About Purple Community

Van Andel Institute Purple Community is a grassroots fundraising program whose dedicated volunteers support VAI’s mission of improving the health and enhancing the lives of current and future generations.

Purple Community volunteers host dozens of events each year that raise critical funds to support groundbreaking research into diseases like cancer and Parkinson’s, and science education programs at the Institute.

Purple Community volunteers support VAI for a number of reasons. Some have been personally impacted by the diseases being studied by world-class scientists at the Institute or know a friend or family member who has been affected. Others support the K–12 and graduate science education programs at VAI that foster the next generation of scientific leaders.

There are plenty of ways to get involved with Purple Community, including:

• Organizing and hosting an event
• Volunteering at a Purple Community or VAI event
• Corporate partnerships
• Becoming a Student Ambassador
• Joining the Purple Community Cabinet

No matter how you give, 100% of any funds raised through your efforts go directly toward research and science education.

To learn more about how you can get involved, email purplecommunity@vai.org.

Van Andel Institute (VAI) is committed to improving the health and enhancing the lives of current and future generations through cutting-edge biomedical research and innovative educational offerings. Established in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1996 by the Van Andel family, VAI is now home to more than 400 scientists, educators and support staff, who work with a growing number of national and international collaborators to foster discovery.

Institute scientists study the origins of cancer, Parkinson’s and other diseases and translate their findings into breakthrough prevention and treatment strategies. Our educators develop inquiry-based approaches for K–12 education to help students and teachers prepare the next generation of problem-solvers, while our Graduate School offers a rigorous, research-intensive Ph.D. program in molecular and cellular biology. Van Andel Institute Purple Community, the Institute’s grassroots community awareness and fundraising program, connects individuals, schools, teams and companies that want to join the fight against cancer and neurodegenerative diseases to the resources needed for action.