From the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and its negative effects on members of the community, Herman Miller moved swiftly to partner with the Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area (CFHZ) to help respond to Holland-area residents in need. CFHZ officials say Herman Miller provided comprehensive and consistent support as needs evolved in the community.

“Herman Miller’s leadership, partnership, and creativity in finding new ways to support CFHZ and our response to the convergence of crises caused by this COVID-19 pandemic is simply amazing. It has allowed us to make impactful grants to support area nonprofits as they address the increased need in our community,” says Mike Goorhouse, President/CEO of CFHZ.
 

• In April, Herman Miller Cares supported the Emergency Human Needs Fund at CFHZ, a collaborative relief effort in partnership with the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation and Greater Ottawa County United Way to keep people fed, housed, and healthy during the initial weeks of the crisis.
   
• In June, Herman Miller Cares helped launch the COVID-19 Community Stabilization Fund, CFHZ’s second-phase response to the increased needs in the community, targeting three areas of prioritized investment: financial stability, mental health and substance abuse services, and education.
   
• In August, a collaborative partnership driven by the Herman Miller retiree population and Herman Miller Cares generated nearly $30,000 in community support donations to the Community Stabilization Fund.
   
• In October, Herman Miller Inc. donated 100% of the proceeds of an employee product sale to further support the Community Stabilization Fund. 

“Grants from the Emergency Human Needs Fund and Community Stabilization Fund have kept families in their homes, helped people access food and hygiene products, increased access to mental health and substance abuse services, and allowed our area nonprofits and school systems to innovate education delivery to support our most vulnerable children,” Goorhouse says. 

In addition to providing valuable financial resources, Herman Miller nominated Allie Hopkins, Associate Manager of Herman Miller Cares, to serve on the Community Stabilization Fund grants distribution committee. 

“Herman Miller is proud to partner with the Community Foundation to respond to this time of great need in our community. We have long been a purpose-driven organization, and we hope that through our support, we can act as a catalyst and encourage others to join us in these types of philanthropic efforts,” says Hopkins. 

More information about the Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic can be found at cfhz.org.

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