Steelcase Foundation
The Steelcase Foundation is a private foundation based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It partners with organizations across Kent County to strengthen public education and help families thrive, with an emphasis on community-led, lasting change.
Steelcase Foundation at a glance
In short: Steelcase Foundation gave $7.2M across 98 grants in 2024 (avg $73K), mostly in Michigan. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $7,181,114
- +2.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 98
- -3.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $73,277
- +7.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $128,845,241
- +2.1% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Michigan (75% 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 Steelcase Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states on its filing that it does not accept unsolicited requests and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Its website describes quarterly applications for OP3 grants, with Board of Trustees approval. For the grant process, the filing directs applicants to the foundation’s grant-process materials.
- Review Cycle
- The grant-program information states that initial inquiries received through December 18, 2025 would be considered for the Spring 2026 cycle, with a Board decision date of April 24, 2026.
- Deadline
- The grant-program information states that initial inquiries received through December 18, 2025 would be considered for…
- Next open deadline
- December 11, 2026 (Steelcase Foundation Grant)
- Contact
Application contact: Leslie Schoen
Mailing address: PO Box 1967, Grand Rapids, MI 49501-1967
Phone: (616) 246-4695
Website: https://steelcasefoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Steelcase Foundation
Who Steelcase Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was American Online Giving Foundation Inc ($506K). Together the top 10 received $2.6M.
Grant Size Distribution
285 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 123 grants of 285 (43%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation says it partners with organizations across Kent County. In 2024, 75% of its grant dollars went to recipients in Michigan. Other leading recipient states were Delaware (7%), Alabama (5%), Texas (5%), and Illinois (3%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 98 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Steelcase Foundation gives
- 60% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 130% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $4.4M (2021, 13 months) to $7.2M (2024). In 2024 it made 98 grants totaling $7.2M.
*2021: Covers 13 months (fiscal year-end changed).
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| American Online Giving Foundation Inc Newark, DE | Program Support | $506,026 |
| Heart of West Michigan United Way Grand Rapids, MI | Program support | $450,000 |
| Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI | Program support | $250,000 |
| Grand Rapids Whitewater Grand Rapids, MI | Program Support | $250,000 |
| Yourcause LLC Plano, TX | Program support | $249,717 |
| Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital Chicago, IL | Program support | $212,901 |
| Grand Rapids Art Museum Grand Rapids, MI | Program support | $200,000 |
| Leading Educators New Orleans, LA | Program support | $200,000 |
| Grand Rapids Community Foundation Grand Rapids, MI | Program support | $155,000 |
| Grand Rapids Symphony Grand Rapids, MI | Program support | $150,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Steelcase Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $128,845,241 | $5,758,161 | $9,610,001 | $7,181,114 | 98 | $7,980,926 | $4,834,395 | $6,149,318 |
| 2023 | $126,164,413 | $2,729,687 | $9,331,414 | $6,979,413 | 102 | $7,675,516 | $4,393,468 | $5,998,624 |
| 2022 | $123,229,142 | $2,017,741 | $12,128,007 | $5,644,580 | 74 | $6,270,443 | $294,276 | $6,317,945 |
| 2021* | $143,675,426 | $10,176,582 | $6,224,905 | $4,409,539 | 6 | $93,212 | $13,988,672 | $6,472,498 |
| 2020 | $114,144,478 | $5,635,944 | $7,580,998 | $5,155,251 | 5 | — | $5,629,887 | $5,031,774 |
*2021: Covers 13 months (fiscal year-end changed).
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Steelcase Foundation reported a distributable amount of $6.1M 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 foundation states that it works to ensure all people can participate, grow, and flourish. Its grantmaking focuses on public education, the role of family well-being in students’ flourishing, and change across systems. Its stated priorities include access to quality public education and learning experiences, multigenerational support and engagement, removing barriers, and arts and cultural experiences that support young people’s learning and sense of belonging.
The foundation supports mission- and vision-aligned nonprofits, including 501(c)(3) organizations, through grants for existing work, projects, and pilot interventions. Its stated strategies include supporting community leaders and smaller early-stage nonprofits, partnering with nonprofits to meet community needs, and investing in family well-being. Its website describes an Early-Stage Operations + Planning Fund for emerging nonprofits working in Kent County.
