Local First Educational Foundation
We lead the development of an economy grounded in local ownership that meets the basic needs of people, builds local wealth and social capital, functions in harmony with our ecosystem, and encourages joyful community.
Local First Educational Foundation at a glance
In short: Local First Educational Foundation gave $23K across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $23K), mostly in Michigan. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $23,120
- -63.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $23,120
- -63.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $23,120
- Total assets
- $39,731
- -74.0% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Michigan (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Local First Educational Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Local First of West Michigan ($23K).
Grant Size Distribution
3 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1 grant of 3 (33%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2025 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $8K (2020) to $248K (2023). In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $23K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Local First of West Michigan Grand Rapids, MI | To hold comprehensive community outreach, educational workshops, and work toward lessening economic disparities and create and retain local jobs and resources. | $23,120 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $39,731 | $586,163 | $699,452 | $23,120 | 1 |
| 2024 | $153,020 | $972,764 | $879,468 | $63,311 | 1 |
| 2023 | $61,474 | $506,027 | $657,928 | $247,873 | 1 |
| 2022 | $214,465 | $389,138 | $397,308 | — | — |
| 2021 | $221,915 | $224,548 | $298,028 | — | — |
| 2020 | $294,675 | $421,645 | $351,421 | $7,500 | 1 |
| 2019 | $224,189 | $528,507 | $378,132 | — | — |
About Local First Educational Foundation
Based on IRS filings
Local First Educational Foundation is a public charity focused on Community Improvement & Capacity Building, based in Grand Rapids, MI. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $40K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 1 grant totaling $23K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Local First Educational Foundation is led by Tammy Karas, President on every filing since 2024; none of the 6 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Tammy Karas
President
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kyama Kitavi
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carlos Martinez
Board Member
Secretary → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kaylee Moreno Burke
Secretary
Board Member → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Samuel Sedlecky
Treasurer
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Benjamin Cochran
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (11)
- Former: Gary Glass (2019–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Jason Wheeler (2019–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Alex Page (2023) — Secretary
- Former: Christine Lindeman (2023) — Board Chair
- Former: Seth Getz (2023) — Board Member
- Former: Cj Schneider (2019–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Doris Drain (2020–2022) — Board Chair
- Former: Milinda Ysasi (2022) — Board Member
- Former: Michelle Hoexum (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Tarence Lauchie (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Mary O'Neill (2019) — Board Chair
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.
Frequently asked questions about Local First Educational Foundation
How much does Local First Educational Foundation give each year?
Local First Educational Foundation gave $23K across 1 grant in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $63K across 1 grant.
How large is Local First Educational Foundation?
Local First Educational Foundation reported $40K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $586K.
What is Local First Educational Foundation?
Local First Educational Foundation is a public charity focused on Community Improvement & Capacity Building, based in Grand Rapids, MI. It holds $40K in total assets as of 2025.
Where does Local First Educational Foundation operate?
Local First Educational Foundation has awarded grants in Michigan.
What is Local First Educational Foundation's EIN?
Local First Educational Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-4696543. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 25, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 10, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS June 4, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 3, 2026)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 18, 2020)
Live grants for the work Local First Educational Foundation funds
Community Improvement & Capacity Building Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Browse active grant opportunities in Local First Educational Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Figures come from Local First Educational 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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