Leslie Tassell Foundation
Grand Rapids, MI · EIN 38-3186818. Reported 321 grants totalling $2,088,883 to 154 recipients across tax years 2021-2025. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.
Does this foundation accept applications?
Yes -- on its own tax return. Form 990-PF asks every private foundation whether it makes grants only to organizations it selects itself. Of the 91,758 foundations in our data that made a grant and answered, 78% said yes -- and applying to those is wasted effort. Leslie Tassell Foundation did not check that box on its most recent filing, which puts it in the minority that is at least open to being approached.
How big are its grants?
The median grant is $2,000. Half of everything it gave fell between $2,000 and $5,000; the smallest was $500 and the largest $100,000. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.
Every organization it funded
This is the complete list from its filings, largest first. Recipients are grouped by name and state as they were written on the returns, so an organization entered under two different names appears twice. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which that name received money.
| Organization | Location | Total received | Grants | Years funded | Last |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grcc Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | $305,000 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| Mayo Foundation | Rochester, MN | $250,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Mayo Hospital Foundation | Rochester, MN | $100,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Equine Assisted Development | Grand Rapids, MI | $92,750 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Imaging the World | Charlotte, VT | $92,500 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Cascade Community Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | $75,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Children's Healing Center | Grand Rapids, MI | $67,500 | 6 | 5 | 2025 |
| Aquinas College | Grand Rapids, MI | $66,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Grcc - Tassell Tech | Grand Rapids, MI | $60,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Wawashkamo Golf Club | Mackinac Island, MI | $47,500 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Gerald R Ford Presidential Foundati | Grand Rapids, MI | $45,000 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| West Michigan Aviation Academy | Grand Rapids, MI | $40,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Frederik Meijer Gardens & | Grand Rapids, MI | $32,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Michilimackinac Historical Society | Saint Ignace, MI | $27,500 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Blandford Nature Center | Grand Rapids, MI | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| West Michigan Comm Tennis | Grand Rapids, MI | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Alano Club of Kent County | Grand Rapids, MI | $23,500 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| C-Snip | Grand Rapids, MI | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Clark Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| West Michigan Teen Challenge | Muskegon, MI | $20,000 | 6 | 5 | 2025 |
| Grand Valley State University | Allendale, MI | $17,500 | 5 | 4 | 2025 |
| Kcis Community Action Fund | Grand Rapids, MI | $16,750 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Grand Rapids Community Foundatio | Grand Rapids, MI | $16,583 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Covenant House | Grand Rapids, MI | $16,250 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| City Serve | Wyoming, MI | $11,000 | 4 | 3 | 2023 |
| Cody Veldhouse and Michigan State | East Lansing, MI | $11,000 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Santa Claus Girls | Grand Rapids, MI | $11,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| YWCA West Central Michigan | Grand Rapids, MI | $10,500 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Go Serve | Wyoming, MI | $10,250 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Guiding Light Mission | Grand Rapids, MI | $10,250 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Saint Jude Research | Memphis, TN | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| St Jude's Research Hospital | Memphis, TN | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| God's Kitchen | Grand Rapids, MI | $9,600 | 4 | 3 | 2024 |
| Salvation Army | Grand Rapids, MI | $9,600 | 4 | 3 | 2024 |
| Paws With a Cause | Wayland, MI | $9,500 | 4 | 3 | 2024 |
| Lori's Voice | Coopersville, MI | $9,350 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Kid's Food Basket | Grand Rapids, MI | $9,250 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| John Ball Zoo | Grand Rapids, MI | $9,100 | 4 | 3 | 2024 |
| Owen Woods and Michigan State | East Lansing, MI | $9,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Aya Youth Collective | Grand Rapids, MI | $8,500 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Grand Rapids Public Museum | Grand Rapids, MI | $8,450 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Mel Trotter Ministries | Grand Rapids, MI | $8,100 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Cannonsburg Challenged Ski Associat | Ada, MI | $8,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Jenna Mohr and Western Michigan | Kalamazoo, MI | $8,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Toys for Tots | Triangle, VA | $7,600 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Austin Idziak and Michigan State | East Lansing, MI | $7,500 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Cooper Dlugos & Purdue Univ | West Lafayette, IN | $7,500 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Floyd Tucker and Hampton Univ | Hampton, VA | $7,500 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Kaela Atkinson and Michigan State | East Lansing, MI | $7,500 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Christine Huynh and Michigan State | East Lansing, MI | $7,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Kevin Brewster and Michigan State | East Lansing, MI | $7,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Land Conservancy of West Michigan | Grand Rapids, MI | $7,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Lily Schuurman and Univ of Sc | Columbia, SC | $7,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Kent County K-9 Unit | Grand Rapids, MI | $6,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Abigail Cummings and Hope College | Holland, MI | $6,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Anne Douma and Butler University | Indianapolis, IN | $6,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Beautiful You By Profile | Comstock Park, MI | $6,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Carson Woods and Msu | East Lansing, MI | $6,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Catholic Charities God's Village | Grand Rapids, MI | $6,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Connor Couch and U of M | Ann Arbor, MI | $6,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Dahlia Veldhouse and Ferris State | Big Rapids, MI | $6,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Emily O'neil and Kalamazoo Valley | Kalamazoo, MI | $6,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Grant Woods and Msu | East Lansing, MI | $6,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Kathryn Waller and Grcc | Grand Rapids, MI | $6,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Mckenna Vanoveren and U of Tampa | Tampa, FL | $6,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Annika Santos and New York Universi | New York, NY | $5,500 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| I Understand | Ada, MI | $5,500 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Mauriell Hayes and Western Mich Uni | Kalamazoo, MI | $5,500 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Bangla Ministries Worldwide | Grand Rapids, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Bridge the Gapwmfa | Kentwood, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Catholic Charities | Grand Rapids, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Charles Ryan Stewart and Purdue | West Lafayette in, IN | $5,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Christie Vieux and Rice University | Houston, TX | $5,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Empowered Families | Lansing, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Hearts of Hope Dog Rescue | Rockford, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Humane Society of West Michigan | Grand Rapids, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Kalkaska United Methodist Church | Kalkaska, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Kate Hudkins and Saginaw Valley Sta | University Center, MI | $5,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Metropolitan Choir of Praise | Grand Rapids, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| The Ironman Foundation | Tampa, FL | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Wscg Radio | Grand Rapids, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Dwelling Place | Grand Rapids, MI | $4,750 | 4 | 3 | 2025 |
| North Country Trail Association | Lowell, MI | $4,500 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Renew Mobility | Grand Rapids, MI | $4,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Lauren Tiesma and Gvsu | Allendale, MI | $4,100 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Akshat Jain and U of M | Ann Arbor, MI | $4,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Anne Wiecherjes and Univ of Pittsbu | Pittsburgh, PA | $4,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Joseph Sitarski and U of M | Ann Arbor, MI | $4,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Kelsey Depault & Northwood Universi | Midland, MI | $4,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Lucy Wu and Vanderbilt University | Nashville, TN | $4,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Olivia Vaness and Michigan State | East Lansing, MI | $4,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Olivia Vaness and U of M | Ann Arbor, MI | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Siman Pham & Msu | East Lansing, MI | $4,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Alternatives in Motion | Grand Rapids, MI | $3,750 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Green Apple Pantry | Grand Rapids, MI | $3,600 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Andrew Travis and Univ of Chicago | Chicago, IL | $3,500 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Derek's Place | Grand Rapids, MI | $3,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Kelsey Depault and Northwood Univ | Midland, MI | $3,500 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Suchir Gupta and Uofm | Ann Arbor, MI | $3,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Adaptive Ski Association of W Michi | Ada, MI | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Caitlin Gerke and Gvsu | Allendale, MI | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Cornelius Lathweel and Msu | East Lansing, MI | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Dutton Christian School | Caledonia, MI | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| E Summer Brown and Howard Universit | Washington, DC | $3,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Fiona Mcgheen and Grcc | Grand Rapids, MI | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Helen Devos Children's Hospital | Grand Rapids, MI | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Katerina Vaness and Ferris State | Big Rapids, MI | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Rosmary Simon and Michigan State | East Lansing, MI | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Shahd Salem and Univ of Texas at Da | Richardson, TX | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Steven Swisher and Grcc | Grand Rapids, MI | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Girls Choral Academy | Grand Rapids, MI | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Kids' Food Basket | Grand Rapids, MI | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| NT4KINDNESS | Grand Rapids, MI | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Osceola County Animal Control | Reed City, MI | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Rotary Club of Gr Charities Foundat | Grand Rapids, MI | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Alex Seaton & Wmu | Kalamazoo, MI | $2,250 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Avery Sheldon & Butler Unversity | Indianapolis, IN | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Avery Sheldon and Butler Univ | Indianapolis, IN | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Fidele Byiringiro and Oakland Univ | Rochester, MI | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Julibel Gonzales & Michigan State | East Lansing, MI | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Michele's Rescue | Grand Rapids, MI | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Multiplication Network Ministries | Sauk, IL | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Nuha Hussein & Gvsu | Allendale, MI | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Our Hope Association | Grand Rapids, MI | $2,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Pregnancy Resource Center | Wyoming, MI | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Ryan Stewart and Purdue University | West Lafayette, IN | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Siman Phan & Msu | East Lansing, MI | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| University of Michigan Marching Ban | Ann Arbor, MI | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Alyssa Richards and Grcc | Grand Rapids, MI | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Alyssa Richards at Grcc | Grand Rapids, MI | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Andrew Travis and Unversity of Chic | Chicago, IL | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Annika Santos and New York Unversit | New York, NY | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Ashley Jenkins and Point Loma Nazar | San Diego, CA | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Elexia Collins and Tenn State Univ | Nashville, TN | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| George Chu and University of Michig | Ann Arbor, MI | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Hayley Kuhn and Michigan State | East Lansing, MI | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Kennedy Lewis and Alabama A&m | Huntsville, AL | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Lauren Ehrlich and Michigan State | East Lansing, MI | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Martin Openshaw and Byu | Provo, UT | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Mel Trotter | Grand Rapids, MI | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Melvin Stevens and Central Michigan | Mt Pleasant, MI | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Retrouvalife of Grand Rapids | Grand Rapids, MI | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Suchir Gupta and Unversity of Michi | Ann Arbor, MI | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Toy for Tots | Triangle, VA | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| William Clancy and University of Mi | Ann Arbor, MI | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| William Clancy and Unversityof Mich | Ann Arbor, MI | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| William Landman and Miami Universit | Oxford, OH | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Alternative in Motion | Grand Rapids, MI | $1,250 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Guiding Light Recovery | Grand Rapids, MI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Kid's Hope USA | Zeeland, MI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| West Michigan Trails | Grand Rapids, MI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Family Promise | Grand Rapids, MI | $800 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Leelanau Conservancy | Leland, MI | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Provision Packs | Ormond Beach, FL | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
76 of 154 (49%) received money in more than one year over the 5 years we hold.
Measured the way we measure every foundation -- what share of one year's grantees are funded again the next -- this one retains 52%, across 4 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is less consistent than most. This measures how often it paid the same organizations again. It says nothing about whether it would consider a new one.
What the money was for
Taken verbatim from the purpose field of its filings. This is the closest thing to a statement of what this foundation cares about, in its own words.
- Mayo Foundation
TRANSPLANT RESEARCH & INNOVATION - Grcc Foundation
A BROADER VISION CAMPAIGN - Aquinas College
SISTER AQUINAS ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP - Grand Valley State University
WISNER & NOVO CHIRO SCHOLARSHIP/GENE - I Understand
KIMBERLY BERGNER MEMORIAL - Children's Healing Center
GEN ERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
What kind of organizations it funds
By the activity category the IRS assigns each recipient, for the 83 grants where we could match the recipient to a registered organization. The categories are the IRS's. The match, made from the name and address on the return, is ours.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants | Total | Median grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 71 | $374,900 | $1,500 |
| 2022 | 55 | $320,250 | $2,000 |
| 2023 | 74 | $578,750 | $3,250 |
| 2024 | 75 | $444,133 | $2,250 |
| 2025 | 46 | $370,850 | $2,000 |
Tax years, not calendar years, and the most recent year is usually incomplete -- filings arrive about a year late, so a low final year means late paperwork rather than a foundation winding down.
Where its money goes
73% of its giving went to organizations in Michigan. If your organization is based elsewhere, look in the recipient list for grants to your area before writing.
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Funders that support the same organizations
These funders gave to organizations this one also funded -- some private foundations, some community foundations and other grantmaking charities. Shared grantees are a sign of overlapping priorities and nothing more: they do not show that any of these funders would consider a new organization. Each page says what its filings show.
How to approach this foundation
- Check you are its size. The median grant is $2,000. A request many times that size asks for something it has rarely or never given.
- Check you are in its geography. Its giving is concentrated in Michigan.
- Read the recipient list above for organizations like yours. If nothing on it resembles your work, that is a real answer, and a cheap one to get.
- Look up the current filing before writing. The 990-PF names the foundation's officers and, where one exists, its application procedure. We link it below.
Related guides
Where these numbers come from
Everything above is taken from Leslie Tassell Foundation's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 5 returns (tax years 2021-2025). Grant figures are from its returns. Matching recipients to registered organizations, their IRS classifications, the retention rate and the funders that support the same organizations are our own calculations, described in how we build this.
Address of record on the latest return: 2951 Thornhills Ave Se, Grand Rapids, MI, 49546. This is the address the foundation gave the IRS; many small foundations file through an accountant or a bank trust department, so it may not be where post to a programme officer should go.
EIN 38-3186818 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this
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