Examples of grantees’ work illustrate the range of organizations supported. Heart of West Michigan United Way describes its mission as uniting community resources to invest in solutions that reduce poverty in West Michigan. Leading Educators says it partners with school systems to build conditions, teaching, and leadership so students furthest from opportunity succeed. The Grand Rapids Art Museum describes its mission as connecting people through art, creativity, and design. Kent School Services Network says it coordinates services for students and families through Kent County public schools so children are healthy and learning.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation awarded 98 grants totaling $7,181,114. Grant amounts ranged from $1,500 to $506,026, with a median of $50,000. The largest grants included $506,026 to American Online Giving Foundation Inc., $450,000 to Heart of West Michigan United Way, and $250,000 each to Grand Valley State University and Grand Rapids Whitewater. The listed purposes were program support.
The foundation awarded 102 grants totaling $6,979,413 in 2023 and 74 grants totaling $5,644,580 in 2022.
Its Operations, Programming, Pilots + Project (OP3) grants support existing work, special projects, and pilot interventions. Funding may be approved for one to three years, applications occur quarterly, and awards are approved by the Board of Trustees. The Rapid Response + Emerging Action Fund offers grants of up to $30,000 for one year for emerging or time-bound needs, or up to $60,000 over two years for newly developed programming; applications are reviewed in real time.
The Early-Stage Operations + Planning Fund describes multi-year awards of $150,000 over three years, along with technical support, for selected emerging 501(c)(3) organizations whose work is based in Kent County. The fund’s stated candidate characteristics include having 501(c)(3) status for at least one year but less than eight years and an operational budget under $500,000.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Kate Pew Wolters as board chair and Daniel Williams as president. Listed trustees are Robert C. Pew III, Mary Anne Hunting, Elizabeth Welch, Craig Niemann, Robert C. Pew, Brian Cloyd, and Sara Armbruster.
Steelcase Foundation is led by Daniel Williams, President on every filing since 2021; 1 of 9 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Daniel Williams
President
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$11K (2021) → $211K (2024)
Kate Pew Wolters
Board Chair
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brian Cloyd
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Craig Niemann
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Welch
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary Anne Hunting
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert C. Pew III
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert C. Pew
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sara Armbruster
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: James P. Keane (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Julie Ridenour (2020–2021) — President
- Former: Cary Pew (2020) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $211K, to Daniel Williams (President).
Frequently asked questions about Steelcase Foundation
How much does Steelcase Foundation give each year?
Steelcase Foundation gave $7.2M across 98 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $7.0M across 102 grants.
What is Steelcase Foundation's typical grant size?
Steelcase Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $50,000, and its average grant was $73,277, across 98 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Steelcase Foundation give grants?
Steelcase Foundation gives mostly in Michigan: 75% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Delaware (7%) and Alabama (5%). The most frequent recipient cities were Grand Rapids, MI (68 grants), Kentwood, MI (2 grants), Lansing, MI (2 grants) and Athens, AL (2 grants).
Does Steelcase Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 98 grants with a stated purpose on Steelcase Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program support" (98 grants).
Who are Steelcase Foundation's largest grantees?
Steelcase Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include American Online Giving Foundation Inc ($506,026), Heart of West Michigan United Way ($450,000) and Grand Valley State University ($250,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 17% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Steelcase Foundation?
Steelcase Foundation reported $128.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $8.0M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $6.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Steelcase Foundation fund?
The foundation states that it works to ensure all people can participate, grow, and flourish. Its grantmaking focuses on public education, the role of family well-being in students’ flourishing, and change across systems. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Steelcase Foundation?
The foundation states on its filing that it does not accept unsolicited requests 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 Steelcase Foundation's EIN?
Steelcase Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-6050470. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Steelcase Foundation 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
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS October 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 30, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Steelcase Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Steelcase Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/steelcase-foundation-morg_9e710bb182914b708005d57101824e10
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_386050470_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Steelcase Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/steelcase-foundation-morg_9e710bb182914b708005d57101824e10},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. 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 Steelcase Foundation'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.
Steelcase Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?