Frequent Questions

The East Grand Rapids Schools Foundation enriches the experience of all students by investing in programs and educational enhancements that support the whole child. Since its inception in 1983, the Foundation, thanks to our generous donors, has provided more than $5 million to our schools. In students’ time in East schools from kindergarten through graduation, the Foundation will contribute more than $6 million to their education. The Foundation has also made an extraordinary commitment to the new high school, granting the district $2.4 million over six years to help make the future home of the new Pioneers the best it can be.

Our schools are at the heart of our community. Time after time, though, instability in state funding has threatened the district’s ability to offer our students a full range of opportunities. Only through funding from the Foundation have our schools been able to continue to offer the outstanding programs we expect. In the past, we’ve saved programs like elementary school music and the world language program. We’ve brought back paraeducators for our youngest learners and the learning commons coordinator. We’ve helped launch March Book Madness, the Middle School Innovation Lab, and the high school’s Gone Boarding program. And year after year, we fund the performing arts and robotics in all our schools, student mental health support, author visits, 6th grade team-building camp, and band, orchestra, and choir.

The investment earnings from the Foundation's endowment provide funds for both immediate needs and long-term enhancements within our district. This school year, thanks to our donors, the Foundation will offer our district more than $700,000 in program support, classroom grants, faculty awards and professional development, student scholarships, and co-curricular funding. To maximize the power of the earnings from our endowment, we continue to raise funds to meet new challenges and offset some of our operating expenses. Everything we do is made possible by our donors’ tremendous support of the Foundation and our students.

People volunteer to help the Foundation every year. The Foundation’s Board of Directors is an all-volunteer group of more than 20 people. You can apply to be on our board by submitting an online application. We have two student board member positions students may apply for during their sophomore year. Foundation events are also planned and staffed by groups of volunteers. The HURRAH! spring friend-raising event, the Gerken Open golf outing, and the EGRSF Awards Dinner are all organized by groups of volunteers. Dozens more volunteer their time at our events or in the Foundation office. If you’d like to join the Foundation’s amazing volunteers, call the Foundation at 235-3535 or email egrsf@egrps.org. You can also nominate teachers for Excellence in Teaching awards and nominate high school seniors for one of the scholarships the Foundation administers.

In 2022, the Foundation created Jimmy’s Friendship Fund to cover immediate needs for families within the district that are experiencing temporary financial difficulties. The funds may be used to cover pay-to-participate expenses for extracurriculars, student activity fees, household needs, or personal needs. It’s called Jimmy’s Friendship Fund in honor of Jimmy Gerken, who was an East resident and EGRPS staff member with special needs. Jimmy wanted everyone to be able to be part of everything in our schools. School principals allocate the funds based on needs they see. Families may also contact school principals or the Foundation as needs arise. Everything is kept private and confidential.

Your connection to the East Grand Rapids Schools community continues after graduation and goes beyond the city limits. Attending East Grand Rapids Public Schools makes you a lifelong member of the alumni association and your involvement gives our community strength.
You can stay connected and be an active alumni association member by:
• Updating your contact information and receiving class reunion news and information from EGRSF
• Getting involved as a reunion coordinator, volunteer, and with EGRSF
• Making an impact – Give today!
• Connecting with fellow alumni and faculty
Contact Maria Allen, Alumni Relations Coordinator via email at mallen@egrps.org or by phone at (616) 235-3535 if you have questions or would like more information.

We take your privacy seriously. We do not sell or otherwise disclose information about our volunteers or supporters outside of our immediate organization. This policy has no exceptions. We do not sell or exchange your information with any other organizations, public, private or nonprofit.