Degroot Family Foundation

WATERVLIET, MI EIN: 06-1654753 Website

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

+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.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

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

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

Michigan $2.9M (98%)

Virginia $50K (2%)

Florida $5K (0%)

Indiana $618 (0%)

District of Columbia $250 (0%)

States

District of Columbia Florida Indiana Michigan Virginia

Cities

Benton HarborBridgmanColomaComstock ParkDetroitDowagiacGrand RapidsKalamazooMishawakaMount VernonNilesPonte Vedra BeachSouth HavenSt JosephWashington

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

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

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 Foundation

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

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?

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.