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Grand Rapids Community Foundation

EIN 38-2877959 · Grand Rapids, MI

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood80 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO BUILD AND MANAGE OUR COMMUNITY'S PERMANENT ENDOWMENT AND LEAD THE COMMUNITY TO STRENGTHEN THE LIVES OF ITS PEOPLE.

Income
$27.3 million
Spending
$31.7 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 51%
Employees
37
Volunteers
265
Highest pay
$225,227, president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $24.2 million spent. GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS 1) HOUSING KENT - TO IMPLEMENT A COUNTY-WIDE COLLECTIVE IMPACT INITIATIVE TO ADVANCE HOUSING EQUITY BY ALIGNING CROSS-SECTOR PARTNERS, CENTERING LIVED EXPERIENCE, AND DRIVING SYSTEMS AND POLICY CHANGE. $500,000 GRANT.2) KENT SCHOOL SERVICES NETWORK - TO ENSURE STUDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO HOLISTIC, NON-ACADEMIC SUPPORTS THAT CREATE THE CONDITIONS FOR ACADEMIC SUCCESS. $450,000 GRANT.3) MICHIGAN IMMIGRANT RIGHTS CENTER - TO PROVIDE IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES TO UNACCOMPANIED REFUGEE MINORS. $400,000 GRANT.
  2. $1.5 million spent. CHARITABLE AND PHILANTHROPIC OPERATING EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH PROCESSING THE FOUNDATION'S GRANT APPLICATIONS, COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES AND PHILANTHROPIC SERVICES TO THE NON-PROFIT FIELD.
  3. $104,253 spent. COMMUNITY INITIATIVES AND PROGRAM EXPENSES THOSE EXPENSES THAT COVER ACTIVITIES THAT COULD BE CARRIED OUT BY A PROGRAM WITH ITS OWN OR OTHERS' RESOURCES. CURRENTLY, THESE INITIATIVES ARE FOCUSED ON K-12 EDUCATION IN THE CITY OF GRAND RAPIDS. THESE ARE EXPENSES FOR SERVICES OR PROGRAM MATERIALS THAT ARE PAID TO PERSONS/ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE NOT NOT-FOR-PROFITS. THESE INCLUDE ITEMS SUCH AS CONSULTING FEES FOR A PROJECT OR GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES OF A FUND.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since August 1989.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.