In November 2023, East Grand Rapids residents approved a bond program focused on
renovating the high school, expanding preschool and childcare opportunities, and supporting infrastructure lifecycle replacements. The budget for the high school transformation alone is more than $130 million. 

Thanks to our donors, the Foundation is making an extraordinary multi-million-dollar commitment to the high school renovation project. Beginning this year, the Foundation plans to contribute $2.4 million to the project over six years.

“We're proud to provide the support for this historic project that will create a world-class facility for the students of East Grand Rapids,” says Foundation Executive Director Amy Stuursma. “These funds will come from the earnings from our endowment. That means anyone who has contributed to our endowment in our more than forty-year history will be part of this effort, and will be part of the new high school. Our contribution will help ensure that the new high school is a teaching and learning environment that is second to none. 

“Thank you to all our Foundation supporters for making this transformative commitment possible.”

These renderings reflect plans for the high school that were shared with the community at the February 25, 2025 design presentation. Illustrations by MAQE. For more information on the high school transformation, visit www.egrps.org/hsbond.

The East Grand Rapids Schools Foundation administers eight scholarship programs that are available only to EGRPS students. The deadline to nominate a senior for one of the scholarships is March 15. That’s also the deadline to apply for the one program students can apply for themselves, the EGRSF Scholarship.

Details about each of the scholarship programs can be found on the Foundation’s website at egrsf.org/what-we-do/student-scholarships/. Here’s a quick list:

Online nomination/application forms can be found on our Student Scholarships page.

On Saturday, April 26, the East Grand Rapids Schools Foundation’s annual fundraising party, HURRAH!, will once again fill Wege Plaza with food, fun, friends, music, drinks and more.

Don't miss out! Get your tickets or be a sponsor now at egrsf.org/events/hurrah.html.This community-wide event is always a highlight on the East Grand Rapids social calendar. The past two years, HURRAH! was sold out well before the event. 

This year’s HURRAH! will be a party spotlighting the artful way the Foundation and our friends in the community work together to provide opportunity for our students.

A full list of HURRAH! ticket options and sponsorship benefits is available on our website.

Registration for sponsors, teams, and individual golfers is now open for the Gerken Open golf outing at Thousand Oaks Golf Club Wednesday, June 11. 

The Gerken Open Golf Outing is one of the Foundation's most anticipated events, and it’s sold out for the past four years! 

The Gerken Open raises funds for athletics and co-curricular activities through the Foundation’s Gerken Fund and EGR Team Boosters. The event is named in honor of Jimmy Gerken, an East Grand Rapids resident and former staff member with special needs. One of his most memorable quotes is, “That’s okay, I’ll still be your friend,” spoken in response to someone who was bullying him. Jimmy’s enduring spirit and love for sports and co-curriculars are the inspiration for the event, as these were the activities he enjoyed most. The Gerken Fund and EGR Team Boosters help ensure these activities continue to be an integral part of our students’ education. The  Gerken Fund also includes Jimmy's Friendship Fund for families in need.

Sign up for the Gerken Open today!