Kieft Hopes Giving Will Inspire Others to Action

Larry Kieft

Larry Kieft does not like a lot of public recognition, but when asked if we could profile him for this newsletter, he replied, "If going public with my giving helps Hope College, and inspires others to give, then I am willing to do it."

Larry graduated from Hope in 1965 with a degree in business administration and economics, after which he went on to a successful business career in the nursery live plant industry. Over the past several years, he has created three charitable gift annuities with Hope College and established the Larry and Linda Kieft Endowment Fund to ensure the beauty of Hope's campus. His wife, Linda, died in 2001 of cancer, but her memory and love of beautiful gardens lives on through the endowment, which dedicates resources in perpetuity to the maintenance and beautification of the campus grounds.

Kieft Hopes Giving Will Inspire Others to Action

Because of his belief in the mission of Hope College to provide an exceptional Christian education, Larry Kieft finds great meaning in giving back.

Because of his belief in the mission of Hope College to provide an exceptional Christian education, Larry finds great meaning in giving back. He believes that there are two ways to give of one's resources-through time and financial abilities-and he encourages others to consider both. In addition to serving Hope, he is active in his community of Grand Haven and volunteers his time as the Christian Haven Home Board of Trustee President. He is also a Board Member of the Grand Haven Community Center and City of Grand Haven Board of Light and Power.