The Brandsma Family Foundation

WILMINGTON, DE EIN: 36-4137431

The Brandsma Family Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in March 1997 and based in Wilmington, Delaware. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to philanthropic giving across multiple cause areas.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

Annual Giving

$921K

+9.3% YoY

Grant Count

198

+32.9% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$5K

-17.7% YoY

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation supports a diverse range of charitable purposes including general and unrestricted grants, impact projects, charitable events, and specialized funding initiatives. Recent grant categories have included missions funds, staff bonus funds, media funds, and community engagement programs such as giving campaigns and fundraising events.

Grantmaking

The foundation made 91 grants in 2023, with a total annual giving of approximately $1,088,345. Recent notable grants include:

Grant Range

s vary, with average grants in specialized programs ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, though larger grants to major recipients exceed $90,000.

Average Grant

s in specialized programs ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, though larger grants to major recipients exceed $90,000.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation primarily funds organizations in Illinois and supports national causes. Recent grantees have been located in communities including Hinsdale, Crestwood, and Oak Brook, Illinois.

Grant Distribution by State

24states
+16 more states

Cities

ALBERT LEAAMERICUSANNANDALEATLANTAAURORAAUSTINBENTONBOONEBREACAROL STREAMCHICAGOCOLORADO SPRINGSCOUNTRYSIDECRESTWOODCRETECRYSTAL LAKEDARIENDOWNERS GROVEE SAINT LOUISELMHURST

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

As of December 2024:

  • Total Assets: $1.85 million
  • Total Revenue: $1.18 million
  • Total Expenses: $958,000
  • Net Income: $226,548
  • Total Liabilities: $0

As of December 2023:

  • Total Assets: $1.62 million
  • Total Revenue: $494,373
  • Total Expenses: $884,367
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$0.275$0.55$0.8250000000000001$1.120202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
Distributable Amount

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$365K$730K$1M$1M184 grants2020155 grants2021152 grants2022149 grants2023198 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

CHRIST CHURCH OF OAK BROOK$51KCHRIST CHURCH OF OAK BROOK$50KCHRIST CHURCH OF OAK BROOK$50KCHRIST CHURCH OF OAK BROOK$50KCHILDRENS HUNGER FUND$25KCHICAGO WEST SIDE CHRIST…$20KCHILDRENS HUNGER FUND$20KCHICAGO WEST SIDE CHRIST…$10KCHILDRENS HUNGER FUND$10KCHILDRENS HUNGER FUND$10K

Grant Size Distribution

250 grants across all recorded years

239<$50K11$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Christ Church of Oak Brook ($51,000), Christ Church of Oak Brook ($50,000), Christ Church of Oak Brook ($50,000).

RecipientPurposeAmount
ALL GODS CHILDREN LTD VILLA PARK, ILGeneral & Unrestricted$2,500
AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY WASHINGTON, DCGeneral & Unrestricted$100
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY INC CHICAGO, IL2024 Annual Fund Drive$200
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY INC CHICAGO, ILGeneral & Unrestricted$400
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY INC CHICAGO, IL2024 Annual fund$100
AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS CHICAGO, ILSpring 2024 Hinsdale Community Drive$200
AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS FAIRFAX, VAHoliday Hope for Families$500
AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS FAIRFAX, VAHurricane Relief Funds for Florida$1,000
AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS FAIRFAX, VAAssistance in Asheville North Carolina as a result of Hurricane Helene$1,000
ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION INC ATLANTA, GAAnnual fund$100

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

  • Pamela Brandsma — President and Director
  • Joshua Brandsma — Director
  • Lee Brandsma — Secretary, Treasurer, and Director
  • Ryan Brandsma — Director
  • Tessa Brandsma — Director
  • Kristen L. Hagstrom — Director

The foundation is administered through Foundation Source.

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

From 2024 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
Joshua BrandsmaDir1
Lee BrandsmaSec, Treas, Dir1
Pamela Anne BrandsmaPres, Dir1
Ryan BrandsmaDir1
Kristen L HagstromDir1
Tessa LeggettDir1

Contact Information

Address: 501 Silverside Road, Suite 123 Wilmington, Delaware 19809-1377

Phone: 800-839-1754

Administrator: Foundation Source

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Frequently Asked Questions

What does The Brandsma Family Foundation fund?

The foundation supports a diverse range of charitable purposes including general and unrestricted grants, impact projects, charitable events, and specialized funding initiatives. Recent grant categories have included missions funds, staff bonus funds, media funds, and community engagement programs such as giving campaigns and fundraising events.

How do I apply for a grant from The Brandsma Family Foundation?

The foundation made 91 grants in 2023, with a total annual giving of approximately $1,088,345. Recent notable grants include: • Timothy Christian Schools (TCS): $97,260 (General & Unrestricted) and $90,000 (TC Pledge) • Christ Church of Oak Brook: $60,000 (Lift Pledge) • Young Life: $1,000 (Youth Development/Scholarship) • Elim Christian Services: $5,000 (Adult Services Programs) Grant sizes vary, with average grants in specialized programs ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, though larger grants to…

Where does The Brandsma Family Foundation make grants?

The foundation primarily funds organizations in Illinois and supports national causes. Recent grantees have been located in communities including Hinsdale, Crestwood, and Oak Brook, Illinois.

What size grants does The Brandsma Family Foundation award?

In 2024, The Brandsma Family Foundation awarded 198 grants totaling $921K — an average of about $5K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

What is The Brandsma Family Foundation's EIN?

The Brandsma Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-4137431. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in The Brandsma Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database

Related Funders

Similar funders by location and focus area

Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.

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