Supporting worthy causes

You can learn a lot about people by how they give of their time and resources. A company is no different. At AMDG, our investment in a variety of causes makes us who we are. We are privileged to be able to do it.

Scholarships

AMDG Scholarship Assistance Fund at San Juan Diego Academy

The AMDG Architects endowment Fund at San Juan Diego Academy provides scholarship money for San Juan Diego Academy students that aids in nurturing the future of Hispanic Catholic Leaders.

AMDG Scholarship at Calvin University

This scholarship is given annually by the firm to a student in their second, third or fourth year. Eligible students have demonstrated interest in pursuing a career in architecture or are pursuing a major in engineering with a civil and environmental concentration. The scholarship is given based on financial need with preference to ethnic minority or international students, women and/or non-Christian Reformed members. AMDG has sponsored this scholarship since 2000.

AMDG Architects, Inc Educational Support Services Endowment Fund at Grand Rapids Christian Schools

This endowment fund supports the Grand Rapids Christian Schools (GRCS) by ensuring they possess the resources needed to support and celebrate the gifts and abilities of each student. GRCS offers Educational Support Services (ESS) for those who may need assistance beyond the traditional classroom, serving over 350 children among all Grand Rapids Christian Schools with a wide variety of individualized services.

AMDG Architects Diversity Scholarship Fund at Hope College

In support of advancing the mission of Hope College, this scholarship is awarded to deserving, underrepresented students with financial need. Preference is given to students with demonstrated experience in or commitment to working with the Hispanic community.

AMDG Architects Endowed Scholarship at Rehoboth Christian School

This endowed scholarship was created to provide financial assistance to families and students demonstrating financial need so that they can have access to and benefit from an education at Rehoboth Christian School. Our intent is to support Native American students and to provide greater access to Rehoboth Christian education.

AMDG Daniel Visser Applied Technology Fund at Grand Rapids Christian Schools

AMDG Architects established this fund at the Grand Rapids Christian Schools Foundation in honor of Daniel Visser, a former teacher at Grand Rapids Christian High School. This fund ensures that the Applied Technology program possesses the resources needed to provide excellent educational programs to train students in the areas of construction, manufacturing, engineering, and architecture.

AMDG Architects Scholarship Fund - St. Paul the Apostle School

This AMDG Architects Scholarship Fund was developed to assist students from families demonstrating financial need – providing access to the benefits of a great Catholic education at St. Paul the Apostle School.

Illiana Christian High School Endowed Scholarship for Adaptive learning

As part of the Illiana Christian High School capital campaign fund, this endowed scholarship provides opportunities for adaptive learning that aligns with their Christian faith both inside and outside of the classroom.

South Christian High School Endowed Scholarship for tuition assistance

This endowed scholarship provides tuition assistance to South Christian High School students with financial need, providing them the opportunity to benefit from a faith-based education.

AMDG Architects Scholarship Fund at Catholic Central High School

The AMDG scholarship fund at Catholic Central High School provides needs-based tuition support to students of Hispanic / Latino heritage who have actively engaged in their community through service.

AMDG Architects Endowed Scholarship at West Catholic High School

The AMDG scholarship fund at Catholic Central High School provides needs-based tuition support to students of Hispanic / Latino heritage who have actively engaged in their community through service.

Deacon Kenneth Baldwin Memorial Fund for Seminarian Formation

In memory of Deacon Kenneth Baldwin, this endowed fund provides support for seminarian education and formation for the Diocese of Grand Rapids.

AMDG Architects Endowed Scholarship Fund at Bethany Christian School

Students in need of financial assistance entering 9^th grade at Bethany Christian School are eligible to benefit from this fund in the form of an annual scholarship award. The AMDG endowed fund allows recipients the possibility to receive the scholarship award each year throughout their 4 years of high school. Priority will be given to Latino/Hispanic students of families in need of financial assistance.

AMDG Architects Endowed Scholarship Fund at Wheaton Academy

AMDG established this Endowed Scholarship Fund to provide a worthy student demonstrating financial need the opportunity to benefit from an education at Wheaton Academy.

Giving

20 Liters
Ada Christian School
Alger Park CRC
All Belong
Alpha Grand Rapids
Association for A More Just Society
AYA Youth Collective
Barnabas Ministries, Inc.
Barnabas Foundation
Benjamin’s Hope
Bethany Christian Schools
BE WELL Center
Catholic Information Center
Charity Global, Inc: Water
Cherry Health Services
Children’s Healing Center
Christian Reformed Conference Grounds
Club 1040
Cutlerville East CRC
D.A. Blodgett / St. Johns
Daystar Education Association
Deos Contemporary Ballet LLC
Down Syndrome Assoc. of Michigan
Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church

Evergreen Commons
Flat River Outreach Ministries
Foundation for Catholic Secondary Education – West Catholic
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
Friendship CRC – GEMS
Georgetown Harmony Homes
Grand Rapids Center for Community Transformation
Grand Rapids Children’s Museum
Grand Rapids Symphony
Grandville Christian Schools
Guiding Light
Hand2Hand Ministries
Heart of West MI United Way
Heart of West MI United Way – Family Stability Program
Heart of West MI United Way – Youth Education Program
HELP Pregnancy Aid
Holland Christian Schools
Holland Community Aquatics Center
Home Repair Services
Hope Academy

