Duneside Discovery Center awarded $250K from GH Community Foundation grant

GRAND HAVEN — The Grand Haven Area Community Foundation recently distributed nearly $650,000 in grants to five local recipients, including a $250,000 grant for Outdoor Discovery Center's continued development of the Duneside Discovery Center at Mary A. White Elementary School. 

The new center will be modeled after ODC’s existing nature-based early childhood education facilities, designed to support both learning and play. The site will open 200 new spots for children aged 3-5 in the school district, helping to reduce barriers for families and supporting the local workforce. In addition, at least half of the programs will serve vulnerable populations, including children from low-income families and those with disabilities. 

“Supporting the ODC Network’s mission is important on a number of levels,” GHACF President Hadley Streng said in a news release. “It promotes inclusivity, addresses a critical need for early childhood education and development, helps address barriers to childcare availability in our area, and provides our youth with nature’s many benefits, including improved physical and mental health.

“This initiative benefits not only education in partnership with one of our local school districts, but also our economy and ecology. We are honored to assist in making such a significant impact on the community," she said.

The ODC is partnering with Grand Haven Area Public Schools in the transformation of Mary A. White. Funding from the grant will support the creation of nature playscapes, interactive outdoor learning environments, a variety of trails, comprehensive landscaping, and habitat restoration efforts such as dune and meadow revitalization, native landscaping, and tree planting. In addition, many outdoor areas will be designed for public access to benefit the wider community. 

"We have seen firsthand how nature-based early childhood education transforms children’s development and supports the well-being of teachers,” said John Vincent, ODC Network, chief of early childhood education. “By connecting lessons to children’s natural curiosity, they gain stronger self-regulation, deeper engagement in math, science, and literacy, and a lifelong love for learning. With the support of the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation and in partnership with Grand Haven Area Public Schools, we are thrilled to bring this model to northern Ottawa County and expand opportunities for children and families alike." 

“We are incredibly grateful for this partnership with the ODC Network and the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation,” said GHAPS Superintendent Kristin Perkowski. “This project helps meet a growing need in our community for enhanced and expanded early learning opportunities, ensuring more children have access to a strong start. The Duneside Discovery Center not only supports our youngest learners, but strengthens families, enhances our community, and builds a foundation for future success.” 

Other grants awarded

Hand2Hand - Packing with Purpose: Facility Upgrades to Fuel Weekend Meals ($31,000) 

Hand2Hand addresses food insecurity and supports children and families across our region by packing and delivering nutritious meals to students in need over the weekends and on extended school breaks. The growing organization received a $31,000 grant to support essential facility upgrades that will ensure efficient operations and the ability to meet the evolving needs of our community. Planned improvements include installation of a roof access ladder for safe and effective maintenance, climate control upgrades to ensure proper food storage conditions, durable new flooring in the packing room to accommodate increased activity and movement of materials, and updates to the welcome area to enhance security and accessibility for visitors and volunteers. 

Tri-Cities Family YMCA - Preschool Classroom Renovation & Program Expansion ($63,000) 

A $63,000 grant was awarded to the Tri-Cities Family YMCA to aid in expanding their Learning Tree Preschool program at their West Michigan Academy of Arts and Academics location. Funding from GHACF will help the Y to add an additional classroom and 18 Great Start Readiness Program spots to meet growing local demand This expansion will improve school readiness, support working families, and enhance long-term educational outcomes for children in northwest Ottawa County. The project aims to address the need for quality childcare and early childhood education, specifically north of the bridge. The goal is to offer tuition assistance, increase access for families across all socioeconomic backgrounds, reduce achievement gaps, and promote educational equity. 

Spring Lake Public Schools - Professional Learning Communities ($73,290) 

Spring Lake Public Schools was awarded a $73,290 grant to support the implementation and expansion of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) across the district. PLCs empower educators to shift from working in isolation to engaging in structured, collaborative cycles of inquiry and action. This approach supports a collective focus on student learning, data-informed decision-making, and continuous instructional improvement. The multi-year initiative aims to build a sustainable system of collaboration that ensures high levels of learning for all students, fosters a thriving educational community, and improves teacher support and retention district-wide. 

Lakeshore Advantage Foundation - Ottawa County Housing ($225,000 over 3 years) 

Housing Next launched in 2017 as a local housing initiative in Ottawa County, addressing access to affordable housing in our area. Partnering with Housing Next at the regional level, Lakeshore Advantage is positioned to lead the next phase of this initiative by integrating Housing Next’s work into its existing economic development framework, with support from a new, dedicated staff role. A grant of $225,000 over 3 years (up to $75,000 per year) will help fund this reestablished leadership with the hiring of a Community Development Director focused exclusively on housing in Ottawa County. The goal is to sustain the momentum built over the past eight years and ensure Ottawa County’s housing strategies and solutions remain proactive and locally responsive. 

A public, charitable organization serving Northwest Ottawa County community since 1971, the GHACF encourages philanthropy by individuals, families, corporations and organizations, and serves as a steward of their charitable funds and legacies. Learn more at ghacf.org.  

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