Dick and Betsy Devos Family Foundation
The Dick and Betsy DeVos Family Foundation is a private foundation established in 1989 and based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization and serves as a catalyst for partner organizations that position communities for growth and viability. The foundation is supported by Richard M. DeVos Jr.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$47.6M
-9.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$7.1M
-2.5% YoY
Grant Count
91
-24.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$78K
+28.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Dick and Betsy Devos Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.7M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation seeks to create a legacy of caring and stewardship through support of projects that build strong communities. Based on the model their parents taught them, they seek to serve as faithful stewards.
The foundation concentrates its funding in the following areas:
- Leadership and capacity building for organizations
- Education freedom initiatives
- Making West Michigan a desirable place to raise a family
- Arts, health, and children's causes
Grantmaking
The foundation made approximately 73 grants in 2024, totaling $4,421,385 in grant distributions. Recent notable grants include:
How to Apply
The foundation values strong relationships within the community and encourages organizations to reach out with questions. Interested organizations can contact the foundation directly.
Ready to take the next step with Dick and Betsy Devos Family Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation has a primary focus on West Michigan, particularly the Grand Rapids area. However, the foundation also supports national and international organizations, including initiatives in Central Florida and global programs.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
2024 Financial Data:
- Total Assets: $47,593,921
- Total Revenue: $2,958,602
- Total Expenses: $7,647,036
- Total Liabilities: $0
- Number of Employees: 0
Tax Status:
- Tax-exempt since July 1990
- EIN: 38-2902412
- Type: 501(c)(3) organization
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $47,593,921 | $52,282,355 | $57,782,067 |
| Revenue | $2,958,602 | $2,541,157 | $16,972,901 |
| Expenses | $7,647,036 | $8,040,657 | $9,246,867 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $7,309,569 | $7,564,856 | $8,983,417 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,588,529 | $2,051,372 | $16,754,512 |
| Distributable Amount | $2,706,810 | $2,763,799 | $3,158,477 |
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
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Grand Action Foundation 20 ($1,000,000), Fiscal Sponsorship Allies ($750,000), Ada Township ($500,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ABILENE ARTS ALLIANCE ABILENE, TX | GENERAL OPERATING | $500 |
| ACTON INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF RELIGION AND LIBERTY GRAND RAPIDS, MI | GENERAL OPERATING | $100,000 |
| ADA TOWNSHIP ADA, MI | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN | $500,000 |
| ALPHA USA CAROL STREAM, IL | GENERAL OPERATING | $75,000 |
| AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL OPERATING | $250,000 |
| AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE WASHINGTON, DC | PROJECT/PROGRAM - STRATEGIC VENTURE FUND | $125,000 |
| ANCIENT PATHS STUDY TOURS GRAND RAPIDS, MI | PROJECT/PROGRAM - ISRAEL TOUR | $5,000 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF GRAND RAPIDS GRAND RAPIDS, MI | GENERAL OPERATING | $5,000 |
| BRADENTON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL BRADENTON, FL | GENERAL OPERATING | $2,500 |
| CAPITOL MINISTRIES PHOENIX, AZ | PROJECT/PROGRAM - LOCAL GOVERNMENT MINISTRY INITIATIVE | $25,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Founders & Supporters:
- Dick DeVos (President) — Former president of Amway Corporation and the NBA's Orlando Magic; active leader in West Michigan initiatives including Grand Action Foundation and West Michigan Aviation Academy
- Betsy DeVos (Chairman) — National leader in school choice education reform; presidential appointee to the board of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; serves on boards including the American Federation for Children, ArtPrize, Kids Hope USA, and the Foundation for Excellence in Education
Staff:
- Robert H. Schierbeek — Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| RICHARD M DEVOS JR | PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ELISABETH PRINCE DEVOS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ROBERT H SCHIERBEEK | VP/COO | 0.1 | — |
| JEFFREY S BOWERMAN | VP OF TAX | 0.1 | — |
| SUSAN E VALCQ | TREASURER/SECRETARY | 0.1 | — |
| JASON ZYLSTRA | FOUNDATION MANAGER | 4 | — |
| PAMELA PARRIOTT | FOUNDATION MANAGER | 8 | — |
| RICHARD M DEVOS III | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| ELISABETH D LOWERY | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| ANDREA D ABRAHAM | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| RYAN E DEVOS | DIRECTOR | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation continues to support a diverse range of organizations across its focus areas. Recent grant announcements include support for arts and culture organizations on the lakeshore, youth development initiatives, and community wellness programs. The foundation has also supported major initiatives such as the Global Learning XPRIZE with a $15 million award and honored 30 Central Florida nonprofit organizations with a $3 million donation in 2021.
5 Lakeshore nonprofits to share $100K for arts, wellness projects - DickContact Information
Address: 200 Monroe Avenue NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503-2213
Phone: 616-643-4700
Website: www.dbdvfoundation.org
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Dick and Betsy Devos Family Foundation fund?
The foundation seeks to create a legacy of caring and stewardship through support of projects that build strong communities. Based on the model their parents taught them, they seek to serve as faithful stewards. The foundation concentrates its funding in the following areas: • **Leadership and capacity building** for organizations • **Education freedom** initiatives • **Making West Michigan a desirable place to raise a family** • **Arts, health, and children's causes**
How do I apply for a grant from Dick and Betsy Devos Family Foundation?
The foundation made approximately 73 grants in 2024, totaling $4,421,385 in grant distributions. Recent notable grants include: • Grand Action Foundation: $1,000,000 (Capital Campaign) • Global Leadership Enhancement and Mentorship Network: $300,000 (General Operating) • Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation: $250,000 (Capital Campaign) • Five lakeshore arts and culture organizations: $20,000 each (2024) • Evergreen Commons: $20,000 (October 2024) Most recipient organizations are l…
Where does Dick and Betsy Devos Family Foundation make grants?
The foundation has a primary focus on West Michigan, particularly the Grand Rapids area. However, the foundation also supports national and international organizations, including initiatives in Central Florida and global programs.
What size grants does Dick and Betsy Devos Family Foundation award?
In 2024, Dick and Betsy Devos Family Foundation awarded 91 grants totaling $7.1M — an average of about $78K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Dick and Betsy Devos Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Dick and Betsy Devos Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.7M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Dick and Betsy Devos Family Foundation's EIN?
Dick and Betsy Devos Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-2902412. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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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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