Calvin University
Calvin University is a public charity based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It is a comprehensive liberal arts university in the Reformed tradition of historic Christianity, offering undergraduate and graduate education and making grants to educational and religious organizations.
Calvin University at a glance
In short: Calvin University gave $2.7M across 160 grants in 2025 (avg $17K), top state Texas. 48% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,693,139
- +65.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 160
- +19.4% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $16,832
- +38.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $12,500
- Total assets
- $612,535,612
- -1.3% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 48% first-time grantees (77 of 160, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Texas (8% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Calvin University
- Contact
Mailing address: 3201 Burton Street Se, Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Phone: (616) 526-6000
Website: https://calvin.edu
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Calvin University funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Fuller Theological Seminary ($75K). Together the top 10 received $487K.
Grant Size Distribution
524 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 517 grants of 524 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 filing reports grant dollars going to recipients in multiple states. The largest stated shares were Texas and California at 8% each, and Illinois and Michigan at 6% each. The filing also reports a 9% share for a state that is not identified in the available data.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 160 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Calvin University open to new grantees?
48%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 77 of 160 grantees (48%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $17K; repeat grants $17K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $13K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $540K (2022) to $2.7M (2025). In 2025 it made 160 grants totaling $2.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Fuller Theological Seminary Pasadena, CA | Worship Renewal Project/Compelling Preaching | $74,538 |
| Samford University Birmingham, AL | Worship Renewal Project | $61,858 |
| Wheaton College Wheaton, IL | Worship Renewal Project | $60,756 |
| Princeton Theological Seminary Princeton, NJ | Wang Forming Religious Education | $52,500 |
| Abilene Christian University Abilene, TX | Worship Renewal Project/Compelling Preaching | $50,375 |
| Duke University Durham, NC | Wang Forming Religious Education | $46,500 |
| Scholarleaders International Grand Rapids, MI | Wang Forming Religious Education | $40,000 |
| Emory University Atlanta, GA | Worship Renewal Project | $37,500 |
| Baylor University Waco, TX | Worship Renewal Project | $37,495 |
| Boston University Boston, MA | Worship Renewal Project | $25,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Calvin University?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $612,535,612 | $193,018,897 | $212,806,288 | $2,693,139 | 160 | $9,181,595 |
| 2024 | $620,917,006 | $184,861,512 | $198,033,650 | $1,629,687 | 134 | $9,707,926 |
| 2023 | $601,584,833 | $190,867,663 | $180,039,650 | $1,042,178 | 97 | $8,242,535 |
| 2022 | $582,902,399 | $190,369,265 | $168,886,336 | $539,916 | 59 | $8,278,492 |
| 2021 | $586,373,912 | $166,988,840 | $153,262,573 | $617,936 | 74 | $4,580,138 |
| 2019 | $488,669,511 | $185,893,983 | $176,102,407 | $741,680 | 95 | $10,044,448 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Calvin University’s stated mission is to equip students to think deeply, act justly, and live wholeheartedly as Christ’s agents of renewal in the world.
Its 2025 grants included support for projects described as worship renewal, compelling preaching, and forming religious education. Grantees’ own mission statements illustrate the range of supported organizations: Fuller Theological Seminary says it prepares students for Christian vocations; Samford University describes its work as nurturing intellect, creativity, faith, and personhood; and Scholar Leaders International says it supports Christian theological leaders from the Majority World for the global church.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, Calvin reported 160 grants totaling $2,693,139. Grant amounts ranged from $5,202 to $74,538, with a median of $12,500. The largest listed grants included $74,538 to Fuller Theological Seminary for a worship renewal project and compelling preaching; $61,858 to Samford University and $60,756 to Wheaton College for worship renewal projects; and $52,500 to Princeton Theological Seminary for forming religious education.
Other listed recipients included Abilene Christian University ($50,375), Duke University ($46,500), Scholar Leaders International ($40,000), Emory University ($37,500), and Baylor University ($37,495). The filing also lists grants of $25,000 each to Boston University, Central Plains Mennonite Conference, and Central Presbyterian Church of Austin.
Calvin’s grants website describes services for Calvin faculty and staff seeking external funding, not an application process for organizations seeking grants from Calvin. It gives no application instructions or deadline for Calvin’s own grants.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2025 filing include Bruce Los, chair; Perrin Rynders, vice chair; and Gene Miyamoto, secretary. Other listed board members are Carolyn Van Allen, Adam Ramirez, Alice Klamer, Andrea Karsten (part year), Andrew Elliot, Anthony Brookhouse, and Anthony Kamphuis.
