Career and Networking Resources
AIGA West Michigan
westmichigan.aiga.org
Contact: (212) 807-1990
Purpose: To unite a group of professionals and students with diverse backgrounds and a common interest in design. Focuses on inspiring members, learning new things, and connecting with each other and the community.
American Advertising Federation of West Michigan
aafwmi.org
Contact: admin@aafwmi.org
Purpose: For advertising and marketing professionals. Activities include industry advocacy, social and community events and educational programs.
AimWest
aimwest.org
Contact: membership@aimwest.org
Purpose: To support and promote the growth of the interactive and technology industries throughout West Michigan.
American Marketing Association of West Michigan
amawestmichigan.org
Contact: info@amawestmichigan.org
Purpose: To provide solid, marketing-oriented programs, unique and fun networking events and introductions to key marketing professionals at premier regional companies.
Accounting & Financial Women’s Alliance
afwa.org
Contact: afwa@afwa.org
Purpose: To help women in all accounting and related fields achieve their full potential and contribute to the development of their profession.
Associated Builders & Contractors, West MI Chapter
abcwmc.org
Contact: (616) 942-9960
Purpose: An association of general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers and associates who work together to improve the construction industry.
Association of Fundraising Professionals, West MI Chapter
afpwm.org
Contact: (616) 222-6144 or deb.odonnell@aquinas.edu
Purpose: Advancing philanthropy by enabling people and organizations to practice effective and ethical fundraising.
Association of Information Technology Professionals
aitp.org
Purpose: Facilitate awareness and effective use of information technology, and provide members with leadership opportunities.
Bl2end: Business Leaders Linked to Encourage New Directions
grblend.org
Contact: info@bl2end.com
Purpose: To foster an environment where young professionals of color can connect with each other, develop professionally and contribute to the local community.
Creative Mornings
creativemornings.com/cities/gr
Contact: Form located at creativemornings.com/cities/gr/about
Purpose: To create an accessible, inspiring morning event for people to meet. Some have called it “TED for the rest of us.”
The Factory
workthefactory.com
Contact: (616) 803-9131 or hello@workthefactory.com
Purpose: The Factory is a coworking space in downtown Grand Rapids designed for collaboration. In the process of coming to get work done, independent workers, small teams and corporate groups often stumble into unexpected conversations with one another. Serendipity, packaged in a trendy space with comfy chairs.
Economic Club of Grand Rapids
econclub.net
Contact: (616) 454-1883 or econclubgr@aol.com
Purpose: To promote interest and enlighten members on governmental, economic and social issues that affect the local economy.
Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids
goodwillgr.org
Contact: (616) 532-4200
Purpose: Provides free career planning services and access to computers at The Career Center. No appointment necessary. Goodwill also has job finding and job securing resources including training, placement, counselling, classes and referral programs.
Grand Rapids Association of Realtors
grar.com
Contact: (616) 940-8200 or 888-940-GRAR
Purpose: Advancement of the West Michigan real estate community.
Greater Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce
grandrapids.org
Contact: (616) 771-0300
Purpose: Creating opportunities for West Michigan businesses to connect, grow and succeed.
Grand Rapids Bar Association
grbar.org
Contact: (616) 454-5550
Purpose: A climate in which lawyers and judges work together to improve the delivery of legal services.
Grand Rapids Inventors Network (GRIN)
meetup.com/Grand-Rapids-Inventors-Network
Contact: (616) 682-7042 or info@grinventors.org
Purpose: GRIN helps members to further their creative ideas. It’s also a place where inventors, marketers and creative people can learn and network.
Grand Rapids Network After Work
networkafterwork.com/city/grand-rapids
Purpose: To help make valuable connections with other members of your business community while enjoying different Grand Rapids venues.
Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women (GROW)
growbusiness.org
Contact: (616) 458-3404
Purpose: Providing women with training and networking opportunities to acquire knowledge and develop skills to become economically self-sufficient.
Grand Rapids Young Professionals
gryp.org
Contact: info@gryp.org
Purpose: Dedicated to providing young professionals with the opportunity to interact professionally and socially with each other through get-togethers, volunteer opportunities and leadership roles.
