Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation
The Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation is a public charity based in Traverse City, Michigan, formed in 1992. It supports community-based work in its region through grants, scholarships, collaboration with local partners, and endowment building.
Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation at a glance
In short: Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation gave $3.2M across 116 grants in 2025 (avg $27K), mostly in Michigan. 15% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $3,154,318
- +4.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 116
- -1.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $27,192
- +6.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $13,460
- Total assets
- $120,893,107
- +14.7% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 15% first-time grantees (17 of 116, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Michigan (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation
- Review Cycle
- The Community Funds pre-application period for 2026 ran May 1 through May 22, 2026, and is past.
- Deadline
- The Community Funds pre-application period for 2026 ran May 1 through May 22, 2026, and is past.
- Next open deadline
- November 1, 2026 (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI) Fund Grant)
- Contact
Mailing address: 800 Cottageview Drive Suite 1040, Traverse City, MI 49684
Phone: (231) 935-4066
Website: https://gtrcf.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
21 open opportunities from Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation
Boys and Girls Club of Grand Traverse Endowment Grant
Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI) Fund Grant
Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation
Amount
Up to US $2,500
Deadline
November 1, 2026
Listed date — confirm with the funder
Fall Field of Interest Grants: Health & Human Services- Healthy Youth and Healthy Seniors Endowment
Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation
Amount
US $500 - US $3,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Central Lake Public Schools ($343K). Together the top 10 received $1.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
589 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 520 grants of 589 (88%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s stated service area is Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau Counties, along with the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. Its website says grant opportunities are generally open to organizations across this region unless an opportunity states otherwise.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 116 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation open to new grantees?
15%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 17 of 116 grantees (15%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $12K; repeat grants $30K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $15K repeat.
- 81% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+10%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $2.5M (2019) to $3.3M (2020). In 2025 it made 116 grants totaling $3.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Central Lake Public Schools Central Lake, MI | Early Childhood Education | $342,944 |
| Communities in Schools of NW Michigan Mancelona, MI | Early Childhood Education | $125,749 |
| Leelanau Community Cultural Center Leland, MI | Arts, Culture | $113,360 |
| Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital Frankfort, MI | Health Related | $109,000 |
| Northwestern Michigan College Foundation Traverse City, MI | Education | $91,295 |
| Women's Resource Center for the Grand Traverse Area Traverse City, MI | Human Services | $87,005 |
| Child and Family Services of Northwestern Michigan Traverse City, MI | Human Services | $82,490 |
| 5LOAVES2FISH NMI Leland, MI | Human Services | $76,770 |
| Traverse Bay Children's Advocacy Center Traverse City, MI | Youth Development | $72,668 |
| Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy Traverse City, MI | Environmental | $72,560 |
Ready to take the next step with Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $120,893,107 | $9,842,275 | $5,795,369 | $3,154,318 | 116 | $5,352,148 |
| 2024 | $105,417,500 | $9,865,307 | $5,441,697 | $3,022,628 | 118 | $7,187,127 |
| 2023 | $96,120,361 | $4,933,351 | $5,203,080 | $2,851,732 | 119 | $3,672,663 |
| 2022 | $86,232,237 | $5,051,685 | $4,956,807 | $2,869,549 | 118 | $3,448,190 |
| 2021 | $104,188,633 | $9,434,552 | $4,743,236 | $2,894,835 | 118 | $3,679,724 |
| 2020 | $90,284,879 | $17,926,283 | $5,129,814 | $3,276,806 | 111 | $2,243,359 |
| 2019 | $68,084,092 | $4,928,465 | $4,630,638 | $2,451,992 | 126 | $1,451,422 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is “to spark positive change by inspiring generosity, caring for resources, and supporting our communities, now and forever.” Its filing describes grants for community enrichment, cultural arts, environmental, youth, and educational programs. The foundation also identifies health and human services among its local cause areas.
The website says grants, unless otherwise stated, are open to 501(c)(3) nonprofits, organizations with a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor, educational institutions, governmental entities, and Tribal organizations serving its region. The filing also describes support for these kinds of partners.
Grantee missions illustrate the range of organizations supported. Communities in Schools of Northwest Michigan describes its work as coordinating human services for at-risk youth and their families through schools and other education sites. The Women’s Resource Center for the Grand Traverse Area says it protects, shelters, and empowers people impacted by domestic and sexual violence. Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy describes its mission as protecting significant natural, scenic, and farm lands and advancing land stewardship.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 116 grants totaling $3,154,318. Grant amounts ranged from $5,120 to $342,944, with a median of $13,460. All reported grant dollars went to recipients in Michigan.
Among the largest reported grants were $342,944 to Central Lake Public Schools for early childhood education; $125,749 to Communities in Schools of Northwest Michigan for early childhood education; $113,360 to Leelanau Community Cultural Center for arts and culture; $109,000 to Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital for health-related work; and $91,295 to Northwestern Michigan College Foundation for education. Other large awards included $87,005 to Women’s Resource Center for the Grand Traverse Area, $82,490 to Child and Family Services of Northwestern Michigan, and $72,560 to Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy.
