Mark & Carol Muller Charitable Fund

Private foundation · Grantmaker Grand Rapids, MI EIN: 38-3443809

The Mark & Carol Muller Charitable Fund is a private foundation based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Its 2024 filing reports direct charitable activities involving a pastor spiritual retreat center and curriculum, and resourcing seminaries in the Global South.

Mark & Carol Muller Charitable Fund at a glance

In short: Mark & Carol Muller Charitable Fund gave $145K across 14 grants in 2024 (avg $10K), mostly in Michigan. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

Annual giving (2024)
$144,567
+35.1% vs 2023
Grants made (2024)
14
+40.0% vs 2023
Average grant
$10,326
-3.5% vs 2023
Median grant
$7,502
Total assets
$4,524,018
-2.0% vs 2023
Primary geography
Michigan (64% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.

How to apply to Mark & Carol Muller Charitable Fund

Accepts unsolicited proposals
No
How to Apply

The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Contact

Mailing address: 1971 E Beltline Ave Ne Ste 240, Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Phone: (616) 456-7114

Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who Mark & Carol Muller Charitable Fund funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

Scholar Leaders: $26KScholar Leaders$26KFuller Theological Seminary: $25KFuller Theological Seminary$25KCelebration Fellowship Church: $25KCelebration Fellowship Church$25KOasis International: $24KOasis International$24KGrand Rapids Christian Schools: $15KGrand Rapids Christian Schools$15KWestern Theological Seminary: $10KWestern Theological Seminary$10KHumanity for Prisoners: $10KHumanity for Prisoners$10KPillar Church: $5KPillar Church$5KFaith Fighters Church: $3KFaith Fighters Church$3KChristian Reformed Church: $1KChristian Reformed Church$1K

The largest 2024 recipient was Scholar Leaders ($26K). Together the top 10 received $144K.

Grant Size Distribution

39 grants across all recorded years

39<$50K$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 39 grants of 39 (100%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

In 2024, recipients in Michigan received 64% of grant dollars, those in California received 19%, and those in Illinois received 17%. The filing also reports 0% for Oregon and Texas.

Grant Distribution by State

7states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 14 itemized grants.

Cities

Grand RapidsHollandPasedenaGrand HavenBirminghamChicagoCincinnatiDallasLake CityPortlandTulare

How Mark & Carol Muller Charitable Fund gives

  • 50% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
  • Giving grew 268% from 2021 to 2024. Method
  • In 2024 it paid out 69% 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 (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

$0$50K$100K$150K3 grants2019 1 grant2020 5 grants2021 9 grants2022 10 grants2023 14 grants2024

From 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $3K (2020) to $145K (2024). In 2024 it made 14 grants totaling $145K.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Scholar Leaders Grand Rapids, MIAnnual Support$26,125
Fuller Theological Seminary Pasedena, CAAnnual Support$25,052
Celebration Fellowship Church Grand Rapids, MIAnnual Support$24,549
Oasis International Chicago, ILAnnual Support$24,000
Grand Rapids Christian Schools Grand Rapids, MIEducation$15,000
Western Theological Seminary Holland, MIAnnual Support$10,000
Humanity for Prisoners Grand Haven, MIAnnual Support$10,000
Pillar Church Holland, MIAnnual Support$5,004
Faith Fighters Church Tulare, CAAnnual Support$2,500
Christian Reformed Church Grand Rapids, MIAnnual Support$1,282
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Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsQualifying DistributionsNet Investment IncomeDistributable Amount
2024$4,524,018$900,465$817,614$144,56714$225,092$248,201$326,140
2023$4,614,101$856,185$748,263$107,04710$195,128$244,546$267,802
2022$4,696,080$699,045$738,419$70,1389$144,601$169,359$254,427
2021$4,886,761$1,085,586$739,711$39,2735$135,866$419,497$211,010
2020$4,766,600$674,144$706,823$2,5001—$96,898$135,196
2019$4,604,107$744,164$824,398$50,2503—$58,039$157,274

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Mark & Carol Muller Charitable Fund reported a distributable amount of $326K 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 fund’s 2024 filing lists direct charitable activities as “Pastor Spiritual Retreat Center and Curriculum” and “Resourcing Seminaries in the Global South.”

Among its grantees, Fuller Theological Seminary describes its mission as preparing students for Christian vocations through religious learning and schools of mission and theology, psychology, and marriage and family therapy. Grand Rapids Christian Schools says it prepares students to be effective servants of Christ in contemporary society. Carry The Load says it honors and celebrates the nation’s heroes by connecting Americans to their sacrifices for freedom.

Grantmaking

In 2024, the fund awarded 14 grants totaling $144,567. Grants ranged from $55 to $26,125, with a median grant of $7,502. Among the largest were $26,125 to Scholar Leaders, $25,052 to Fuller Theological Seminary, $24,549 to Celebration Fellowship Church, and $24,000 to Oasis International. Other notable grants included $15,000 to Grand Rapids Christian Schools, $10,000 each to Western Theological Seminary and Humanity for Prisoners, and $5,004 to Pillar Church.

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2024 filing lists Mark Muller as president and treasurer, Carol Muller as vice president and secretary, and Sandra Cooper as director.

Mark & Carol Muller Charitable Fund is led by Carol Muller, V. President & Secretary on every filing since 2019; 1 of 3 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Carol Muller

    V. President & Secretary

    On filings since 2019

    30 hrs/week

    $8K (2019) → $2K (2024)

  • Mark Muller

    President & Treasurer

    On filings since 2019

    2.5 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Sandra Cooper

    Director

    On filings since 2019

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "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

Carol Muller — V. Pres., Sec.: $2KCarol MullerV. Pres., Sec.$2K

The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $2K, to Carol Muller (V. Pres., Sec.).

Frequently asked questions about Mark & Carol Muller Charitable Fund

How much does Mark & Carol Muller Charitable Fund give each year?

Mark & Carol Muller Charitable Fund gave $145K across 14 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $107K across 10 grants.

What is Mark & Carol Muller Charitable Fund's typical grant size?

Mark & Carol Muller Charitable Fund's median grant in 2024 was $7,502, and its average grant was $10,326, across 14 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

Where does Mark & Carol Muller Charitable Fund give grants?

Mark & Carol Muller Charitable Fund gives mostly in Michigan: 64% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were California (19%) and Illinois (17%). The most frequent recipient cities were Grand Rapids, MI (4 grants) and Holland, MI (3 grants).

Does Mark & Carol Muller Charitable Fund give general operating support?

Not in 2024: none of the 14 grants with a stated purpose on Mark & Carol Muller Charitable Fund's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Annual Support" (13 grants).

Who are Mark & Carol Muller Charitable Fund's largest grantees?

Mark & Carol Muller Charitable Fund's largest 2024 grantees include Scholar Leaders ($26,125), Fuller Theological Seminary ($25,052) and Celebration Fellowship Church ($24,549), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 52% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How large is Mark & Carol Muller Charitable Fund?

Mark & Carol Muller Charitable Fund reported $4.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $225K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $326K (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 Mark & Carol Muller Charitable Fund fund?

The fund’s 2024 filing lists direct charitable activities as “Pastor Spiritual Retreat Center and Curriculum” and “Resourcing Seminaries in the Global South.” See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Mark & Carol Muller Charitable Fund?

The foundation states that it 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 Mark & Carol Muller Charitable Fund's EIN?

Mark & Carol Muller Charitable Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-3443809. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.

Does Mark & Carol Muller Charitable Fund 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

  1. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS August 6, 2020)
  2. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
  3. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS September 13, 2022)
  4. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS September 7, 2023)
  5. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 10, 2024)
  6. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 21, 2025)
  7. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024

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Cite this profile

Grantable. (2026). Mark & Carol Muller Charitable Fund funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/mark-and-carol-muller-charitable-fund-morg_5cbdaf0cad984482b8fbe9740eb4a69a

BibTeX
@misc{grantable_383443809_2026,
  author       = {{Grantable}},
  title        = {{Mark \& Carol Muller Charitable Fund funder profile}},
  howpublished = {GrantGraph},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://grantable.co/funders/mark-and-carol-muller-charitable-fund-morg_5cbdaf0cad984482b8fbe9740eb4a69a},
  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 Mark & Carol Muller Charitable Fund'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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