Robert F Beard Charitable Foundat'n
Robert F Beard Charitable Foundat'n is a private foundation based in Ada, Michigan. Its 2025 filing reports 34 grants totaling $582,500 to charitable organizations.
Robert F Beard Charitable Foundat'n at a glance
In short: Robert F Beard Charitable Foundat'n gave $583K across 34 grants in 2025 (avg $17K), mostly in Michigan. 26% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $582,500
- -7.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 34
- -10.5% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $17,132
- +2.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $13,750
- Total assets
- $9,594,648
- +0.6% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 26% first-time grantees (9 of 34, 2025)
- 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 October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Robert F Beard Charitable Foundat'n
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 8845 Vergennes PO Box 698, Ada, MI 49301-0698
Phone: (616) 460-6617
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Robert F Beard Charitable Foundat'n funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Care House of Oakland County ($66K). Together the top 10 received $357K.
Grant Size Distribution
158 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 149 grants of 158 (94%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 71% of grant dollars went to recipients in Michigan. The remaining reported shares went to recipients in Washington, DC (9%), California (7%), Pennsylvania (6%), and Ohio (5%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 34 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Robert F Beard Charitable Foundat'n open to new grantees?
26%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 9 of 34 grantees (26%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $12K; repeat grants $19K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $16K repeat.
- 74% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+17%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 99% 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 (2020–2025). 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
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $500K (2022) to $633K (2024). In 2025 it made 34 grants totaling $583K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Care House of Oakland County Pontiac, MI | Unrestricted Gift | $66,000 |
| Hudson Schools Hudson, MI | Unrestricted Gift | $54,100 |
| Alex's Lemonade Stand Wynnewood, PA | Unrestricted Gift | $35,000 |
| Foundation for Hope Outdoor Advent Fenton, MI | Unrestricted Gift | $35,000 |
| Helen Devos Children's Hospital Grand Rapids, MI | Unrestricted Gift | $35,000 |
| Aqume Foundation Wyoming, MI | Unrestricted Gift | $30,000 |
| Buffalo Soldiers Washington, DC | Unrestricted Gift | $30,000 |
| Children's Healing Center Grand Rapids, MI | Unrestricted Gift | $25,000 |
| Safe Haven Ministries Grand Rapids, MI | Unrestricted Gift | $25,000 |
| The Trevor Project San Francisco, CA | Unrestricted Gift | $22,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Robert F Beard Charitable Foundat'n?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $9,594,648 | $869,606 | $803,299 | $582,500 | 34 | $582,500 | $312,025 | $585,960 |
| 2024 | $9,535,328 | $558,635 | $849,025 | $632,500 | 38 | $632,500 | $237,298 | $561,365 |
| 2023 | $10,395,943 | $198,519 | $742,972 | $519,000 | 29 | $519,000 | $216,053 | $532,421 |
| 2022 | $10,370,173 | $435,045 | $710,158 | $500,000 | 30 | $500,000 | $361,924 | $556,804 |
| 2021 | $10,650,148 | $1,032,994 | $775,831 | $590,000 | 27 | $590,000 | $282,558 | $631,763 |
| 2020 | $10,392,046 | $327,843 | $775,445 | $600,000 | 29 | — | $133,283 | $562,426 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Robert F Beard Charitable Foundat'n reported a distributable amount of $586K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grantees include organizations whose own missions address community development, domestic violence services, children’s health and recreation, youth prevention programs, and support for people affected by serious mental illness. For example, Safe Haven Ministries says it offers services and prevention education for people and families experiencing domestic violence; Children’s Healing Center says it provides a safe, engaging environment for children with weakened immune systems; and NAMI Geauga County says it provides support, education, and advocacy related to serious mental illness.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation made 34 grants totaling $582,500. Grants ranged from $500 to $66,000, with a median of $13,750. Its largest reported grants included $66,000 to Care House of Oakland County, $54,100 to Hudson Schools, and $35,000 each to Alex’s Lemonade Stand, Foundation for Hope Outdoor Advent, and Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. Each was listed as an unrestricted gift.