Hope College
Hospice Visions
Humane Society of West Michigan
Jackson Hole Classical Academy
Jenison Christian Schools
Kids Food Basket
Mel Trotter Ministries
Michigan Architectural Foundation
Neland Ave. CRC Building Fund
Noordeloos Christian Reformed Missions
Northwest Indiana Food Bank
Ocean Conservancy Inc.
Our Shepherds – Our Future, Inc.
Pregnancy Resource Center
Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary
Ravenna Baptist Church
Reclaim13
Rehoboth Christian Schools
Rock Steady Boxing
Rockford Rotary Foundation
Safe Haven Ministries
Shrine of St. Francis Xavier & Our Lady of Guadalupe
South Christian High School

St. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church
St. John Paul II Parish
St. Joseph the Worker Parish
St. Michael Foundation
St. Paul Center
St. Robert Catholic School
Starlight Ministries
Talent First
The Luke Society
The Storehouse of Community Resources
Timothy Christian Schools
Tom Hofmann Baseball Scholarship
Treetops collective
Trinitarians of Mary
Trinity Christian College
Urban Roots
Westra Bye Memorial Art Foundation
Wheaton Academy
Women’s Resource Center
WORLD movers
World Renew
World Vision
Zuni Christian Mission School

Speaker Series

Wise words

It’s important to hear what people in our community have to say, especially those who are well informed. We are honored to be able to host leaders on topics ranging from creativity and design to globalization, faith, and technology.

Upcoming Speakers

Ashanti Bryant, Senior Program Officer for W.K. Kellogg Foundation

Thursday, September 12, 2024 | 4:00-5:00 PM at AMDG

Windows and Mirrors: How Education Creates Opportunity to See the Brilliance in All

Windows are stories about seeing others, while mirrors are stories about seeing ourselves. At the beginning of the school year (across our state and around the country), Ashanti Bryant will open his own “picture book” chronicling his personal learning journey. He will also share how education remains a transformational tool for experiencing the true possibility and potential of all children in all communities.

Bio: Ashanti Bryant serves as Senior Program Officer for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation in Grand Rapids. In this role, he supports the Foundation’s efforts to promote thriving children, working families and equitable communities.

A native of Detroit, Ashanti received a high-quality early childhood and public education that positioned him to break patterns in his family. A first generation graduate, Bryant holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education (Science and Mathematics) and a Master of Social Work degree in Policy, Planning and Administration from Western Michigan University. He also earned a Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Administration from National-Louis University in Chicago.

Bryant has decades of experience as a teacher and school principal, in childcare settings, public & private schools. Most recently, Bryant served as the Director of Early Childhood Services at IFF, a nonprofit community development financial institution in Grand Rapids, Michigan. As Director, Bryant led policy and advocacy agendas at all levels of government as well as community engagement initiatives, real estate planning and development, finance and lending and early childhood research and needs assessments. Bryant also served as the Education Director at Amplify GR, where he cultivated initial strategy for ensuring all children in the target community had access to high-quality Pre-K to 12th-grade education. He’s also been an active and engaged Adjunct Instructor and Consultant, working in universities and alongside social service organizations throughout the Midwest.

Ashanti and his wife (also an educator) have 3 children and call the southeast side of GR their home.

Past Speakers

Nathan Leaman, Managing Director for Frontline Training Solutions
Thursday, April 25, 2024 | 4:00-5:00 PM at AMDG

Creating a Leadership Framework

It is estimated that the market for Leadership Development is anywhere between $60 billion and $400 billion. For decades, Leadership Development has been an essential element of any solid learning and development strategy. Organizations know they need to focus on Leadership Development. They know leaders sit in a unique position to attract, engage, develop, and retain others. They know they need "it". But if asked what "it" is (i.e., "What does Leadership mean?") many organizations are unable to respond clearly. This session will focus on the importance of answering that question within the specific context of your organization. We will explore the various components of a Leadership Framework from specific definitions of leadership behaviors, how those behaviors relate to other essential OD, HR, and talent initiatives, and what can be done to ensure leaders take accountability for the organization's leadership culture. Participants will leave this session with a clearer understanding of the "first step" toward creating an effective leadership culture as well as a roadmap for bringing these principles into their organization.

Bio: Nathan Leaman is a passionate professional with extensive experience in building systems and tools that support organizational and leadership effectiveness. He brings over 20 years of leadership and HR experience from both business and non-profit organizations.

Nathan has a bachelor’s degree from the Moody Bible Institute, a master’s degree from Liberty University, and received his coaching certification from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. He spent seven years in full-time church ministry before working for 13 years at the Kohler Co. At Kohler, Nathan moved through various business and corporate HR roles eventually taking the position of Director-Leadership Development where he was responsible for all leadership development and succession planning activities globally. Nathan also held various executive HR roles for the Grande Cheese Company in Fond du Lac, WI where he was responsible for Organizational Development, Compensation, Benefits Management, and HRIS. Nathan joined Frontline Training Solutions, based in Grand Rapids, MI, as Managing Director in December of 2022.

