700 births and affects people of all races and socio-economic backgrounds. Individuals with Down syndrome are active participants in educational, vocational, social and recreational activities in their communities. They are included in all education settings, hold jobs, and have valued relationships with their families and within their communities. DSAWM was founded to help these individuals enhance self-esteem, build friendships, and realize their dreams.
DSAWM programs and services are designed to address barriers and support opportunities for people with Down syndrome and their families
throughout their lives.
As the Association grew, our attention turned to how best we could ensure our sustainability for years to come. In 2012, the Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan Foundation (DSAWMF) was established to provide a source of funding to support individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and the West Michigan community.
The Campaign
Expand our Facility
Expanded office and program space including renovation, furniture, technology, and lease costs.
In January 2021, we moved into the new Special Olympics Michigan Unified Sports and Inclusion Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In doing so we doubled the square footage of our operational and programming space. This will allow us to accommodate additional staff and programs in the future. Funds raised will cover the cost of expansion, renovation, upgrades, and lease costs.
Grow our Programming
Expansion of staff and programming services to better serve our entire 12-county service area.
We currently serve over 350 member families and know that if we could expand into the other nine counties in our area, there would be hundreds of additional families that could benefit from our programs and services. We intend to add 2-3 additional staff members who will be able to expand our existing programs to meet our ever-increasing demand, develop new and exciting programs for our member families, and deliver programs throughout our service area.
Our 12-county service area
Build the Organization
An enhanced endowed fund to build sustainability for our organization.
As the DSAWM grew, our attention turned to how we could best ensure sustainability for years to come. In 2012, DSAWMF was established to hold endowed funds to increase that sustainability for the Association. Annually, DSAWMF grants up to 5% of the current endowment to benefit the Association’s budget. These are much needed funds that are used to run the Association and create opportunities for members and families.
Endowed funds support programs for members like Natalie
Help Us Connect Communities
The Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan Foundation’s Connecting Communities campaign is seeking $850,000 in community philanthropy to help move our headquarters to a new location. You can help us achieve this important goal by supporting this campaign through:
- A one-time cash gift
- A multiple year pledge commitment (may be paid over a three-year period)
- A gift of appreciated assets (e.g. stock)
- An estate gift
Your charitable gift is tax deductible to the full extent of state and federal law. Please check with your tax advisor to determine how your gift may affect your personal tax situation.
For more information or questions, please contact Katie Hollis, DSAWM Executive Director. She would love to tell you more!
View the brochure to learn more.
Connecting Communities in the News
Nonprofit launches public phase of $850K fund drive for move to new HQ
Grand Rapids Business Journal
Down Syndrome Association of West Michigan partners with Special Olympics
WZZM
Down Syndrome Association announces campaign, no location
The Hastings Banner
Thank you to our generous donors!
The Anderson Group
Building Synergy
Dan Vos Construction Company
Eagle Industrial Group
Eileen DeVries Family Foundation
The Hansen Family Foundation
Hope Network Foundation
Huntington National Bank
King Milling Company
Land & Company
Mercantile Bank
Mike and Sue Jandernoa Advised Fund of Grand Rapids Community Foundation
Steelcase
Thrive Pediatric Speech and Feeding Therapy, LLC
The Wege Foundation
West Michigan Eyecare Associates
Chris A. Anderson
Bill and Carol Ashcroft
Dan and Jo Bajema
Chloe Bayer, in honor of Philip Viening
Bill and Amy Bennett, in honor of Christopher Boylen
Joel and Laura Blanchard
Jim and Judy Blanchard
Bode Family, in honor of Sam Bode
Robert C. Boylen
Ed and Linda Bueche
Nate Clark
Bob and Mary Clarkson
Dustin and Jill Daniels
Tom and Jennifer DeVault
Niurka Diaz
Cameron Dolbow, in honor of Whitney Corl and Lauren Hecksel
Brian and Cheryl Doyle
Pete and Anne Eardley
Suzy Gill
Jason and Julie Griffen
Tom and Julie Hackett, in honor of Katie Hackett
Victoria Hart
Steve and Brenda Heacock
Patrice Heffernan, in honor of Christopher Ryan Boylen
Keith and Mary Kay Hopkins
Ben and Dana Hughes, in honor Ellie Hughes
Dave and Jane Hughes
Steve and Robin Klaubo, in memory of Jim Leach Sr.
Rich and Lindsey Kloeckner, in honor of Natalie Kloeckner
The Labadie Family, in honor of Elisa June Labadie
Jim and Michelle Leach, in honor of Corbin Leach
Lona Leach
Kim and Mark Lempke
William and Rochelle Lettinga
Shawn Martin and Alyssa Eckel Martin
Erin Melcher
James and Nancy Meyer
Jim and Mary Nelson
Rich and Anne Noreen
Bob and Carol Nowack
Nick and Maria Nykerk, in honor of Kruger Nykerk
Mark and Judy Olesnavage
Marsha Rago
Bradley and Rachael Rivard, in honor of Amelia Rivard
Lois Roelse
Jim and Bonnie Scarlett, in honor of Kelli Scarlett
Bradley Sturm
Tripp and Katie VanderWal
Brian and Mary VandeWater, in honor of Molly VandeWater
Don, Diane, and Katie VanOeveren, in memory of Donna VanOeveren & Barbara Westoby
Paul and Sheena Vogel, in honor of Hudson and Graham Vogel
Amy and Mike Wigger, in honor of Owen Wigger
Eric Willinger
Margaret A. Wilson
Matthew and Laura Witkowski
Dave Wood
Ray and Robin Zondervan, in honor of Caleb Zondervan
Gifts in memory of Jim Leach, Sr.
We are grateful to the several anonymous donors whose contributions have significantly impacted this campaign.
