Monthly Donor Spotlight: Grant & Emma Wedgwood

For Giving Tuesday this year, we’d like to spotlight a couple of our monthly donors.

Meet Grant & Emma Wedgwood, passionate supporters of Wedgwood’s mission. If you’re acquainted with Wedgwood, you may have observed the shared last name. Indeed, Grant is a descendant of our namesake, Dr. Llewellyn Wedgwood, who owned the first home that housed our residential clients. Today, Grant & Emma Wedgwood are actively preserving their family’s legacy.

How did you discover the family connection that you have with Wedgwood?

Grant: “When I discovered Wedgwood Christian Ministries, I was in college at a career fair. I met Vivian (former Chief of Advancement), she was incredibly welcoming & generous with her time. I knew that the Wedgwood name was tied to a part of my family – but I didn’t fully grasp the extent of what they do. That initial encounter with Vivian eventually led me to become a donor. Back in college, funds were limited, but over time, I found a way to contribute.”

Why is it important for you to be involved in our mission and continue the family legacy?

Grant: “Obviously, there are kids in our community who need help. Currently, due to time constraints, we can’t contribute our time, so we choose to offer financial support. Our hope is that by doing so, we can sow a seed and potentially impact a child’s life positively—whether they find their way, choose the right path, or discover faith. It’s an investment we believe in.”

“Connecting back to the family legacy, I understand that Llewellyn Wedgwood was a doctor without children and he took in kids who were in need, and eventually donating his land for the cause. It’s remarkable how one person’s foresight and desire to do good had a ripple effect. It’s inspiring to know this is part of my family legacy.”

Emma: “Thanks to the Grant’s family ties with Wedgwood, I’ve gained valuable insights from attending dinners and gained a deeper understanding of Wedgwood’s beliefs and mission. We wholeheartedly support that. But it wasn’t until we went on the tour with you that we both realized how much Wedgwood does for the community, children, families, employees—everyone. It was genuinely cool to be a part of that. Even though it may not involve our physical presence or time on campus, the money we can give, even if it’s a small amount, knowing it goes to support Wedgwood and all these children and families, or the community at large, is awesome.”

Why is it important to give monthly?

Emma: “We tithe at our church, but extending that to something beyond our church and more towards the community feels like the right thing to do.”

Grant: “For me, it’s like, if you have a budget and examine your monthly contributions that fund your lifestyle, your money kind of dictates what you do in many ways. Personally, I enjoy giving it away. When we look at the line items in our budget… how many of them truly benefit anyone beyond ourselves? That’s the perspective we take.”

What would you tell someone who is considering giving to Wedgwood?

Grant: “Giving is freeing in a way. Not that I do it for this reason, but someone once told me that when you choose to give, it comes back tenfold to you. Even when the budget is tight, money’s tight, miraculously, there always seems to be enough at the end of the month. Being intentional about giving and making it a part of your routine is crucial. Thinking about West Michigan, you see how much private money and donations have contributed to the region’s growth. It’s not just the super rich who make a difference; anyone can have that mentality and contribute to the community.”

Emma: “As parents with young kids, we have a unique situation where we see Wedgwood’s mission play out while raising our family. We aim to include our kids in giving, and our hope is that as they grow, they’ll understand the importance of giving back. Wedgwood’s mission resonates with us as we see the impact it has on children and families in our community.”

How does being parents influence your perspective on giving?

Grant: “For me, it strengthens how I internalize Wedgwood’s mission when I think about our kids. We put a lot of effort into their education and upbringing, feeling the pressure to be good parents. Then you realize there are kids out there without someone looking out for them. Wedgwood fills that crucial role, providing a healthy environment. Having kids helps me relate to the significant impact Wedgwood has on youth.”

What would you tell someone who is interested in learning more about Wedgwood?

Grant: “It’s a bit uncomfortable to talk about giving because it feels personal and somewhat vain to say we give money away. However, it’s important for people to know that giving is happening, and there are opportunities to make an impact in the community. While it might seem vain to talk about it, we genuinely believe in the outstanding work Wedgwood is doing. It’s not just because my name is associated.”

“The culture at Wedgwood is remarkable. Every person I’ve met, from Josh (Digital Content Coordinator), the camera guy, to Brooke (V.P. of Advancement), and the nurses, exudes enthusiasm. When you see employees that excited, you can only imagine the positive impact they’re having on the people they serve and the clients involved. That’s what I would emphasize.”

How do you encourage others to get involved with supporting Wedgwood?

Emma: “Whenever we attend a Wedgwood event, it’ll often leads to conversations with friends, where it gives us the opportunity to share that we support this ministry. We’ve found that sharing can often spark others to reevaluate their own contributions. When we mention our involvement, it’s our hope that it might inspire them to explore more about the impact Wedgwood has on the West Michigan community.”

If you’re inspired by the Wedgwood’s story and are considering joining the ranks of monthly donors, know that you’ll become a vital part of Wedgwood’s mission. By giving regularly, you can help ensure that Wedgwood’s continues its crucial work and keeps changing the lives of children and families for the better.