Jim Gilmore Jr Foundation
The Jim Gilmore Jr Foundation is a private foundation based in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It supports public and charitable causes primarily in the Kalamazoo community, with particular emphasis on improving downtown Kalamazoo.
Jim Gilmore Jr Foundation at a glance
In short: Jim Gilmore Jr Foundation gave $499K across 51 grants in 2024 (avg $10K), mostly in Michigan. 35% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $499,068
- +34.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 51
- +18.6% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $9,786
- +13.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $16,244,807
- -0.1% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 35% first-time grantees (18 of 51, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Michigan (91% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Jim Gilmore Jr Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s website says unsolicited applications generally will not be reviewed or acknowledged. When an application is solicited or invited, the requested materials include a signed cover letter, project narrative, budget and funding plan, tax-exemption letter, board list, key staff bios or resumes, operating budget and current financial statements, and relevant marketing materials or supporting documentation. Requests must be for public or charitable causes primarily within Kalamazoo, with particular emphasis on downtown improvement; applications may seek capital or special-project funding. The 2024 filing lists Chris Shook as the contact and says there are no deadlines.
- Contact
Application contact: Chris Shook
Mailing address: 162 East Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49007
Phone: (269) 381-3490
Email: cshook@jgfdn.org
Website: https://www.jgfdn.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Jim Gilmore Jr Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Ascension Borgess Foundation ($53K). Together the top 10 received $279K.
Grant Size Distribution
255 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 247 grants of 255 (97%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s stated focus is public and charitable causes primarily within the Kalamazoo, Michigan, community, with particular emphasis on downtown Kalamazoo. In 2024, 91% of grant dollars went to recipients in Michigan; the remaining shares went to recipients in Washington, D.C. (3%), New York (2%), Colorado (1%), and Illinois (1%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 51 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Jim Gilmore Jr Foundation open to new grantees?
35%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 18 of 51 grantees (35%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $7K; repeat grants $11K. How we count
Medians: $4K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 45% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+0%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 111% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $371K (2023) to $690K (2022). In 2024 it made 51 grants totaling $499K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Ascension Borgess Foundation Kalamazoo, MI | Tree of Love/Emergency Dept | $53,000 |
| Bronson Health Foundation Kalamazoo, MI | Emergency/Urgent Care Support | $51,000 |
| Kalamazoo Nonprofit Advocacy Coalition Kalamazoo, MI | Capital | $30,000 |
| Community Healing Center Kalamazoo, MI | Operations | $29,239 |
| Kalamazoo College Kalamazoo, MI | Hvac Upgrades | $25,000 |
| Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo Kalamazoo, MI | ASL Programming | $20,000 |
| Gryphon Place Kalamazoo, MI | Capital | $20,000 |
| Special Days Camps Ann Arbor, MI | Operations | $18,000 |
| Farmers Alley Theatre Kalamazoo, MI | Operations | $17,000 |
| Catholic Schools of GRTR Kalamazoo Kalamazoo, MI | Operations | $16,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Jim Gilmore Jr 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $16,244,807 | $2,568,039 | $2,942,847 | $499,068 | 51 | $801,017 | $233,047 | $723,223 |
| 2023 | $16,262,032 | $2,384,534 | $2,716,462 | $371,373 | 43 | $653,885 | $320,954 | $675,105 |
| 2022 | $15,816,553 | $2,298,378 | $2,972,755 | $690,153 | 50 | $949,633 | $273,687 | $680,986 |
| 2021 | $17,804,762 | $3,303,911 | $2,671,263 | $500,290 | 56 | $766,930 | $714,293 | $662,942 |
| 2020 | $16,781,721 | $2,735,046 | $2,581,242 | $505,337 | 55 | — | $512,275 | $668,051 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Jim Gilmore Jr Foundation reported a distributable amount of $723K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated purpose is to support charitable causes, especially those that contribute to the improvement of downtown Kalamazoo. It considers capital needs and special projects. Its guidelines say it will support public entities and organizations exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Its 2024 grantees illustrate a range of supported organizations. Bronson Health Foundation describes its role as connecting philanthropic support with Bronson’s healthcare mission. The Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo says it supports, promotes, and funds arts in Kalamazoo County; Farmers Alley Theatre says it produces professional educational theatre. Kalamazoo College describes its mission as preparing graduates for an increasingly complex world. Gryphon Place says it helps people navigate conflict and crisis and supports healing.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 51 grants totaling $499,068. Grant amounts ranged from $100 to $53,000, with a median of $5,000.
