Edwin J and Ruth M Shoemaker Foundation
The Edwin J and Ruth M Shoemaker Foundation is a private foundation based in Detroit, Michigan. It supports organizations whose mission and activity further the Gospel of Jesus Christ and are faithful to the tenets of the Christian faith.
Edwin J and Ruth M Shoemaker Foundation at a glance
In short: Edwin J and Ruth M Shoemaker Foundation gave $865K across 27 grants in 2024 (avg $32K), mostly in Michigan. 19% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $864,500
- +8.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 27
- +22.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $32,019
- -11.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $12,782,097
- -3.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 19% first-time grantees (5 of 27, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Michigan (72% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Edwin J and Ruth M Shoemaker Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Submit a letter describing the purpose of the grant and verification of the organization’s charitable status. The filing lists Michael A Indenbaum as the contact for applications. Applicants must meet the foundation’s stated Christian-faith restrictions.
- Contact
Application contact: Michael A Indenbaum
Mailing address: 660 Woodward Ave Suite 2290, Detroit, MI 48226
Phone: (313) 465-7000
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Edwin J and Ruth M Shoemaker Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Right to Life Education Fund ($100K). Together the top 10 received $590K.
Grant Size Distribution
115 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 85 grants of 115 (74%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 72% of grant dollars went to recipients in Michigan. Other recipient states included Washington (8%), Missouri (6%), Georgia (6%), and California (3%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 27 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Edwin J and Ruth M Shoemaker Foundation open to new grantees?
19%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 5 of 27 grantees (19%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $21K; repeat grants $35K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $25K repeat.
- 74% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+13%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 95% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $714K (2020) to $950K (2022). In 2024 it made 27 grants totaling $865K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Right to Life Education Fund Grand Rapids, MI | General | $100,000 |
| Trinity Lutheran School Monroe, MI | General | $100,000 |
| University of Michigan Transplant Center Ann Arbor, MI | General | $80,000 |
| Thomas More Law Center Ann Arbor, MI | General | $60,000 |
| Covenant College Foundation Lookout Mountain, GA | General | $50,000 |
| St John Lutheran School Grand Haven, MI | General | $50,000 |
| Heartbeat of Monroe Monroe, MI | General | $40,000 |
| Lutheran Special Education Ministries Ann Arbor, MI | General | $40,000 |
| Redeemer Lutheran Church Interlochen, MI | General | $40,000 |
| Care Net of Puget Sound Tacoma, WA | General | $30,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Edwin J and Ruth M Shoemaker 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $12,782,097 | $615,045 | $1,008,892 | $864,500 | 27 | $864,500 | $485,653 | $914,608 |
| 2023 | $13,175,944 | $1,228,481 | $945,289 | $794,500 | 22 | $794,500 | $1,077,692 | $845,726 |
| 2022 | $12,890,330 | $825,419 | $1,171,225 | $949,500 | 23 | $949,500 | $603,694 | $855,991 |
| 2021 | $13,235,837 | $1,522,053 | $891,859 | $764,500 | 21 | $764,500 | $1,394,694 | $874,071 |
| 2020 | $12,910,276 | $310,471 | $878,372 | $713,500 | 22 | — | $318,237 | $804,329 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Edwin J and Ruth M Shoemaker Foundation reported a distributable amount of $915K for 2024 — 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’s stated grant restriction is that recipient organizations must have a mission and activity, directly or indirectly, that further the Gospel of Jesus Christ and must be faithful to the tenets of the Christian faith.
Its grantees describe a range of activities. Heartbeat of Monroe says it is a life-affirming, Christ-centered organization providing newborn, toddler, and parenting classes. Covenant College Foundation says it is the planned-giving arm of Covenant College and works to grow the college’s endowment in support of its mission to explore and express the preeminence of Jesus Christ in all things. Thomas More Law Center describes itself as a public interest law firm dedicated to educating and defending citizens’ constitutional rights and liberties. Island Christian Academy says it educates students from preschool through 12th grade with a biblical, spiritual, ethical, and academic foundation.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation gave $864,500 through 27 grants. Grants ranged from $3,500 to $100,000, with a median of $25,000. Notable grants included $100,000 each to Right to Life Education Fund and Trinity Lutheran School; $80,000 to University of Michigan Transplant Center; $60,000 to Thomas More Law Center; and $50,000 each to Covenant College Foundation and St John Lutheran School.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Robert L Shoemaker as president; Erich C Shoemaker, Dale A Shoemaker, and Rocque E Lipford as directors; Mary Kaye Johnston as secretary; and David S Johnston as treasurer.
Edwin J and Ruth M Shoemaker Foundation is led by Robert L Shoemaker, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 6 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Robert L Shoemaker
President
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dale A Shoemaker
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Erich C Shoemaker
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rocque E Lipford
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David S Johnston
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mary Kaye Johnston
Secretary
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Edwin J and Ruth M Shoemaker Foundation
How much does Edwin J and Ruth M Shoemaker Foundation give each year?
Edwin J and Ruth M Shoemaker Foundation gave $865K across 27 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $795K across 22 grants.
What is Edwin J and Ruth M Shoemaker Foundation's typical grant size?
Edwin J and Ruth M Shoemaker Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $25,000, and its average grant was $32,019, across 27 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Edwin J and Ruth M Shoemaker Foundation that year got $21K on average.
Where does Edwin J and Ruth M Shoemaker Foundation give grants?
Edwin J and Ruth M Shoemaker Foundation gives mostly in Michigan: 72% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Washington (8%) and Missouri (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Ann Arbor, MI (4 grants), Monroe, MI (4 grants), Grand Rapids, MI (3 grants) and St. Louis, MO (3 grants).
Does Edwin J and Ruth M Shoemaker Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Edwin J and Ruth M Shoemaker Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (27 of 27) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Edwin J and Ruth M Shoemaker Foundation's largest grantees?
Edwin J and Ruth M Shoemaker Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Right to Life Education Fund ($100,000), Trinity Lutheran School ($100,000) and University of Michigan Transplant Center ($80,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 32% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Edwin J and Ruth M Shoemaker Foundation?
Edwin J and Ruth M Shoemaker Foundation reported $12.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $865K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $915K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Edwin J and Ruth M Shoemaker Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated grant restriction is that recipient organizations must have a mission and activity, directly or indirectly, that further the Gospel of Jesus Christ and must be faithful to the tenets of the Christian faith. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Edwin J and Ruth M Shoemaker Foundation?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Edwin J and Ruth M Shoemaker Foundation's EIN?
Edwin J and Ruth M Shoemaker Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-3137832. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Edwin J and Ruth M Shoemaker Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, 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 14, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS September 7, 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 August 30, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 15, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Edwin J and Ruth M Shoemaker Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/edwin-j-and-ruth-m-shoemaker-foundation-morg_77c6edb85600444eaf073ceabef80a5e
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_383137832_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Edwin J and Ruth M Shoemaker Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/edwin-j-and-ruth-m-shoemaker-foundation-morg_77c6edb85600444eaf073ceabef80a5e},
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 Edwin J and Ruth M Shoemaker 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.
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