Grant Writers Roundtable
facebook.com/grantwriters
Contact: depolos@gvsu.edu or (616) 331- 6801
Purpose: An informal, monthly lunch group offering practical help and collegial support to attendees.
Grand Rapids Area Professionals for Excellence (GRAPE)
grapegr.org
Contact: Contact@GRAPEgr.org
Purpose: An informal, monthly gathering of business professionals to network and learn from one another.
Greater Grand Rapids Association for Human Resource Management
ahrm.net
Contact: membership@ahrm.net
Purpose: To provide information, professional development, and networking opportunities to human resource professionals.
Greater Grand Rapids Women’s History Council
ggrwhc.org
Contact: (616) 574-7307 or info@ggrwhc.org
Purpose: Dedicated to educating the community and celebrating the legacies of local women, preserving knowledge of their past and inspiring visions for their future.
Hello West Michigan
hellowestmichigan.com
Contact: (616) 818-9080 or brownc@hellowestmichigan.com
Purpose: To promote West Michigan as a place where business thrives and people want to live and work. Collaborates with organizations across the region to help new residents find their fit in West Michigan.
Hire for Hope
hireforhope.com
Contact: (616) 881 3309 or hello@hireforhope.com
Purpose: A recruiting firm focused on cultivating relationships to place both permanent and temporary employees in sales, supply chain and operations, while giving back and investing in local charities supporting suppressed women in our community.
Home Builders Association of Greater Grand Rapids
mygrhome.com
Contact: (616) 281-2021 ext. 254 or pat.lewis@hbaggr.com
Purpose: Networking opportunities, educational programs, insurance and group benefits, legal advice and more.
Hook a Sista Up Collaborative
hasu1.net
Contact: (704) 701-4719
Purpose: Help women entrepreneurs raise awareness for their businesses, and foster relationships with other women entrepreneurs as they launch and sustain their businesses through collaboration and mentorship.
Inforum
inforummichigan.org
Contact: (616) 588-9400
Purpose: Providing networking opportunities for businesswomen to connect, discuss civic and business issues, and advance as leaders.
International Association of Administrative Professionals, Grand Rapids
iaap-hq.org
Purpose: To promote excellence for administrative assistants, executive secretaries, office coordinators, information specialists and related administrative professionals.
Ladies Who UX
ladiesthatux.com/grand-rapids
Purpose: Through events and meet-ups, members are encouraged to engage in meaningful conversations, network with other local professionals, and develop new insights into UX processes and practices.
LinkedUp Grand Rapids
linkedupgr.com
Purpose: A professional online networking group for people in greater Grand Rapids and West Michigan.
Literacy Center
literacycenterwm.org
Contact: (616) 459-5151 or LCWM@literacycenterwm.org
Purpose: Programs that aid in improving literacy including English classes for adults in the workforce, as well as job seekers
Little Space Studio
littlespacestudio.com
Contact: (616) 260-2527 or info@littlespacestudio.com
Purpose: A community-driven incubator and work facilitator for creative professionals, freelancers and contractors in the Grand Rapids area while also functioning as a creative studio for agencies and businesses in search of talent.
Local First West Michigan
localfirst.com
Contact: (616) 808-3788
Purpose: To encourage the development of a vibrant, sustainable West Michigan economy by promoting local business ownership, social equity and environmental kinship through education, support and collaboration.
Michigan Nurses Association
minurses.org
Contact: minurses@minurses.org or (517) 349-5640 or 888-MI-NURSE
Purpose: Providing educational opportunities and comprehensive services that advance the careers of registered nurses.
Michigan Small Business Development Center
sbdcmichigan.org
Contact: (616) 331-7480 or SBDCMichigan@gvsu.edu
Purpose: To provide services and support to the Michigan small business community in the areas of counsel, training, research and advocacy. Serves Kent, Ottawa and Muskegon Counties.
Michigan Women’s Foundation
miwf.org
Contact: (616) 765-4230 or support@miwf.org
Purpose: To promote economic self-sufficiency and personal wellbeing for women and girls and to maximize their contributions to society.
