Jack and Lija Romence Family Foundation
The Jack and Lija Romence Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Its 2025 filing reports contributions to preselected charitable organizations, including children’s hospitals, human-services organizations, and an educational institution.
Jack and Lija Romence Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Jack and Lija Romence Family Foundation gave $257K across 32 grants in 2025 (avg $8K), mostly in Michigan. 28% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $256,500
- +119.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 32
- -3.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $8,016
- +126.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $1,000
- Total assets
- $2,013,640
- +4.6% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 28% first-time grantees (9 of 32, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Michigan (88% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Jack and Lija Romence Family Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 2654 Shadowbrook Se, Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Phone: (616) 949-8304
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Jack and Lija Romence Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Cure International Children's Hospitals ($50K). Together the top 10 received $234K.
Grant Size Distribution
172 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 171 grants of 172 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 88% of grant dollars went to recipients in Michigan, 8% to Tennessee, 2% to Georgia, and 1% each to New York and Missouri.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 32 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Jack and Lija Romence Family Foundation open to new grantees?
28%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 9 of 32 grantees (28%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $19K; repeat grants $4K. How we count
Medians: $20K first-time, $1K repeat.
- 56% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 238% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 156% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). 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 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $37K (2020) to $257K (2025). In 2025 it made 32 grants totaling $257K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Cure International Children's Hospitals Grand Rapids, MI | Charitable | $50,000 |
| Helen Devos Children's Hospital Grand Rapids, MI | Charitable | $45,000 |
| Potters House Grand Rapids, MI | Charitable | $40,000 |
| Da Blodgett St Johns Home Grand Rapids, MI | Charitable | $20,000 |
| Court Appointed Special Advocates Grand Rapids, MI | Charitable | $20,000 |
| St Jude Children's Research Hospital Memphis, TN | Charitable | $20,000 |
| Van Andel Institute Grand Rapids, MI | Charitable | $20,000 |
| Grand Valley University Allendale, MI | Educational | $10,000 |
| Unity Spiritual Community Church Grand Rapids, MI | Charitable | $5,000 |
| Map International Brunswick, GA | Charitable | $4,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Jack and Lija Romence Family Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2,013,640 | $1,088,553 | $261,025 | $256,500 | 32 | $256,982 | $417,295 | $164,999 |
| 2024 | $1,925,956 | $460,641 | $118,389 | $117,040 | 33 | $117,040 | $70,008 | $109,164 |
| 2023 | $1,583,704 | $433,230 | $83,523 | $81,920 | 31 | $81,920 | $32,666 | $87,332 |
| 2022 | $1,258,651 | $589,909 | $77,349 | $75,860 | 36 | $75,860 | $31,912 | $70,061 |
| 2021 | $1,010,819 | $392,189 | $71,730 | $70,430 | 40 | $70,430 | $33,599 | $55,631 |
| 2020 | $678,537 | $136,881 | $38,322 | $37,150 | 31 | — | $20,014 | $39,278 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Jack and Lija Romence Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $165K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its grants show support for charitable and educational organizations. Among the grantees, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital describes its mission as advancing cures and prevention for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Court Appointed Special Advocates says it provides trained volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children in family court. Mel Trotter Ministries describes its work as rescue and restoration for people experiencing hunger and homelessness. Grand Valley University received a grant designated for educational purposes.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 32 grants totaling $256,500. Grant amounts ranged from $100 to $50,000, with a median of $1,000.
The largest reported grants included $50,000 to Cure International Children’s Hospitals, $45,000 to Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, $40,000 to Potter’s House, and $20,000 each to Da Blodgett St Johns Home, Court Appointed Special Advocates, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and Van Andel Institute. Grand Valley University received $10,000 for educational purposes.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Jack L Romence and Kristina A Romence as directors.
Jack and Lija Romence Family Foundation's 2025 filing lists 2 officers; 1 of 2 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Kristina A. Romence
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$3K (2025)
Jack L. Romence
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Lija K. Romence (2020–2024) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 $3K, to Kristina a Romence (Director).
Frequently asked questions about Jack and Lija Romence Family Foundation
How much does Jack and Lija Romence Family Foundation give each year?
Jack and Lija Romence Family Foundation gave $257K across 32 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $117K across 33 grants.
What is Jack and Lija Romence Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Jack and Lija Romence Family Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $1,000, and its average grant was $8,016, across 32 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Jack and Lija Romence Family Foundation that year got $19K on average.
Where does Jack and Lija Romence Family Foundation give grants?
Jack and Lija Romence Family Foundation gives mostly in Michigan: 88% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Tennessee (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Grand Rapids, MI (16 grants) and Lincoln, NE (2 grants).
Does Jack and Lija Romence Family Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 32 grants with a stated purpose on Jack and Lija Romence Family Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charitable" (31 grants).
Who are Jack and Lija Romence Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Jack and Lija Romence Family Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Cure International Children's Hospitals ($50,000), Helen Devos Children's Hospital ($45,000) and Potters House ($40,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 53% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Jack and Lija Romence Family Foundation?
Jack and Lija Romence Family Foundation reported $2.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $257K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $165K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Jack and Lija Romence Family Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its grants show support for charitable and educational organizations. Among the grantees, St. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Jack and Lija Romence Family Foundation?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Jack and Lija Romence Family Foundation's EIN?
Jack and Lija Romence Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-3147551. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Jack and Lija Romence Family Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 14, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 2, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS September 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 10, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 8, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Jack and Lija Romence Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/jack-and-lija-romence-family-foundation-morg_d066ef5089b64af39f3aa3c90c187a26
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_383147551_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Jack and Lija Romence Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/jack-and-lija-romence-family-foundation-morg_d066ef5089b64af39f3aa3c90c187a26},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-19. 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 Jack and Lija Romence Family 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.
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