Calvin University is a comprehensive liberal arts institution located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on a 400-acre campus. Founded in 1876, it is a top-ranked educational institution serving 3,600+ students from 48 U.S. states, 55+ countries, and five Canadian provinces. The university operates as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization and offers 100+ majors and programs, including graduate-level offerings.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$620.9M
+3.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.6M
+56.4% YoY
Grant Count
134
+38.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$12K
+13.2% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Calvin University's mission is to equip students to think deeply, to act justly, and to live wholeheartedly as Christ's agents of renewal in the world. The institution operates within the reformed tradition of historic Christianity and seeks to be an agent of renewal in the academy, church, and society.
The university maintains a core curriculum including required courses in mathematics, biblical or theological foundations, the arts and sciences, and literature. Students participate in intensive internships, community-based service learning, and significant research alongside world-class faculty.
Calvin also provides Christian liberal arts education to inmates at the Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility in Ionia, Michigan, through a five-year program resulting in a Bachelor of Arts degree in Faith and Community Leadership.
Grantmaking
Calvin University functions as both a recipient and grantmaker. According to recent filings, the organization has total giving of $68,109,216. Typical grant awards range from $5,005 to $301,960.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Calvin University's grantmaking focuses primarily on California, Michigan, and Indiana.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of June 2024:
- Total Assets: $621 million
- Total Revenue: $185 million
- Total Expenses: $198 million
- Total Liabilities: $126 million
- Number of Employees: 2,571
As of June 2023:
- Total Assets: $601.6 million
- Total Revenues: $190.9 million
- Total Expenses: $180.0 million
The organization maintains a Four-Star rating based on Accountability & Finance metrics, with a 100% score.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $620,917,006 | $601,584,833 | $582,902,399 |
| Revenue | $184,861,512 | $190,867,663 | $190,369,265 |
| Expenses | $198,033,650 | $180,039,650 | $168,886,336 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $9,707,926 | $8,242,535 | $8,278,492 |
| 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
200 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Loyola Marymount University ($10,000), Belmont University ($9,998), Alamance Presbyterian Church Corporation of Greensboro Nc ($9,618).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| NEW BETHEL AME CHURCH OF GWINNETT LITHONIA, GA | WORSHIP RENEWAL PROJECT | $5,005 |
| GOODING UNITED METHODIST CHURCH GOODING, ID | WORSHIP RENEWAL PROJECT | $5,202 |
| THE MISSION CHATTANOOGA CHATTANOOGA, TN | WORSHIP RENEWAL PROJECT | $5,438 |
| FREEDOM OUTREACH INTERNATIONAL CLEVELAND, TN | WORSHIP RENEWAL PROJECT | $5,600 |
| FIFTH REFORMED CHURCH GRAND RAPIDS, MI | WORSHIP RENEWAL PROJECT | $6,000 |
| NEW JOURNEY UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST HUTCHINSON, MN | WORSHIP RENEWAL PROJECT | $6,426 |
| RESTORATION ANGLICAN CHURCH ARLINGTON, VA | WORSHIP RENEWAL PROJECT | $6,875 |
| ST MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH JACKSON, TN | WORSHIP RENEWAL PROJECT | $6,895 |
| ORDER OF ST BENEDICT ST JOHN'S ABBEY COLLEGEVILLE, MN | WORSHIP RENEWAL PROJECT | $7,098 |
| ST MATTHEW'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH NATIONAL CITY, CA | WORSHIP RENEWAL PROJECT | $7,400 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Greg Elzinga — President
Kenneth Erffmeyer — Vice President for Advancement
Jodi Cole Muyskens — Senior Director of Development
Melanie Lyons — Director of Major Gifts
Sarah L. Turnage — Manager of Development and Grant Proposals
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRUCE LOS | CHAIR | 4 | — |
| MARY TUUK KURAS | VICE-CHAIR | 4 | — |
| GENE MIYAMOTO | SECRETARY | 4 | — |
| RHONDA ROORDA | SECRETARY - PART YEAR | 4 | — |
| KEVIN ADAMS | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| JACK BEEKSMA | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| BILL BOER | BOARD MEMBER - PART YEAR | 1 | — |
| NIALA BOODHOO | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| GARY BOS | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| ANTHONY BROOKHOUSE | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| MOSES CHUNG | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| EDWARD COLEMAN | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| NATHAN DEJONG MCCARRON | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| BRYAN DIK | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| JONATHAN EIGEGE | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| ANDREW ELLIOT | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| TIM GOUDZWAARD | BOARD MEMBER - PART YEAR | 1 | — |
