Hillsdale College
Hillsdale College is a public charity based in Hillsdale, Michigan. Founded in 1844, it is an independent, nonsectarian Christian liberal arts college that says it does not accept federal or state taxpayer funding. Its reported 2025 filing lists 21 grants totaling $258,656.
Hillsdale College at a glance
In short: Hillsdale College gave $259K across 21 grants in 2025 (avg $12K), top state Michigan. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $258,656
- -78.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 21
- -43.2% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $12,317
- -62.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $7,156
- Total assets
- $2,265,227,618
- +10.7% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Michigan (32% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Hillsdale College
- Contact
Mailing address: 33 E College Street, Hillsdale, MI 49242
Phone: (517) 437-7341
Website: https://hillsdale.edu
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Hillsdale College funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Heights School ($35K). Together the top 10 received $168K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($40,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
74 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 55 grants of 74 (74%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 grant dollars were distributed among recipients in multiple states. The largest reported shares went to Michigan (32%), Indiana (17%), Maryland (14%), Ohio (13%), and North Carolina (12%). These figures describe the locations of 2025 grant recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 21 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Hillsdale College gives
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (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 $42K (2020) to $1.2M (2024). In 2025 it made 21 grants totaling $259K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1 grant to individuals Recipients not named | — | $40,000 |
| Heights School Potomac, MD | Support Grant | $35,000 |
| First Baptist Church of Laingsburg Laingsburg, MI | DAF Grant | $28,000 |
| Samaritans Purse Boone, NC | DAF Grant | $25,000 |
| Citizens for Traditional Values Foundation Lansing, MI | DAF Grant | $20,000 |
| Bancroft Congregational Church Bancroft, MI | DAF Grant | $17,300 |
| Conservative Partnership Institute Washington, DC | DAF Grant | $10,000 |
| Jersey Baptist Church New Albany, OH | DAF Grant | $10,000 |
| Life in Christ Church Owosso, MI | DAF Grant | $7,700 |
| Cincinnati Classical Academy Cincinnati, OH | Excellence in Teaching Award | $7,500 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2,265,227,618 | $423,688,130 | $292,735,155 | $258,656 | 21 | $38,223,877 |
| 2024 | $2,045,865,706 | $394,153,037 | $270,721,431 | $1,216,147 | 37 | $40,261,198 |
| 2023 | $1,871,625,743 | $320,784,822 | $248,527,191 | $629,628 | 7 | $-7,386,506 |
| 2022 | $1,719,356,126 | $366,213,645 | $214,265,709 | $868,779 | 7 | $29,582,672 |
| 2021 | $1,709,684,271 | $367,996,683 | $191,767,397 | $347,000 | 2 | $51,244,542 |
| 2020 | $1,230,310,896 | $287,422,849 | $172,808,580 | $42,000 | 2 | $38,170,593 |
| 2019 | $1,163,398,369 | $210,643,421 | $166,228,751 | $325,400 | 2 | $23,739,786 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Hillsdale’s mission statement describes an education grounded in civil and religious liberty, liberal learning, and moral and social instruction. The college says it seeks to prepare students to become leaders, preserve its intellectual heritage through faculty scholarship, and publicly defend that heritage.
The 2025 grants include support for schools and educational organizations, churches, and other nonprofit organizations. Among the grantees, an individual recipient Classical School describes its mission as providing a rigorous classical education in the liberal arts and sciences, with instruction in moral character and civic virtue. The Heights describes itself as a preparatory school for boys that supports their intellectual, moral, physical, and spiritual education. Samaritan’s Purse describes its work as providing spiritual and physical aid to people affected by war, poverty, disasters, disease, and famine. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not Hillsdale’s.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, Hillsdale reported 21 grants totaling $258,656. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $40,000, with a median of $7,156. Listed purposes include excellence in teaching awards, support grants, Templeton grants, and donor-advised-fund grants.
The largest listed grants were $40,000 to an individual recipient Classical School in Indiana for an excellence in teaching award; $35,000 to The Heights in Maryland for a support grant; $28,000 to First Baptist Church of Laingsburg in Michigan; and $25,000 to Samaritan’s Purse in North Carolina, both recorded as donor-advised-fund grants. Other listed recipients include Citizens for Traditional Values Foundation ($20,000), Bancroft Congregational Church ($17,300), Conservative Partnership Institute ($10,000), Jersey Baptist Church ($10,000), Life in Christ Church ($7,700), Cincinnati Classical Academy ($7,500), the University of Pittsburgh ($7,156), and Building TwentyOne ($5,500).
Hillsdale’s website describes application processes for financial aid and scholarships for its own students. Those programs are not described as grant application opportunities for outside organizations.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Larry P. Arnn as president and Patrick L. Sajak as chairman of the board. Stephen A. Van Andel is listed as vice chairman. Listed trustees include William J. Brodbeck, Alice H. Hanley, Bruce C. Sanborn, Brian S. Wesbury, Chris Chocola, Christopher F. Bachelder, and Cleves R. Delp.
Hillsdale College is led by Larry P. Arnn, President on every filing since 2019; 12 of 48 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Larry P. Arnn
President
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$990K (2019) → $1.2M (2025)
Patrick L. Sajak
Chairman of the Board
On filings since 2019
4.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bruce C. Sanborn
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Charles S. McIntyre III
Trustee -
Trustee → Trustee -, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chris Chocola
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christopher F. Bachelder
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cleves R. Delp
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Daniel S. Peters
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David A. Durell
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gregory C. Schuler
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey H. Coors
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark L. Johnson
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nena C. Moss
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Richard E. Hunter
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ronald C. Nolan
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ronald D. Robson
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
S. Gunnar Klarr
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Thomas N. Jordan Jr.
