The Richard and Helen Devos Foundation
The Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation is a private foundation based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The foundation announced on May 1, 2024, that it would sunset after 54 years of work. The couple’s philanthropic support totaled $1.1 billion over their lifetimes and reached 1,044 nonprofit organizations.
The Richard and Helen Devos Foundation at a glance
In short: The Richard and Helen Devos Foundation gave $12.0M across 2 grants in 2024 (avg $6.0M), mostly in Michigan. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $12,000,000
- +247.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 2
- -60.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $6,000,000
- +769.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $6,000,000
- Total assets
- $94,700
- +9.5% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Michigan (100% 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 The Richard and Helen Devos Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 200 Monroe Avenue Nw, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: (616) 643-4700
Website: https://richdevos.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Richard and Helen Devos Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Grand Rapids Symphony Society ($6.0M). Together the top 2 received $12.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
96 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 25 grants of 96 (26%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s website highlights its commitment to Grand Rapids and the broader West Michigan community. In filing year 2024, all reported grant dollars went to recipients in Michigan.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 2 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Richard and Helen Devos Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+5%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $3.5M (2023) to $19.2M (2020). In 2024 it made 2 grants totaling $12.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Rapids Symphony Society Grand Rapids, MI | Endowment | $6,000,000 |
| Helen Devos Children's Hospital Foundation Grand Rapids, MI | Child and Family Life Endownment | $6,000,000 |
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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 | $94,700 | $12,010,588 | $12,002,362 | $12,000,000 | 2 | $12,002,182 | $7,270 | $4,128 |
| 2023 | $86,474 | $3,518,007 | $3,482,713 | $3,450,000 | 5 | $3,452,084 | $337 | $2,943 |
| 2022 | $51,880 | $5,395,238 | $5,356,634 | $5,321,800 | 18 | $5,356,634 | $417 | $6,986 |
| 2021 | $31,037 | $11,215,000 | $11,480,716 | $11,415,000 | 25 | $11,480,492 | $2,843 | $7,156 |
| 2020 | $278,331 | $14,094,305 | $19,244,192 | $19,170,000 | 46 | — | $30,728 | $19,426 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Richard and Helen Devos Foundation reported a distributable amount of $4K 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’s website describes giving rooted in Rich and Helen DeVos’s Christian faith and belief in tithing. It says their support included churches, schools, hospitals, and arts organizations, as well as efforts related to education, health care, and spreading the Gospel.
Among the grantees, the Grand Rapids Symphony Society describes its mission as sharing music that moves the human soul and providing distinctive musical experiences, with an emphasis on live orchestra music, for diverse audiences throughout West Michigan.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported two grants totaling $12 million. Both were $6 million. The grants were a $6 million endowment gift to the Grand Rapids Symphony Society and a $6 million gift to Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Foundation for a child and family life endowment.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists WakeStream Management LLC as trustee and Jason L. Zylstra as foundation manager.
The Richard and Helen Devos Foundation's 2024 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Wakestream Management LLC
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jason L. Zylstra
Foundation Manager
On filings since 2022
4 hrs/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 Richard and Helen Devos Foundation
How much does The Richard and Helen Devos Foundation give each year?
The Richard and Helen Devos Foundation gave $12.0M across 2 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $3.5M across 5 grants.
How large is The Richard and Helen Devos Foundation?
The Richard and Helen Devos Foundation reported $95K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $12.0M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $4K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Richard and Helen Devos Foundation fund?
The foundation’s website describes giving rooted in Rich and Helen DeVos’s Christian faith and belief in tithing. It says their support included churches, schools, hospitals, and arts organizations, as well as efforts related to education, health care, and spreading the Gospel. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Richard and Helen Devos Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
Where does The Richard and Helen Devos Foundation make grants?
The foundation’s website highlights its commitment to Grand Rapids and the broader West Michigan community. In filing year 2024, all reported grant dollars went to recipients in Michigan.
What is The Richard and Helen Devos Foundation's EIN?
The Richard and Helen Devos Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-6659303. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Richard and Helen Devos 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 November 11, 2021)
- Added 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 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 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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