Leslie Tassell Foundation
Grand Rapids, MI · EIN 38-3186818. Reported 275 grants totalling $1,718,033 to 141 organizations across tax years 2021-2024. 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 $1,500 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. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which the organization received money -- more than one means a real relationship rather than a one-off.
| Organization | Location | Total received | Grants | Years funded | Last |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grcc Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | $305,000 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| Mayo Foundation | Rochester, MN | $150,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Mayo Hospital Foundation | Rochester, MN | $100,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Cascade Community Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | $75,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Aquinas College | Grand Rapids, MI | $66,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Imaging the World | Charlotte, VT | $65,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Equine Assisted Development | Grand Rapids, MI | $62,750 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Children's Healing Center | Grand Rapids, MI | $47,500 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| Wawashkamo Golf Club | Mackinac Island, MI | $42,500 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| West Michigan Aviation Academy | Grand Rapids, MI | $40,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Gerald R Ford Presidential Foundati | Grand Rapids, MI | $30,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Michilimackinac Historical Society | Saint Ignace, MI | $27,500 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Frederik Meijer Gardens & | Grand Rapids, MI | $27,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Blandford Nature Center | Grand Rapids, MI | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| West Michigan Comm Tennis | Grand Rapids, MI | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| C-Snip | Grand Rapids, MI | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Clark Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Alano Club of Kent County | Grand Rapids, MI | $18,500 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| West Michigan Teen Challenge | Muskegon, MI | $18,000 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| Grand Rapids Community Foundatio | Grand Rapids, MI | $16,583 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Covenant House | Grand Rapids, MI | $15,250 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Grand Valley State University | Allendale, MI | $15,000 | 4 | 3 | 2024 |
| City Serve | Wyoming, MI | $11,000 | 4 | 3 | 2023 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| John Ball Zoo | Grand Rapids, MI | $9,100 | 4 | 3 | 2024 |
| Cody Veldhouse and Michigan State | East Lansing, MI | $9,000 | 3 | 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 |
| Kid's Food Basket | Grand Rapids, MI | $7,750 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| 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 |
| Kcis Community Action Fund | Grand Rapids, MI | $6,750 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Kent County K-9 Unit | Grand Rapids, MI | $6,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Beautiful You By Profile | Comstock Park, MI | $6,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Catholic Charities God's Village | Grand Rapids, MI | $6,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Emily O'neil and Kalamazoo Valley | Kalamazoo, MI | $6,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Kathryn Waller and Grcc | Grand Rapids, MI | $6,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Toys for Tots | Triangle, VA | $5,850 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Annika Santos and New York Universi | New York, NY | $5,500 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Austin Idziak and Michigan State | East Lansing, MI | $5,500 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Cooper Dlugos & Purdue Univ | West Lafayette, IN | $5,500 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Floyd Tucker and Hampton Univ | Hampton, VA | $5,500 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| I Understand | Ada, MI | $5,500 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Kaela Atkinson and Michigan State | East Lansing, MI | $5,500 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Mauriell Hayes and Western Mich Uni | Kalamazoo, MI | $5,500 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| The Ironman Foundation | Tampa, FL | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Wscg Radio | Grand Rapids, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| North Country Trail Association | Lowell, MI | $4,500 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Renew Mobility | Grand Rapids, MI | $4,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Abigail Cummings and Hope College | Holland, MI | $4,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Anne Douma and Butler University | Indianapolis, IN | $4,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Carson Woods and Msu | East Lansing, MI | $4,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Connor Couch and U of M | Ann Arbor, MI | $4,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Grant Woods and Msu | East Lansing, MI | $4,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Mckenna Vanoveren and U of Tampa | Tampa, FL | $4,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Dahlia Veldhouse and Ferris State | Big Rapids, MI | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Dutton Christian School | Caledonia, MI | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Dwelling Place | Grand Rapids, MI | $3,000 | 3 | 2 | 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 |
| Akshat Jain and U of M | Ann Arbor, MI | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Anne Wiecherjes and Univ of Pittsbu | Pittsburgh, PA | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Avery Sheldon & Butler Unversity | Indianapolis, IN | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Joseph Sitarski and U of M | Ann Arbor, MI | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Julibel Gonzales & Michigan State | East Lansing, MI | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Kelsey Depault & Northwood Universi | Midland, MI | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Lucy Wu and Vanderbilt University | Nashville, TN | $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 |
| 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 Pham & Msu | East Lansing, MI | $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 |
| Provision Packs | Ormond Beach, FL | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
68 of 141 (48%) received money in more than one year over the 4 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 64%, across 3 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is about typical. A high number means its list is close to settled and a newcomer has to displace someone; a low one means it is still moving money around, which is where an opening is.
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 recipient's own IRS classification, for the 72 grants where we could identify the organization. These are assigned categories, not our guesses.
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 |
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
Foundations concentrate geographically far more than their mission statements suggest. 76% of this one's giving went to organizations in Michigan. If you are outside its footprint, that matters more than how well your programme fits.
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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 the strongest available signal that two funders have overlapping priorities, and a funder already backing your peers is a far warmer prospect than one that merely lists your cause.
How to approach this foundation
- Check you are its size. The median grant is $2,000. Asking for ten times that is the most common way small organizations waste a submission.
- 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 4 returns (tax years 2021-2024). Nothing here is scraped, inferred, or estimated.
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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