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Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area

Our Mission

The Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area seeks to ensure that our community thrives today, tomorrow, and forever by building our Community’s Endowment to support high impact charitable projects, helping donors achieve their charitable goals, and leading and partnering in community-level initiatives.

Scholarships

CFHZ awards over $1 million in scholarships each year for students to attend schools of higher education throughout the nation. Our scholarships are possible thanks to the generosity of donors who invest in our community’s future by furthering the education of others.

All Holland/Zeeland area individuals interested in post-secondary education are encouraged to apply for CFHZ scholarships.

The Foundation proudly administers over 100 scholarships, each with unique eligibility criteria that must be met before a candidate can be considered.

Holland Doctors of Audiology Scholarship

• Graduating senior, graduating early college student, or current college student who attends/attended public, private, or home school in the primary service area of the Community Foundation or in Hamilton or Saugatuck
• Enrolling/enrolled at an accredited post-secondary school within the United States
• Financial need (must submit the page of the FAFSA Submission Summary showing the Student Aid Index amount)
• Hard of hearing and hearing aid user and/or admitted and enrolling/enrolled at an accredited program in audiology (graduate-level candidates)
• Hard of hearing and hearing aid user and/or interested in studying audiology or hearing science (undergraduate-level candidates)
• Involvement in the school’s music program preferred.
• Potentially renewable for three additional years.

Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area

Our Mission

The Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area seeks to ensure that our community thrives today, tomorrow, and forever by building our Community’s Endowment to support high impact charitable projects, helping donors achieve their charitable goals, and leading and partnering in community-level initiatives.

Scholarships

CFHZ awards over $1 million in scholarships each year for students to attend schools of higher education throughout the nation. Our scholarships are possible thanks to the generosity of donors who invest in our community’s future by furthering the education of others.

All Holland/Zeeland area individuals interested in post-secondary education are encouraged to apply for CFHZ scholarships.

The Foundation proudly administers over 100 scholarships, each with unique eligibility criteria that must be met before a candidate can be considered.

Holland Friends of Art Scholarship

• Graduating senior from Black River, Holland Christian, Holland High School, West Ottawa, Zeeland East, Zeeland West, or the Careerline Tech Center
• Enrolling in a 2 or 4-year degree program at an accredited post-secondary school (including vocational/technical school) within the United States
• Financial need, a consideration (encouraged to submit the page of the FAFSA Submission Summary showing the Student Aid Index amount)
• GPA of 2.5 or greater
• Continuing studies in the visual arts either as an art major or art minor
• Recommended by high school visual art teacher
• Potentially renewable for one additional year

The Ian Miskelley Be Better Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area, aims to support high school seniors who are active in swimming and demonstrate strong character. Eligible applicants must be graduating seniors from public, private, or home schools within the foundation's service area, have participated in a swim team during their junior and senior years, and be recommended by a swim coach. Community service related to mental health is a plus.

The Terry Lee Kaylor Memorial Scholarship, offered by the Central Kansas Community Foundation, aims to assist graduating high school seniors pursuing higher education or vocational training. Preference is given to students from Douglass High School with a minimum GPA of 2.85 and a demonstrated financial need. The scholarship amount varies based on available funds, and recipients will be notified of their award status in May. This scholarship is not renewable and encourages all eligible students to apply.

The Rod's Tire and Service Scholarship Fund, managed by the Central Kansas Community Foundation, offers $2,500 to assist graduating Marion County high school seniors pursuing higher education or vocational training. The foundation, established in 1994, focuses on enhancing community welfare through charitable giving and emphasizes support for students majoring in agricultural fields. This scholarship aims to empower local youth and strengthen the community by investing in their educational futures.

The Keith and Marilyn Harsh Scholarship, managed by the Central Kansas Community Foundation, provides financial assistance to graduates of Kansas high schools, particularly those from Peabody-Burns, Marion, and Lyon County. The scholarship prioritizes students planning to attend Emporia State University and those pursuing degrees in education, with selection based on financial need and academic potential. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required. Funding amounts vary based on available resources.

The Jeremy Allen Taylor Memorial Scholarship Fund, managed by the Central Kansas Community Foundation, offers financial assistance to high school seniors and graduates of Douglass and Rose Hill High Schools pursuing higher education or vocational training. The scholarship is renewable, requiring annual reapplication, and is aimed at students with a minimum GPA of 2.0. Preference is given to those with fewer alternative scholarship options, supporting the foundation's mission of strengthening communities through charitable giving.

The Colin and Sally Rowell Memorial Scholarship Fund, managed by the Central Kansas Community Foundation, offers financial assistance to graduating seniors from Butler County, KS high schools pursuing higher education or vocational training. This scholarship aims to support students with a demonstrated interest in education or agriculture, emphasizing financial need and potential for success in college. It reflects the foundation's mission to strengthen communities through charitable giving, promoting rural philanthropy in the central Kansas region.

