Talentfirst Inc
Talentfirst convenes business leaders, leverages data and insights, and advances strategies to define the skills and credentials employers need, close workforce gaps, and strengthen West Michigan as a leader in employer-driven talent solutions.
Talentfirst Inc at a glance
In short: Talentfirst Inc gave $1.6M across 8 grants in 2025 (avg $205K), mostly in Michigan. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,641,751
- Grants made (2025)
- 8
- Average grant
- $205,219
- Median grant
- $196,082
- Total assets
- $6,704,902
- +108.7% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Michigan (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated November 2026.
Who Talentfirst Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Northern Michigan University ($383K). Together the top 8 received $1.6M.
Grant Size Distribution
8 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 4 grants of 8 (50%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
In 2025 it made 8 grants totaling $1.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Michigan University Marquette, MI | Collaborative Research Project | $383,081 |
| Glen Oaks Community College Centreville, MI | Collaborative Research Project | $345,670 |
| Wayne State University Detroit, MI | Collaborative Research Project | $260,219 |
| Muskegon Community College Muskegon, MI | Collaborative Research Project | $231,056 |
| Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MI | Collaborative Research Project | $161,107 |
| Jackson College Jackson, MI | Collaborative Research Project | $116,698 |
| Monroe County Community College Monroe, MI | Collaborative Research Project | $113,590 |
| Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI | Collaborative Research Project | $30,330 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $6,704,902 | $5,581,429 | $5,851,819 | $1,641,751 | 8 | $59,296 |
| 2024 | $3,213,420 | $3,243,455 | $3,267,266 | — | — | $139,519 |
| 2023 | $4,111,145 | $1,743,577 | $1,658,458 | — | — | $105,619 |
| 2022 | $558,634 | $1,080,715 | $1,139,055 | — | — | $1,499 |
| 2021 | $274,791 | $702,664 | $625,896 | — | — | — |
| 2020 | $190,660 | $725,811 | $837,775 | — | — | — |
About Talentfirst Inc
Based on IRS filings
Talentfirst Inc is a public charity focused on Community Improvement & Capacity Building, based in Grand Rapids, MI. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $6.7M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 8 grants totaling $1.6M. Net investment income was $59K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Talentfirst Inc is led by Kevin Stotts, President on every filing since 2020; 6 of 20 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Kevin Stotts
President
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$180K (2020) → $232K (2025)
Jeremy Hendges
Director of Mi Center for Adult College Successor
Director of Mi Center for Adult College Successor → Director of Mi Center for, 2024
Director of Mi Center for → Director of Mi Center for Adult College Successor, 2025
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$120K (2023) → $165K (2025)
Gabe Genovese
Director of Operations
New on the 2025 filing
30 hrs/week
$43K (2025)
Michelle Burke
Director of Postsecondary Programs
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$106K (2025)
Robert Demonbrun
Research Director
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$118K (2025)
John Kennedy
Director
Co-Chair → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bill Pink
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rick Keyes
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amy Kraal
Director
Co-Chair → Director, 2025
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brian Kraus
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Wilson
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Davenport
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tracie Morris
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Victor Sturgis
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mike Alcala
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kate Mayhew
Finance Manager
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$35K (2025)
Ginny Seyferth
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark White
Co-Chair
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Matt Biersack
Co-Chair
Director → Co-Chair, 2023
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jay Preston
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2023
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (14)
- Former: Franco Bianchi (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Matt Demonbrun (2024) — Research Director
- Former: Fred Keller (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Jim Teets (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Leslie Brown (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Rhonda Huisman (2020–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Sean Welsh (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Dale Nesbary (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Candace Matthews (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Blake Krueger (2022) — Director
- Former: Krista Flynn (2022) — Director
- Former: Blake Kreuger (2020) — Director
- Former: Bruce Los (2020) — Director
- Former: Pj Thompson (2020) — Treasurer
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 $232K, to Kevin Stotts (President). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Talentfirst Inc
How much does Talentfirst Inc give each year?
Talentfirst Inc gave $1.6M across 8 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990.
What is Talentfirst Inc's typical grant size?
Talentfirst Inc's median grant in 2025 was $196,082, and its average grant was $205,219, across 8 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Talentfirst Inc give grants?
Talentfirst Inc gives mostly in Michigan: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there.
Does Talentfirst Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 8 grants with a stated purpose on Talentfirst Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Collaborative Research Project" (8 grants).
Who are Talentfirst Inc's largest grantees?
Talentfirst Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Northern Michigan University ($383,081), Glen Oaks Community College ($345,670) and Wayne State University ($260,219), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 60% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Talentfirst Inc?
Talentfirst Inc reported $6.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $5.6M.
What is Talentfirst Inc?
Talentfirst Inc is a public charity focused on Community Improvement & Capacity Building, based in Grand Rapids, MI. It holds $6.7M in total assets as of 2025.
What is Talentfirst Inc's EIN?
Talentfirst Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-0193853. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated November 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS September 2, 2026)
Live grants for the work Talentfirst Inc funds
Community Improvement & Capacity Building Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Talentfirst Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Talentfirst Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?