Dick is the co-chair of Grand Action 2.0, an organization that fosters private/public partnership to projects that benefit health, education, science, the arts, economic vitality, and people from all walks and all generations. Dick and Grand Action 2.0 are working on transformational projects that will leave a lasting legacy in West Michigan and beyond. The organization is an outgrowth of the Grand Vision, an exploratory effort with strong participation from top community leaders, including Dick’s father Richard DeVos. Grand Vision studied the city’s critical development needs, identified opportunities and highlighted the potential impact of future development.
In April 1991, Dick assembled more than 50 West Michigan community leaders and volunteers from the business, labor, civic, academic and sports sectors to explore the possibility of building an arena and expanding and renovating local convention facilities. In April 1993, Grand Vision officially changed its name to Grand Action.
Today the organization has over 250 members and is responsible for a notable portion of the revitalization and economic growth in downtown Grand Rapids including a $75M downtown arena, a $212M convention center, a $130M heart hospital, a $90M medical school and a $30M downtown market.