The Clifford and Rubye Angleton Scholarship Fund, managed by the Central Kansas Community Foundation, supports graduating high school seniors and college students from Butler County, Kansas, pursuing higher education. Scholarships are based on available funds and applicants' merit. Recipients may renew their scholarships for up to three years with satisfactory academic progress. This initiative emphasizes the importance of rural philanthropy and aims to empower local students to achieve their educational goals.

David Wiersema Memorial Scholarship

Graduating home school senior or graduating high school or early college student from one of the following high schools: Black River, Hamilton, Holland Christian, Holland High School, Saugatuck, West Ottawa, Zeeland East, or Zeeland West.

The John L. and Victory E. Frantz Scholarship, offered by the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, supports Tri-Cities residents pursuing higher education. Established in honor of dedicated educators John and Vicky Frantz, this scholarship aims to empower future generations through education. Eligibility includes financial need and a commitment to academic achievement. Applicants must submit transcripts and relevant documents. The foundation emphasizes a thorough selection process, ensuring that deserving candidates receive the necessary support to achieve their educational goals.

The James W. Junior and Jane T. Brown Scholarship, established by Jane and James Brown in 2006, offers financial support to adult students over 21 in the Tri-Cities. This scholarship aims to ease the financial burdens faced by those returning to education. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and provide necessary documentation, including transcripts and a Student Aid Report. The program encourages recipients to assist others in their educational journeys, fostering a cycle of support in the community.

The Jack Feldt Ambucs Memorial Scholarship, established in 1997, supports students in the Tri-Cities area pursuing a degree in Physical Therapy. Funded by the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, this scholarship prioritizes applicants demonstrating financial need. It considers college juniors and graduating high schoolers, reflecting the spirit of community and collaboration championed by Ambucs. Eligible candidates need to provide transcripts and additional required documents to complete their application.

The H. Wayne VanAgtmael Cosmetology Scholarship, established in 2005 by Wayne Van Agtmael's family, honors his legacy in the cosmetology field. This scholarship supports high school graduates from the Tri-Cities pursuing a cosmetology degree, focusing on financial need and academic achievement. Applicants must provide transcripts and additional required documents. The scholarship aims to empower students, particularly those who are the first in their families to succeed beyond high school, in their educational journeys.

The Hofma Scholarship, offered by the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, supports local high school graduates motivated to pursue college education. This competitive scholarship considers financial need, academic achievement, and personal goals. Applicants can submit a single application for multiple scholarships, simplifying the process. Established by Edward and Elizabeth Hofma, who significantly contributed to the community, the scholarship honors their legacy and commitment to education and environmental efforts.

The Hierholzer-Fojtik Scholarship, established in 2006 by Frances Hierholzer, supports students pursuing a career in law. It is awarded to Grand Haven Area Public Schools graduates with demonstrated financial need. The scholarship offers a streamlined application process for all eligible foundation scholarships. Frances, inspired by her grandson's success with a GHACF scholarship, aims to give back to the community that helped him achieve his educational dreams.

The Herman J. and Helen D. Wyngarden Memorial Scholarship, offered by the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, supports students from Northern Ottawa County or local high schools. Established in memory of dedicated educators, this scholarship encourages academic advancement beyond high school. Eligible applicants should provide transcripts and relevant documents, with preference given to those pursuing economics or medicine. This competitive scholarship aims to honor the legacy of the Wyngardens while empowering future leaders.

The Henry D. and Ruth G. Swartz Family Fund Scholarship, established in 1996, supports high school seniors from North Ottawa County pursuing post-secondary education in engineering, computer science, pre-law, or medicine. Awarded competitively by the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, applicants must demonstrate financial need and provide necessary documentation, including transcripts and recommendation letters. This scholarship honors the legacy of local residents Hank and Ruth Swartz, encouraging students to achieve their educational goals.

The Grand Haven Rotary/Lynne Sherwood STRIVE Scholarship supports graduating seniors from Grand Haven Area Public Schools, especially Central High School, who have benefitted from a mentor's guidance while pursuing their diploma or GED. Scholarships are awarded based on financial need and academic achievements, with a thorough selection process by the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation. Applicants can submit one application for multiple scholarships, streamlining access to financial support for their educational goals.

The Grand Haven Offshore Challenge Scholarship, offered by the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, supports students pursuing studies in natural resources, including fisheries and wildlife. This scholarship is available for applicants attending any public or private college or university. The fund was established to honor community contributions towards environmental preservation and is awarded based on academic merit and financial need. Apply once for all scholarships you may qualify for to streamline your application process.

The Grand Haven Area Community Foundation Scholarship, established in 2003, provides financial assistance to local students pursuing education beyond high school. Scholarships are awarded based on criteria such as financial need, academic achievement, and personal goals. Applicants may apply once for all eligible scholarships, and the selection process is thorough, ensuring that exceptional candidates are chosen each year. This initiative reflects the community's commitment to supporting the educational aspirations of its youth.

The Geri Coccodrilli Culinary Scholarship, established by the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, supports high school seniors pursuing careers in culinary arts. Funded through charitable efforts by local community leaders, this scholarship considers financial need and requires applicants to submit transcripts and additional documents. It simplifies the application process by allowing students to apply for multiple scholarships at once, ensuring a fair and thorough selection process.

