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.
Key facts about Dick and Betsy Devos Family Foundation
- EIN
- 38-2902412
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $7,066,885
- Grants made (2024)
- 91
- Average grant
- $77,658
- Median grant
- $20,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 30% first-time grantees (26 of 86, 2024)
- Total assets
- $47,593,921
- Primary geography
- Michigan (51% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- The foundation values strong relationships within the community and encourages organizations to reach out with questions. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Dick and Betsy Devos Family Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Dick and Betsy Devos Family Foundation's 91 itemized 2024 grants were Michigan (51%), Colorado (18%) and Illinois (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Grand Rapids, MI (27 grants), Washington, DC (6 grants), Holland, MI (6 grants) and Vero Beach, FL (6 grants). 77% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Capital Campaign" (8 grants).
Is Dick and Betsy Devos Family Foundation open to new grantees?
30%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 26 of 86 grantees (30%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $111K; repeat grants $70K. How we count
Medians: $20K first-time, $18K repeat.
- 60% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−14%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 270% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with Dick and Betsy Devos Family Foundation
- How to evaluate Dick and Betsy Devos Family Foundation as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
- Draft an LOI to Dick and Betsy Devos Family Foundation with AI
AI grant writing that drafts from your organization’s own materials, in your voice.
- Track this opportunity in a free grant tracker
A free Google Sheets or Excel template for deadlines, award terms, and reports due.
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
Share of all 91 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
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 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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
636 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Fiscal Sponsorship Allies ($1,250,000 across 2 grants), Grand Action Foundation 20 ($1,000,000), Ada Township ($500,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| GRAND ACTION FOUNDATION 20 Grand Rapids, MI | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN | $1,000,000 |
| FISCAL SPONSORSHIP ALLIES Denver, CO | PROJECT/PROGRAM - DEVOS INSTITUTE OF ARTS AND NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT FELLOWS PROGRAM | $750,000 |
| ADA TOWNSHIP Ada, MI | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN | $500,000 |
| FISCAL SPONSORSHIP ALLIES Denver, CO | PROJECT/PROGRAM - DVIANM CAPACITY BUILDING GRAND RAPIDS | $500,000 |
| GLOBAL LEADERSHIP NETWORK Barrington, IL | GENERAL OPERATING | $300,000 |
| AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE Washington, DC | GENERAL OPERATING | $250,000 |
| PALMETTO PROMISE INSTITUTE Columbia, SC | PROJECT/PROGRAM - STUDENT SPONSORSHIP | $250,000 |
| PUBLIC MUSEUM OF GRAND RAPIDS Grand Rapids, MI | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN | $250,000 |
| THEODORE ROOSEVELT PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY FOUNDATION Bismarck, ND | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN | $250,000 |
| WEST MICHIGAN AVIATION ACADEMY FOUNDATION Grand Rapids, MI | GENERAL OPERATING | $247,385 |
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
No officer or director reported compensation in the available filings.
From 2024 IRS 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 values strong relationships within the community and encourages organizations to reach out with questions. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Dick and Betsy Devos Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Ge Aerospace Foundation
Norwalk, CT
Assets
$22.5M
Grants
2,467
Total Given
$15.3M
Douglas & Maria Devos Foundation
Grand Rapids, MI
Assets
$62.6M
Grants
93
Total Given
$10.5M
CDV5 Foundation
Grand Rapids, MI
Assets
$72.2M
Grants
59
Total Given
$4.2M
Here to Help Foundation
Royal Oak, MI
Assets
$4.1M
Grants
3,199
Total Given
$993K
WK Kellogg Foundation
Battle Creek, MI
Assets
$454.4M
Grants
1,778
Total Given
$286.5M
Community Foundation for Southeast
Detroit, MI
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
938
Total Given
$105.1M
Charles Stewart Mott Foundation
Flint, MI
Assets
$3.8B
Grants
834
Total Given
$166.4M
The Kresge Foundation
Troy, MI
Assets
$4.0B
Grants
800
Total Given
$170.0M
Dte Energy Foundation
Detroit, MI
Assets
$129.1M
Grants
442
Total Given
$15.8M
The Skillman Foundation
Detroit, MI
Assets
$418.5M
Grants
416
Total Given
$17.8M
Jpmorgan Chase Foundation
New York, NY
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
10,334
Total Given
$202.5M
The Pfizer Foundation Inc
New York, NY
Assets
$255.3M
Grants
9,306
Total Given
$23.2M
More Funders in Michigan
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.