Other 2025 grants included $30,000 to AQUME Foundation, $30,000 to Buffalo Soldiers, $25,000 each to Children’s Healing Center and Safe Haven Ministries, and $22,000 to The Trevor Project. AQUME Foundation describes its work as honoring Black intelligence and innovation through investment in community leaders and efforts to foster unity, economic growth, and thriving communities. Camp Casey Corporation, which received $15,000, says it provides recreational and accessible horseback riding experiences for children and families affected by serious illnesses.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists James R Clark as president; John Beard as treasurer; Garret Clark as vice president; Emily Chirco as secretary; and Brian Clark, Susan Clark, Lauren Ryan, and Michael Beard as directors.
Robert F Beard Charitable Foundat'n is led by James R. Clark, President since 2022 (on filings since 2020); all 8 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
James R. Clark
President
President & Director → President, 2022
On filings since 2020
$12K (2020) → $18K (2025)
Brian Clark
Director
Board Membr → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
$13K (2020) → $18K (2025)
Lauren Ryan
Director
Board Membr → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
$12K (2020) → $18K (2025)
Michael Beard
Director
Board Membr → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
$12K (2020) → $18K (2025)
Susan Clark
Director
Board Membr → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
$12K (2020) → $18K (2025)
Garret Clark
Vice President
Vice President & Director → Vice President, 2022
On filings since 2020
$12K (2020) → $18K (2025)
John Beard
Treasurer
Treasurer & Director → Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2020
$12K (2020) → $18K (2025)
Emily Chirco
Secretary
On filings since 2024
$6K (2024) → $18K (2025)
Former officers (2)
- Former: Melissa Chirco (2020–2024) — Secretary
- Former: Peter Chirco (2024) — Secretary
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $18K, to James R Clark (President). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Robert F Beard Charitable Foundat'n
How much does Robert F Beard Charitable Foundat'n give each year?
Robert F Beard Charitable Foundat'n gave $583K across 34 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $633K across 38 grants.
What is Robert F Beard Charitable Foundat'n's typical grant size?
Robert F Beard Charitable Foundat'n's median grant in 2025 was $13,750, and its average grant was $17,132, across 34 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Robert F Beard Charitable Foundat'n that year got $12K on average.
Where does Robert F Beard Charitable Foundat'n give grants?
Robert F Beard Charitable Foundat'n gives mostly in Michigan: 71% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were District of Columbia (9%) and California (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Grand Rapids, MI (8 grants), Ada, MI (3 grants), Washington, DC (2 grants) and Detroit, MI (2 grants).
Does Robert F Beard Charitable Foundat'n give general operating support?
Yes: 97% of Robert F Beard Charitable Foundat'n's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (33 of 34) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Robert F Beard Charitable Foundat'n's largest grantees?
Robert F Beard Charitable Foundat'n's largest 2025 grantees include Care House of Oakland County ($66,000), Hudson Schools ($54,100) and Alex's Lemonade Stand ($35,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 27% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Robert F Beard Charitable Foundat'n?
Robert F Beard Charitable Foundat'n reported $9.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $583K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $586K (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 Robert F Beard Charitable Foundat'n fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grantees include organizations whose own missions address community development, domestic violence services, children’s health and recreation, youth prevention programs, and support for people affected by serious mental illness. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Robert F Beard Charitable Foundat'n?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Robert F Beard Charitable Foundat'n's EIN?
Robert F Beard Charitable Foundat'n's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-3168934. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Robert F Beard Charitable Foundat'n 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
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS July 30, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS July 18, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 28, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 16, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 12, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Robert F Beard Charitable Foundat'n funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 4, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/robert-f-beard-charitable-foundat-n-morg_2630c20715e6477c998d297ac3933308
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_383168934_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Robert F Beard Charitable Foundat'n funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/robert-f-beard-charitable-foundat-n-morg_2630c20715e6477c998d297ac3933308},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-04. 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 Robert F Beard Charitable Foundat'n'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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