The Way Foundation
The Way Foundation is a private foundation, based in Grand Rapids, MI. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $1.2M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 2 grants totaling $54K. Net investment income was $38K.
The Way Foundation at a glance
In short: The Way Foundation gave $54K across 2 grants in 2025 (avg $27K), mostly in Michigan. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $54,000
- +3.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 2
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $27,000
- +3.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $27,000
- Total assets
- $1,174,535
- -1.4% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Michigan (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who The Way Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Seventh Reformed Church ($50K). Together the top 2 received $54K.
Grant Size Distribution
11 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 7 grants of 11 (64%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 2 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Way Foundation gives
- Giving fell 22% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 96% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $52K (2023) to $76K (2021). In 2025 it made 2 grants totaling $54K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Seventh Reformed Church Grand Rapids, MI | Religion | $50,000 |
| Feeding America West Michigan Comstock Park, MI | Religion | $4,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,174,535 | $38,578 | $55,070 | $54,000 | 2 | $54,160 | $37,668 | $56,686 |
| 2024 | $1,191,027 | $49,079 | $53,062 | $52,000 | 2 | $52,000 | $48,387 | $53,065 |
| 2023 | $1,195,010 | $53,976 | $53,542 | $52,000 | 2 | $52,000 | $52,804 | $48,606 |
| 2022 | $1,194,576 | $80,426 | $70,789 | $69,000 | 2 | $69,000 | $78,982 | $67,309 |
| 2021 | $1,184,939 | $85,076 | $77,288 | $76,000 | 3 | $76,000 | $84,123 | $76,918 |
| 2020 | $1,177,151 | $55,625 | $62,233 | $61,000 | 2 | — | $54,677 | $61,451 |
| 2019 | $1,183,759 | $122,659 | $77,294 | $76,000 | 2 | — | $81,402 | $75,861 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Way Foundation reported a distributable amount of $57K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Way Foundation's 2025 filing lists 3 officers; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Art Decker
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Ken Decker
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Marlene Decker
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 Way Foundation
How much does The Way Foundation give each year?
The Way Foundation gave $54K across 2 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $52K across 2 grants.
How large is The Way Foundation?
The Way Foundation reported $1.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $54K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $57K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
Where does The Way Foundation operate?
The Way Foundation has awarded grants in Michigan.
What is The Way Foundation's EIN?
The Way Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-3374797. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS July 13, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS June 3, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 13, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 6, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
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