Q & A
What is the Grandville Education Foundation (GEF)?
The GEF is a 501c3 charitable organization that was formed in 1991. Innovative projects and programs are proposed by Grandville Public School staff to help meet varied academic needs of students and to create “Aha” moments in the lives of our children. The GEF directors review the proposals, and those that meet criteria are posted here for donors to be inspired by and help fund.
What is the difference between a GEF grant and a scholarship?
Scholarships that benefit graduating seniors help to send them on their way; GEF grants benefit the students while they are still in Grandville Public Schools, learning and growing.
Can I give undesignated funds?
Yes! Undesignated gifts and GEF fund-raising events help to fund a large GEF sponsored IMPACT Grant each year.
What else does the GEF do?
The GEF has three main events each year: an Alumni event in the summer/fall, the Taste of Grandville community event on the first Monday in March each year, and a Grandville Public Schools Retiree event each spring. We are not just a fund-raising organization; we are also a friend-raising group on behalf of Grandville Public Schools.
What happens if a grant request isn't fully funded?
If a grant request is not fully funded through online contributions, donors will be notified via email and given an opportunity to divert their donation to another GEF grant request. If the donor has not made his/her preference known to the GEF within 30 days of notification, the contributed amount will go to the general fund to support the larger annual project that benefits Grandville Public School students.
What are the ways that donors contribute?
- Tax-deductible designated and undesignated contributions via the website using Paypal or US Mail.
- Designate the GEF on your United Way contribution form
- Join the Heritage Circle
- Memorial Contributions in honor of loved ones
- Use Goodsearch.com as your internet search engine to give a penny to the GEF for each search
- Include the GEF in your estate plan
- Participate in events such as the Taste of Grandville
- Click here to donate online through PayPal
If your question isn't answered here, ask by emailing trobinson@gpsk12.net
Contact Us
Grandville Education Foundation
Address: 3843 Prairie SW
Grandville, MI 49418
Phone: (616) 635-9757
Fax: (616) 254-6555
Email: trobinson@gpsk12.net
Donate Now
Donate the amount of your choice to the GEF General Fund through PayPal.
The Heritage Circle is a permanent display housed in the lobby of Grandville High School to recognize donors who have made significant financial contributions to the Foundation.
Board of Trustees
Kathy Galdys, President
Amy Anderson, Vice President
Wendy Randall, Secretary
Bill Ritsema, Treasurer
Tina Robinson, Executive Director
Maureen Ross, MS Rep.
Sara Peterman, Elem. Rep.
Kitty Buck
Rebecca Wierda
Ron Caniff (Ex Officio)
David Hibschman
Bob Johnson
Meg Willit
Robert Smith
Neil Starks
Barbara Palmer (Ex Officio)
Cheryl Garner
Judy Grifhorst (Ex Officio)
Amy Hiller (Ex Officio)
Grants You Can Fund
Click here to view all grants needing funding or scroll through them below.
Click here for other ways to donate.
*Donations appear within 48 hours.
"6th Grade Solo Night"
Program Description: 6th Grade band students are encouraged to continue participating in band by being given individual "mini lessons" with an opportunity to be awarded with medals after performing for a public audience.
6th Grade
Program Teachers: Brian Topolewski, Eduardo Garcia, Amy Kool, Maureen Ross
Deadline: February 15, 2010
Total Needed: $1400
Raised: $1400 / $1400
Thank You!
Binda Foundation
"Classroom Crime Scene"
Program Description: Advanced equipment will allow for teaching how DNA is analyzed at the crime scene in the Forensic Science class, stepping learning up to a level closer to the university forensic lab.
11th - 12th Grade
Program Teacher: Darrin Batdorff
Deadline: February 15, 2010
Total Needed: $1330
Raised: $1330 / $1330
Thank You!
Binda Foundation
"Cooking to Learn"
Program Description: A social and language interaction opportunity for students to increase comprehension, vocabulary, language, math and science skills through cooking.
South Elementary ASD
Program Teacher: Wendy Bowman
Deadline: February 15, 2010
Total Needed: $150
Raised: $150 / $150
Thank You!
Funded by the GEF
"Dawg Time"
Program Description: An opportunity for all 2nd graders to choose from a large variety of high interest, multi readability level books for an independent and/or group book study, providing a fun way to engage students to work on reading and comprehensive strategies.
West Elementary 2nd Grade
Program Teacher: Cindy Zavitz
Deadline: February 15, 2010
Total Needed: $500
Raised: $500 / $500
Thank You!
Funded by the GEF
"Magna-Tile Creative Play"
Program Description: This one-time purchase will allow for years of imaginative and creative play and fine motor skill building, while informally learning about geometric shapes, patterning, symmetry, three-dimensional thinking and magnetic principles.
Preschool
Program Teachers: Amy Greenland, Pam Klynsma, Julie Smith-Boyd, Jessica Sterling, Jan Swainston, Heidi Voetburg
Deadline: February 15, 2010
Total Needed: $815
Raised: $815 / $815
Thank You!
Kristin Porco
And the GEF
"Night at the Museum"
Program Description: A night of culture and community where students share their museum of displays after researching cultural traits of ancient civilizations with friends and family.
East Elementary 6th Grade
Program Teacher: Sally Van Eck
Deadline: February 15, 2010
Total Needed: $150
Raised: $150 / $150
Thank You!
Anonymous Donor
"VMAP! (Video Motion Analysis in Physics)"
Program Description: With the use of special cameras, students will be able to precisely analyze the motion of events to see the laws of physics at work in real life.
10th - 12th Grade
Program Teacher: Michael Evele
Deadline: February 15, 2010
Total Needed: $777.98
Raised: $777.98 / $777.98
Thank You!
Funded by the GEF
Connect
Become a FAN of the GEF on Facebook!
Click here to go directly to the GEF Facebook Page.
Thank You
“The GEF grant to implement
this program makes a positive
difference for our students.
Thank you for helping us reach
that goal.”
(Operation: Integration)
Grandville Public Schools
Click here to go to the grandville.k12.mi.us
GPS Grant Proposal Information
Click here to download the grant proposal and information form (PDF).
Please note, only Grandville Public School staff may apply for a grant.