John E Fetzer Institute Inc
John E Fetzer Institute Inc is a private foundation based in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Its mission is to help build the spiritual foundation for a loving world, and its work supports collaborations applying spiritual perspectives to social challenges and shared flourishing.
John E Fetzer Institute Inc at a glance
In short: John E Fetzer Institute Inc gave $12.4M across 248 grants in 2025 (avg $50K), top state New York. 30% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $12,365,138
- +17.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 248
- -20.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $49,859
- +47.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $1,000
- Total assets
- $829,605,467
- +6.5% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 30% first-time grantees (65 of 218, 2025)
- Primary geography
- New York (33% 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 John E Fetzer Institute Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The Institute does not accept unsolicited requests. It states that contributions go only to preselected charitable organizations and that it has no public application process.
- Contact
Mailing address: 9292 West Kl Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI 49009-5316
Phone: (269) 375-2000
Website: https://fetzer.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who John E Fetzer Institute Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was World Conference of Religions for Peace ($2.5M across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $7.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
1,578 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1,277 grants of 1,578 (81%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, the largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state went to New York (33%), Georgia (20%), the District of Columbia (10%), California (10%), and Illinois (8%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 248 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is John E Fetzer Institute Inc open to new grantees?
30%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 65 of 218 grantees (30%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $79K; repeat grants $47K. How we count
Medians: $1K first-time, $2K repeat.
- 56% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving fell 42% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 98% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 $8.3M (2021) to $21.4M (2022). In 2025 it made 248 grants totaling $12.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| World Conference of Religions for Peace New York, NY | To promote shared flourishing within religions for peace's global network | $2,350,000 |
| PVBLIC Foundation Atlanta, GA | General operating support for the coalition for faith & media | $2,000,000 |
| On Being Project Minneapolis, MN | General Operating Support | $500,000 |
| Inner-City Muslim Action Network Chicago, IL | General Operating Support | $500,000 |
| 2164 Inc New York, NY | General Operating Support | $300,000 |
| Inner Visions Institute for Spiritual Development International Clinton, MD | General Operating Support | $300,000 |
| New Disabled South Inc Atlanta, GA | General Operating Support | $250,000 |
| Union Theological Seminary New York, NY | General Operating Support | $250,000 |
| Inter-Religious Foundation for Community Organization Inc New York, NY | General Operating Support | $245,000 |
| BVM Capacity Building Institute Atlanta, GA | General Operating Support | $200,000 |
Ready to take the next step with John E Fetzer Institute Inc?
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 | $829,605,467 | $66,056,992 | $42,404,194 | $12,365,138 | 248 | $35,895,957 | $74,941,971 | $36,798,807 |
| 2024 | $778,712,012 | $46,818,953 | $34,059,155 | $10,494,015 | 310 | $35,526,699 | $53,243,723 | $35,221,448 |
| 2023 | $737,848,783 | $11,720,889 | $33,818,237 | $17,159,700 | 338 | $39,240,182 | — | $34,692,802 |
| 2022 | $713,343,604 | $26,097,700 | $45,394,736 | $21,352,252 | 348 | $46,814,039 | $76,315,797 | $38,371,906 |
| 2021 | $817,338,424 | $156,370,461 | $35,942,590 | $8,325,979 | 334 | — | $38,765,407 | $33,163,086 |
| 2020 | $566,056,454 | $15,333,021 | $25,124,699 | $9,836,201 | 336 | — | $11,174,518 | $27,368,421 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, John E Fetzer Institute Inc reported a distributable amount of $36.8M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Institute’s stated purpose is to awaken into and serve Spirit for the transformation of self and society. Its vision is that centering the Sacred can contribute to shared flourishing, with spiritual ways of understanding the world considered alongside scientific ways of knowing.
The Institute describes work through collaboratives focused on public life, spiritual innovation, the environment, science and the Sacred, world religions, organizational culture, a shared sacred worldview, and culture and media. Its 2024 filing also describes work on faith and spirituality in social issues and public life, faith and philanthropy, and fair and accurate portrayals of faith and spirituality in news and entertainment.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of work. Religions for Peace describes its mission as advancing common action among the world’s religious communities for peace and shared well-being. The Inner-City Muslim Action Network says it fosters health, wellness, and healing through social change, arts, and a holistic health center. New Disabled South says it works to improve the lives of disabled people and build disability justice and rights movements in the South. The On Being Project describes itself as a media and social healing organization pursuing deep thinking, moral imagination, and social creativity.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the Institute reported 248 grants totaling $12,365,138. Grant amounts ranged from $52 to $2,350,000, with a median of $1,000. The largest listed awards included $2,350,000 to World Conference of Religions for Peace to promote shared flourishing within its global network and $2,000,000 to PVBLIC Foundation for general operating support for the Coalition for Faith & Media. Other notable grants included $500,000 each to the On Being Project and Inner-City Muslim Action Network, and $300,000 each to 2164 Inc and Inner Visions Institute for Spiritual Development International.
The Institute’s 2024 filing describes support for organizations and convenings across faith and spirituality, faith and philanthropy, and faith and media. Its website says it does not fund individual projects, programs, or organizations outside of ongoing collaborations; membership in its collaboratives is by invitation only.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Robert A. Boisture as president and CEO and trustee; Jonathan A. Lever as executive vice president and COO; Daniel J. Cardinali as chairperson of the board; and Bradley S. Miller as treasurer and director of finance. Listed trustees also include Jennifer Bailey Helderman, Carolyn T. Brown, Lynne Twist, and Anna Sun.
John E Fetzer Institute Inc is led by Robert A. Boisture, President, CEO & Trustee on every filing since 2020; all 8 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Robert A. Boisture
President, CEO & Trustee
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$559K (2020) → $678K (2025)
Daniel J. Cardinali
Chairperson of Board
Trustee → Chairperson of Board, 2024
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
$79K (2020) → $272K (2025)
Bradley S. Miller
Treasurer & Director of Finance
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$186K (2020) → $269K (2025)
Carolyn T. Brown
Trustee
Chairperson of Board → Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2020
8 hrs/week
$220K (2020) → $98K (2025)
Lynne Twist
Trustee
On filings since 2020
8 hrs/week
$79K (2020) → $98K (2025)
Jennifer Bailey Helderman
Trustee
On filings since 2022
8 hrs/week
$89K (2022) → $98K (2025)
Anna Sun
Trustee
On filings since 2023
8 hrs/week
$8K (2023) → $98K (2025)
Jonathan A. Lever
Executive Vice President & COO
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$389K (2020) → $475K (2025)
Former officers (5)
- Former: Bruce M. Carlson (2020–2024) — Trustee -
- Former: Robert F. Lehman (2020–2024) — Trustee -
- Former: Kathleen M. Cavanaugh (2020–2022) — Planning Officer & Corporate Secretary
- Former: Jennifer Bailey Heldman (2021) — Trustee
- Former: Timothy J. Jones (2020) — Vice President of Operations
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 $678K, to Robert a Boisture - Retired 63025 (President & CEO & Trustee). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about John E Fetzer Institute Inc
How much does John E Fetzer Institute Inc give each year?
John E Fetzer Institute Inc gave $12.4M across 248 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $10.5M across 310 grants.
What is John E Fetzer Institute Inc's typical grant size?
John E Fetzer Institute Inc's median grant in 2025 was $1,000, and its average grant was $49,859, across 248 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from John E Fetzer Institute Inc that year got $79K on average.
Where does John E Fetzer Institute Inc give grants?
John E Fetzer Institute Inc's top state is New York, with 33% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Georgia (20%) and District of Columbia (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Kalamazoo, MI (59 grants), New York, NY (19 grants), Washington, DC (19 grants) and Portage, MI (12 grants).
Does John E Fetzer Institute Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 90% of John E Fetzer Institute Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (223 of 248) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Matching Grant" (4 grants).
Who are John E Fetzer Institute Inc's largest grantees?
John E Fetzer Institute Inc's largest 2025 grantees include World Conference of Religions for Peace ($2,550,000 across 2 grants), PVBLIC Foundation ($2,000,000) and On Being Project ($500,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 41% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is John E Fetzer Institute Inc?
John E Fetzer Institute Inc reported $829.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $35.9M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $36.8M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does John E Fetzer Institute Inc fund?
The Institute’s stated purpose is to awaken into and serve Spirit for the transformation of self and society. Its vision is that centering the Sacred can contribute to shared flourishing, with spiritual ways of understanding the world considered alongside scientific ways of knowing. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from John E Fetzer Institute Inc?
The Institute does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is John E Fetzer Institute Inc's EIN?
John E Fetzer Institute Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-6052788. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does John E Fetzer Institute Inc 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 October 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 January 25, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS January 12, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 19, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 10, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS December 19, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). John E Fetzer Institute Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/john-e-fetzer-institute-inc-morg_c8f759a0e6e34927802b9b9a150d5322
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_386052788_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{John E Fetzer Institute Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/john-e-fetzer-institute-inc-morg_c8f759a0e6e34927802b9b9a150d5322},
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 John E Fetzer Institute Inc'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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