The Right Place Inc
The Right Place, Inc. is a public charity based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, that works to advance economic development in the Greater Grand Rapids region. Its work includes business retention, expansion and attraction, workforce development, site readiness, and community growth.
The Right Place Inc at a glance
In short: The Right Place Inc gave $25.4M across 32 grants in 2024 (avg $793K), mostly in California. 91% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $25,390,979
- +1609.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 32
- -17.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $793,468
- +1983.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $36,829,217
- +350.7% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 91% first-time grantees (29 of 32, 2024)
- Primary geography
- California (93% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Right Place Inc
- How to Apply
-
FLITE uses a competitive application process; companies may reapply with refined proposals and receive feedback. The Strategic Site Readiness Program is administered by the MEDC, which sets program eligibility and activities.
- Contact
Mailing address: 25 Ottawa Ave Sw Ste 400, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: (616) 771-0325
Website: https://rightplace.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from The Right Place Inc
Ford Launchpad for Innovative Technologies and Entrepreneurship (FLITE) Program
The Right Place Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Strategic Site Readiness Program (SSRP)
The Right Place Inc
Amount
Grants, loans, and other economic assistance (example: $17.5 million awarded for Covenant Business Park)
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who The Right Place Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Gotion Inc ($23.7M). Together the top 10 received $24.9M.
Grant Size Distribution
1,302 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1,291 grants of 1,302 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Right Place’s stated focus is the Greater Grand Rapids region and West Michigan. Its strategic-plan page identifies a seven-county Greater Grand Rapids region, while its 2024 filing describes business development work for an eight-county regional collaborative. Its 2023 Revitalization and Placemaking 2.0 solicitation sought public placemaking projects across a 13-county West Michigan region. The 2024 grant list also includes a California recipient, Gotion Inc.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 32 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Right Place Inc open to new grantees?
91%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 29 of 32 grantees (91%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $869K; repeat grants $62K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $50K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 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 $336K (2022) to $25.4M (2024). In 2024 it made 32 grants totaling $25.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Gotion Inc Fremont, CA | SSRP | $23,670,874 |
| Village of Shelby Shelby, MI | Revitalization and Placemaking Grant | $652,500 |
| City of Cedar Springs Cedar Springs, MI | Revitalization and Placemaking Grant | $125,000 |
| S J Kingma & Associates LLC Spring Lake, MI | Build Ready Sites/SSRP | $110,000 |
| Vibrant Futures Grand Rapids, MI | Regional Childcare Planning Grant | $109,653 |
| Mecosta County Road Commission Big Rapids, MI | SSRP | $96,000 |
| Shelby Township Shelby, MI | Revitalization and Placemaking Grant | $56,000 |
| Fishbeck Grand Rapids, MI | Build Ready Sites | $50,365 |
| Midwest Demolition and Dismantling LLC Big Rapids, MI | Build Ready Sites | $35,000 |
| Active Manufacturing Spring Lake, MI | Industry 4.0 Implementation Grant | $25,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Right Place Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The grant totals represent 32 grants in 2024, 39 in 2023, and 10 in 2022.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $36,829,217 | $33,920,441 | $33,581,705 | $25,390,979 | 32 | $210,717 |
| 2023 | $8,171,222 | $9,225,403 | $10,225,956 | $1,485,534 | 39 | $176,482 |
| 2022 | $8,970,896 | $6,457,185 | $8,304,149 | $336,432 | 10 | $31,009 |
| 2021 | $10,135,241 | $14,178,677 | $12,371,245 | $4,641,700 | 353 | $16,457 |
| 2020 | $8,197,204 | $16,982,064 | $16,627,414 | $9,076,469 | 868 | $34,482 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to drive sustainable economic growth and shared prosperity in the Greater Grand Rapids region. Its work is organized around People, Place, and Prosperity: supporting talent development and attraction; advancing placemaking, infrastructure improvements, and site development; and promoting business retention, expansion, and attraction.
The organization also describes work through the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center–West, which assists manufacturers through consulting, training, user groups, and councils. Its filing says the center’s work helps manufacturers improve operations and growth through leadership, processes, systems, and technology.
