Charity Partner – Van Andel Institute Purple Community

MINI on the Mack brings together thousands of MINI Cooper owners having fun and raising money for a worthwhile cause. We are proud to partner with Van Andel Institute Purple Community, raising funds to support biomedical research and science education programs at VAI.

Founded by the Van Andel family in 1996 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, VAI is home to nearly 500 scientists, educators and staff — each one deeply connected to the work they do by an urgent desire to improve health and enhance lives. VAI relentlessly pursues breakthroughs for diseases such as cancer and Parkinson’s while also working to train the next generation of scientists through rigorous graduate education and inspired K–12 science programs.

The cutting-edge research and education initiatives at VAI are supported by generous gifts from donors, many of who raise funds by organizing events to support the Institute. Van Andel Institute Purple Community is VAI’s community-led awareness and fundraising program. It connects individuals, schools, teams, organizations and corporations who want to make an impact with the resources they need to do so.

Thanks to VAI and Purple Community, MINI on the Mack’s fundraising efforts go further: every dollar raised goes directly to the cause — you read that right, 100% goes to research, discovery and hope. To learn more about VAI, Purple Community, and the research happening in Grand Rapids, please visit vai.org.