Fremont Area Community Foundation
Fremont Area Community Foundation is a community foundation established in 1951 in Fremont, Michigan. The organization is one of the largest community foundations in the United States on a per capita basis, serving a population of approximately 50,000 with net assets exceeding $200 million. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and manages over 700 charitable funds ranging in size from $10,000 to $30 million.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$306.7M
+14.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$8.8M
+17.8% YoY
Grant Count
137
+5.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$64K
+11.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: To promote philanthropy through grants to nonprofit organizations providing charitable services that benefit the people of Newaygo County and the surrounding area of western Michigan.
The foundation enhances the quality of life for all people in Newaygo County and surrounding communities by connecting community needs with the passions of families, businesses, and individuals.
Primary Program Areas:
Community Development – Decreases unemployment in Newaygo County by distributing grants to charitable organizations focused on education, certifications, training, employment of skilled workforce, small business development, and entrepreneurship development.
Education – Decreases the impact of poverty by increasing education levels in the community. Grants support kindergarten readiness, STEAM, literacy, remediation assistance, educational scholarships, and tuition assistance for students in Newaygo County and West Michigan.
Poverty to Prosperity – Reduces the impact of poverty by providing grants to charitable organizations focused on self-sufficiency development.
Grantmaking
The foundation manages six types of funds:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily serves Newaygo County and surrounding areas of western Michigan. For over 20 years, the foundation has supported three geographic affiliate foundations: Lake, Mecosta, and Osceola community foundations. The foundation manages assets for these affiliates while advisory boards from each respective community review grant proposals and recommend funding.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 31, 2023:
- Total Assets: $269 million
- Total Liabilities: $4.98 million
- Total Revenue: $14.9 million
- Total Expenses: $10.7 million
- Investment Income: $9,807,996
- Program Service Revenue: $339,016
As of December 31, 2024:
- Total Assets: $306,738,307
- Total Revenue: $15,175,959
- Total Expenses: $12,858,682
Staffing: The foundation employs 20-24 staff members and engages approximately 200 volunteers.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $306,738,307 | $268,983,898 | $241,936,076 |
| Revenue | $15,175,959 | $14,863,634 | $14,536,377 |
| Expenses | $12,858,682 | $10,675,286 | $11,767,007 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $12,289,920 | $9,807,996 | $12,718,637 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
Open Grants
18 open opportunities from Fremont Area Community Foundation
Amazing X Charitable Fund
Fremont Area Community Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Bridging Generations Fund
Fremont Area Community Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Community Grants
Fremont Area Community Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
September 1, 2026
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Arts Center for Newaygo County ($458,710), Fremont Public Schools ($326,137), County of Newaygo ($247,600).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| All Saints Church Fremont, MI | Cemetery Maintenance | $5,300 |
| American Red Cross Grand Rapids, MI | Home Fire & Blood Service Programs | $19,000 |
| Angels of Action Big Rapids, MI | Literacy in Action; Rock the Crock | $8,725 |
| Arbor Circle Corporation Grand Rapids, MI | Youth Prevention Services | $7,100 |
| Arts Center for Newaygo County Fremont, MI | Operating and Program Support; Software Systems; Grand Rapids Ballet | $458,710 |
| Ashland-Grant Fire District Grant, MI | Farmworker Appreciation Day | $30,600 |
| Baldwin Community Schools Baldwin, MI | School Spirit ; Seats for Success; | $6,750 |
| Baldwin Family Health Care Baldwin, MI | Something to Smile About; In-Home Respite Program | $56,242 |
| Baldwin Promise Authority Baldwin, MI | College Needs | $40,000 |
| Bass Lakes Area Environmental Partnership Irons, MI | Bass Lakes DASH Boat | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation was founded in 1951 by local attorney William J. Branstrom, along with Frank Gerber, Horace Loomis, Dick Pikaart, Herman Schuiteman, and Bessie Slautterback. They gathered charitable funds established by donors including Harry Williams and J. Andrew and Mattie Gerber.
The organization has 15 voting members serving on its governing body, all of whom are independent members.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KEN DELAAT | VICE CHAIR STARTING 6/13/24 | 1 | — |
| LORI TUBBERGEN CLARK | CHAIR part-year through 6/13/2024 | 1 | — |
| MIKHAIL SALACINA | SECRETARY THROUGH 6/13/24 TREASURER STARTING 6/13/24 | 1 | — |
| SUSAN WENTE | SECRETARY STARTING 6/13/24 | 1 | — |
| WILLIAM ALSOVER | TREASURER THROUGH 6/13/24, CHAIR STARTING 6/13/24 | 1 | — |
| CHARLES CHANDLER | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| CHRIS WREN | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| DENISE SUTTLES | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| DOROTHY PARIS | TRUSTEE STARTING 6/13/24 | 1 | — |
| JULIE BURRELL | TRUSTEE STARTING 6/13/24 | 1 | — |
| JULIE TATKO | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| MICHEAL ANDERSON | TRUSTEE THROUGH 6/13/24 | 1 | — |
| PEGGY ROSSLER | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| TODD DEKRYGER | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| TRAVIS BULL | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| KATHYRN POPE | VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 35 | $158,290 |
| SHELLY KASPRZYCKI | PRESIDENT AND CEO | 35 | $247,848 |
| LINDSAY HAGER | VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF PHILANTHROPY OFFICER | 35 | $135,061 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation announced the awarding of $2 million and $3 million in grants to nonprofits and community projects. The foundation released a 2025 annual report highlighting donor and organizational partnerships making a difference in Newaygo County.
FACF awards grants to nonprofits, projects | FremontSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Fremont Area Community Foundation fund?
**Mission Statement:** To promote philanthropy through grants to nonprofit organizations providing charitable services that benefit the people of Newaygo County and the surrounding area of western Michigan. The foundation enhances the quality of life for all people in Newaygo County and surrounding communities by connecting community needs with the passions of families, businesses, and individuals. **Primary Program Areas:** • **Community Development** – Decreases unemployment in Newaygo County…
How do I apply for a grant from Fremont Area Community Foundation?
The foundation manages six types of funds: • **Donor Advised Funds** – Convenient, flexible tools allowing donors to personally recommend grant awards • **Designated Funds** – Established by donors to benefit specific charities or programs • **Field of Interest Funds** – Allow donors to support specific issues and causes with board-directed grants • **Scholarship Funds** – Help adult and high school students in Newaygo County achieve educational goals • **Unrestricted Funds** – Enable the found…
Where does Fremont Area Community Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily serves Newaygo County and surrounding areas of western Michigan. For over 20 years, the foundation has supported three geographic affiliate foundations: Lake, Mecosta, and Osceola community foundations. The foundation manages assets for these affiliates while advisory boards from each respective community review grant proposals and recommend funding.
What size grants does Fremont Area Community Foundation award?
In 2024, Fremont Area Community Foundation awarded 137 grants totaling $8.8M — an average of about $64K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Fremont Area Community Foundation's EIN?
Fremont Area Community Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-1443367. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Fremont Area Community Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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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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