Frey Foundation
Grand Rapids, MI · EIN 23-7094777. Reported 799 grants totalling $21.9M to 341 organizations across tax years 2021-2024. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.
Yesaccepts unsolicited requests
$5,000median grant
$21.9Mgranted, 2021-2024
341organizations funded
51%of grantees funded again the next year
$162.4Massets, latest filing
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. Frey 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.
This is the foundation's own statement to the IRS, not our judgement, and it says nothing about whether they have a form, a deadline, or an appetite for new grantees. Treat it as the reason this foundation is worth your research time, not as an invitation. Many small foundations of this kind have no website and no application process -- a letter of inquiry is the normal first step.
How big are its grants?
The median grant is $5,000. Half of everything it gave fell between $1,500 and $15,000; the smallest was $40 and the largest $500,000. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.
Every organization it funded
All 341 recipients appear in its filings; the 250 largest are listed here. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which this organization received money -- the clearest signal of who this foundation actually has a relationship with.
| Organization | Location | Total received | Grants | Years funded | Last |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Valley State University | Allendale, MI | $1,258,393 | 8 | 3 | 2024 |
| Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation | Petoskey, MI | $1,036,429 | 12 | 4 | 2024 |
| Grand Rapids Whitewater Inc | Grand Rapids, MI | $930,000 | 3 | 2 | 2022 |
| Grand Action Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | $760,000 | 4 | 2 | 2023 |
| Kconnect | Grand Rapids, MI | $565,000 | 4 | 3 | 2023 |
| Charlevoix County Community Foundation | East Jordan, MI | $521,100 | 10 | 4 | 2024 |
| Grand Action Foundation 20 | Grand Rapids, MI | $520,000 | 3 | 1 | 2024 |
| John Ball Zoo | Grand Rapids, MI | $470,000 | 4 | 2 | 2022 |
| North Central Michigan College Foundation | Petoskey, MI | $463,500 | 15 | 4 | 2024 |
| Northwest Michigan Habitat for Humanity | Petoskey, MI | $460,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Little Traverse Conservancy Inc | Harbor Springs, MI | $426,500 | 9 | 4 | 2024 |
| Grand Rapids Community Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | $390,550 | 13 | 4 | 2024 |
| Young Men's Christian Association of Greater Grand Rapids | Grand Rapids, MI | $390,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Grand Rapids Art Museum | Grand Rapids, MI | $381,500 | 4 | 3 | 2023 |
| Degage Ministries | Grand Rapids, MI | $380,000 | 4 | 3 | 2023 |
| Artprize Grand Rapids | Grand Rapids, MI | $350,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Blandford Nature Center | Grand Rapids, MI | $338,000 | 7 | 4 | 2024 |
| Davenport University | Grand Rapids, MI | $315,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Grand Rapids Civic Theatre Inc | Grand Rapids, MI | $315,000 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| Mary Free Bed Hospital and Rehabilitation Center | Grand Rapids, MI | $310,000 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| Pine Rest Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | $310,000 | 2 | 1 | 2024 |
| The Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy | Traverse City, MI | $300,000 | 2 | 1 | 2022 |
| First Steps Kent | Grand Rapids, MI | $280,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Family Promise of West Michigan | Grand Rapids, MI | $271,000 | 2 | 1 | 2023 |
| Habitat for Humanity of Kent County Inc | Grand Rapids, MI | $260,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| West Michigan Aviation Academy Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | $251,500 | 6 | 3 | 2023 |
| Muskegon Museum of Art Foundation | Muskegon, MI | $250,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Feeding America West Michigan | Comstock Park, MI | $240,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Odc Network | Holland, MI | $225,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Rotary Charities of Traverse City | Traverse City, MI | $225,000 | 4 | 3 | 2023 |
| Housing North | Traverse City, MI | $215,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| West Michigan Horticultural Society Inc | Grand Rapids, MI | $202,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Grand Rapids Public Museum Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | $200,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Amplify Gr | Grand Rapids, MI | $196,500 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Downtown Grand Rapids Inc | Grand Rapids, MI | $195,000 | 4 | 2 | 2024 |
| Conservation Resource Alliance | Traverse City, MI | $185,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Boys and Girls Club of the Muskegon Lakeshore | Muskegon, MI | $175,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Heart of West Michigan United Way | Grand Rapids, MI | $163,500 | 6 | 4 | 2024 |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Chapel Hill, NC | $162,500 | 10 | 4 | 2024 |
| Ottawa County Parks Foundation | West Olive, MI | $160,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| The STEM Greenhouse | Kentwood, MI | $160,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| West Michigan Trails & Greenways Coalition | Grand Rapids, MI | $160,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Mel Trotter Ministries | Grand Rapids, MI | $155,250 | 4 | 2 | 2022 |
| Harbor Hall Foundation | Harbor Springs, MI | $150,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Harbor Springs Area Historical Society | Harbor Springs, MI | $150,000 | 4 | 3 | 2024 |
