HOLLAND, MI – Community leaders and dignitaries gathered at the Midtown Center in Holland Thursday night to celebrate the new Jeannette Brownson Building Beloved Communities Fund.
The new initiative is a donor-advised fund held through the Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area.
Holland resident Jeannette Brownson designed and implemented her vision for a stronger community by helping to fund local nonprofits through her work as a realtor, donating 10% of every commission to the nonprofit of her client’s choice.
Brownson established relationships with over 60 different nonprofits before sadly passing away in October 2022 due to pancreatic cancer. She was honored Thursday, Oct. 5 during a reception and dinner.
Jonathan Brownson, Jeannette Brownson’s husband, addressed the intimate crowd how he hopes to continue his wife’s legacy of building communities by connecting people with the causes close to their hearts.
He said that Jeanette was able to contribute over $100,000 over a decade to local nonprofits like My House Ministry.
“My hope is that we can match that goal,” Jonathan Brownson told MLive/The Grand Rapids Press. “It’s a grassroots philanthropy. It’s everyone saying, ‘This is what I am passionate about.’”
Mayor of Holland Nathan Bocks also spoke at the press conference, describing how he got to know Jeannette 10 years ago. He said that to her, it’s always been about building communities.
“It’s so great to see that legacy continue on beyond her and Jonathan, and it’s going to grow to make these core neighborhoods of Holland flourish like they never have before,” Bock said.
Ottawa County Commissioner Doug Zylstra and individuals from the offices of State Representative Nancy DeBoer, R-Holland, U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Zeeland, and U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., also spoke at the press conference in support of Brownson’s legacy.
“This endowment in her name is a beautiful tribute to a woman who helped others before herself,” said Jim DeBoer, on behalf of Nancy DeBoer. “And that’s exactly what this fund will do in perpetuity; build into people in this beloved community. As we all know, our community is only as strong as the strength of its people.”
Brownson Properties is committed to continuing the practice of donating up to 10% of every commission to the nonprofit of their client’s choice, whether it be from a purchase, sale or referral of a home.
Patrick Cisler, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area, said Jonathan Brownson approached him about continuing the legacy in early spring 2023.
“Jeannette was donating personally, and she did that for many years,” he said. “What Jonathan is trying to do with carrying on her legacy is inviting other local realtors into that model.”
Jonathan Brownson said although the Oct. 5 event marked the official launch of the donor-advised fund, five local real estate agents have already participated.
“What I believe is that every person can build beloved communities, and so our focus tonight is to engage every person here in some way to keep building,” Brownson told MLive.
Learn more at www.BBCandME.com.
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