A division of the Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University will work as part of a team that has been awarded a grant to help local children.
The $765,000 grant from the Wallace Foundation was presented Wednesday, February 1 and will benefit from matching funds to help several area nonprofit organizations serve underprivileged youth and increase their access to quality, engaging after-school care.
The Community Research Institute division of the Johnson Center will compile data about many different variables, and provide that information to many community partners and non-profits to allow them to best use their resources to help families who need it most.
“This work builds on existing community assets and is a step toward improving educational outcomes for our youth,” said Jim Edwards, executive director of the Johnson Center. “The Johnson Center’s CRI is proud to partner with the Expanded Learning Opportunities network to strengthen the quality of after-school programming through the development of enhanced data sharing systems.”
The portion of the grant that will benefit the Community Research Institute will be distributed by the Johnson Center, which is just one of many recipients of the grant funds. Funds will help organizations increase both quality and access to the programs.
Grant money will be used to make sure high-quality programs are available to Grand Rapids-area children after school.
