Degroot Family Foundation
The DeGroot Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Watervliet, Michigan. Its mission is to support vulnerable populations by developing and enhancing educational, social service, and economic opportunities, with a primary focus on communities throughout Michigan.
Degroot Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Degroot Family Foundation gave $532K across 17 grants in 2025 (avg $31K), mostly in Michigan. 19% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $531,810
- -5.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 17
- -10.5% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $31,283
- +5.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $13,454,095
- +48.8% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 19% first-time grantees (3 of 16, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Michigan (96% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Degroot Family Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Its website also says it is not currently accepting new applications unless pre-approved. For prospects directed to apply, the foundation describes a process in which a project coordinator identifies a potential grant prospect, discusses the project’s needs, and recommends an application using either the foundation’s form or the Michigan Common Grant Application form. The board reviews requests and notifies applicants of its decision; award size and disbursement timing are determined case by case. The website says awards may be made under contracts of up to three years, with prior awards reviewed annually and not guaranteed long term.
- Review Cycle
- The website lists proposal deadlines of March 1 for April review, June 1 for July review, and September 1 for October review.
- Deadline
- The website lists proposal deadlines of March 1 for April review, June 1 for July review, and September 1 for October…
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 660, Watervliet, MI 49098
Phone: (269) 449-3769
Website: https://degrootfamilyfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Degroot Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Covenant House Michigan ($100K). Together the top 10 received $489K.
Grant Size Distribution
99 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 70 grants of 99 (71%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation says its primary focus is an individual recipient and that grants outside the local area require board review and approval. Its grants page lists Allegan, Berrien, Cass, Van Buren, and Kalamazoo counties as the counties from which it was accepting applications until further notice, except for pre-approved requests. In filing year 2025, 96% of grant dollars went to recipients in Michigan and 4% to recipients in Washington.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 17 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Degroot Family Foundation open to new grantees?
19%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 3 of 16 grantees (19%) were first-time recipients. With only 16 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $24K; repeat grants $35K. How we count
Medians: $20K first-time, $20K repeat.
- 75% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−14%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 117% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $506K (2020) to $680K (2021). In 2025 it made 17 grants totaling $532K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Covenant House Michigan Detroit, MI | Emergency shelter and housing for detroit and grand rapids youth | $100,000 |
| Cornerstone Alliance Benton Harbor, MI | Ongoing Economic Development | $75,000 |
| Prevention Works Inc Kalamazoo, MI | Thrive Kalamazoo: Building Resilience Through Prevention Program | $75,000 |
| Tri County Council for Child Development Paw Paw, MI | Expansion of high quality early childhood education in Berrien county | $52,500 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Southwest Michigan Benton Harbor, MI | Workforce Development Framework Project | $50,000 |
| KC Ready 4'S Kalamazoo, MI | High quality pre-k experiences for 3-4 year olds in Kalamazoo county | $50,000 |
| YMCA of Greater Michiana Niles, MI | Capital Campaign | $25,000 |
| Vashon Schools Foundation Vashon, WA | Support critical school staff positions, enrichment programs and vital social-emotional learning | $20,360 |
| Feeding America West Michigan Kentwood, MI | Mobile Food Pantry in Berrien County | $20,000 |
| SPCA SW Michigan Kalamazoo, MI | Operational Support | $20,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Degroot Family Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $13,454,095 | $5,292,181 | $879,081 | $531,810 | 17 | $759,841 | $5,185,935 | $647,331 |
| 2024 | $9,040,995 | $904,010 | $926,414 | $562,795 | 19 | $797,602 | $799,604 | $677,703 |
| 2023 | $9,063,399 | $990,433 | $760,824 | $581,450 | 19 | $661,045 | $893,604 | $607,214 |
| 2022 | $8,833,790 | $305,147 | $803,818 | $617,180 | 23 | $692,773 | $207,024 | $629,476 |
| 2021 | $9,332,461 | $573,380 | $846,717 | $680,475 | 21 | $736,499 | $466,532 | $713,048 |
| 2020 | $9,605,798 | $184,631 | $657,024 | $505,543 | 17 | — | $131,854 | $598,805 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Degroot Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $647K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation lists human services, economic development, education, health services/medical research, and animal rights/services as funding areas. It says discretionary funds may be used after primary grant requests are complete, depending on funding availability.
Its 2025 grants illustrate support for a range of organizations and projects. Prevention Works Inc., which received $75,000, describes its mission as building stronger communities through comprehensive health education for youth and families. An individual recipient, awarded $20,000, says it gathers and distributes food to relieve hunger and increase food security in an individual recipient and the Upper Peninsula. United Way of an individual recipient, awarded $15,000, says it works in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties to sustain a community where everyone contributes, belongs, and thrives. Berrien Community Foundation, awarded $6,000, describes its mission as connecting people who care with causes and organizations that strengthen communities.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 17 grants totaling $531,810. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $100,000, with a median of $20,000. Among the largest awards were $100,000 to an individual recipient for emergency shelter and housing for youth in Detroit and Grand Rapids; $75,000 to Cornerstone Alliance for ongoing economic development; and $75,000 to Prevention Works Inc. for its Thrive Kalamazoo prevention program. Other awards included $52,500 to Tri County Council for Child Development for early childhood education in Berrien County, $50,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of an individual recipient for a workforce development project, and $50,000 to KC Ready 4’s for pre-K experiences in Kalamazoo County.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Shirley Leith as president/treasurer, Eric M. Leith as vice president/director, and Jessica M. Claus as secretary.
Degroot Family Foundation is led by Shirley Leith, President & Treasurer on every filing since 2020; all 3 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Shirley Leith
President & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
8 hrs/week
$16K (2020) → $84K (2025)
Eric M. Leith
Vice President & Director of
On filings since 2020
6 hrs/week
$14K (2020) → $65K (2025)
Jessica M. Claus
Secretary
Vice President & Internation → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2022
6 hrs/week
$16K (2022) → $65K (2025)
Former officers (2)
- Former: Eric Brown - Evb Consulting (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Jessica M. Leith (2020–2021) — Vice President & Internation
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $84K, to Shirley Leith (President/Treasurer). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Degroot Family Foundation
How much does Degroot Family Foundation give each year?
Degroot Family Foundation gave $532K across 17 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $563K across 19 grants.
What is Degroot Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Degroot Family Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $20,000, and its average grant was $31,283, across 17 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Degroot Family Foundation that year got $24K on average.
Where does Degroot Family Foundation give grants?
Degroot Family Foundation gives mostly in Michigan: 96% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Kalamazoo, MI (3 grants), Benton Harbor, MI (3 grants), St Joseph, MI (3 grants) and Niles, MI (2 grants).
Does Degroot Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 12% of Degroot Family Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (2 of 17) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Degroot Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Degroot Family Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Covenant House Michigan ($100,000), Cornerstone Alliance ($75,000) and Prevention Works Inc ($75,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 47% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Degroot Family Foundation?
Degroot Family Foundation reported $13.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $760K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $647K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Degroot Family Foundation fund?
The foundation lists human services, economic development, education, health services/medical research, and animal rights/services as funding areas. It says discretionary funds may be used after primary grant requests are complete, depending on funding availability. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Degroot Family Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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 2020–2025.
Does Degroot Family Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 11, 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 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 8, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 13, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 12, 2026)
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Degroot Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Degroot Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/degroot-family-foundation-morg_def02302876c4da18be47f3201abd169
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_061654753_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Degroot Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/degroot-family-foundation-morg_def02302876c4da18be47f3201abd169},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Degroot Family Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Degroot Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?