The Refugee Education Center
See Schedule OProvide resources and guidance to refugee children and their families as they gain the necessary skills for seamless and successful integration into the community through cradle to career support, including early childhood services, K-12 programming, community navigation, and cultural competency training for schools.
The Refugee Education Center at a glance
- Total assets
- $2,781,007
- +72.6% vs 2024
- Revenue (2025)
- $3,041,373
- +9.5% vs 2024
- Net investment income (2025)
- $21,085
- +54.9% vs 2024
- Expenses (2025)
- $2,516,843
- +22.3% vs 2024
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated November 2026.
Who The Refugee Education Center funds
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
In 2020 it made 1 grant totaling $22K.
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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 | $2,781,007 | $3,041,373 | $2,516,843 | — | — | $21,085 |
| 2024 | $1,611,262 | $2,778,352 | $2,057,132 | — | — | $13,610 |
| 2023 | $886,503 | $1,455,639 | $1,943,610 | — | — | $11,437 |
| 2022 | $1,407,144 | $1,648,288 | $2,022,526 | — | — | $1,542 |
| 2021 | $1,768,268 | $1,907,383 | $2,155,206 | — | — | $419 |
| 2020 | $2,138,448 | $2,603,690 | $1,668,499 | $22,224 | 1 | $836 |
About The Refugee Education Center
Based on IRS filings
The Refugee Education Center is a public charity focused on Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy, based in Grand Rapids, MI. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $2.8M in total assets. Net investment income was $21K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Refugee Education Center is led by Margaret Derrer, Chief Executive Officer since 2025 (on filings since 2022); 2 of 11 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Margaret Derrer
Chief Executive Officer
Executive Di → Executive Director, 2024
Executive Director → Chief Executive Officer, 2025
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$23K (2022) → $124K (2025)
Rebecca Chabot
President
Secretary → Chair, 2024
Chair → President, 2025
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Blerta Bushati
Director
President → Chair, 2022
Chair → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rima Shah
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kara Van Dam
Director
On filings since 2024
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brandy Lovelady Mitchell
Director
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Cooper
Director
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Erin VanMaanen
Chief Operating Officer
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$80K (2024) → $79K (2025)
Daniel Brubaker
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nichole Northern
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Paula Schuiteman-Bishop
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (9)
- Former: Kathryn VanOveren (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Paula Bishop-Schuiteman (2022–2024) — Vice Chair
- Former: Esaw Kurban (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Misgana Kurban (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Trudy Ender (2020–2022) — Executive Executive
- Former: John Harrington (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Swithina Mboko (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Lynn Schmoll (2020) — Director
- Former: Susan Kragt (2020) — Executive Director
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 $124K, to Margaret Derrer (Chief Executive Officer). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Refugee Education Center
How large is The Refugee Education Center?
The Refugee Education Center reported $2.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.0M.
What is The Refugee Education Center?
The Refugee Education Center is a public charity focused on Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy, based in Grand Rapids, MI. It holds $2.8M in total assets as of 2025.
Where does The Refugee Education Center operate?
The Refugee Education Center has awarded grants in Michigan.
What is The Refugee Education Center's EIN?
The Refugee Education Center's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 06-1770896. 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
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS September 14, 2026)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS September 2, 2021)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Refugee Education Center funds
Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Uprooting Racism Training (URFS) $75 - $150 per individual; $60 - $150 per person for groups (10-30 people, $1,800 - $4,500 suggested group honorarium) · Due November 12, 2026
- Grace Scholars, Mount Mary University 85% of tuition + residential grant for on-campus living · Due November 15, 2026
- Stanley Stone Me'oravut Hevratit (Social Involvement) Award $5,000 · Due November 24, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Refugee Education Center's focus areas in our free grants database
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