Among the largest awards were $53,000 to Ascension Borgess Foundation for “Tree of Love/Emergency Dept,” $51,000 to Bronson Health Foundation for emergency/urgent care support, $30,000 to Kalamazoo Nonprofit Advocacy Coalition for capital, and $29,239 to Community Healing Center for operations. Other awards included $25,000 to Kalamazoo College for HVAC upgrades, $20,000 each to the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo for ASL programming and Gryphon Place for capital, and $18,000 to Special Days Camps for operations.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Christopher Shook as president; Mariette Lemieux as chair; Case Hoogendoorn as secretary/treasurer; and George Lennon, James S. Gilmore III, and Bethany Gilmore as directors or trustees.
Jim Gilmore Jr Foundation is led by Christopher Shook, President on every filing since 2020; 2 of 6 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Christopher Shook
President
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$195K (2020) → $223K (2024)
Mariette Lemieux
Chair
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
George Lennon
Director
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
$12K (2020) → $6K (2024)
Bethany Gilmore
Trustee & Director
Director → Trustee & Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James S. Gilmore III
Trustee & Director
Director → Trustee & Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Case Hoogendoorn
Secretary & Treasurer
Secretary → Secretary & Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Elizabeth Gilmore Bystrycki (2021–2023) — Trustee & Director
- Former: Ruth Gilmore Langs (2021–2023) — Vice Chair
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $223K, to Christopher Shook (President). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Jim Gilmore Jr Foundation
How much does Jim Gilmore Jr Foundation give each year?
Jim Gilmore Jr Foundation gave $499K across 51 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $371K across 43 grants.
What is Jim Gilmore Jr Foundation's typical grant size?
Jim Gilmore Jr Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $5,000, and its average grant was $9,786, across 51 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Jim Gilmore Jr Foundation that year got $7K on average.
Where does Jim Gilmore Jr Foundation give grants?
Jim Gilmore Jr Foundation gives mostly in Michigan: 91% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Kalamazoo, MI (27 grants), Ithaca, NY (4 grants), Ann Arbor, MI (3 grants) and Portage, MI (2 grants).
Does Jim Gilmore Jr Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 2% of Jim Gilmore Jr Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 51) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Operations" (27 grants) and "Memorial" (3 grants).
Who are Jim Gilmore Jr Foundation's largest grantees?
Jim Gilmore Jr Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Ascension Borgess Foundation ($53,000), Bronson Health Foundation ($51,000) and Kalamazoo Nonprofit Advocacy Coalition ($30,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 27% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Jim Gilmore Jr Foundation?
Jim Gilmore Jr Foundation reported $16.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $801K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $723K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Jim Gilmore Jr Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated purpose is to support charitable causes, especially those that contribute to the improvement of downtown Kalamazoo. It considers capital needs and special projects. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Jim Gilmore Jr Foundation?
The foundation’s website says unsolicited applications generally will not be reviewed or acknowledged. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Jim Gilmore Jr Foundation's EIN?
Jim Gilmore Jr Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3584018. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Jim Gilmore Jr Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/jim-gilmore-jr-foundation-morg_d5657becba994b20a450552de886845f
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_363584018_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Jim Gilmore Jr Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/jim-gilmore-jr-foundation-morg_d5657becba994b20a450552de886845f},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-18. 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 Jim Gilmore Jr 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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