2023 Fall/Winter Highlights of Hope

PHILANTHROPY
At the crossroads of community
and research
For more than a decade, Matt Cook has worked to empower
communities. As the vice president of community relations at
Lake Michigan Credit Union (LMCU), he oversees the organization’s
efforts in philanthropy, sponsorships and volunteerism — a task
that would lead to a partnership with Van Andel Institute.
LMCU, which is celebrating its 90th year, was founded by a Grand
Rapids Public Schools teacher, Cook said, which cemented its deep
values of community support from the very beginning. Outreach
started with a focus on employee volunteering, with staff sharing
their time and talents when able. Since then, LMCU’s efforts have
grown to encompass events, partnerships and an increasing
number of volunteers.
“We’re a not-for-profit institution that recognizes our employees
and members are part of the communities we serve,” Cook said.
“We need to continue to invest in those communities to ensure
they are thriving.”
That outreach coincided with the start of another group looking
to support grassroots outreach, VAI Purple Community. Purple
Community is a dynamic community awareness and fundraising
program, connecting individuals, schools, teams and companies
with the resources needed to take action.
LMCU was a part of Purple Community nearly since its inception,
Cook said. The credit union played a key role during some of
the earliest days, gathering volunteers from their branches to
support events at local schools. They provided logistical support,
too, gathering donations in a way that felt safe and efficient for
community members.
“It’s rather incredible, because we can tell people this is happening
in their state, county, maybe even the very city they’re in,” Cook
said. “It’s a mission they believe in; they can see the work being
done, and it’s happening close to home — it connects all the dots.”
Since then, LMCU has deepened its partnership with VAI, with
more than 15 years of support for the Institute’s signature events.
LMCU is the title sponsor for Around the World, a celebration
of summer benefiting Van Andel Institute for Education’s K–12
programs. Keeping with its founding values, LMCU’s sponsorship
helps create classrooms where curiosity, creativity and critical
thinking thrive.
Their support doesn’t end there — LMCU is a longtime sponsor
of Couture for a Cure, Grand Rapids’ fashion extravaganza, and
Hope on the Hill, the Institute’s gala honoring science, discovery
and the heroes working to untangle disease. LMCU is still guiding
community outreach efforts, bringing volunteers and support to
the Grand Rapids Griffins Purple Community Game and other VAI
and Purple Community events.
MATT COOK ATTENDS
CURIOSITY HOUR
26 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE