John a & Marlene L Boll Foundation
The John A. and Marlene L. Boll Foundation is a private family foundation established in the early 1980s by John A. and Marlene L. Boll. Based in St. Clair Shores, Michigan, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization and functions as a private grantmaking foundation. The foundation was created as an expression of stewardship, with the founders seeking to provide charitable assistance to deserving organizations that align with their values and vision for community impact.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$504K
-5.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$253K
-0.5% YoY
Grant Count
47
+11.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$5K
-11.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, John a & Marlene L Boll Foundation reported a distributable amount of $26K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission centers on strengthening and enriching communities through support of organizations that share the Bolls' values. Primary funding interests include:
- Educational scholarships to institutions with curriculum based, in part, on Judeo-Christian traditions
- Arts and cultural programming
- Support for seniors to enable healthy, independent lives
- Support for children and families
- Health services
- Unrestricted organizational support for qualified nonprofits
The foundation emphasizes organizations that demonstrate vision and skills in reaching out to others through ministry or organizational efforts.
Grantmaking
The foundation made 64 grants in 2024, with recent examples including:
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily focuses on communities where the Bolls have lived and maintained business interests, with particular emphasis on Michigan-based organizations. Recent grants indicate support for both local and national organizations.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
2024 Financial Summary:
- Total Revenue: $408,240
- Total Expenses: $439,854
- Total Assets: $504,421
- Total Liabilities: $0
- Number of Employees: 1
Tax Status:
- EIN: 38-2708121
- Tax-exempt since February 1987
- Established in Michigan in 1986
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $504,421 | $536,035 | $512,567 |
| Revenue | $408,240 | $463,598 | $515,838 |
| Expenses | $439,854 | $440,130 | $374,724 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $427,147 | $428,364 | $363,676 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,823 | $411 | $14,414 |
| Distributable Amount | $26,070 | $23,226 | $19,981 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
233 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from John a & Marlene L Boll Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Project Dance Foundation ($25,000), Baptist Health ($20,000), The Helm Center at the Boll Life Center ($20,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BAPTIST HEALTH CORAL GABLES, FL | TO SUPPORT BAPTIST HOSPITAL OF MIAMI - HELIPAD | $20,000 |
| CAPUCHIN SOUP KITCHEN DETROIT, MI | TO PROVIDE MEALS AND SERVICES TO THOSE IN NEED | $2,000 |
| CBMC METRO DETROIT BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI | TO REACH MEN IN THE MARKET PLACE WITH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST | $1,000 |
| CHRIS ANTHONY YOUTH INITIATIVE PROJECT DENVER, CO | TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE THROUGH INTRODUCING YOUTH TO EDUCATIONAL ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES | $1,000 |
| CHRISTIAN LIGHTHOUSE CHURCH MT CLEMENS, MI | TO REACH THE COMMUNITY WITH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST | $5,000 |
| COVENANT PRESBYTERIAN CHAPEL VAIL, CO | TO SUPPORT & ENRICH THE SPIRTUAL LIFE OF THE COMMUNITY | $5,000 |
| DETROIT INSTITUTE OF ARTS DETROIT, MI | UNRESTRICTED FOR ORGANIZATIONAL PURPOSES | $2,000 |
| DETROIT SYMPHHONY ORCHESTRA DETROIT, MI | TO SUSTAIN ARTS & CULTURAL PROGRAMING | $2,000 |
| EDSEL & ELEANOR FORD HOUSE GROSSE POINTE SHORES, MI | UNRESTRICTED FOR ORGANIZATIONAL PURPOSES | $200 |
| EVERGLADES FOUNDATION PALMETTO BAY, FL | TO PROTECT AMERICAS EVERGLADES | $1,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Founders:
- John A. Boll – Described as a rugged construction worker comfortable both on a bulldozer and in a boardroom, with significant business acumen and astute boardmanship
- Marlene L. Boll – A graceful and elegant dancer by profession, schooled in and appreciative of culture and the arts
The foundation reflects the contrasting strengths of its founders: John's pragmatic and honest business practices combined with Marlene's appreciation for culture, beauty, and grace. Together, they have created a legacy emphasizing hard work, concern for the poor and children, faith in a Creator God, and commitment to improving quality of life in their communities.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARLENE L BOLL | VICE PRESIDENT & DIRECTOR | 5 | — |
| KRISTINE B MESTDAGH | PRESIDENT & DIRECTOR | 35 | $150,000 |
| JAMES T MESTDAGH | DIRECTOR | 5 | — |
| JAMES T MESTDAGH JR | SECRETARY, TREASURER & DIRECTOR | 5 | $15,000 |
| JOHN A BOLL | DIRECTOR | 5 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation continues active grantmaking with quarterly board meetings to review proposals. In 2024, the foundation distributed grants across multiple focus areas including arts and culture, senior services, and community development. The foundation remains committed to its founding vision of supporting organizations that share the Bolls' values and demonstrate capacity to make meaningful community impact.
John A & Marlene L Boll Foundation - Full Filing - Nonprofit ExplorerSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does John a & Marlene L Boll Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission centers on strengthening and enriching communities through support of organizations that share the Bolls' values. Primary funding interests include: • **Educational scholarships** to institutions with curriculum based, in part, on Judeo-Christian traditions • **Arts and cultural programming** • **Support for seniors** to enable healthy, independent lives • **Support for children and families** • **Health services** • **Unrestricted organizational support** for qualified…
How do I apply for a grant from John a & Marlene L Boll Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** The foundation made 64 grants in 2024, with recent examples including: • Project Dance: $25,000 (to positively impact culture through artistic integrity) • The Helm at the Boll Life Center: $20,000 (to support healthy independent lives for seniors) • Ocean Reef Community Foundation: $15,000 (to support charitable efforts throughout Ocean Reef and surrounding area) **Application Process:** Grant proposals may be submitted at any time from qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organi…
Where does John a & Marlene L Boll Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily focuses on communities where the Bolls have lived and maintained business interests, with particular emphasis on Michigan-based organizations. Recent grants indicate support for both local and national organizations.
What size grants does John a & Marlene L Boll Foundation award?
In 2024, John a & Marlene L Boll Foundation awarded 47 grants totaling $253K — an average of about $5K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is John a & Marlene L Boll Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, John a & Marlene L Boll Foundation reported a distributable amount of $26K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is John a & Marlene L Boll Foundation's EIN?
John a & Marlene L Boll Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-2708121. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in John a & Marlene L Boll Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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