Grand Rapids Community College Receives Largest Gift Ever

They're going to use it to support learning and modernize facilities. Grand Rapids Community College has received it's largest donation ever. 

Robert Richmond, who died in 2019 left the GRCC Foundation nearly $10 million. Grand Rapids Community College President Bill Pink told Fox 17,

"This is an extraordinary and generous investment in GRCC, its students and our greater community. Mr. Richmond saw firsthand how GRCC gave his employees the knowledge and confidence to grow and thrive. His gift will help us continue providing state-of-the-art learning spaces and other resources to make education more accessible to West Michigan residents.”

Robert Richmond started his career with IBM. He and his wife, Lois, started B&L Plastics in Rockford and later B&L Development.

Family members of Richmond said that he believed in higher education and was impressed by the work performed by interns who were earning associate degrees at GRCC.

Of the gift, GRCC President Bill Pink stated,

"We deeply appreciate this gift. Mr. Richmond is a great example of leaving one’s treasure to touch the lives of others for years to come.”