GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — It's the end of an era for Grand Rapids. The Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation is sunsetting after 54 years.
Rich and Helen DeVos, the owners of the Amway company and West Michigan natives, started the nonprofit in 1970.
Since then, their impact on the city includes more than 1,000 nonprofits supported and $1.1 billion given. The couple prioritized supporting arts, economic development, education, faith and health care in the Grand Rapids area and beyond.
“From the beginning of their lives together, Mom and Dad were motivated to give by their Christian faith, and that faith was always the foundation of their giving,” said daughter Cheri DeVos. “They also had an overwhelming belief in the potential of all people, and their desire to partner with others has left a lasting positive impact, especially in their hometown.”
Over the years the couple partnered with community leaders, volunteers, nonprofits, public officials and more in order to give to their community.
“If there was an opportunity to bring people together around a common cause for the betterment of the community, they were sure to be early cheerleaders and encouragers,” said son Dan DeVos. “They drew energy from working as a couple and working with others to bring new opportunities and support to many.”
The community of Grand Rapids and West Michigan as a whole had a special place in the couple's hearts, as Grand Rapids is their hometown.
“They wanted people in their home community to have all they might need right here,” said son Dick DeVos. “That was a key driver of their health care giving, the desire for those who needed care to not have to travel elsewhere. They knew people would do better closer to family and home.”
The couple wanted to spend their lives making as much of an impact as they could. They also wanted to leave behind a legacy after they passed for other community leaders, including their children, to step up and continue to give back to the community.
“Mom and Dad were firm believers that ‘now is the best time’, as it’s the only time we have,” said son Doug DeVos. “Their intention was never for their foundation to live on forever, but to lay the groundwork for future generations who would come and make their own impact. They, along with many others, created this amazing culture of giving in our community that only continues to grow in number, impact and scale. I know that my wife, Maria, and I – along with my brothers, sister, their spouses and the next generation of DeVos family members – are energized to continue to be part of this giving community moving forward for years to come and encourage all in the community to engage in their own ways. We all have something to give – whether it is your time, talent or treasure – to advance this great community even further.”
What did Rich and Helen focus on?
Rich and Helen, with their love for Grand Rapids, said they wanted to make sure residents of the city had what they needed and more to live, work, raise a family, realize their full potential and thrive.
"They wanted Grand Rapids to have a vibrant downtown, wonderful education institutions, world-class health care, strong faith community, and a flourishing arts sector," said the foundation.
The arts:
Helen especially loved the arts. Her love of music is what inspired the couple to donate to the Grand Rapids Symphony for 53 years. They wanted to not just support the symphony, but help set it up to live on for future generations to enjoy it as they did. In addition to financial support, Helen served as a board member for the symphony for almost 20 years. They also contributed to arts campaigns and programming at many other organizations, including St. Cecilia Music Center, Grand Rapids Christian High School’s DeVos Center for Arts and Worship and the Frederik Meijer Gardens.
Economic development:
In the late 1970s and early 1980s downtown Grand Rapids saw the start of a renewal. During this time, Rich and Helen supported the idea of building a new performance hall in the downtown area. The idea not only aligned with their appreciation for the arts but would also help grow the area as people would flock to downtown to see performances by various arts institutions. In the following decades they saw planning and development all through the area. Rich and Helen supported many projects, including serving as the lead donors for DeVos Place Convention Center.
Education:
Grand Valley State University established itself in Allendale. However, as downtown Grand Rapids grew, Rich encouraged the school to expand into the downtown area. The foundation said Rich and Helen were key drivers in pushing the school into downtown. They also worked toward the creation of the William Seidman Center and Cook-DeVos Center for Health Science. They not only supported Grand Valley but also Hope College, Calvin College, Grand Rapids Community College and Grand Rapids Christian Schools locally.
Faith:
Both Rich and Helen were raised in families where faith was a priority. They carried that priority through their lives and into their marriage. The couple always set aside 10% of their money for the church. Once they got to a place where they were able to give more, they did. Of all their giving, the couple always tried to give 50% of it to faith-based causes. Some faith-based organizations they gave to were LaGrave Christian Reformed Church, the Christian Reformed Church and the DeVos Urban Leadership Initiative.
Health care:
While Blodgett and Butterworth hospitals merged into Spectrum Health (now Corewell Health), Rich served as chairman on the board. Both he and Helen lent their name and leadership to fundraising projects such as the Richard DeVos Heart and Lung Transplant Program, Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital and Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences.
The final newly-initiated gift from the foundation before its sunsetting was a $20 million contribution to the Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. Given in February 2024, the contribution will create a permanent endowment for the Child and Family Life Team. It was a part of the DeVos family's $50 million gift to pediatric health care in West Michigan. The foundation said the contribution will support nearly 40 certified professionals, including child life specialists and assistants, music and art therapists, and teachers to ensure that children and families have many of the comforts of home and receive special support while in the hospital.
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