Greater Grand Rapids Chamber Foundation
The Greater Grand Rapids Chamber Foundation is a public charity based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, that works with the Grand Rapids Chamber to support a vibrant West Michigan business community through business-led research, development, and programs. The organization was formed in 1972.
Greater Grand Rapids Chamber Foundation at a glance
In short: Greater Grand Rapids Chamber Foundation reported $47K in grants paid in 2025 (a total; its filing lists no individual grants). Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Grants paid (2025)
- $46,819 — reported as a total on the IRS filing, without an itemized list
- +29.0% vs 2024
- Total assets
- $2,053,748
- -24.0% vs 2024
- Revenue (2025)
- $1,577,855
- +132.2% vs 2024
- Expenses (2025)
- $1,598,914
- +69.7% vs 2024
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Greater Grand Rapids Chamber Foundation
- Contact
Mailing address: 250 Monroe Ave, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: (616) 771-0300
Website: https://grandrapids.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Greater Grand Rapids Chamber Foundation funds
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation describes its work in the greater Grand Rapids area and West Michigan. Its Housing Next partnership focuses on Kent and Ottawa Counties. The 2020 Rapid Response Economic Relief Fund served eligible small businesses in Kent County.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $36K (2024) to $318K (2020). In 2025 it reported $47K in grants paid, as a total without an itemized list.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The Foundation maintains an endowment held by the Grand Rapids Community Foundation. Under its agreement, it may spend 5% of the investments’ average fair market value over 16 rolling quarters, but it has no right to the principal.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2,053,748 | $1,577,855 | $1,598,914 | $46,819 | Total only | — |
| 2024 | $2,702,247 | $679,438 | $942,307 | $36,293 | Total only | $25,836 |
| 2023 | $3,558,754 | $810,097 | $516,750 | — | — | $25,918 |
| 2022 | $4,503,098 | $2,626,007 | $2,089,561 | — | — | $13 |
| 2021 | $5,001,649 | $926,615 | $1,052,949 | — | — | $7 |
| 2020 | $4,969,936 | $1,650,942 | $1,758,259 | $318,000 | 39 | $24 |
| 2019 | $6,788,731 | $237,990 | $219,561 | — | — | $50 |
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s stated mission is to provide programming and funding that encourages free enterprise, enhances quality of life in the greater Grand Rapids area, or otherwise serves a charitable, scientific, literary, or educational purpose.
Its programs include the Community Collaboration Initiative, which has supported work on public safety and local community issues; Minority Business Development and Leadership, including the Center for Economic Inclusion; and Housing Next, which works to increase affordable housing supply in Kent and Ottawa Counties through research, data-based solutions, tools, technical assistance, and community engagement. The Center for Economic Inclusion provides diverse business certifications and renewals and focuses on helping diversely owned small businesses thrive. The Foundation also funded 17 scholarships for community and organizational leaders; these are scholarships for participants, not grants for outside applicants.
The Foundation’s 2020 Rapid Response Economic Relief Fund offered short-term emergency relief to small businesses affected by COVID-19 closures. The Chamber-led initiative provided grants to eligible Kent County businesses and paired recipients with financial and business counseling.
Grantmaking
The Foundation’s 2025 filing describes funding for its programs, including the Center for Economic Inclusion, scholarships, housing work, and community initiatives. Its 2024, 2023, and 2022 filings each report zero grants. The available information does not specify a typical grant size or an application process for outside organizations.
In 2020, the Rapid Response Economic Relief Fund had distributed 48 grants totaling $455,000 as of April 29. The fund offered grants of up to $10,000 to small businesses in Kent County with five to 25 full-time employees.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Nelson Sanchez as Chair; Jeff Lumpp as Treasurer; and Dan Meyering, Kim McLaughlin, Jennifer Crowley, Brad Thomas, Michael Nelson, Alisha Cieslak, Michael Davenport, and Mike Verhulst as Directors.
Greater Grand Rapids Chamber Foundation is led by Rick Baker, CEO since 2024 (on filings since 2019); none of the 14 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Rick Baker
CEO
Director → CEO, 2024
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nelson Sachez
Chair
Chair → Past Chair, 2021
Past Chair → Chair, 2023
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mike Verhulst
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brad Thomas
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James Byl
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Crowley
Director
Director → Vice Chair, 2022
Vice Chair → Director, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Davenport
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alisha Cieslak
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dan Meyering
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Teresa Weatherall Neal
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Leonard
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jonathan Wilson
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Hannah Naltner
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert Hughes
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (13)
- Former: Jeff Lumpp (2021–2024) — Treasurer
- Former: Kim McLaughlin (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: Megan Rydecki (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: Michael Nelson (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: Charles Lepper (2024) — Director
- Former: Jeff Connolly (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Meredith Bronk (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: William Brennan (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Beth Oshaugnessy (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Doug Young (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Joan Budden (2019–2020) — Past Chair
- Former: Johnny Brann (2019) — Director
- Former: Mary Tuuk (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.
Frequently asked questions about Greater Grand Rapids Chamber Foundation
How much does Greater Grand Rapids Chamber Foundation give each year?
Greater Grand Rapids Chamber Foundation reported $47K in grants paid in 2025 on its 2025 IRS Form 990, as a total without an itemized list of grants. In 2024 it reported $36K in grants paid.
How large is Greater Grand Rapids Chamber Foundation?
Greater Grand Rapids Chamber Foundation reported $2.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.6M.
What does Greater Grand Rapids Chamber Foundation fund?
The Foundation’s stated mission is to provide programming and funding that encourages free enterprise, enhances quality of life in the greater Grand Rapids area, or otherwise serves a charitable, scientific, literary, or educational purpose. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Greater Grand Rapids Chamber Foundation?
Greater Grand Rapids Chamber Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check grandrapids.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
Where does Greater Grand Rapids Chamber Foundation make grants?
The Foundation describes its work in the greater Grand Rapids area and West Michigan. Its Housing Next partnership focuses on Kent and Ottawa Counties. The 2020 Rapid Response Economic Relief Fund served eligible small businesses in Kent County.
What is Greater Grand Rapids Chamber Foundation's EIN?
Greater Grand Rapids Chamber Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7221790. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS August 9, 2021)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS June 4, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 15, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 9, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Figures come from Greater Grand Rapids Chamber 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.
Greater Grand Rapids Chamber Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?