PENNIES FROM HEAVEN FOUNDATION is a public charity based in Muskegon, Michigan. Formed in 2012, it is a supporting organization of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, committed to furthering that organization’s philanthropic activities.
Key facts about Pennies from Heaven Foundation
In short: Pennies from Heaven Foundation gave $729K across 12 grants in 2025 (avg $61K), mostly in Michigan. 42% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 46-1452896
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $728,522
- Grants made (2025)
- 12
- Average grant
- $60,710
- Median grant
- $40,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 42% first-time grantees (5 of 12, 2025)
- Total assets
- $23,813,826
- Primary geography
- Michigan (73% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$23.8M
+7.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$729K
+0.4% YoY
Grant Count
12
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$61K
+0.4% YoY
Is Pennies from Heaven Foundation open to new grantees?
42%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 5 of 12 grantees (42%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $80K; repeat grants $47K. How we count
Medians: $19K first-time, $50K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to further the philanthropic activities of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County.
Its 2025 grants included general operating support, facility expenses and renovations, match grants, educational programs, and early-literacy efforts. Among the recipients, United Way of the West Shore describes its mission as raising funds to assist other nonprofit agencies. Oaktree Academy says it administers funds for educational purposes and operates a daycare center in Ludington. Muskegon Christian School describes its mission as equipping minds and hearts to love, learn, and lead for Christ. Single MOMM says it supports single mothers and their children toward healthy independence through social support. Armory Youth Project describes its mission as providing a safe environment for young people’s educational, emotional, physical, and Christian spiritual development.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation gave 12 grants totaling $728,522. Grant amounts ranged from $6,000 to $200,000, with a median grant of $40,000.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 73% of grant dollars went to recipients in Michigan and 27% to recipients in California. The filing lists grants to organizations in both states.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $501K (2023) to $944K (2022). In 2025 it made 12 grants totaling $729K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Evolution One ($200K). Together the top 10 received $714K.
Grant Size Distribution
57 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 29 grants of 57 (51%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Evolution One San Rafael, CA | General Operating Support | $200,000 |
| United Way of the West Shore Ludington, MI | Facility Expenses | $165,022 |
| Oaktree Academy Ludington, MI | Facility Renovations | $130,000 |
| Help Ministry Ludington, MI | Match Grant | $50,000 |
| Muskegon Christian School Muskegon, MI | Match Grant | $50,000 |
| Single Momm Traverse, MI | General Operating Support | $50,000 |
| Blue Hat Ministries Ludington, MI | Match Grant | $30,000 |
| West Shore Educational Service District Ludington, MI | 3p academy for summer 2026; support first robotics facility in ludington | $18,500 |
| Armory Youth Project Manistee, MI | Match Grant | $10,000 |
| Cove Ludington, MI | Match Grant | $10,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $23,813,826 | $5,162,057 | $1,075,394 | $728,522 |
| 2024 | $22,162,065 | $690,877 | $1,020,077 | $725,652 |
| 2023 | $21,463,251 | $563,290 | $856,813 | $501,457 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $23,813,826 | $22,162,065 | $21,463,251 |
| Revenue | $5,162,057 | $690,877 | $563,290 |
| Expenses | $1,075,394 | $1,020,077 | $856,813 |
| Net Investment Income | $5,005,056 | $553,866 | $459,068 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 8, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 28, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 19, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 11, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 19, 2026)
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists John Wilson as chairperson, Anita Wilson as vice chairperson, Janelle Mair as secretary/treasurer, Brandy Miller and Tara Autrey as directors, and Monica Jewell as executive director.
Pennies from Heaven Foundation is led by Monica Jewell, Executive Director on every filing since 2023; none of the 6 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Monica Jewell
Executive Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Wilson
Chairperson
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brandy Miller
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tara Autrey
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Anita Wilson
Vice Chairperson
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Janelle Mair
Secretary & Treasurer
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: Bob Chapla (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Heidi Systema (2020–2024) — Secretary & Treasurer
- Former: Kathy Maclean (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Sue Henry (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Monica Schuyler (2020–2022) — Executive Director
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.
Contact
Mailing address: 425 W Western Ave 200, Muskegon, MI 49440
Phone: (231) 722-4538
Website: https://muskegonfoundation.org
Frequently asked questions about Pennies from Heaven Foundation
How much does Pennies from Heaven Foundation give each year?
Pennies from Heaven Foundation gave $729K across 12 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $726K across 12 grants.
What is Pennies from Heaven Foundation's typical grant size?
Pennies from Heaven Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $40,000, and its average grant was $60,710, across 12 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Pennies from Heaven Foundation that year got $80K on average.
Where does Pennies from Heaven Foundation give grants?
Pennies from Heaven Foundation gives mostly in Michigan: 73% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was California (27%). The most frequent recipient cities were Ludington, MI (7 grants).
Does Pennies from Heaven Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 25% of Pennies from Heaven Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (3 of 12) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Match Grant" (5 grants).
Who are Pennies from Heaven Foundation's largest grantees?
Pennies from Heaven Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Evolution One ($200,000), United Way of the West Shore ($165,022) and Oaktree Academy ($130,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 68% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Pennies from Heaven Foundation?
Pennies from Heaven Foundation reported $23.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $5.2M.
What does Pennies from Heaven Foundation fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to further the philanthropic activities of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Pennies from Heaven Foundation?
Pennies from Heaven Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check muskegonfoundation.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Pennies from Heaven Foundation's EIN?
Pennies from Heaven Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-1452896. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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