Community Foundation for Muskegon County
The Community Foundation for Muskegon County is a public charity and community foundation based in Muskegon, Michigan. Incorporated in 1961 and tax-exempt since December 1966, the organization serves as a philanthropic intermediary that collaborates with donors, grantees, and community members to strengthen the region. The foundation operates donor-advised funds and administers gifts and bequests to support charitable and educational programs throughout Muskegon County.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$250.5M
+7.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$12.4M
+29.0% YoY
Grant Count
202
+12.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$62K
+14.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement:
The mission of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County is to build community endowment, effect positive change through grantmaking and provide leadership on key community issues, all to serve donors' desires to enhance the quality of life for the people of our region, now and for generations to come.
Core Values:
- Hope & Opportunity: Empowering community members, particularly youth, to aspire and achieve their dreams
- Collaborative Community Goals & Decision-Making: Supporting collaborative partnerships that share power, resources, and decision-making for the common good
- Inclusive Community: Creating an inclusive community where everyone is welcomed, respected, and fully involved in decisions and opportunities
Primary Funding Areas:
Education — Promote lifelong learning in literacy, science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM), and financial literacy; ensure equal access to education; provide scholarship support for Muskegon County students pursuing post-secondary education; support career and college readiness for high school graduates; improve student access to high-quality extended learning programs after school and during summer.
Health and Human Services — Encourage programs that meet basic quality of life needs of Muskegon County children and youth; promote health programs and projects that increase quality of health; support initiatives addressing community wellness.
Arts — Preserve and support the Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts as a significant community resource; encourage quality arts programming that benefits diverse audiences; improve access to youth-focused cultural programs; promote financial stability and organizational development for arts organizations.
Community and Economic Development — Foster a dynamic local economy by encouraging innovation, promoting collaboration, and creating growth opportunities that benefit the whole community; build an economy that reflects community values, strengthens social ties, boosts resilience, and creates an inclusive environment where everyone has a stake in success.
Community Trust and Cultural Competence — Build community trust and create prosperity and opportunity for all.
Grantmaking
The foundation actively awards grants to area organizations supporting projects that reflect the needs and diversity of the region.
Grant Range
s:** Typical awards range from $5,021 to $2,648,856.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations and initiatives within Muskegon County, Michigan, though financial data indicates some grantmaking activity in Tennessee and Oklahoma.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2023):
- Total Assets: $233,413,617
- Total Revenues: $18,049,476
- Total Expenses: $17,248,679
Historical Financial Data:
- 2013 Income: $36,931,406
- 2013 Total Assets: $129,401,044
Staffing: The foundation employs 76 staff members as of 2023.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $250,516,358 | $233,413,617 | $209,235,541 |
| Revenue | $19,355,546 | $18,049,476 | $19,966,872 |
| Expenses | $18,129,065 | $17,248,679 | $14,261,103 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $9,111,175 | $7,435,692 | $5,921,547 |
| 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
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
6 open opportunities from Community Foundation for Muskegon County
Community Empowerment Small Grants (CESGs)
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR MUSKEGON COUNTY
Amount
Up to US $3,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Community Foundation for Muskegon County: Strategic Grants
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR MUSKEGON COUNTY
Amount
US $5,000 - US $50,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
COVID-19 Response Fund
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR MUSKEGON COUNTY
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key Staff Members:
- Janelle Mair: Vice President, Programs
- Israel Velez: Chief Financial Officer
- Heidi Sytsema: Donor Services Director
- Pete Deboer: Director of Donor Relations
- Melissa Freye: Communications Director
- Julie Benedict: Senior Director Marketing Communications (joined October 2025)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| PRISCILLA WILCOX | CHAIR | 1 | — |
| EDWARD GARNER | VICE CHAIR | 1 | — |
| TODD JACOBS | SECRETARY/PRESIDENT | 40 | $190,614 |
| KATIE HENSLEY | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| ASALINE SCOTT | SPECIAL ADVISOR TO THE BOA | 1 | — |
| BRAD HILLEARY | IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR | 1 | — |
| DAVID HAZEKAMP | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| HON MARIA LADAS HOOPES | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ROZELIA PATINO | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| GARY ALLORE | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ANTHONY WILSON | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JANE OTRHALEK | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| TROYCIE NICHOLS | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| DAVID SHAFER | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ANGELITA VALDEZ | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| MICHELE VANDERLINDE | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| DUANE BENNETT | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| DEIDRE BRIEGEL | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| DWIGHT VINES | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ISRAEL VELEZ | CFO | 40 | $111,198 |
| JANELLE MAIR | VP COMMUNITY INVESTMENT | 40 | $102,693 |
| AMY MOORE | VP CAPACITY AND COMMUNITY | 40 | $101,142 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Community Foundation for Muskegon County has maintained active grantmaking throughout 2024 and 2025, with multiple grant cycles announced and awards distributed. Recent initiatives include strategic grants focused on education, opportunity, and community wellbeing, as well as specialized grant programs addressing literacy, voting access, and anti-discrimination efforts. The foundation continues to expand its community engagement and has grown its social media presence, with LinkedIn followers increasing 21.7% year-over-year.
Community Foundation announces fall grant awards - The Oceana EchoSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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