The David and Carol Van Andel Family
Grand Rapids, MI · EIN 20-2110420. Reported 266 grants totalling $23.2M to 95 recipients 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. The David and Carol Van Andel Family 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 $20,000. Half of everything it gave fell between $5,000 and $60,000; the smallest was $250 and the largest $2,000,000. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mel Trotter Ministries | Grand Rapids, MI | $2,500,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Grand Action Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | $2,350,000 | 7 | 3 | 2024 |
| John Ball Zoological Society | Grand Rapids, MI | $2,260,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Western Theological Seminary | Holland, MI | $2,006,839 | 8 | 4 | 2024 |
| Pine Rest Christian Hospital | Grand Rapids, MI | $2,000,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Bethany Christian Services | Grand Rapids, MI | $1,500,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Opera Grand Rapids | Grand Rapids, MI | $1,113,000 | 6 | 4 | 2024 |
| Ada Christian School Education Foundation | Ada, MI | $1,030,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Special Olympics Michigan Inc | Grand Rapids, MI | $675,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | $666,666 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Hope College | Holland, MI | $575,000 | 4 | 3 | 2023 |
| Grand Rapids Christian Schools | Grand Rapids, MI | $400,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Grand Rapids Nehemiah Project | Grand Rapids, MI | $350,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids | Grand Rapids, MI | $339,000 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| Cascade Fellowship Christian Reformed Church | Grand Rapids, MI | $330,000 | 8 | 4 | 2024 |
| Inner City Christian Federation | Grand Rapids, MI | $315,000 | 6 | 3 | 2024 |
| American National Red Cross | Grand Rapids, MI | $305,000 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| Cornerstone University | Grand Rapids, MI | $300,000 | 3 | 2 | 2022 |
| Salvation Army | Grand Rapids, MI | $270,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| US Chamber of Commerce Foundation | Washington, DC | $250,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Blandford Nature Center | Grand Rapids, MI | $220,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Van Andel Research Institute | Grand Rapids, MI | $219,080 | 22 | 4 | 2024 |
| Kids Food Basket | Grand Rapids, MI | $210,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Wedgwood Christian Services | Grand Rapids, MI | $185,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore | Grand Rapids, MI | $160,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Grand Rapids Public Museum Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | $152,000 | 6 | 4 | 2024 |
| Boy Scouts of America | Grand Rapids, MI | $150,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Grand Rapids African American Health Institute | Grand Rapids, MI | $142,500 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| The Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty | Grand Rapids, MI | $135,500 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| Renew Therapeutic Riding Center | Holland, MI | $130,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Children's Healing Center | Grand Rapids, MI | $128,500 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Holland Harbor Lighthouse Historical Commission | Macatawa, MI | $118,035 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Gilda's Club Grand Rapids | Grand Rapids, MI | $105,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Women's Resource Center | Grand Rapids, MI | $105,000 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| 3-11 Youth Housing | Grand Rapids, MI | $104,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Fans of Valley Field | Grand Rapids, MI | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| West Michigan Sports Commission | Grand Rapids, MI | $100,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Potter's House | Grand Rapids, MI | $85,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Make a Wish Foundation of Michigan | Grand Rapids, MI | $80,000 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| Home Repair Services of Kent County Inc | Grand Rapids, MI | $65,500 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Potters House | Grand Rapids, MI | $65,100 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| New City Neighbors | Grand Rapids, MI | $55,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| School Emergency Response Coalition | Cedar Springs, MI | $55,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Grand Rapids Public Museum | Grand Rapids, MI | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| HAND2HAND | Jenison, MI | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Pine Rest Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | $50,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Baxter Community Center | Grand Rapids, MI | $45,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Calvin Theological Seminary | Grand Rapids, MI | $40,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Kent County Parks Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | $40,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Senior Neighbors Inc | Grand Rapids, MI | $40,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Guiding Light Mission | Grand Rapids, MI | $37,500 | 4 | 3 | 2023 |
| Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park | Grand Rapids, MI | $36,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Grand Rapids Downtown Market Education Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | $30,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Cherry Street Services Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | $27,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Central Park Chapel | Holland, MI | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Grandville Avenue Arts and Humanities Inc | Grand Rapids, MI | $25,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Grant Christian School | Grant, MI | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Muskegon Christian School | Muskegon, MI | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Oakdale Neighbors | Grand Rapids, MI | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Streams of Hope | Grand Rapids, MI | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Safe Haven Ministries | Grand Rapids, MI | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| The Michigan Women's Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | $20,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Volunteers in Service | Grand Rapids, MI | $20,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Saint Mary's Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | $18,500 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| Traffic Squad Fund Inc | Grand Rapids, MI | $16,300 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Grand Rapids Community College Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | $12,500 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Childfund International USA (formerly Christian Children's Fund) | Richmond, VA | $12,180 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Crossroads Bible Church | Grand Rapids, MI | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Grand Rapids University Prepatory Association | Grand Rapids, MI | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Michigan Crossroads Council Inc Boy Scouts of America | Eagle, MI | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Snowmass Chapel | Snowmass Village, CO | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Grand Rapids Griffins Youth Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | $8,500 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Davenport University Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | $8,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Roosevelt Park Ministries Inc | Grand Rapids, MI | $7,500 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Greater Grand Rapids Chamber Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | $5,500 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Camp Henry | Newaygo, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Festival of the Arts in Grand Rapids | Grand Rapids, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Grand Rapids Chamber Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| The Biologos Foundation Inc | Grand Rapids, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce | Grand Rapids, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Hope Gardens | Grandville, MI | $3,500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative | Grand Rapids, MI | $3,250 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Kids' Life Bible Clubs | Grand Rapids, MI | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Silent Observer of West Michigan | Grand Rapids, MI | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| The Gerald R Ford Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| The Gerals R Ford Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Grand Valley University Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | $2,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Red Glasses Movement | Grand Rapids, MI | $2,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Caroline's Peach Foundation | Holland, MI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Grand Valley State University | Grand Rapids, MI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Meals on Wheels Western Michigan Inc | Grandville, MI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Sams Fight for Sight | Zeeland, MI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Van Andel Education Institute | Grand Rapids, MI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Atlanta Union Mission Corporation | Atlanta, GA | $250 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Wellspring Living Inc | Atlanta, GA | $250 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
57 of 95 (60%) 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 69%, across 3 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is about typical. This measures how often it paid the same organizations again. It says nothing about whether it would consider a new one.
What kind of organizations it funds
By the activity category the IRS assigns each recipient, for the 182 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 | 74 | $4,871,755 | $10,000 |
| 2022 | 54 | $4,035,755 | $15,000 |
| 2023 | 89 | $5,930,238 | $20,000 |
| 2024 | 49 | $8,404,702 | $50,500 |
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.
Already committed for future years
Form 990-PF has a separate schedule for grants approved but not yet paid. The David and Carol Van Andel Family has 43 of them, worth $21.5M. This is the one part of the filing that looks forward rather than back.
| Organization | Location | Approved |
|---|---|---|
| Pine Rest Christian Hospital | Grand Rapids, MI | $6,000,000 |
| Grand Action Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | $2,000,000 |
| Western Theological Seminary | Holland, MI | $1,750,000 |
| John Ball Zoological Society | Grand Rapids, MI | $1,250,000 |
| Mel Trotter Ministries | Grand Rapids, MI | $1,000,000 |
| Western Theological Seminary | Holland, MI | $1,000,000 |
| Ada Christian School Education Foundation | Ada, MI | $1,000,000 |
| Mel Trotter Ministries | Grand Rapids, MI | $1,000,000 |
| John Ball Zoological Society | Grand Rapids, MI | $750,000 |
| Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | $666,667 |
| Bethany Christian Services | Grand Rapids, MI | $600,000 |
| Western Theological Seminary | Holland, MI | $500,000 |
| Mel Trotter Ministries | Grand Rapids, MI | $500,000 |
| Grand Rapids Christian Schools | Grand Rapids, MI | $400,000 |
| Special Olympics Michigan Inc | Grand Rapids, MI | $350,000 |
Where its money goes
99% 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 $20,000. 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 The David and Carol Van Andel Family's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 4 returns (tax years 2021-2024). 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: 3133 Orchard Vista Drive 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 20-2110420 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this
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