The Fugazzotto Scholarship Fund for Visual Arts Students, established by the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, supports Tri-Cities residents pursuing careers in visual arts. This scholarship honors Barbara Fugazzotto's legacy as an art educator, encouraging students to explore their creativity in drawing, painting, ceramics, and graphic design. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5. The scholarship aims to nurture future artists who contribute to the cultural landscape.

The Friends of Loutit Library Fund Scholarship, established by the Friends of Loutit Library in 2005, aims to assist students pursuing an advanced degree in Library Science. This scholarship is open to individuals who either reside or have resided in the Tri-Cities area of Northern Ottawa County. Financial need is not a consideration, ensuring that all eligible students can apply for this essential educational support from the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation.

The Edward P. Suchecki Family Scholarship, established by the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, supports local high school senior athletes pursuing a business career. Named after Ed Suchecki, a dedicated coach and businessman who valued education, this scholarship prioritizes financial need and favors football and golf players. Applicants must submit their transcripts and other required documents. This initiative aims to empower young athletes to achieve their educational goals.

The Dr. Larry Poel Field of Medicine Scholarship, administered by the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, supports students from Ottawa or Muskegon County who have completed at least two years of college in a medical field. With a minimum GPA requirement of 3.0, the scholarship aims to honor Dr. Poel's 42-year career in sports medicine and encourage future medical professionals. Preference is given to those studying sports medicine, ensuring community-focused support.

Transportation Research and Policy

Arnold Ventures (AV) is a philanthropy dedicated to improving the lives of all Americans through evidence-based solutions that maximize opportunity and minimize injustice.

The Infrastructure team has been investing in efforts to build better, faster, and lower-cost infrastructure with a focus on housing, energy, and transportation. For transportation, we are investing in policymaking and research that tackles the inefficiencies that make U.S. transportation infrastructure so difficult and expensive to build. 

Purpose

Transportation policy represents an avenue for improving the systems moving people, goods, and services. The Infrastructure team is seeking proposals evaluating the effectiveness and/or benefits of existing transportation or transportation-adjacent policies on outcomes for communities in the United States.

Eligible Projects and Topic Areas of Interest

This Request for Proposals (RFP) aims to bolster the knowledge base of potentially effective policies, programs, and interventions by funding efforts that align with key AV Infrastructure policy areas.

AV is primarily focused on traditional surface transportation — road and public transit — but is open to proposals in aviation, maritime, passenger and freight rail, trucking, and more.

We seek proposals for: 1) research, expanded data sets, or analysis; 2) administrative or legislative policy reforms at the federal, state, or local level; or 3) models of effective implementation including proposals for implementing agencies to partner with researchers or program evaluators to conduct baseline and post-intervention research on implementation effectiveness that will advance the knowledge base and provide illustrative examples within, but not limited to, the following topic areas:

• Transportation Capital Investment Reform. Evaluating how capital funding is prioritized and selected at the federal, state, or regional level, including discretionary grant programs and formula-based funding. What reforms could ensure projects deliver higher public returns?

• Cost Estimation, Oversight, and Accountability. Why do major transportation projects frequently exceed budgets and timelines, and how can we identify strategies to improve transparency, cost realism, and performance oversight?

• Access in Mobility Outcomes. Measuring how current transportation investments affect access to jobs, services, and economic opportunities for workers and families, and what policy changes could improve access.

• Performance-Based Project Selection. How can public agencies shift from current, politically driven allocations to datadriven, performance-based decision-making on capital project selections?

• Institutional Barriers to Reform. What organizational, legal, or procedural hurdles prevent DOTs and MPOs from adopting better practices (e.g., outcome-based planning, integrated land use/transportation policy)?

• Permitting and Permit Reform. How do current local, state, and federal permitting practices affect project cost, quality, timeline, and other concerns?

• Intergovernmental Dynamics. How do federal, state, and local funding structures and requirements enable or constrain effective transportation investment? What governance structures would improve outcomes when it comes to transportation planning and project delivery?

• Data Sets and Root Causes of High Delivery Costs. Expanded data sets on unit costs and/or research illuminating the root causes of why transportation and transit projects cost so much and take so long to deliver. What policy and practice changes could manage project delivery risks and improve the likelihood that projects will be delivered on s chedule and on budget?

• Domestic Content. How do Buy America and domestic content requirements affect the cost, speed, innovation, and effectiveness of transportation infrastructure projects?

• Procurement Process. How do current procurement practices affect project cost, quality, innovation, and accountability — and what policy and regulatory reforms could improve outcomes?

• Other. AV also welcomes innovative proposals on other transportation issues that align with our mission.

These research, policy development, and implementation proposals can be relevant to federal surface transportation reauthorization legislation or federal administrative changes; state reforms to Departments of Transportation; and/or local-level reforms relevant either to regional transportation agencies, transit agencies, or municipal governments.