Merle & Sheri Dewitt Foundation
The Merle & Sheri DeWitt Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation based in Holland, Michigan. Established in 2010, it operates as a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to philanthropic giving across education, religious, and charitable causes.
Key facts about Merle & Sheri Dewitt Foundation
- EIN
- 27-0769508
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $210,080
- Grants made (2024)
- 30
- Average grant
- $7,003
- Median grant
- $1,850
- New grantees (estimate)
- 20% first-time grantees (6 of 30, 2024)
- Total assets
- $1,059,697
- Primary geography
- Michigan (54% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Who Merle & Sheri Dewitt Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Merle & Sheri Dewitt Foundation's 30 itemized 2024 grants were Michigan (54%), District of Columbia (24%) and Iowa (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were Holland, MI (8 grants), Zeeland, MI (7 grants), Grand Rapids, MI (3 grants) and Washington, DC (2 grants). 100% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
Is Merle & Sheri Dewitt Foundation open to new grantees?
20%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 6 of 30 grantees (20%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $8K; repeat grants $7K. How we count
Medians: $1K first-time, $2K repeat.
- 77% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 28% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 138% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with Merle & Sheri Dewitt Foundation
- How to evaluate Merle & Sheri Dewitt Foundation as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
- Draft an LOI to Merle & Sheri Dewitt Foundation with AI
AI grant writing that drafts from your organization’s own materials, in your voice.
- Track this opportunity in a free grant tracker
A free Google Sheets or Excel template for deadlines, award terms, and reports due.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.1M
-11.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$210K
+39.9% YoY
Grant Count
30
+7.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$7K
+30.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Merle & Sheri Dewitt Foundation reported a distributable amount of $168K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's grantmaking focuses on:
- Education and Christian education
- Religious organizations and churches
- Theological seminaries
- Christian nonprofits and ministries
- Human services and community support
- Children's advocacy
Grantmaking
All grants are characterized as unrestricted grants to general funds.
Grant Range
$2,000
Ready to take the next step with Merle & Sheri Dewitt Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds organizations across multiple states, with particular concentration in Michigan, Washington DC, Iowa, Colorado, and Illinois.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 30 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2024
- Total Assets: $1,059,697
- Total Revenue: $125,787
- Total Expenses: $259,689
- Net Income: -$133,902
- Total Liabilities: $0
Revenue Sources (2024)
- Dividends: $43,912
- Sales of Assets: $81,875
- Contributions Received: $0
- Interest Revenue: $0
Expense Allocation (2024)
- Charitable Disbursements: $231,210 (89.0% of total expenses)
- Officer Compensation: $0
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,059,697 | $1,193,935 | $940,854 |
| Revenue | $125,787 | $462,139 | $41,410 |
| Expenses | $259,689 | $208,066 | $189,235 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $231,210 | $178,603 | $175,602 |
| Net Investment Income | $104,657 | $276,885 | $26,110 |
| Distributable Amount | $167,610 | $118,425 | $108,492 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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
151 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Museum of the Bible ($40,000), Ottawa Reformed Church ($31,000), Northwestern College ($25,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| MUSEUM OF THE BIBLE Washington, DC | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND | $40,000 |
| OTTAWA REFORMED CHURCH West Olive, MI | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND | $31,000 |
| NORTHWESTERN COLLEGE Orange City, IA | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND | $25,000 |
| WESTERN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY Holland, MI | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND | $25,000 |
| AMERICAN VALUES Washington, DC | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND | $10,000 |
| FOCUS ON THE FAMILY Colorado Springs, CO | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND | $10,000 |
| MISSION INDIA Grand Rapids, MI | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND | $10,000 |
| MULTIPLICATION NETWORK Sauk Village, IL | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND | $10,000 |
| CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER Holland, MI | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND | $9,780 |
| NORTH HOLLAND CRC Holland, MI | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND | $8,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is governed by five unpaid board members serving in the following roles:
- President/Treasurer
- Secretary/Vice President
- Three Directors
No paid executives are reported.
Compensation Overview
No officer or director reported compensation in the available filings.
From 2024 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merle J Dewitt | President/Treasurer | 0.5 | — |
| Sherelyn Dewitt | Secretary/Vice President | 0.5 | — |
| Aaron J Dewitt | Director | 0.5 | — |
| Alex L Dewitt | Director | 0.5 | — |
| Alyse Whitman | Director | 0.5 | — |
Contact Information
Mailing Address PO Box 2007 Holland, MI 49422
EIN 27-0769508
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Merle & Sheri Dewitt Foundation fund?
The foundation's grantmaking focuses on: • Education and Christian education • Religious organizations and churches • Theological seminaries • Christian nonprofits and ministries • Human services and community support • Children's advocacy
How do I apply for a grant from Merle & Sheri Dewitt Foundation?
**Grant Activity (2024)** • Total grants awarded: $210,080 • Number of itemized grants: 30 • Median grant size: $2,000 • Grant range: $150–$50,000 **Recent Grant Recipients (2024)** • Museum of the Bible (Washington, DC): $40,000 • Ottawa Reformed Church (West Olive, MI): $31,000 • Northwestern College (Orange City, IA): $25,000 • Western Theological Seminary (Holland, MI): $25,000 • American Values (Washington, DC): $10,000 • Focus on the Family (Colorado Springs, CO): $10,000 • Mission India …
Where does Merle & Sheri Dewitt Foundation make grants?
The foundation funds organizations across multiple states, with particular concentration in Michigan, Washington DC, Iowa, Colorado, and Illinois.
What size grants does Merle & Sheri Dewitt Foundation award?
In 2024, Merle & Sheri Dewitt Foundation awarded 30 grants totaling $210K — an average of about $7K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Merle & Sheri Dewitt Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Merle & Sheri Dewitt Foundation reported a distributable amount of $168K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Merle & Sheri Dewitt Foundation's EIN?
Merle & Sheri Dewitt Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-0769508. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Merle & Sheri Dewitt Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Community Foundation of the
Holland, MI
Assets
$134.9M
Grants
217
Total Given
$12.6M
Edgar and Elsa Prince Foundation
Holland, MI
Assets
$551K
Grants
39
Total Given
$496K
Marvin G & Jerene L Dewitt Family
Holland, MI
Assets
—
Grants
46
Total Given
$867K
Jim and Ginger Jurries Foundation
Holland, MI
Assets
$1.4M
Grants
38
Total Given
$151K
Onequest Foundation
Holland, MI
Assets
$556K
Grants
26
Total Given
$241K
De Witt Families Conduit Foundation
Holland, MI
Assets
—
Grants
104
Total Given
$714K
Grand Haven Area Community
Grand Haven, MI
Assets
$192.9M
Grants
197
Total Given
$10.9M
Peter C & Emajean Cook Foundation
Grand Rapids, MI
Assets
$42.8M
Grants
188
Total Given
$4.3M
Douglas & Sandra Dekock Family Foun
Holland, MI
Assets
—
Grants
63
Total Given
$995K
Here to Help Foundation
Royal Oak, MI
Assets
$4.1M
Grants
3,199
Total Given
$993K
WK Kellogg Foundation
Battle Creek, MI
Assets
$454.4M
Grants
1,778
Total Given
$286.5M
Community Foundation for Southeast
Detroit, MI
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
938
Total Given
$105.1M
More Funders in Michigan
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.