Donald J. DeYoung Education Fund
The DeYoung Scholarship Fund was set up in 1997 when Donald J. DeYoung retired from the Kent County Probate Court. The goal of the fund is to support students whose life circumstances resulted in contact with the Family Court in Kent County. Many of these young people were not afforded the opportunity to live in a stable family home, suffering neglect and abuse and/or being involved in custody disputes. For these young men and women, attending college and earning a degree is a meaningful opportunity that can truly change their lives. Thanks to your generosity, the fund has grown steadily and has awarded more than 150 scholarships over two and a half decades.
Several of our past scholarship recipients have gone on to graduate from their programs, and a number of students are currently on their way to earning a degree. We have received letters from many of these young people telling us that the scholarship has helped them focus on their studies as they pursue a career while inspiring them to pay it forward. Your continuing support of the Donald J. DeYoung Scholarship Fund with donations to Grand Rapids Community Foundation has enabled scholarship recipients to pursue educational opportunities that would not have been possible without your help. Thank you for continuing to support this worthy cause.