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tobias W. Buck
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Wayne R. Nelson
Trustee -
Trustee → Trustee -, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
William J. Brodbeck
Trustee & Chairman Emeritus
Chairman Emeritus → Trustee & Chairman Emeritus, 2020
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
William L. Fraim
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alice H. Hanley
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kurt D. Grindstaff
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
R. Mark Hamlin Jr.
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Donna R. Ecton
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jessica A. Faubert
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
William A. Nolan III
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David R. Hough
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James J. Meeks
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nersi H. Nazari
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Thomas C. Shafer
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brian S. Wesbury
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Julie R. Teel
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kyriakos Tsakopoulos
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rebekah A. Mercer
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David M. Whalen
Associate Vice President for Curriculum
Provost → Assistant Vice President for Curriculum, 2020
Assistant Vice President for Curriculum → Associate Vice President for Curriculum, 2024
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$224K (2019) → $269K (2025)
John Cervini
Executive Vice President for Inst. Advancement
Vice President for Inst. Advancement → Executive Vice President for Inst. Advancement, 2025
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$469K (2019) → $551K (2025)
Matthew Spalding
Vice President for Dc Ops & Dean of Vasog
Dn of Educ Programs Kirby Center → Vice President for Dc Ops & Dean, 2023
Vice President for Dc Ops & Dean → Vice President for Dc Ops & Dean of Vasog, 2024
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$258K (2019) → $334K (2025)
Patrick H. Flannery
Vice President for Finance & Treasurer-
Vice President for Finance & Treasurer → Vice President for Finance & Treasurer-, 2025
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$158K (2019) → $250K (2025)
Richard P. Pewe
Vice President of Administrator Affairs & Secretary
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$210K (2019) → $300K (2025)
Robert Norton
Vice President & General Counsel
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$249K (2019) → $390K (2025)
Christopher Van Orman
Provost
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$226K (2020) → $326K (2025)
Doug Banbury
Vice President for Admissions & Bus Development
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$216K (2020) → $342K (2025)
Matt Schlientz
Associate Vice President of Programs
Director of Parennt Relations & President Club → Assistant Vice President of Programs, 2023
Assistant Vice President of Programs → Associate Vice President of Programs, 2024
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$222K (2022) → $270K (2025)
Bill Gray
Vice President for Inst. Advancement
Vice President of Marketing → Vice President for Inst. Advancement, 2025
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$276K (2023) → $341K (2025)
Diane Philipp
Vice President for Student Affairs
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$264K (2025)
Stephen A. Van Andel
Vice Chairman of the Board
On filings since 2019
4.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (17)
- Former: Judy Duke (2023–2024) — Consultant for Major Gifts
- Former: Fred M. Butler (2019–2023) — Trustee -
- Former: Kay A. Orr (2019–2023) — Trustee -
- Former: Ronald E. Trzcinski (2019–2023) — Trustee -
- Former: Mary Ewers (2021–2023) — Senior Development Officer
- Former: Stephen S. Higley (2019–2021) — Trustee -
- Former: Thomas T. Rogers (2019–2021) — Trustee -
- Former: David L. Belew (2019–2020) — Trustee -
- Former: J. Eric Plym (2019–2020) — Trustee -
- Former: Jackson T. Stephens Jr. (2019–2020) — Trustee -
- Former: Jean Schiavone (2019–2020) — Trustee -
- Former: Matthew Schlientz (2019–2020) — Vice President for Marketing
- Former: Stephen M. Barney (2019–2020) — Trustee -
- Former: Thomas A. Duke Jr. (2019–2020) — Trustee -
- Former: William S. Atherton (2019–2020) — Trustee -
- Former: Douglas Jeffrey (2019) — Vice President for External Affairs
- Former: Robert Blackstock (2019) — Professor of Law
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 $1.2M, to Larry P Arnn (President). 12 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Hillsdale College
How much does Hillsdale College give each year?
Hillsdale College gave $259K across 21 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $1.2M across 37 grants.
What is Hillsdale College's typical grant size?
Hillsdale College's median grant in 2025 was $7,156, and its average grant was $12,317, across 21 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Hillsdale College give grants?
Hillsdale College's top state is Michigan, with 32% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Indiana (17%) and Maryland (14%).
Does Hillsdale College give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 21 grants with a stated purpose on Hillsdale College's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "DAF Grant" (17 grants).
Who are Hillsdale College's largest grantees?
Hillsdale College's largest 2025 grantees include Heights School ($35,000), First Baptist Church of Laingsburg ($28,000) and Samaritans Purse ($25,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($40,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 34% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Hillsdale College?
Hillsdale College reported $2.3B in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $423.7M.
What does Hillsdale College fund?
Hillsdale’s mission statement describes an education grounded in civil and religious liberty, liberal learning, and moral and social instruction. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Hillsdale College?
Hillsdale College has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check hillsdale.edu for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Hillsdale College's EIN?
Hillsdale College's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-1374230. 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 May 14, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 13, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 12, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 9, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 18, 2020)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Hillsdale College funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/hillsdale-college-morg_d12b583698904dcf82a93b834b7ee582
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_381374230_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Hillsdale College funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/hillsdale-college-morg_d12b583698904dcf82a93b834b7ee582},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 Hillsdale College'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.
Hillsdale College down — hundreds of funders to go?