Nathan has extensive experience with assessment tools and is certified in multiple personality and 360° feedback assessments. His straightforward style, willingness to tackle difficult issues, genuine interest in seeing others grow and ability to coach at all levels makes Nathan a go-to resource for strategic HR support, consulting, and executive development.
Faye Richardson-Green, Consultant and Visiting Professor
Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at AMDG

The Challenges of Leading Diverse Teams

Today's work environment is full of challenges for today's leadership including uncertainty with post-COVID business models; attracting adequate talent to support customer demands as well as navigating increasingly divisive social-political community dialogues around business diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts. This presentation will attempt to offer leaders’ perspectives on what DEI is and isn't and how its challenges might be addressed.

Bio: Faye Richardson-Green believes people matter and are the differentiator in achieving organizational success. To that end, she frequently uses human-centered approaches to influence people performance and organizational culture change. Willing and able to address tough issues in a sensitive manner, Richardson-Green envisions making a difference in the world by inspiring individuals and organizations to adopt critical behavioral and mindset shifts needed to grow and thrive. Her primary strengths are listening deeply, challenging systemically, and thinking innovatively, especially when differing worldviews are present.

With more than 40 years of broad-based leadership experience and local market insight within for-profit and not-for-profit business sectors in Western Michigan, Richardson-Green has influenced the strategic direction of numerous organizations in roles as diverse as co-founder, committee chair, facilitator, and board trustee. These organizations include public and parochial school systems, healthcare systems, leadership institutions, foundations, and not-for-profit human services.

Faye Richardson-Green began her professional career in banking branch management. She continued developing her leadership capabilities during her 33 years at Steelcase Inc., a global work environments company. In 2015, she founded Richardson-Green Consulting LLC to share her expertise and knowledge with others. Known for her expertise in leadership development as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion, she frequently coaches and facilitates business professionals in the Midwest. Presently, Richardson-Green is a visiting professor at Grand Valley State University teaching a course on leading diverse work teams.

Richardson-Green’s broad-based community experience has resulted in her receiving many distinguished local awards, including: “Community Trustee” through the Grand Rapids (GR) Area Chamber of Commerce Center for Community Leadership; “Tribute” through the West Michigan YWCA; “Racial Justice Unity” through the Knights and Ladies of Peter Claver of the GR Catholic Diocese; and “The Raymond C Tardy Community Service Giant” recognition through the GR Community College Bob and Aleicia Woodrick Center for Equity and Inclusion.

Richardson-Green attended the Executive Institute on Women and Leadership at Stanford University. Richardson-Green earned her bachelor’s degree in communications from Oakland University in Rochester, MI. The “Certified Diversity Professional” credential was bestowed by Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations in 2009 and “Certification in Cultural Intelligence” in 2016. Richardson-Green and her husband, Bob, reside in the greater Grand Rapids and share four sons, two daughters-in-law, eleven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Matt Davidson, Superintendent of Timothy Christian Schools
Thursday, October 26, 2023 at AMDG

Fully Charged Leadership

There’s an energy crisis in America that isn’t getting enough attention – the diminishing energy from today’s leaders. The demands on leadership today are significant. Some leaders are winning with record achievements but losing passion along the way. Some are experiencing growth and success, but their energy levels are declining. Some are in the midst of adversity and fighting harder than ever to climb out of a lull in their business or entire industry and it’s taking a vicious toll. Bottom line, too many leaders today are running on fumes.

Leaders must explore and consider other sources of energy beyond conventional strategies. Your organization needs you fully charged in order to reach your full potential. Frankly, the same is true in families and other personal relationships. Be encouraged, there are renewable sources of energy for leaders.

Bio:
Matt Davidson is in his fourteenth year at the helm of Timothy Christian Schools (PK3 - 12) – the largest Christian school in Illinois and one of the largest in the country. During that time, Davidson and his team have raised over $60M for capital improvements, real estate acquisitions, existing programs, and new initiatives. Additionally, during his tenure, the school has earned a National Blue Ribbon of Excellence from the US Department of Education and increased enrollment to record numbers and capacity. He has championed six major capital campaign projects. Every step of the way Davidson has completed each campaign on schedule, under budget, and without debt. He frequently offers his consulting expertise on a variety of topics with other private schools, non-profits, businesses, and organizations. In particular, he enjoys coaching, inspiring, and challenging leaders.

Just finishing his 30th year, Davidson has been involved in Christian education for his entire professional career. Davidson started his career in 1993 as a teacher and coach. His experiences in the classroom and the locker room have provided him with a well-rounded perspective of Christian schools and leadership. Eventually Davidson moved into administration as a Dean of Students and then a Principal before assuming his first head of school position at age 36 in the largest private school in Arizona before ultimately coming to Timothy Christian Schools (est. 1911). Davidson has successfully ushered in energizing change while maintaining a worthy respect of the institution’s history and foundation.

Davidson is also involved with nearly a dozen boards and committees, mostly in the nonprofit world. He is a husband of 30 years and a father of 3 children – all married and all graduates of Christian schools. He is also a proud grandfather.