The John and Phyllis Groot Foundation
The John and Phyllis Groot Foundation is a private foundation based in Wilmington, Delaware. Its 2024 grants supported charitable organizations, including Christian schools and organizations providing humanitarian aid.
The John and Phyllis Groot Foundation at a glance
In short: The John and Phyllis Groot Foundation gave $341K across 43 grants in 2024 (avg $8K), mostly in Illinois. 20% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $341,256
- +31.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 43
- -2.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $7,936
- +34.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $1,700
- New grantees (estimate)
- 20% first-time grantees (7 of 35, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (70% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The John and Phyllis Groot Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Contact
Mailing address: Foundation Source 501 Silverside Rd, Wilmington, DE 19809-1377
Phone: (800) 839-1754
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The John and Phyllis Groot Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Daystar Education Association ($179K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $289K.
Organizations only. It also paid 2 individual scholarships ($4,500), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
210 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 209 grants of 210 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 70% of grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois and 22% to recipients in Michigan. North Carolina received 4%, California 2%, and Indiana 1%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 43 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The John and Phyllis Groot Foundation open to new grantees?
20%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 7 of 35 grantees (20%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $2K; repeat grants $12K. How we count
Medians: $1K first-time, $3K repeat.
- 71% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 37% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 $250K (2020) to $341K (2024). In 2024 it made 43 grants totaling $341K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Daystar Education Association Chicago, IL | General & Unrestricted | $150,000 |
| Daystar Education Association Chicago, IL | Scholarship Fund and General & Unrestricted | $28,500 |
| Chicago West Side Christian School Association Chicago, IL | General & Unrestricted | $20,000 |
| Self Help Alternative Living Opportunities of Mich Kalamazoo, MI | General & Unrestricted | $15,000 |
| Lawndale Christian Reformed Church Chicago, IL | General & Unrestricted | $14,500 |
| Kalamazoo Christian School Association Kalamazoo, MI | General & Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| Muskegon Christian School Muskegon, MI | General & Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| Western Michigan Christian High School Norton Shores, MI | General & Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| Kalamazoo Gospel Mission Kalamazoo, MI | General & Unrestricted | $8,500 |
| Samaritans Purse Boone, NC | General & Unrestricted | $7,628 |
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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 | — | $84,522 | $366,532 | $341,256 | 43 | $361,936 | $80,146 | $11,800 |
| 2023 | $282,010 | $74,650 | $279,299 | $260,000 | 44 | $269,056 | $64,569 | $22,433 |
| 2022 | $486,659 | $25,939 | $284,108 | $260,000 | 42 | $270,533 | $13,209 | $37,223 |
| 2021 | $744,828 | $135,923 | $274,674 | $250,000 | 39 | $259,865 | $118,631 | $50,288 |
| 2020 | $883,579 | $85,290 | $279,487 | $250,000 | 42 | — | $63,430 | $55,086 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The John and Phyllis Groot Foundation reported a distributable amount of $12K 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
No mission statement for the Foundation is available. Its 2024 grants included support for education and humanitarian organizations. For example, Daystar Education Association says its mission is to provide Christian education to Chicagoland children from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. Samaritan’s Purse describes itself as a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to people in need around the world. World Renew describes its work as joining communities to renew hope, reconcile lives, and restore creation through programs including disaster response, community health, and food security.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the Foundation made 43 grants totaling $341,256. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $150,000, with a median of $1,700. Its largest grant was $150,000 to Daystar Education Association, followed by a second grant of $28,500 to the same organization. Other notable grants included $20,000 to an individual recipient Side Christian School Association, $15,000 to Self Help Alternative Living Opportunities of Michigan, and $14,500 to Lawndale Christian Reformed Church.
The Foundation stated that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing listed Pamela Anne Brandsma as director and president; Larry A Groot as director; Robin J Ipema as trustee; and Gayle Ellen Vryhof as director and secretary.
The John and Phyllis Groot Foundation is led by Pamela Anne Brandsma, Director & President on every filing since 2020; none of the 4 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Pamela Anne Brandsma
Director & President
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gayle Ellen Vryhof
Director & Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Larry A Groot
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Robin J Ipema
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
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.
Frequently asked questions about The John and Phyllis Groot Foundation
How much does The John and Phyllis Groot Foundation give each year?
The John and Phyllis Groot Foundation gave $341K across 43 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $260K across 44 grants.
What is The John and Phyllis Groot Foundation's typical grant size?
The John and Phyllis Groot Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $1,700, and its average grant was $7,936, across 43 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The John and Phyllis Groot Foundation that year got $2K on average.
Where does The John and Phyllis Groot Foundation give grants?
The John and Phyllis Groot Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 70% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Michigan (22%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (7 grants), Muskegon, MI (4 grants), Grand Rapids, MI (4 grants) and Kalamazoo, MI (3 grants).
Does The John and Phyllis Groot Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 58% of The John and Phyllis Groot Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (25 of 43) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The John and Phyllis Groot Foundation's largest grantees?
The John and Phyllis Groot Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Daystar Education Association ($178,500 across 2 grants), Chicago West Side Christian School Association ($20,000) and Self Help Alternative Living Opportunities of Mich ($15,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 2 individual scholarships ($4,500), which are not listed by name. Together they received 63% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
What does The John and Phyllis Groot Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the Foundation is available. Its 2024 grants included support for education and humanitarian organizations. For example, Daystar Education Association says its mission is to provide Christian education to Chicagoland children from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The John and Phyllis Groot Foundation?
The John and Phyllis Groot Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals, according to Grantable's research on its published guidelines.
How much is The John and Phyllis Groot Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The John and Phyllis Groot Foundation reported a distributable amount of $12K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The John and Phyllis Groot Foundation's EIN?
The John and Phyllis Groot Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3924778. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The John and Phyllis Groot Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 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 November 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 31, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 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
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The John and Phyllis Groot Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-john-and-phyllis-groot-foundation-morg_a5285696568f41f38f656edec82a78bd
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_363924778_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The John and Phyllis Groot Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-john-and-phyllis-groot-foundation-morg_a5285696568f41f38f656edec82a78bd},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. 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 The John and Phyllis Groot 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.
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