Grand Rapids Community Foundation
Grand Rapids Community Foundation is a public charity based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It makes grants and provides scholarships, with a primary geographic focus on Kent County and broader work benefiting West Michigan.
Grand Rapids Community Foundation at a glance
In short: Grand Rapids Community Foundation gave $22.0M across 377 grants in 2025 (avg $58K), mostly in Michigan. 31% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $21,985,289
- +60.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 377
- +30.9% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $58,316
- +22.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $23,000
- Total assets
- $483,567,970
- +8.4% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 31% first-time grantees (118 of 376, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Michigan (87% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Grand Rapids Community Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Submit an online pre-application for a project that fits the foundation’s guidelines and a grantmaking priority area. Youth Grant applications are accepted annually from late December to early February. Scholarship applications are separate from organizational grant applications.
- Review Cycle
- Youth Grant applications are accepted annually from late December to early February. The General Scholarship Application opens December 1 annually.
- Deadline
- Youth Grant applications are accepted annually from late December to early February.
- Contact
Mailing address: 185 Oakes Street Sw, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: (616) 454-1751
Website: https://grfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
64 open opportunities from Grand Rapids Community Foundation
Achille & Irene Despres, William & Andre Scholarship Grant
Grand Rapids Community Foundation
Amount
US $2,000 - US $5,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Altrusa International of Grand Rapids Scholarship Grant
Grand Rapids Community Foundation
Amount
US $2,000 - US $5,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Armando "Frank" Quaglia Veteran's Scholarship Grant
Grand Rapids Community Foundation
Amount
US $2,000 - US $5,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Grand Rapids Community Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Grand Haven Area Community Foundation ($2.4M). Together the top 10 received $6.5M.
Organizations only. It also paid 2 individual scholarships ($82,696), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
1,532 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1,160 grants of 1,532 (76%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation states that its primary geographic focus is Kent County, Michigan, and describes its grant and scholarship work as benefiting West Michigan. In 2025, 87% of reported grant dollars went to recipients in Michigan; 7% went to Illinois, and 1% each to Georgia, Ohio and New Mexico. The foundation also has regional affiliate funds serving Ionia County, Lowell, Hudsonville-Jenison, Sparta and Wyoming.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 377 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Grand Rapids Community Foundation open to new grantees?
31%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 118 of 376 grantees (31%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $41K; repeat grants $67K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $30K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2021–2025). 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $13.7M (2024) to $22.0M (2025). In 2025 it made 377 grants totaling $22.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Haven Area Community Foundation Grand Haven, MI | Multiple Grants Awarded | $2,362,673 |
| Chicago Community Trust Co Charitable Giving Solutions Northern Trust Chicago, IL | Multiple Grants Awarded | $1,023,366 |
| Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation Grand Rapids, MI | Multiple Grants Awarded | $590,456 |
| Kent School Services Network Grand Rapids, MI | Multiple Grants Awarded | $465,000 |
| Heart of West Michigan United Way Grand Rapids, MI | Multiple Grants Awarded | $440,184 |
| Michigan Immigrant Rights Center Grand Rapids, MI | Multiple Grants Awarded | $429,250 |
| Corewell Health Grand Rapids, MI | Multiple Grants Awarded | $322,788 |
| United Methodist Community House Grand Rapids, MI | Multiple Grants Awarded | $322,138 |
| Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives Grand Rapids, MI | Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives Expansion | $300,000 |
| Earth University Foundation Atlanta, GA | Multiple Grants Awarded | $290,519 |
Ready to take the next step with Grand Rapids Community Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $483,567,970 | $27,259,830 | $31,738,698 | $21,985,289 | 377 | $13,818,197 |
| 2024 | $446,007,139 | $27,886,402 | $23,754,784 | $13,696,487 | 288 | $11,721,258 |
| 2023 | $404,141,821 | $8,730,097 | $24,643,946 | $15,591,935 | 280 | $1,727,000 |
| 2022 | $385,135,007 | $51,066,997 | $23,362,464 | $14,121,785 | 301 | $25,512,664 |
| 2021 | $425,971,455 | $49,247,168 | $25,153,650 | $17,217,179 | 286 | $32,686,291 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to create a thriving and equitable West Michigan by connecting people, passion and resources today and for generations to come. Its funding areas are education, health, neighborhoods, arts and cultural engagement, economic prosperity, and the environment. Its application materials describe a commitment to partnering with organizations working toward equity and becoming actively anti-racist.
Eligible partners may include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, government entities, or organizations willing to attain a fiduciary. The foundation’s grant guidelines prioritize work that addresses racial, social and economic justice, changes systems that maintain inequity, creates access for people historically excluded from opportunities, and engages people most affected by disparities.
Examples of grantees’ work include Kent School Services Network, whose mission is to coordinate services for students and families through Kent County public schools; Heart of West Michigan United Way, which says it unites community resources to reduce poverty in West Michigan; and the Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives, which says it collects, preserves and honors West Michigan African Americans’ history.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 377 grants totaling $21,985,289. Individual grants ranged from $5,065 to $2,362,673, with a median of $23,000. Separately, the foundation reports awarding $24 million in grants and scholarships to nonprofits and students in West Michigan in 2024–2025.
Among its largest reported 2025 grants were $2,362,673 to Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, $590,456 to Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation, $465,000 to Kent School Services Network, $440,184 to Heart of West Michigan United Way, and $429,250 to Michigan Immigrant Rights Center. Most listed 2025 grant purposes are described as “multiple grants awarded.”