The 2024 grants show support for projects and organizations connected to site readiness, revitalization and placemaking, manufacturing technology, and childcare planning. One recipient, Vibrant Futures, describes its mission as providing opportunities for children and youth and those who care for them. The Barry County Chamber of Commerce describes its mission as advancing the county’s economic prosperity through connectivity, promotion, and business support.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, The Right Place reported 32 grants totaling $25,390,979. Grant amounts ranged from $9,000 to $23,670,874, with a median of $25,000. The largest grant was $23,670,874 to Gotion Inc. of Fremont, California, for SSRP. Other notable awards included $652,500 to the Village of Shelby for revitalization and placemaking; $125,000 to the City of Cedar Springs for the same purpose; and $109,653 to Vibrant Futures for a regional childcare planning grant.
Other reported awards included $110,000 to S J Kingma & Associates LLC for build-ready sites/SSRP, $96,000 to Mecosta County Road Commission for SSRP, and grants to manufacturing companies for Industry 4.0 implementation. The filing reports that 93% of 2024 grant dollars went to California recipients and 7% to Michigan recipients.
The organization’s website describes the Revitalization and Placemaking 2.0 effort as a regional application process for public placemaking projects in a 13-county West Michigan region, in partnership with Lakeshore Advantage and Greater Muskegon Economic Development. The May 2023 project-submission cycle described on that page is past.
The Strategic Site Readiness Program is an active statewide Michigan Economic Development Corporation program, not a program administered by The Right Place. It provides grants, loans, or other assistance for activities that prepare strategic sites for development. The program description says grants typically cover 50% of project costs, with applicants responsible for matching funds.
The FLITE program is described as an active grant and pilot-testing program for companies developing aviation technologies and services in the Greater Grand Rapids region. It uses a competitive application process and offers selected companies grant funding and real-world testing opportunities at Gerald R. Ford International Airport.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Randy Thelen as President and CEO; Steve Downing as Chair; and Bill Pink as Vice Chair and Treasurer. Listed directors include Sara Armbruster, Rick Baker, Chris Bardeggia, Matt Biersack, Luke Cherveny, and Jeffrey L. Connolly. Norman J. Beauchamp Jr. is listed as a former director.
The Right Place Inc is led by Randy Thelen, President & CEO since 2024 (on filings since 2021); 7 of 55 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Randy Thelen
President & CEO
CEO → President, 2022
President → President & CEO, 2024
On filings since 2021
36.5 hrs/week
$466K (2021) → $537K (2024)
Steve Downing
Chair
Director → Treasurer, 2022
Treasurer → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Andi Owen
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Blake W. Krueger
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dave Van Andel
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Garrick J. Rochow
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Kennedy
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Julie Rietberg
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Washington
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mike Vangessel
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Philomena Mantella
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Renee C. Tabben
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rich Sorota
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rick Baker
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sean P. Welsh
Director
Chair → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Thomas G. Welch Jr.
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tina Freese Decker
Director
Vice Chair → Chair, 2022
Chair → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Al Vanderberg
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Luke Cherveny
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tony Sarsam
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Charles W. Lott
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey L. Connolly
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joi M. Harris
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joshua Hulst
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Katie Ferris
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark J. Wassink
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Matt Biersack MD
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Micheal Davenport
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nick Hrnyak
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Richard J. Pappas EdD
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ronald G. Dewaard
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sara Armbruster
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Charles W. Lepper
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chris Bardeggia
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Julies Suchy
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lauren Davis
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Megan P. Norris
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rick Keyes
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shawn Crowley
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sozon Vatikiotis
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tom Stritzinger
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Aron Sousa
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brad Kessel
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jon Husby
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kyle Hanson
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Nelson
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nelson Sanchez
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brad Comment
Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives
Senior Vice President of Investor Relations → Senior Vice President of Community Development, 2023
Senior Vice President of Community Development → Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, 2024
On filings since 2020
37.5 hrs/week
$134K (2020) → $153K (2024)
Brent Case
Vice President Business Development
Vice President of Business Attraction → Vice President Attraction, 2021
Vice President Attraction → Vice President Business Development, 2024