| BEN IPEMA | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| LAMBERT KAMP | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| LAMBERT KAMPHUIS | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| ANDREA KARSTEN | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| ALICE KLAMER | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| ROSANNE LOPERS-SWEETMAN | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| RICK MAST | BOARD MEMBER - PART YEAR | 1 | — |
| LOIS MILLER | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| HEATHER RAMIREZ | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| ADAM RAMIREZ | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| KATHLEEN RIDDER | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| PERRIN RYNDERS | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| CARL TRIEMSTRA | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| STEVE TRIEZENBERG | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| JAMES VALK | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| CAROLYN VANALLEN | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| MINDI VANDENBOSCH | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| RAY VANDERKOOI | BOARD MEMBER - PART YEAR | 1 | — |
| RACHEL VANDERVEEN | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| DR WIEBE BOER | PRESIDENT | 40 | $669,522 |
| GREG ELZINGA | VICE PRESIDENT FOR ADVANCEMENT | 40 | $209,379 |
| DIRK PRUIS | VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION | 40 | $216,543 |
| DR NOAH TOLY | PROVOST | 40 | $230,393 |
| DR SARAH VISSER | EXECUTIVE VP FOR STUDENT EXPERIENCE AND STRATEGY | 40 | $230,937 |
| LAUREN JENSEN | VICE PRESIDENT FOR ENROLLMENT STRATEGY | 40 | $199,514 |
| DR AMBER WARNERS | PROFESSOR - KINESIOLOGY | 40 | $196,233 |
| DR LAURA CHAMPION | DIRECTOR OF HEALTH SERVICE | 40 | $178,144 |
| DR JAMES LUDEMA | DEAN FOR THE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS | 40 | $180,683 |
| TIM FENNEMA | FORMER OFFICER | 40 | $144,800 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Calvin University has received several significant grants and awards:
Calvin University Receives Over $3 Million Gift to Establish Sharon ...**$488,000** awarded to connect virtue formation and community-engaged learning
Calvin awarded $488K to connect virtue formation and community-engaged learning**$1.17 million** TRIO Student Support Services grant to increase college retention and graduation rates
$1.17 million TRIO Student Support Services grant aims to increase college**$2.2 million** project launched by the Nagel Institute with support from the John Templeton Foundation
Nagel Institute launches $2.2 million project with John Templeton Foundation**Over $3 million** gift received to establish the Sharon Whalen Memorial Scholarship
Calvin University Receives Over $3 Million Gift to Establish Sharon ...The university's graduate programs continue to expand, offering master's-level offerings designed to equip students for career advancement while maintaining the institution's educational philosophy.
Contact Information
Development Office:
- Phone: 616-526-6090 or 800-968-4363
- Fax: 616-526-8450
- Email: development@calvin.edu
- Mailing Address: Calvin University Development Office, 3201 Burton St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546
- Physical Address: 2041 Raybrook St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Tax ID: 38-3071514
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Calvin University fund?
Calvin University's mission is to equip students to think deeply, to act justly, and to live wholeheartedly as Christ's agents of renewal in the world. The institution operates within the reformed tradition of historic Christianity and seeks to be an agent of renewal in the academy, church, and society. The university maintains a core curriculum including required courses in mathematics, biblical or theological foundations, the arts and sciences, and literature. Students participate in intensiv…
How do I apply for a grant from Calvin University?
Calvin University functions as both a recipient and grantmaker. According to recent filings, the organization has total giving of $68,109,216. Typical grant awards range from $5,005 to $301,960. Primary funding focus areas include: • Education • Science and STEM education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services • Christian nonprofit support The university has received federal awards from multiple agencies, including the Department of Education ($51.6M across 20 awards), Depar…
Where does Calvin University make grants?
Calvin University's grantmaking focuses primarily on California, Michigan, and Indiana.
What size grants does Calvin University award?
In 2024, Calvin University awarded 134 grants totaling $1.6M — an average of about $12K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
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 2021–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Calvin University'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.
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