The foundation’s website describes Community Funds as flexible funds supporting a broad range of regional needs. For 2026, it listed $344,090 available for Community Funds grants and said requests could support programs, general operating costs, or capital needs. The website said 2026 requests addressing housing and mental health and well-being would be prioritized, while applications across a wider range of causes would be accepted. It also described prioritizing requests informed by the Community Development Regional Scorecard or addressing issues identified in it.
The foundation’s website describes a common application process for grant opportunities, with questions varying by opportunity. Grant review committees may include community members, staff, board directors, and donor partners; all grants are approved by the board before award. A final report is due within a year of an award.
A Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Fund listing describes awards of up to $2,500 for organizations led by marginalized communities, with priority for projects promoting awareness, education, and equitable access to resources. Its listed deadline of November 1, 2026 is upcoming.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Jerry Ring as chair, Laura Asiala as vice chair, John Bercini as treasurer, and Terry Beamsley as immediate past chair. It also lists Jurgen Griswold, Barbara Matthews, Royce Ragland, Laris Galejs, Phyllis Kladder, and Chris MacInnes as directors.
Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation is led by Dave Mengebier, President & Chief Executive since 2023 (on filings since 2020); 4 of 28 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Dave Mengebier
President & Chief Executive
President & Chief Executive Officer → President & Chief Executive, 2023
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$127K (2020) → $167K (2025)
Jerry Ring
Chair
Vice Chair → Chair, 2023
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Annie Devries
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Beth Dunckel
Director
Treasurer → Director, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cash Cook
Director
Director → Secretary, 2022
Secretary → Director, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rachael Birgy
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ranve Martinson
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Royce Ragland
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andi Halpin
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cari Jo Roberts
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chris Macinnes
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Laris Galejs
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Larry Nelson
Director
Secretary → Director, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Edward Lanphier
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jurgen Griswold
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lauren Clark
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Phyllis Kladder
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rick Heitmeyer
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ann Strehle
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Barbara Matthews
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Elise Loud
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Wilson
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alison Metiva
Chief Operating Officer
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$118K (2024) → $129K (2025)
Steven Wade
Vice President Community I
Vice President Community Impact → Vice President Community I, 2025
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$101K (2024) → $115K (2025)
Paul Kester
Vice President Finance & Administration
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$110K (2025)
Laura Asiala
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Terry Beamsley
Immediate Past Chair
Chair → Director, 2023
Director → Immediate Past Chair, 2025
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Bercini
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (35)
- Former: Carol Marsh (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Damian Lockhart (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Dan Phillips (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Mark Irwin (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Marshall Collins (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Megan Royle Carrella (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Suzanne Miller Allen (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Kira Davis (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: Joanne Cook (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Elise Crafts (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Amy Schindler (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Bill Smith (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Marty Colburn (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Sara Brubaker (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Dennis Pearsall (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Linda Kehr (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Matt Davis (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Troy Stobert (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Amy Jun (2021) — Director
- Former: Ann Neuenschwander (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Janet Sieting (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Joe Short (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Jon Hawley (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Marina Ascione (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Mary Peterson (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Peter Finch (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Rex O'Connor (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Rich Hannan (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Roger Perry (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Troy Terwilliger (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Amy Burk (2019) — Director
- Former: Andi Wagenschutz (2019) — Director
- Former: David Mengebier (2019) — President & Chief
- Former: Ed Arbut (2019) — Director
- Former: Peachy Rentenbach (2019) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 $167K, to Dave Mengebier (President and Chief Execut). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation
How much does Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation give each year?
Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation gave $3.2M across 116 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $3.0M across 118 grants.
What is Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation's typical grant size?
Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $13,460, and its average grant was $27,192, across 116 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation that year got $12K on average.
Where does Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation give grants?
Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation gives mostly in Michigan: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Traverse City, MI (53 grants), Frankfort, MI (9 grants), Leland, MI (6 grants) and Elk Rapids, MI (6 grants).
Does Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 116 grants with a stated purpose on Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Human Services" (23 grants), "Youth Development" (21 grants) and "Education" (18 grants).
Who are Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation's largest grantees?
Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Central Lake Public Schools ($342,944), Communities in Schools of NW Michigan ($125,749) and Leelanau Community Cultural Center ($113,360), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 18% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation?
Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation reported $120.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $9.8M.
What does Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is “to spark positive change by inspiring generosity, caring for resources, and supporting our communities, now and forever.” Its filing describes grants for community enrichment, cultural arts, environmental, youth, and educational programs. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation?
Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check gtrcf.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation's EIN?
Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-3056434. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 29, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 3, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 3, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 6, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 22, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 1, 2020)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 27, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 21, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/grand-traverse-regional-community-foundation-morg_315897fd135b4e78a1050421c6b60071
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_383056434_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/grand-traverse-regional-community-foundation-morg_315897fd135b4e78a1050421c6b60071},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-21. 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 Traverse Regional 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 Traverse Regional Community Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?