For the Fund for Community Good and field-of-interest funds, applicants whose projects fit a priority area can submit a brief online pre-application. The foundation invites applications from eligible nonprofits, government entities and organizations willing to attain a fiduciary; previous recipients may apply. A Nonprofit Technical Assistance Fund also offers grants of up to $10,000 for consulting services to nonprofits in Kent County. The Youth Grant Committee, made up of local students, awards grants to address the needs of their peers.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Renee Williams as chair, Caitlin Townsend Lamb as vice chair, and Kyle Caldwell as secretary. Listed trustees are Brandy Lovelady Mitchell, Tim Long, Daniel Williams, Ken Fawcett, Thomas Kyros, Emily Loeks and Mercedes Barrigan.
Grand Rapids Community Foundation is led by Lasandra Gaddy, President on every filing since 2024; 9 of 23 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Lasandra Gaddy
President
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$224K (2025)
Renee Williams
Chair
Trustee → Vice Chair, 2023
Vice Chair → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christine Kutzli
Program Director
Challenge Scholars Director → Program Director, 2023
On filings since 2021
37.5 hrs/week
$114K (2021) → $122K (2025)
Danielle Brown
Finance Director
On filings since 2023
37.5 hrs/week
$128K (2023) → $137K (2025)
Johngerlyn Young
Philanthropic Services Director
Philanthropic Service Director → Philanthropic Services Director, 2025
On filings since 2024
37.5 hrs/week
$106K (2024) → $110K (2025)
Ana Ramirez-Saenz
Trustee -
Trustee → Trustee -, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brandy Lovelady Mitchell
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Daniel Williams
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Emily Loeks
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kathleen Vogelsang
Trustee -
Chair → Trustee, 2023
Trustee → Trustee -, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ken Fawcett
Trustee
Trustee → Trustee -, 2022
Trustee - → Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Thomas Kyros
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Isabel Landero
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Elaina Juarez
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mercedes Barrigan
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tim Long
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ashley Lee
Vice President
On filings since 2021
37.5 hrs/week
$114K (2021) → $133K (2025)
Diana Sieger
Former President
President → President -, 2024
President - → Former President, 2025
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$287K (2021) → $118K (2025)
Kate Luckert Schmid
Vice President
On filings since 2021
37.5 hrs/week
$139K (2021) → $162K (2025)
Marilyn Zack
Vice President
On filings since 2021
37.5 hrs/week
$165K (2021) → $184K (2025)
Stan Vander Roest
CFO & Treasurer
On filings since 2021
37.5 hrs/week
$178K (2021) → $194K (2025)
Kyle Caldwell
Secretary
Vice Chair → Chair, 2023
Chair → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Caitlin Townsend Lamb
Vice Chair
Trustee → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (9)
- Former: Alexandria Smith (2023–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Richard Roane (2021–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Samantha Rivera (2022–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Carlos Sanchez (2021–2022) — Trustee -
- Former: Noah Chun (2021–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Amy Ruis - Part Year (2021) — Trustee
- Former: Jonse Young (2021) — Director of Philanthropic Services
- Former: Lynne Black (2021) — Director of Finance
- Former: Michael Rosloniec - Part Year (2021) — Chair
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "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 $224K, to Lasandra Gaddy (President). 9 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Grand Rapids Community Foundation
How much does Grand Rapids Community Foundation give each year?
Grand Rapids Community Foundation gave $22.0M across 377 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $13.7M across 288 grants.
What is Grand Rapids Community Foundation's typical grant size?
Grand Rapids Community Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $23,000, and its average grant was $58,316, across 377 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Grand Rapids Community Foundation that year got $41K on average.
Where does Grand Rapids Community Foundation give grants?
Grand Rapids Community Foundation gives mostly in Michigan: 87% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Illinois (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Grand Rapids, MI (195 grants), Lowell, MI (12 grants), Wyoming, MI (9 grants) and Chicago, IL (7 grants).
Does Grand Rapids Community Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 8% of Grand Rapids Community Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (32 of 377) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Multiple Grants Awarded" (278 grants), "Annual Distribution from B. Kenneth Larm Fund" (4 grants) and "Annual Distribution" (3 grants).
Who are Grand Rapids Community Foundation's largest grantees?
Grand Rapids Community Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Grand Haven Area Community Foundation ($2,362,673), Chicago Community Trust Co Charitable Giving Solutions Northern Trust ($1,023,366) and Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation ($590,456), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. It also paid 2 individual scholarships ($82,696), which are not listed by name. Together they received 18% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Grand Rapids Community Foundation?
Grand Rapids Community Foundation reported $483.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $27.3M.
What does Grand Rapids Community Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to create a thriving and equitable West Michigan by connecting people, passion and resources today and for generations to come. Its funding areas are education, health, neighborhoods, arts and cultural engagement, economic prosperity, and the environment. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Grand Rapids Community Foundation?
Submit an online pre-application for a project that fits the foundation’s guidelines and a grantmaking priority area. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Grand Rapids Community Foundation's EIN?
Grand Rapids Community Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-2877959. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 8, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 6, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Grand Rapids Community Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Grand Rapids Community Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 9, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/grand-rapids-community-foundation-morg_0e50fe3192f1446695bdc0deab751faa
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_382877959_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Grand Rapids Community Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/grand-rapids-community-foundation-morg_0e50fe3192f1446695bdc0deab751faa},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-09. 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 Grand Rapids Community 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.
Grand Rapids Community Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?