The Virginia a Groot Foundation
The Virginia A. Groot Foundation is a private, artist-founded and artist-led grantmaking foundation based in Lake Forest, Illinois. Established in 1988 in honor of Virginia A. Groot, an artist and patron of the arts, the foundation has become a significant supporter of sculptors and ceramic artists. Over the past 30 years, it has established itself as a pillar in the sculpture community, advocating for the evolution of sculptural art and fostering a global network of innovative creators.
Key facts about The Virginia a Groot Foundation
- EIN
- 41-1570531
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $12,867,048
- Grants made (2025)
- 7
- Average grant
- $1,838,150
- Median grant
- $30,000
- Primary geography
- Michigan (98% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- Submissions are accepted through an online portal with annual deadlines. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Virginia a Groot Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for The Virginia a Groot Foundation's 7 itemized 2025 grants were Michigan (98%). None of its 7 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "To Pursue Excellence in Ceramic and Sculptural Arts" (6 grants).
How The Virginia a Groot Foundation gives
- Giving grew 2697% from 2022 to 2025. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Next steps with The Virginia a Groot Foundation
- How to evaluate The Virginia a Groot Foundation as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
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Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$12.9M
+3111.9% YoY
Grant Count
7
-30.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$1.8M
+4488.5% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to grant awards to individuals for outstanding achievement in the ceramic arts. More broadly, it supports artists working in three-dimensional forms by providing them with the financial freedom to devote significant time and resources to their craft.
Primary funding focus areas:
- Ceramic sculpture and sculpture across diverse mediums
- Three-dimensional art forms
- Interdisciplinary work that celebrates the creative use of material, scale, form, and function, including works that cross traditional boundaries of sculpture
Grantmaking
Review Cycle
- Artists may be at any stage of career development, from emerging through mature
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with The Virginia a Groot Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily in Pennsylvania, Oregon, and New York, though it supports artists working nationally and internationally.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 7 itemized 2025 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (2023):
- Total assets: $8,793,803
- Total giving: $351,050
- One employee
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
44 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest recipients include Peter & Penelope West Charitable Fund ($12,612,048), Center for Craft ($115,000), Gabriel Dawe ($60,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| PETER & PENELOPE WEST CHARITABLE FUND Holland, MI | SEE ATTACHMENT | $12,612,048 |
| CENTER FOR CRAFT Asheville, NC | TO PURSUE EXCELLENCE IN CERAMIC AND SCULPTURAL ARTS | $115,000 |
| GABRIEL DAWE Dallas, TX | TO PURSUE EXCELLENCE IN CERAMIC AND SCULPTURAL ARTS | $60,000 |
| ANDREA FERRERO | TO PURSUE EXCELLENCE IN CERAMIC AND SCULPTURAL ARTS | $30,000 |
| RICHARD T NOTKIN Vaughn, WA | TO PURSUE EXCELLENCE IN CERAMIC AND SCULPTURAL ARTS | $25,000 |
| ELISE SIEGEL New York, NY | TO PURSUE EXCELLENCE IN CERAMIC AND SCULPTURAL ARTS | $20,000 |
| ETHAN MEYER Saint Louis, MO | TO PURSUE EXCELLENCE IN CERAMIC AND SCULPTURAL ARTS | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penelope G West | Secretary & Co-Treasurer | 10 | $10,002 |
| Nina W Latusek | President | 10 | $18,750 |
| Carly H West | Co-Treasurer | 1 | $5,000 |
| Stanley Shetka | Vice-President | 1 | $10,002 |
Contact Information
Mailing Address: The Virginia A. Groot Foundation 825 S. Waukegan Rd. A8, #255 Lake Forest, IL 60045
Additional Address on File: 255 Overlook Dr Lake Forest, IL 60045-3309
Phone: 847-615-8735
Website: www.virginiaagrootfoundation.org
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Virginia a Groot Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission is to grant awards to individuals for outstanding achievement in the ceramic arts. More broadly, it supports artists working in three-dimensional forms by providing them with the financial freedom to devote significant time and resources to their craft. **Primary funding focus areas:** • Ceramic sculpture and sculpture across diverse mediums • Three-dimensional art forms • Interdisciplinary work that celebrates the creative use of material, scale, form, and function, in…
How do I apply for a grant from The Virginia a Groot Foundation?
Submissions are accepted through an online portal with annual deadlines. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
Where does The Virginia a Groot Foundation make grants?
The foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily in Pennsylvania, Oregon, and New York, though it supports artists working nationally and internationally.
What size grants does The Virginia a Groot Foundation award?
In 2025, The Virginia a Groot Foundation awarded 7 grants totaling $12.9M — an average of about $1.8M per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is The Virginia a Groot Foundation's EIN?
The Virginia a Groot Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-1570531. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.