The William R and Susan K Lewis Charitable Foundation
THE WILLIAM R AND SUSAN K LEWIS is a private foundation based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It made 49 grants totaling $77,668 in 2024 to charitable organizations in Michigan and other states. Its 2025 filing, the latest on this page, reports 31 grants totaling $135,050.
The William R and Susan K Lewis Charitable Foundation at a glance
In short: The William R and Susan K Lewis Charitable Foundation gave $135K across 31 grants in 2025 (avg $4K), mostly in Michigan. 52% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $135,050
- +73.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 31
- -36.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $4,356
- +174.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $2,000
- Total assets
- $457,438
- +24.7% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 52% first-time grantees (16 of 31, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Michigan (91% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated November 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The William R and Susan K Lewis Charitable Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1144 Idema Drive Se, Grand Rapids, MI 49506
Phone: (616) 437-4798
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The William R and Susan K Lewis Charitable Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Amazon Relief ($50K). Together the top 10 received $112K.
Grant Size Distribution
145 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 144 grants of 145 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, Michigan recipients received 54% of grant dollars. New York received 16%, Washington, DC, 7%, Virginia 7%, and Texas 6%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 31 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The William R and Susan K Lewis Charitable Foundation open to new grantees?
52%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 16 of 31 grantees (52%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $3K; repeat grants $6K. How we count
Medians: $1K first-time, $2K repeat.
- 39% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 269% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $37K (2022) to $135K (2025). In 2025 it made 31 grants totaling $135K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon Relief Grand Rapids, MI | General Support | $50,000 |
| Les Cheneaux Culinary School Hessel, MI | General Fund | $13,500 |
| Community Food Grand Rapids, MI | General Support | $10,000 |
| Gildas Laugh Fest Grand Rapids, MI | General Fund | $10,000 |
| Guilda' Club Grand Rapids, MI | General Support | $8,500 |
| Mary Free Bed Foundation Grand Rapids, MI | General Fund | $5,000 |
| Planned Parenthood Lansing, MI | General Fund | $5,000 |
| Reconcilation of Life Grand Rapids, MI | General Support | $4,500 |
| Salvation Army Alexandria, VA | General Fund | $3,000 |
| Inner City Christian Federation Grand Rapids, MI | General Fund | $2,250 |
Ready to take the next step with The William R and Susan K Lewis Charitable Foundation?
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 | $457,438 | $387,059 | $142,460 | $135,050 | 31 | $135,050 | $5,246 | $12,358 |
| 2024 | $366,767 | $15,644 | $78,864 | $77,668 | 49 | $77,668 | $909 | $10,735 |
| 2023 | $255,812 | $136 | $43,677 | $42,425 | 26 | $42,425 | $136 | $13,885 |
| 2022 | $260,022 | $3,277 | $37,777 | $36,643 | 22 | $36,643 | $134 | $17,997 |
| 2021 | $542,816 | $67,127 | $80,903 | $78,880 | 17 | $78,880 | $123 | $28,763 |
| 2020 | $648,802 | $196,471 | $44,489 | $43,515 | 21 | — | $1,669 | $26,666 |
| 2019 | $412,077 | $59,211 | $59,761 | $58,600 | 20 | — | $10,132 | $20,833 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The William R and Susan K Lewis Charitable Foundation reported a distributable amount of $12K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No foundation mission statement is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for organizations with varied purposes. For example, Les Cheneaux Culinary School describes its work as providing educational programs and schooling for culinary students. Human Rights Watch says it investigates abuses and presses for respect for human rights. Baxter Community Center describes itself as a neighborhood hub offering child development, health, food and clothing assistance, and educational enrichment.
Other 2024 recipients include the International Rescue Committee, which says it responds to humanitarian crises and helps people affected by conflict and disaster; Heart of West Michigan United Way, which says it invests in solutions to reduce poverty in West Michigan; and Feeding America, whose stated mission is to advance equitable access to nutritious food.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation awarded 49 grants totaling $77,668. Grants ranged from $40 to $8,500, with a median grant of $1,000. The largest grants included Planned Parenthood in Lansing, Michigan ($8,500); Guilda’ Club in Grand Rapids, EQuest Center in Rockford, Human Rights Watch in New York, and Les Cheneaux Culinary School in Hessel ($5,000 each); and Mercy Ships in Garden Valley, Texas ($3,500). Other notable awards included $3,000 each to Baxter Community Center and Techno Serve, and $2,500 to Easter Seals, all listed in the filing as general support or general fund. Its 2025 filing, the latest on this page, reports 31 grants totaling $135,050.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
William R Lewis is listed as a trustee on the 2024 filing.
The William R and Susan K Lewis Charitable Foundation is led by William R. Lewis, Trustee on every filing since 2019 — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
William R. Lewis
Trustee
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 William R and Susan K Lewis Charitable Foundation
How much does The William R and Susan K Lewis Charitable Foundation give each year?
The William R and Susan K Lewis Charitable Foundation gave $135K across 31 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $78K across 49 grants.
What is The William R and Susan K Lewis Charitable Foundation's typical grant size?
The William R and Susan K Lewis Charitable Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $2,000, and its average grant was $4,356, across 31 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The William R and Susan K Lewis Charitable Foundation that year got $3K on average.
Where does The William R and Susan K Lewis Charitable Foundation give grants?
The William R and Susan K Lewis Charitable Foundation gives mostly in Michigan: 91% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Grand Rapids, MI (15 grants) and Washington, DC (4 grants).
Does The William R and Susan K Lewis Charitable Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The William R and Susan K Lewis Charitable Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (31 of 31) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The William R and Susan K Lewis Charitable Foundation's largest grantees?
The William R and Susan K Lewis Charitable Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Amazon Relief ($50,000), Les Cheneaux Culinary School ($13,500) and Community Food ($10,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 54% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The William R and Susan K Lewis Charitable Foundation?
The William R and Susan K Lewis Charitable Foundation reported $457K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $135K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $12K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The William R and Susan K Lewis Charitable Foundation fund?
No foundation mission statement is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for organizations with varied purposes. For example, Les Cheneaux Culinary School describes its work as providing educational programs and schooling for culinary students. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The William R and Susan K Lewis Charitable Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The William R and Susan K Lewis Charitable Foundation's EIN?
The William R and Susan K Lewis Charitable Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-4821581. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does The William R and Susan K Lewis Charitable Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated November 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS September 8, 2020)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS September 1, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The William R and Susan K Lewis Charitable Foundation funds
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The William R and Susan K Lewis Charitable Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-william-r-and-susan-k-lewis-charitable-foundation-morg_899510c2066446ae9ffc8304b3982162
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_204821581_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The William R and Susan K Lewis Charitable Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-william-r-and-susan-k-lewis-charitable-foundation-morg_899510c2066446ae9ffc8304b3982162},
note = {Accessed 2026-11-02. 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 William R and Susan K Lewis Charitable Foundation'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.
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