The Right Place Inc
The Right Place Inc is a regional economic development organization serving the Greater Grand Rapids area since 1985. Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, it operates as a 501(c)(6) business league organization funded through investments from both private and public sectors. The organization employs 48 staff members and serves as a comprehensive business assistance resource for companies seeking to locate, innovate, and grow in the region.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$36.8M
+350.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$25.4M
+1609.2% YoY
Grant Count
32
-17.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$793K
+1983.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To drive sustainable economic growth and shared prosperity for all in the Greater Grand Rapids Region.
Vision: The Greater Grand Rapids Region will be the most resilient, productive, and equitable regional economy in the nation.
The organization concentrates on three strategic pillars:
People: Aspiring to be a region where everyone can achieve their highest potential through talent development, retention, and attraction efforts in an inclusive environment.
Place: Aspiring to be a region of choice where people choose to visit, locate, and stay through placemaking, infrastructure enhancements, site development, and transformational projects.
Prosperity: Aspiring to be a vibrant economy providing good careers and opportunities for all through business development strategies and support for manufacturing technology advancement.
Ready to take the next step with The Right Place Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization serves the Greater Grand Rapids Region and West Michigan, including Kent County and surrounding townships and local units of government.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The Right Place Inc (2023):
- Total revenues: $9,225,403
- Total expenses: $10,225,956
- Total assets: $8,171,222
- Total liabilities: $2,044,000
- Number of employees: 48
Right Place Foundation (most recent filing - 2023):
- Total assets: $1,827,678
- Total giving: $1,331,675
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $36,829,217 | $8,171,222 | $8,970,896 |
| Revenue | $33,920,441 | $9,225,403 | $6,457,185 |
| Expenses | $33,581,705 | $10,225,956 | $8,304,149 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $210,717 | $176,482 | $31,009 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
181 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from The Right Place Inc
Ford Launchpad for Innovative Technologies and Entrepreneurship (FLITE) Program
THE RIGHT PLACE INC
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP) Program
THE RIGHT PLACE INC
Amount
Up to $500,000 per project; up to $5,000,000 for real estate rehabilitation; up to $1,000,000 for public space improvements; up to $20,000,000 for coordinated subgrant programs
Deadline
Rolling / Open
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
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Randy Thelen is identified as a principal officer of the organization.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| RANDY THELEN | PRESIDENT & CEO | 36.5 | $537,018 |
| BILL PINK | VICE CHAIR / TREASURER | 2 | — |
| STEVE DOWNING | CHAIR | 2 | — |
| SARA ARMBRUSTER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| RICK BAKER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CHRIS BARDEGGIA | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| NORMAN J BEAUCHAMP JR MD MHS | FORMER DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| MATT BIERSACK MD | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| LUKE CHERVENY | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| JEFFREY L CONNOLLY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SHAWN CROWLEY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MICHEAL DAVENPORT | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LAUREN DAVIS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| TINA FREESE DECKER | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| RONALD G DEWAARD | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KATIE FERRIS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KYLE HANSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JOI M HARRIS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| NICK HRNYAK | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JOSHUA HULST | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| JON HUSBY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JOHN KENNEDY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| BRAD KESSEL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| RICK KEYES | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| BLAKE W KRUEGER | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| CHARLES W LEPPER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CHARLES W LOTT | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| PHILOMENA MANTELLA | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| MICHAEL NELSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MEGAN P NORRIS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ANDI OWEN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| RICHARD J PAPPAS EDD | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JULIE RIETBERG | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| GARRICK J ROCHOW | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| NELSON SANCHEZ | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| TONY SARSAM | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| RICH SOROTA | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ARON SOUSA | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| TOM STRITZINGER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JULIES SUCHY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| RENEE C TABBEN | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| DAVE VAN ANDEL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| AL VANDERBERG | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MIKE VANGESSEL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SOZON VATIKIOTIS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MARK WASHINGTON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MARK J WASSINK | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| THOMAS WELCH | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SEAN P WELSH | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| JANE TIERNEY | ASSISTANT TREASURER & SVP FINANCE | 36.5 | $160,681 |
| ANDRIA ROMKEMA | SVP OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT | 37.5 | $141,932 |
| TIMOTHY MROZ | SVP OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT | 37.5 | $150,681 |
| BRAD COMMENT | SVP OF STRATEGIC INITIATIVES | 37.5 | $152,892 |
| BRENT CASE | VP BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT | 37.5 | $154,569 |
| TARITA JOHNSON | SVP TALENT & DIVERSITY | 37.5 | $143,733 |
Recent Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Right Place has been involved in placemaking and revitalization initiatives, including:
State awards $17.5 million grant to prepare Lowell\u2026 - The Right PlaceReceipt of state grants for business park development preparation
$25 Million in Statewide Placemaking Grants Support Vibrant ...Distribution of revitalization and placemaking program funds to support West Michigan placemaking projects
$25 Million in Statewide Placemaking Grants Support Vibrant ...Recognition as a Best & Brightest Company to Work For, demonstrating commitment to excellence in human resource practices and employee enrichment
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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