News and Events

Host an Event for Hope

Are you or your organization ready to make a difference? Do you want to contribute funds that will stay local but have a global impact?

If you answered yes, consider hosting an event that benefits Van Andel Institute. Golf outings, dinners, rides, tournaments, bake sales, walks…the possibilities are endless. The research and education opportunities each event creates are truly amazing. The dollars you raise will support:

  • Basic molecular cancer research that also branches out into other diseases such as parkinson disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular disease. Our researchers are finding out what happens in cells to cause disease, and what ideal targets for therapy are.
  • Personalized medicine initiatives that match individual patients with the treatments that will work best for them.
  • Science Academy programs that inspire elementary and middle school students to pursue careers in science, help teachers to sustain that initial spark through professional development, and involve the adults in students' lives.
  • Van Andel Institute Graduate School, offering Ph.D. programs for careers in biomedical disease research and a unique hands-on curriculum that allows students to pursue current research questions in the laboratory.

Interested in Hosting an Event?

If you would like to host an event to benefit the Institute, please fill out our Online Event Proposal Form, or submit a printed Event Proposal Form to:

Sarah Lamb
Van Andel Institute
333 Bostwick NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

* Please be sure to review our Event Guidelines before submitting a proposal form.

Thanks to Our
Current Event Hosts!

dwight reed memorial golf outing
Dwight Reed Memorial Golf Outing

johan's trifest
Johan's TriFest

rally for hope and hunger
Rally for Hope and Hunger

zumba blast to stamp out cancer
Zumba Blast to Stamp Out Cancer

Need Ideas?

See an extensive listing of Event Ideas for possibilities; feel free to get creative!

Resources for a Successful Event

We are excited about the ways we can fund biomedical research and science education together! The following resources are designed to help you have the most successful event possible. For more information, please contact Sarah Lamb, Event Coordinator, at (616) 234-5712.

  • Event Checklist 
    Help avoid unwanted surprises during your planning by using this checklist.
  • Publicizing Your Event 
    Get the word out to drive attendance and participation.
  • Resources from Van Andel Institute (event support)
    Van Andel Institute staff can help with different aspects of your event.
  • Identity Guide (logo usage)
    Know the guidelines for using the VAI logo in your event materials. Please submit materials that use the VAI logo to Sarah Lamb to review.
  • Van Andel Institute Fact Sheet
    Information about the Institute that you may wish to communicate to event participants.