Buist Foundation
The Buist Foundation is a corporate foundation based in Byron Center, Michigan, affiliated with Buist Electric Inc. Established in 1997 (with some sources indicating 1998), it operates as a private independent foundation focused on community support and charitable giving primarily within Michigan.
Key facts about Buist Foundation
- EIN
- 38-3314509
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $322,163
- Grants made (2024)
- 68
- Average grant
- $4,738
- Median grant
- $2,000
- Primary geography
- Michigan (97% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- Applicants must complete an online application on the foundation website.
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated June 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Buist Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Buist Foundation's 68 itemized 2024 grants were Michigan (97%). The most frequent recipient cities were Grand Rapids, MI (19 grants), Byron Center, MI (9 grants), Hudsonville, MI (6 grants) and Wyoming, MI (3 grants). None of its 68 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Community Assistance" (33 grants), "Missions" (16 grants) and "Community Development" (9 grants).
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$322K
+47.5% YoY
Grant Count
68
-2.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$5K
+51.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports organizations involved with:
- Secondary education
- Health
- Housing
- Human services
- Christianity
The foundation also awards grants directly to needy families, providing financial assistance for utilities, living expenses, scholarships, and tuition assistance to individuals in the Michigan area, particularly in the Grand Rapids region.
Grantmaking
Applicants must complete an online application on the foundation website. There are no application deadlines.
Review Cycle
.
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with Buist Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Primary focus: Michigan, with particular emphasis on the Grand Rapids and Byron Center areas. Some grants have extended to Texas and Ohio.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 68 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
- Total assets: $809,171
- Total giving: $322,163
- Total revenues: $521,166 (2023)
- Total expenses: $451,293 (2023)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
261 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Daffodil Ministries ($51,388), Impact Burundi ($25,000), Barry County Livestock Development Committee ($23,825).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| DAFFODIL MINISTRIES WYOMING, MI | COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE | $51,388 |
| IMPACT BURUNDI PO BOX, MI | MISSIONS | $25,000 |
| BARRY COUNTY LIVESTOCK DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE HASTINGS, MI | COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE | $23,825 |
| STREAMS OF HOPE SUITE, MI | ELECTRICAL WORK | $20,000 |
| BRIDGE STREET HOUSE OF PRAYER GRAND RAPIDS, MI | MISSIONS | $15,000 |
| WOODFIELD COMMUNITY CENTER GRAND RAPIDS, MI | COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE | $15,000 |
| ALPHA GRAND RAPIDS GRAND RAPIDS, MI | COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE | $10,000 |
| BYRON COMMUNITY MINISTRIES BYRON CENTER, MI | MISSIONS | $10,000 |
| JASON KINZLER FAMILY FIRST FOUNDATION WYOMING, MI | COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE | $10,000 |
| SELAH EMPOWERS BYRON CENTER, MI | COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Brent Brinks, President
- Matt Devries, Vice President
- Andy Vermurlen, Secretary
- Adam Herrema, Director
- Scott Bishop, Director
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRENT BRINKS | PRESIDENT | 5 | — |
| MATT DEVRIES | VICE PRESIDENT | 3 | — |
| ANDY VERMURLEN | SECRETARY | 3 | — |
| ADAM HERREMA | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| SCOTT BISHOP | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
Contact Information
Address: 2 84th Street SW, Byron Center, MI 49315-8660
Phone: 616-878-3315
EIN: 38-3314509
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Buist Foundation fund?
The foundation supports organizations involved with: • Secondary education • Health • Housing • Human services • Christianity The foundation also awards grants directly to needy families, providing financial assistance for utilities, living expenses, scholarships, and tuition assistance to individuals in the Michigan area, particularly in the Grand Rapids region.
How do I apply for a grant from Buist Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Total giving: $322,163 (most recent data) • Typical award range: $80–$75,000 • Recent grants include: • $50,000 to Family Promise of West Michigan (Community Assistance) • $15,000 to Woodfield Community Center (Community Assistance) • $10,000 to Degage Ministries • $10,000 to Life Quest • $5,000 to Harmony Homes • $4,000 to South Christian High School • $2,500 to Navigators • $2,366 to Inspirit Church • $1,500 to Sportspersons Ministries International **Application Process…
Where does Buist Foundation make grants?
Primary focus: Michigan, with particular emphasis on the Grand Rapids and Byron Center areas. Some grants have extended to Texas and Ohio.
What size grants does Buist Foundation award?
In 2024, Buist Foundation awarded 68 grants totaling $322K — an average of about $5K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Buist Foundation's EIN?
Buist Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-3314509. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Buist Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.