Robert and Caren Vondell Foundation
Robert and Caren Vondell Foundation is a private foundation, based in Troy, MI. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $11K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 2 grants totaling $4K.
Robert and Caren Vondell Foundation at a glance
In short: Robert and Caren Vondell Foundation gave $4K across 2 grants in 2025 (avg $2K), mostly in Michigan. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $3,500
- +40.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 2
- +100.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $1,750
- -30.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $1,750
- Total assets
- $11,122
- -29.7% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Michigan (71% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Robert and Caren Vondell Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Detroit Symphony Orchestra ($3K). Together the top 2 received $4K.
Grant Size Distribution
10 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 10 grants of 10 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 2 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Robert and Caren Vondell Foundation gives
- Giving fell 42% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 476% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $3K (2024) to $18K (2023). In 2025 it made 2 grants totaling $4K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit Symphony Orchestra Detroit, MI | Annual Support | $2,500 |
| World Wildlife Fund Washington, DC | Support | $1,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $11,122 | $4,700 | $3,500 | 2 | $3,500 | $735 |
| 2024 | $15,822 | $3,720 | $2,500 | 1 | $2,500 | $920 |
| 2023 | $19,542 | $18,819 | $17,619 | 3 | $17,619 | $1,717 |
| 2022 | $38,361 | $7,220 | $6,000 | 3 | $6,000 | $2,187 |
| 2021 | $45,581 | $6,040 | $5,000 | 1 | $5,000 | $2,492 |
| 2020 | $51,621 | $9,540 | $8,500 | 4 | — | $2,974 |
| 2019 | $61,161 | $7,570 | $6,500 | 1 | — | $3,059 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Robert and Caren Vondell Foundation reported a distributable amount of $735 for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Robert and Caren Vondell Foundation is led by Caren Vondell, President, Member & Trustee on every filing since 2019; none of the 5 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Caren Vondell
President, Member & Trustee
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Judith Frankel
Treasurer & Trustee
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Stanley Frankel
Secretary & Trustee
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Arthur Weiss
Assistant Secretary
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Robert Vondell
Vice President & Member
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
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 Robert and Caren Vondell Foundation
How much does Robert and Caren Vondell Foundation give each year?
Robert and Caren Vondell Foundation gave $4K across 2 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $3K across 1 grant.
How large is Robert and Caren Vondell Foundation?
Robert and Caren Vondell Foundation reported $11K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $4K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $735 (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
Where does Robert and Caren Vondell Foundation operate?
Robert and Caren Vondell Foundation has awarded grants in District of Columbia, Michigan.
What is Robert and Caren Vondell Foundation's EIN?
Robert and Caren Vondell Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-5055891. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS August 25, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS July 2, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 3, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 23, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 9, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 22, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
Live grants for the work Robert and Caren Vondell Foundation funds
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