On filings since 2020
37.5 hrs/week
$138K (2020) → $155K (2024)
Timothy Mroz
Senior Vice President of Community Development
Senior Vice President of Strategic Initatives → Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, 2023
Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives → Senior Vice President of Community Development, 2024
On filings since 2020
37.5 hrs/week
$134K (2020) → $151K (2024)
Jane Tierney
Assistant Treasurer & Senior Vice President Finance
Interim Vice President of Finance → Assistant Treasurer & Senior Vice President Finance, 2023
On filings since 2022
36.5 hrs/week
$128K (2022) → $161K (2024)
Tarita Johnson
Senior Vice President Talent & Diversity
Senior Vice President of Talent Initiatives → Senior Vice President Talent Initiatives, 2023
Senior Vice President Talent Initiatives → Senior Vice President Talent & Diversity, 2024
On filings since 2022
37.5 hrs/week
$136K (2022) → $144K (2024)
Andria Romkema
Senior Vice President of Business Development
New on the 2024 filing
37.5 hrs/week
$142K (2024)
Bill Pink
Vice Chair & Treasurer
Treasurer → Vice Chair, 2022
Vice Chair → Vice Chair & Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Norman J. Beauchamp Jr Md Mhs
Former Director
Director → Former Director, 2024
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (38)
- Former: Jim Teets (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Twayne Howard (2020–2023) — Former COO
- Former: Milind Pant (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Jim Dillard (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Stephen M. Abbott (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: David Van Andel (2023) — Director
- Former: Rob Llanes (2023) — Senior Vice President of Business Development
- Former: Bob Wolford (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Hank Meijer (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: John C. Porterfield (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Krista Flynn (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Michael P. McGee (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Darrel Schmalzel (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Patrick Greene (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Bill Payne (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Birgit M. Klohs (2020–2021) — CEO
- Former: Cindy Brown (2020–2021) — Vice President Talent Initiatives
- Former: Doug Dozeman (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Hyung Kim (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: James Keane (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: John Irwin (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Matt Becker (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Matt Paul (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Norman Beauchamp (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Rick Pappas (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Ron Dewaard (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Steve Abbott (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Therese Thrill (2020–2021) — Vice President of Business Development
- Former: Wayman Britt (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Beth O'Shaughnessy (2021) — Director
- Former: Jeff Connolly (2021) — Director
- Former: Dave Beemer (2020) — Director
- Former: Dennis Eidson (2020) — Director
- Former: Greg Madura (2020) — Director
- Former: Jeff Needham (2020) — Former Director
- Former: Mitchell A. Joppich (2020) — Vice Chair
- Former: Sandra Jelinski (2020) — Former Director
- Former: Tony Gagliardo (2020) — Director
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $537K, to Randy Thelen (President & CEO). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Right Place Inc
How much does The Right Place Inc give each year?
The Right Place Inc gave $25.4M across 32 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $1.5M across 39 grants.
What is The Right Place Inc's typical grant size?
The Right Place Inc's median grant in 2024 was $25,000, and its average grant was $793,468, across 32 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Right Place Inc that year got $869K on average.
Where does The Right Place Inc give grants?
The Right Place Inc gives mostly in California: 93% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Michigan (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Grand Rapids, MI (3 grants), Holland, MI (3 grants), Zeeland, MI (3 grants) and Shelby, MI (2 grants).
Does The Right Place Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 32 grants with a stated purpose on The Right Place Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Industry 4.0 Implementation Grant" (18 grants), "Regional Childcare Planning Grant" (4 grants) and "Revitalization and Placemaking Grant" (4 grants).
Who are The Right Place Inc's largest grantees?
The Right Place Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Gotion Inc ($23,670,874), Village of Shelby ($652,500) and City of Cedar Springs ($125,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 96% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Right Place Inc?
The Right Place Inc reported $36.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $33.9M.
What does The Right Place Inc fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to drive sustainable economic growth and shared prosperity in the Greater Grand Rapids region. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Right Place Inc?
FLITE uses a competitive application process; companies may reapply with refined proposals and receive feedback. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Right Place Inc's EIN?
The Right Place Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-3262801. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS June 29, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 31, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 23, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 4, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 3, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Right Place Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Right Place Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-right-place-inc-morg_ef49b6cd16b64467a3e3beccc8478df2
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_383262801_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Right Place Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-right-place-inc-morg_ef49b6cd16b64467a3e3beccc8478df2},
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 Right Place Inc'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.
The Right Place Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?