Grand Rapids Community Foundation
The Grand Rapids Community Foundation is a community foundation and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Founded in 1922, it operates as a philanthropic organization that connects donors, community members, and resources to address pressing community needs. The foundation manages a permanent endowment and serves as a steward of West Michigan's charitable resources.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$483.6M
+8.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$22.0M
+60.5% YoY
Grant Count
377
+30.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$58K
+22.6% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To build and manage the community's permanent endowment and lead the community to strengthen the lives of its people.
Vision: A magnetic and interconnected West Michigan community.
Values: Integrity, Excellence, Inclusion, Sustainability, and Bold Aspirations.
North Star: For West Michigan to grow and prosper, everyone must be able to apply their talents and creativity to fuel the future. By connecting across perspectives and overcoming inequities, the foundation aims to build and sustain an inclusive economy and thriving community.
The foundation funds across six primary areas:
- Education
- Health
- Neighborhoods
- Engagement
- Economic Prosperity
- Environment
The foundation emphasizes working with partners who share its commitment to becoming actively anti-racist and advancing equity and justice.
Grantmaking
In 2024-2025, the foundation awarded $24 million in grants and scholarships to nonprofits and students in West Michigan.
Grant Range
** Typical awards range from $5,051 to $2,362,673.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily serves West Michigan, with a focus on Kent County. Grantmaking extends to Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $483.6 million (2025)
Annual Revenue: $27.3 million (2025)
Annual Expenses: $31.7 million (2025)
Gifts Received: $13 million raised from donor partners in the most recent year
Historical Giving: Since its founding in 1922, the foundation has awarded over $245 million in grants to benefit the community.
Staffing: 37 employees
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $483,567,970 | $446,007,139 | $404,141,821 |
| Revenue | $27,259,830 | $27,886,402 | $8,730,097 |
| Expenses | $31,738,698 | $23,754,784 | $24,643,946 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $13,818,197 | $11,721,258 | $1,727,000 |
| 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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
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
Rolling / Open
Altrusa International of Grand Rapids Scholarship Grant
GRAND RAPIDS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Amount
US $2,000 - US $5,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Armando "Frank" Quaglia Veteran's Scholarship Grant
GRAND RAPIDS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Amount
US $2,000 - US $5,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Baxter Community Center ($223,000), Aquinas College ($222,380), Aqume Foundation ($160,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 20 LITERS GRANDVILLE, MI | GENERAL SUPPORT | $8,000 |
| 70 X 7 LIFE RECOVERY WYOMING, MI | GRANT TO 70 X 7 LIFE RECOVERY BY ARVIN L. AND PEARL M. TAP FUND | $79,914 |
| A GLIMPSE OF AFRICA GRAND RAPIDS, MI | MULTIPLE GRANTS AWARDED | $60,000 |
| ABUNDANCE CAPITAL GREENVILLE, SC | MULTIPLE GRANTS AWARDED | $60,000 |
| ADA HISTORICAL SOCIETY ADA, MI | ENDOWMENT | $15,000 |
| ADAPTIVE SKI ASSOCIATION OF WEST MICHIGAN ADA, MI | GENERAL SUPPORT | $16,000 |
| ADELANTE YOUTH MISSION GRAND RAPIDS, MI | MULTIPLE GRANTS AWARDED | $23,000 |
| AFRICAN COLLABORATIVE NETWORK GRAND RAPIDS, MI | MULTIPLE GRANTS AWARDED | $66,667 |
| AFRICAN RESOURCE CENTER OF WEST MICHIGAN GRAND RAPIDS, MI | SUCCESSNOW YOUTH EMPOWERMENT | $10,000 |
| ALANO CLUB OF KENT COUNTY GRAND RAPIDS, MI | MULTIPLE GRANTS AWARDED | $58,421 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key executives include:
- LaSandra Gaddy (President and CEO)
- Jessica Hermann-Wilmarth (Vice President, Development)
- Kate Schmid (Vice President, Program)
- Stan Vander Roest (Chief Financial Officer)
- Jenine Torres (Philanthropic Services Director)
- Eugene Sueing (Program Director)
- Janean Couch (Program Director)
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| RENEE WILLIAMS | CHAIR | 1 | — |
| CAITLIN TOWNSEND LAMB | VICE CHAIR | 1 | — |
| KYLE CALDWELL | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| BRANDY LOVELADY MITCHELL | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| TIM LONG | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| DANIEL WILLIAMS | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| KEN FAWCETT | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| THOMAS KYROS | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| EMILY LOEKS | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| MERCEDES BARRIGAN | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ELAINA JUAREZ | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ISABEL LANDERO | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| KATHLEEN VOGELSANG | TRUSTEE - PART YEAR | 1 | — |
| ANA RAMIREZ-SAENZ | TRUSTEE - PART YEAR | 1 | — |
| LASANDRA GADDY | PRESIDENT | 40 | $223,762 |
| STAN VANDER ROEST | CFO/TREASURER | 37.5 | $193,573 |
| MARILYN ZACK | VICE PRESIDENT | 37.5 | $183,873 |
| KATE LUCKERT SCHMID | VICE PRESIDENT | 37.5 | $161,785 |
| ASHLEY LEE | VICE PRESIDENT | 37.5 | $132,730 |
| DANIELLE BROWN | FINANCE DIRECTOR | 37.5 | $136,994 |
| CHRISTINE KUTZLI | PROGRAM DIRECTOR | 37.5 | $122,174 |
| JOHNGERLYN YOUNG | PHILANTHROPIC SERVICES DIRECTOR | 37.5 | $110,023 |
| DIANA SIEGER | FORMER PRESIDENT | 40 | $118,278 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation celebrates 20 years of its Black Legacy Fund with $1 million in impact. The foundation continues to expand its scholarship programs, having doubled annual scholarship awards over the past decade to support more students in Kent County pursuing post-secondary education.
Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation Announces $200,000 Endowment MatchSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Grand Rapids Community Foundation fund?
**Mission:** To build and manage the community's permanent endowment and lead the community to strengthen the lives of its people. **Vision:** A magnetic and interconnected West Michigan community. **Values:** Integrity, Excellence, Inclusion, Sustainability, and Bold Aspirations. **North Star:** For West Michigan to grow and prosper, everyone must be able to apply their talents and creativity to fuel the future. By connecting across perspectives and overcoming inequities, the foundation aims t…
How do I apply for a grant from Grand Rapids Community Foundation?
In 2024-2025, the foundation awarded $24 million in grants and scholarships to nonprofits and students in West Michigan. **Scholarship Awards:** $1.74 million awarded in scholarships in the most recent year, with the foundation having doubled total annual scholarship dollars over the past decade. **Grant Range:** Typical awards range from $5,051 to $2,362,673. **Recent Grant Examples:** • Housing Kent: $500,000 grant to implement a county-wide collective impact initiative to advance housing equ…
Where does Grand Rapids Community Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily serves West Michigan, with a focus on Kent County. Grantmaking extends to Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana.
What size grants does Grand Rapids Community Foundation award?
In 2025, Grand Rapids Community Foundation awarded 377 grants totaling $22.0M — an average of about $58K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Grand Rapids 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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