Michigan Women’s Marketplace
miwomen.com
Contact: (734) 677-1400 or info@miwomen.com
Purpose: An online information center for women business owners featuring articles, links and resources and business tools.
Michigan Works!
michiganworks.org
Contact: (517) 371-1100 or 1-800-285-WORKS (9675)
Purpose: Provides assistance to job seekers in preparing for career opportunities and helps businesses find qualified employees.
Multiracial Association of Professionals (MAP)
grandrapids.org/events-programs
Purpose: Dedicated to connecting professional newcomers of color to the community through luncheons, tours and other events.
National Association of Legal Professionals of West Michigan (NALS)
nalsofwmi.org
Contact: (616) 752-2494 or lphilp@wnj.com
Purpose: Enhancing the knowledge of its members through continuing legal education, certifications, resource materials and networking opportunities.
National Association of Social Workers, (NASW) Mi Chapter
socialworkers.org or nasw-michigan.org
Contact: (517) 487-1548 or office@nasw-michigan.org
Purpose: To enhance the professional growth and development of its members, to create and maintain professional standards and to advance sound social policies.
National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), GR Chapter
nawic194.org
Purpose: To enhance the success of women in the construction industry through scholarships, job site tours and industry speakers.
Neighborhood Ventures
Contact: (616) 301-3929 or info@neighborhoodventures.org
Purpose: NV is an information and advocacy organization for neighborhood businesses and districts.
Rotary Club of Grand Rapids
grrotary.org
Contact: (616) 459-5640 or rotary@grrotary.org
Purpose: To provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and to help build goodwill and peace in our community.
SCORE, Counselors to America’s Small Business
grandrapids.score.org
Contact: (616) 771-0305 or rlwalker@att.net
Purpose: Delivering free, confidential, valuable advice for your start-up or existing business needs.
Seemless IoT
seamlessaccelerator.com
Contact: info@seamlessloT.com
Purpose: Giving selected startups access to intellectual and commercialization resources that will help them explore new market opportunities.
Small Business Resource Center (in the GR Public Library)
grpl.org
Contact: (616) 988-5400
Purpose: To provide business information and classes to start, manage and grow your business.
Society of Women Engineers
societyofwomenengineers.swe.org
Contact: 1-(877) 793-4636
Purpose: SWE gives women engineers a unique place and voice within the engineering industry.
Start Garden
startgarden.com
Contact: hello@startgarden.com
Purpose: A multi-million dollar fund investing $5,000 into a new idea each month with the general public endorsing 5×5 candidates.
Toastmasters International
toastmasters.org
Contact: 1-(949) 858-8255
Purpose: Members learn to improve their communication and leadership skills by attending and participating in meetings.
The Right Place Inc.
rightplace.org
Contact: (616) 771-0325 or info@rightplace.org
Purpose: To promote wealth creation and economic growth in the areas of quality employment, productivity and innovation in West Michigan.
Unstoppable Women’s Networking
meetup.com/womennetworking
Purpose: To provide home-based entrepreneurs the benefits of being included in a business community to make connections that lead to inspiration and leadership.
West Michigan Public Relations Society of America (WMPRSA)
wmprsa.org
Contact: wmprsa@gmail.com
Purpose: To help public relations professionals develop the knowledge and skills needed for effective organization management.
Women in Successful Enterprises (WISE)
wiseconnections.org
Contact: (517) 645-4387 or info@wiseconnections.org
Purpose: To foster an environment of growth and support where businesswomen connect with each other.
Women In Development (WID)
Contact: marysumners@yahoo.com
Purpose: Meets at Wolfgang’s in Eastown on the last Thursday of each month from 7:45 a.m. to 9 a.m. for breakfast, networking and support. There are no dues, no rules and no obligation.
Women’s Resource Center of Greater Grand Rapids
grwrc.org
Contact: (616) 458-5443 or info@grwrc.org
Purpose: A career development agency, serving women of all economic and social backgrounds.
Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of Greater Grand Rapids
ynpngr.org
Contact: info@ynpngr.org
Purpose: To provide emerging non-profit leaders under age 40 with opportunities for professional development, education, and networking.
