For more than a decade, Matt Cook has worked to empower communities. As the vice president of community relations at Lake Michigan Credit Union (LMCU), he oversees the organization’s efforts in philanthropy, sponsorships and volunteerism – a task that would lead to a partnership with Van Andel Institute.
LMCU, which is celebrating its 90th year, was founded by a Grand Rapids Public Schools teacher, Cook said, which cemented its deep values of community support from the very beginning. Outreach started with a focus on employee volunteering, with staff sharing their time and talents when able. Since then, LMCU’s efforts have grown to encompass events, partnerships and an increasing number of volunteers.
“We’re a not-for-profit institution that recognizes our employees and members are a part of the communities we serve,” Cook said. “We need to continue to invest in those communities to ensure they are thriving.”
That outreach coincided with the start of another group that supports grassroots outreach, VAI Purple Community. Purple Community is a dynamic community awareness and fundraising program that connects individuals, schools, teams and companies with the resources needed to take action.
LMCU has been a part of Purple Community nearly since its inception, Cook said. The credit union played a key role during some of the earliest days, gathering volunteers from their branches to support events at local schools. They provided logistical support too, gathering donations in a way that felt safe and efficient for community members.
“It’s rather incredible, because we can tell people this is happening in their state, county, maybe even the very city they’re in,” Cook said. “It’s a mission they believe in, they can see the work being done, and it’s happening close to home — it connects all the dots.”
Since then, LMCU has deepened its partnership with VAI, with more than 15 years of support for the Institute’s signature events. LMCU is the title sponsor for Around the World, a celebration of summer benefiting Van Andel Institute for Education’s K-12 programs. Keeping with its founding values, LMCU’s sponsorship helps create classrooms where curiosity, creativity and critical thinking thrive.
Their support doesn’t end there – LMCU is a longtime sponsor of Couture for a Cure, Grand Rapid’s fashion extravaganza, and Hope on the Hill, the Institute’s gala honoring science, discovery and the heroes working to understand disease. LMCU is still guiding community outreach efforts, bringing volunteers and support to the Grand Rapids Griffins Purple Community Game and other VAI and Purple Community events.
Cook shares his own connection to the Institute beyond his role at LMCU. He’s been a part of VAl’s JBoard Ambassadors and regularly attends VAI’s events – you’ll even see his family deep dive into STEM every year at Curiosity Hour. They even carry VAl’s passion for science education beyond the event: His wife, Carlie, is a high school science teacher, and has participated in VAl’s inquiry-based learning professional development opportunities.
In 2019, VAl’s mission became even more personal, as Cook’s father-in-law was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. His family began to dig deeper into VAI’s research by attending the Institute’s free Public Lecture Series, speaking with scientists at events and reading the Institute’s publications to get a better understanding of the disease. Cook described VAl as a “unique gem,” a place that he and his family could use to support Parkinson’s research while gaining a deeper understanding of the disease.
“As a family, and as a community, it’s really important to have VAl as a conduit for biomedical research and learning,” Cook said. “You think about the development taking place along Medical Mile and wonder if those things would even exist without the initial investment to start the Institute. From a donor and personal perspective, you build a connection with the cause because you get to see the scientists and leaders that are making the research happen.”