Calvin University is led by Wiebe Boer, President- since 2025 (on filings since 2023); 10 of 46 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Wiebe Boer
President-
President → President-, 2025
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$361K (2023) → $300K (2025)
Bruce Los
Chair
Board Member → Chair, 2021
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Laura Champion
Director of Health Service
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$147K (2019) → $183K (2025)
Amber Warner
Professor - Kinesiology
Professor & Women's Volleyball Coach → Professor - Kinesiology, 2024
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$135K (2019) → $234K (2025)
Sarah Visser
Vice President for Student Life
Vice President for Student Life → Executive Vice President for Student Experience & Strategy, 2024
Executive Vice President for Student Experience & Strategy → Vice President for Student Life, 2025
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$143K (2019) → $213K (2025)
Lauren Jensen
Vice President for Enrollment
Vice President for Enrollment → Vice President for Enrollment Strategy, 2024
Vice President for Enrollment Strategy → Vice President for Enrollment, 2025
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$142K (2021) → $182K (2025)
Noah Toly
Provost
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$156K (2022) → $206K (2025)
Dirk Pruis
Vice President of Finance & Administration
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$75K (2023) → $195K (2025)
Greg Elzinga
Presdient
Vice President for Advancement → Presdient, 2025
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$178K (2023) → $378K (2025)
James Ludema
Dean for the School of Business
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$181K (2024) → $190K (2025)
Ken Erffmeyer
Vice President for Advancement
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$170K (2025)
Carl Triemstra
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lambert Kamp
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lois Miller
Board Member-
Board Member → Board Member-, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rachel Vanderveen
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steve Triezenberg
Board Member-
Board Member → Board Member-, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alice Klamer
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andrea Karsten
Board Member-
Board Member → Board Member-, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andrew Elliot
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Edward Coleman
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary Tuuk Kuras
Board Member-
Vice Chair → Board Member-, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nathan Dejong McCarron
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Perrin Rynders
Vice Chair
Board Member → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gary Bos
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Heather Van Vugt Ramirez
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jonathan Eigege
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kevin Adams
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Niala Boodhoo
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rosanne Lopers-Sweetman
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bryan Dik
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carolyn Van Allen
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gene Miyamoto
Secretary
Board Member → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2023
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kathleen Ridder
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lambert Kamphuis
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mindi Vandenbosch
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Adam Ramirez
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Anthony Brookhouse
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ben Ipema
Board Member-
Board Member → Board Member-, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jack Beeksma
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James Valk
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Moses Chung
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Anthony Kamphuis
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brian Boomsma
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James Zwiers
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shirley Hoogstra
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tyler Wagenmaker
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (42)
- Former: Ray Vanderkooi (2019–2024) — Board Member -
- Former: Rhonda Roorda (2019–2024) — Secretary -
- Former: Tim Fennema (2022–2024) — Former Officer
- Former: Bill Boer (2024) — Board Member -
- Former: Carolyn Vanallen (2024) — Board Member
- Former: Rick Mast (2024) — Board Member -
- Former: Tim Goudzwaard (2024) — Board Member -
- Former: Richard Mast (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Timothy Goudzwaard (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: William Boer (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Benjamin Ipema (2021–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Michael Leroy (2021–2023) — President -
- Former: Jim Ludema (2023) — Dean for the School of Business
- Former: Christopher Grier (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Fernando Delrosario (2019–2022) — Board Member -
- Former: Janice Buikema (2019–2022) — Secretary -
- Former: Jeffrey Denooyer (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Jonathan Kuyers (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Kenneth Erffmeyer (2019–2022) — Vice President for Advancement
- Former: Marjorie Hoogeboom (2019–2022) — Board Member -
- Former: Michael Denbleyker (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Scott Spoelhof (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Thomas Wybenga (2019–2022) — Board Member -
- Former: Todd Hubers (2019–2022) — Vice President for People, Strategy & Technolog
- Former: Wendy Hofman (2019–2022) — Board Member -
- Former: Willemina Zwart (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Alicia Sinclair (2021–2022) — Board Member -
- Former: Timothy Howerzyl (2021–2022) — Board Member -
- Former: Kevin Den Dulk (2022) — Associate Provost
- Former: Cheryl Brandsen (2019–2021) — Provost
- Former: James English (2021) — Vice President of Finance & Administration
- Former: John Witvliet (2021) — Director of Institute of Christian Worship
- Former: Allan Hoekstra (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Craig Lubben (2019) — Chair
- Former: David Cok (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Marsha Vandergaast (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Mary Bonnema (2019) — Vice Chair
- Former: Michael Koetje (2019) — Board Member
- Former: Michael Le Roy (2019) — President
- Former: Russell Bloem (2019) — Vice President for Enrollm
- Former: Sally Vander Ploeg (2019) — Vice President of Administrator
- Former: Thomas Geelhoed (2019) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $378K, to Greg Elzinga (Presdient). 10 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Calvin University
How much does Calvin University give each year?
Calvin University gave $2.7M across 160 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $1.6M across 134 grants.
What is Calvin University's typical grant size?
Calvin University's median grant in 2025 was $12,500, and its average grant was $16,832, across 160 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Calvin University that year got $17K on average.
Where does Calvin University give grants?
Calvin University's top state is Texas, with 8% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were California (8%) and Illinois (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Grand Rapids, MI (8 grants), Chicago, IL (4 grants), St. Louis, MO (3 grants) and Indianapolis, IN (3 grants).
Does Calvin University give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 160 grants with a stated purpose on Calvin University's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Worship Renewal Project" (132 grants), "Compelling Preaching" (18 grants) and "Wang Forming Religious Education" (8 grants).
Who are Calvin University's largest grantees?
Calvin University's largest 2025 grantees include Fuller Theological Seminary ($74,538), Samford University ($61,858) and Wheaton College ($60,756), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 7% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Calvin University?
Calvin University reported $612.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $193.0M.
What does Calvin University fund?
Calvin University’s stated mission is to equip students to think deeply, act justly, and live wholeheartedly as Christ’s agents of renewal in the world. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Calvin University?
Calvin University has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check calvin.edu for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Calvin University's EIN?
Calvin University's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-3071514. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 3, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 10, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 8, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 13, 2020)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 1, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Calvin University's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Calvin University funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/calvin-university-morg_dbd118d55c994da48352c768d0770ab1
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_383071514_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Calvin University funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/calvin-university-morg_dbd118d55c994da48352c768d0770ab1},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Calvin University's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Calvin University down — hundreds of funders to go?