Degroot Family Foundation
The DeGroot Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Watervliet, Michigan, established in 2003. The foundation was created to formalize the charitable commitment of Peter and Louise De Groot, who immigrated to the United States in 1953 and built a successful flower bulb company in Southwestern Michigan. The foundation supports vulnerable populations by developing and enhancing educational, social service, and economic opportunities.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$9.0M
-0.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$563K
-3.2% YoY
Grant Count
19
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$30K
-3.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Degroot Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $678K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: The foundation's mission is to support and advance vulnerable populations by developing and enhancing educational, social service, and economic opportunities, with a primary focus on communities throughout the State of Michigan.
Primary Funding Areas:
- Human Services
- Economic Development
- Education
- Health Services/Medical Research
- Animal Rights/Services
The foundation notes that discretionary funds may be used based upon availability of funding after primary grant requests are complete. While the foundation has a primary focus on local communities in Southwest Michigan, it does award grants outside of that area, though such requests require board review and approval.
Grantmaking
The foundation made 17 grants in 2024, with total giving of $562,795. Recent notable grants include:
Review Cycle
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How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Michigan, with 79% of grants staying within the state. Additional states receiving grants include Tennessee, New York, Virginia, and Indiana. The foundation funds projects in cities including Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, Benton Harbor, and Detroit.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Giving (2024):
- Total Assets: $9,040,995
- Total Giving: $562,795
- Total Revenues: $904,010
- Total Expenses: $926,414
- Investment Income and Dividends: $290,001
Staffing:
- 3 employees
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $9,040,995 | $9,063,399 | $8,833,790 |
| Revenue | $904,010 | $990,433 | $305,147 |
| Expenses | $926,414 | $760,824 | $803,818 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $797,602 | $661,045 | $692,773 |
| Net Investment Income | $799,604 | $893,604 | $207,024 |
| Distributable Amount | $677,703 | $607,214 | $629,476 |
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
99 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Covenant House Michigan ($100,000), Cornerstone Alliance ($75,000), Prevention Works Inc ($75,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN RED CROSS KALAMAZOO, MI | PURCHASE OF CARGO VAN FOR BLOOD DRIVE NEEDS | $38,000 |
| BERRIEN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ST JOSEPH, MI | BACKPACKS FOR GOOD | $5,500 |
| BERRIEN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ST JOSEPH, MI | WOMEN'S GIVING CIRCLE | $5,000 |
| BIRTH RIGHT OF ST JOSEPH ST JOSEPH, MI | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT AND INSTALL THREE WINDOWS | $15,000 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN BENTON HARBOR, MI | WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK | $50,000 |
| BRIDGMAN FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE BRIDGMAN, MI | EDUCATION | $1,200 |
| CORNERSTONE ALLIANCE BENTON HARBOR, MI | CONTINUED ECONOMIC SUPPORT | $75,000 |
| COVENANT HOUSE MICHIGAN DETROIT, MI | SERVING HOMELESS YOUTH DETROIT AND GRAND RAPIDS CAMPUS'S | $100,000 |
| FEEDING AMERICA WEST MICHIGAN GRAND RAPIDS, MI | LIFTGATE FOR SEMI'S-BERRIEN COUNTY | $20,000 |
| GIRLS ON THE RUN SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN ST JOSEPH, MI | SCHOLARSHIPS FOR COLOMA-WATERVLIET TEAMS | $13,595 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Shirley Leith – President/Treasurer
- Eric M. Leith – Vice President/Director
- Jessica M. Claus – Vice President
- Eric Brown – Secretary (EVB Consulting)
Founders:
- Peter De Groot
- Louise De Groot
The foundation employs 3 staff members.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SHIRLEY LEITH | PRESIDENT/TREASURER | 4.6 | $65,000 |
| ERIC BROWN - EVB CONSULTING | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | $27,000 |
| ERIC M LEITH | VICE PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR OF | 3 | $62,500 |
| JESSICA M CLAUS | SECRETARY | 3 | $62,500 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation continues to support a range of organizations focused on vulnerable populations and community development. Recent grant activity demonstrates ongoing commitment to social services, education, and economic development initiatives, particularly in Southwest Michigan communities.
Funds in Motion - Kalamazoo Community FoundationSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Degroot Family Foundation fund?
**Mission Statement:** The foundation's mission is to support and advance vulnerable populations by developing and enhancing educational, social service, and economic opportunities, with a primary focus on communities throughout the State of Michigan. **Primary Funding Areas:** • Human Services • Economic Development • Education • Health Services/Medical Research • Animal Rights/Services The foundation notes that discretionary funds may be used based upon availability of funding after primary g…
How do I apply for a grant from Degroot Family Foundation?
**Grant Amounts:** • Typical awards range from $980 to $100,000 • Median grant amount: $15,000 • Maximum grant amount: $100,000 **Recent Grant Activity:** The foundation made 17 grants in 2024, with total giving of $562,795. Recent notable grants include: • $100,000 to Covenant House Michigan for serving homeless youth in Detroit and Grand Rapids • $75,000 to Cornerstone Alliance for continued economic support • $75,000 to Prevention Works for Project Enrichment in Kalamazoo • $50,000 to Boys a…
Where does Degroot Family Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Michigan, with 79% of grants staying within the state. Additional states receiving grants include Tennessee, New York, Virginia, and Indiana. The foundation funds projects in cities including Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, Benton Harbor, and Detroit.
What size grants does Degroot Family Foundation award?
In 2024, Degroot Family Foundation awarded 19 grants totaling $563K — an average of about $30K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Degroot Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Degroot Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $678K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Degroot Family Foundation's EIN?
Degroot Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 06-1654753. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Degroot Family 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.
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