Defoe Family Foundation
Defoe Family Foundation is a private foundation, based in West Olive, MI. IRS filing data is available from 2018 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $950K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 3 grants totaling $14K. Net investment income was $159K.
Defoe Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Defoe Family Foundation gave $14K across 3 grants in 2024 (avg $5K), mostly in Michigan. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $14,059
- -87.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 3
- -25.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $4,686
- -83.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $949,798
- +46.3% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Michigan (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
Who Defoe Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 3 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Harbor Humane Society ($6K). Together the top 3 received $14K.
Grant Size Distribution
16 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 15 grants of 16 (94%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 3 itemized grants.
Cities
How Defoe Family Foundation gives
- Giving fell 54% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 16% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2018 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $14K (2024) to $116K (2023). In 2024 it made 3 grants totaling $14K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Harbor Humane Society West Olive, MI | Operations | $6,059 |
| May Flower Church Grand Rapids, MI | Operations | $5,000 |
| Renew Therapeutic Riding Center Holland, MI | Operations | $3,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $949,798 | $322,877 | $22,209 | $14,059 | 3 | $14,059 | $158,975 | $87,363 |
| 2023 | $649,130 | $79,578 | $121,536 | $116,476 | 4 | $116,476 | $24,786 | $62,976 |
| 2022 | $691,088 | $59,057 | $35,152 | $26,000 | 4 | $26,000 | $2,737 | $59,256 |
| 2021 | $667,183 | $122,237 | $40,678 | $30,250 | 4 | $30,250 | $80,114 | $52,279 |
| 2020 | $585,625 | $88,264 | $32,245 | $24,000 | 1 | — | $47,381 | $48,969 |
| 2018 | $554,094 | $106,629 | $68,320 | $61,000 | 1 | — | $43,570 | $37,636 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Defoe Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $87K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Defoe Family Foundation is led by James B. Defoe, President, Treasurer & Trustee on every filing since 2018; none of the 5 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
James B. Defoe
President, Treasurer & Trustee
On filings since 2018
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carl W. Dufendach
Trustee
Assistant Secretary & Vice President of → Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2018
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Danielle M. Defoe
Trustee
On filings since 2018
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nicholas J. Defoe
Trustee
On filings since 2018
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Susanne R. Defoe
Secretary & Trustee
On filings since 2018
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2018–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Defoe Family Foundation
How much does Defoe Family Foundation give each year?
Defoe Family Foundation gave $14K across 3 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $116K across 4 grants.
What is Defoe Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Defoe Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $5,000, and its average grant was $4,686, across 3 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Defoe Family Foundation give grants?
Defoe Family Foundation gives mostly in Michigan: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there.
Does Defoe Family Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 3 grants with a stated purpose on Defoe Family Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Operations" (3 grants).
How large is Defoe Family Foundation?
Defoe Family Foundation reported $950K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $14K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $87K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What is Defoe Family Foundation's EIN?
Defoe Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-3505281. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2018–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2018 (received by the IRS May 15, 2019)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 17, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 12, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 12, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS December 17, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 28, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2018–2024
Live grants for the work Defoe Family Foundation funds
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