| Madison Square Christian Reformed Church | Grand Rapids, MI | $150,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Muskegon County Community Foundation | Muskegon, MI | $150,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan | Grand Rapids, MI | $134,500 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Women's Resource Center | Grand Rapids, MI | $131,200 | 3 | 2 | 2023 |
| Grand Rapids Community College Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | $125,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Mosaic Counseling | Grand Haven, MI | $125,000 | 3 | 2 | 2024 |
| Northern Homes Community Development Corporation | Boyne City, MI | $120,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| National Center for Family Philanthropy | Washington, DC | $110,000 | 3 | 2 | 2022 |
| Dwelling Place of Grand Rapids Inc | Grand Rapids, MI | $102,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Children's Healing Center | Grand Rapids, MI | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Community Rebuilders | Grand Rapids, MI | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Crooked Tree Arts Council Inc | Petoskey, MI | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Disability Advocates of Kent County | Grand Rapids, MI | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Ecliptic at Rosa Parks Circle Conservancy | Grand Rapids, MI | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Grand Rapids Christian Schools Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Inner City Christian Federation | Grand Rapids, MI | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Our Hope Association | Grand Rapids, MI | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| The Michigan Women's Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Unc Law Foundation | Chapel Hill, NC | $100,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology | Grand Rapids, MI | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| West Michigan Sports Commission | Grand Rapids, MI | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Diatribe Inc | Grand Rapids, MI | $95,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Grand Rapids Youth Commonwealth Inc | Grand Rapids, MI | $93,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Environmental Law & Policy Center | Chicago, IL | $90,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Michigan League for Public Policy | Lansing, MI | $80,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Rende Progress Capital | Grand Rapids, MI | $80,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Grand Rapids Ballet Company | Grand Rapids, MI | $75,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| West Michigan Tennis Inc | Grand Rapids, MI | $75,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Discovery Center Great Lakes | Traverse City, MI | $70,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Rotary Club of Little Traverse Bay Sunset | Petoskey, MI | $62,000 | 8 | 4 | 2024 |
| Little Traverse Bay Humane Society | Harbor Springs, MI | $61,200 | 13 | 4 | 2024 |
| The Village Learning Center Inc | Cedar Springs, MI | $60,000 | 2 | 1 | 2023 |
| United Way of Northwest Michigan | Traverse City, MI | $60,000 | 6 | 4 | 2024 |
| University of Hartford | West Hartford, CT | $58,700 | 3 | 2 | 2024 |
| Realism Is Loyalty | Grand Rapids, MI | $58,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Munson Healthcare Foundations | Traverse City, MI | $52,200 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Housing Stability Alliance | Grand Rapids, MI | $50,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Kent School Services Network | Grand Rapids, MI | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Northwest Michigan Rural Housing Partnership | Traverse City, MI | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Playmakers Repertory Company | Chapel Hill, NC | $50,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Vibrant Futures | Grand Rapids, MI | $47,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Grandville Avenue Arts and Humanities Inc | Grand Rapids, MI | $45,000 | 3 | 2 | 2023 |
| Greater Michigan Council Inc Boy Scouts of America | Grand Rapids, MI | $45,000 | 5 | 3 | 2024 |
| Urban Core Collective | Grand Rapids, MI | $45,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Harbor Springs Public Schools | Harbor Springs, MI | $44,649 | 9 | 4 | 2024 |
| Saint Mary's Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | $42,200 | 9 | 4 | 2024 |
| HAND2HAND | Jenison, MI | $40,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| The Fund for Park Avenue | New York, NY | $40,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Grand Rapids Symphony Society | Grand Rapids, MI | $37,250 | 3 | 1 | 2023 |
| Harbor Springs Festival of the Book | Harbor Springs, MI | $36,750 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Charlevoix-Emmet Intermediate School District | Harbor Springs, MI | $36,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| University of Florida Foundation Inc | Gainesville, FL | $36,000 | 14 | 4 | 2024 |
| Grand Rapids Urban League Inc | Grand Rapids, MI | $33,100 | 4 | 3 | 2024 |
| Chicago Community Foundation | Chicago, IL | $32,000 | 2 | 1 | 2024 |
| YWCA West Central Michigan | Grand Rapids, MI | $31,250 | 3 | 2 | 2023 |
| Girls Growing II Women Inc | Grand Rapids, MI | $31,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Festival of the Arts in Grand Rapids | Grand Rapids, MI | $30,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Flow for Water | Traverse City, MI | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Grand Rapids Media Initiative and Film Incubator | Grand Rapids, MI | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Lighthouse Immigrant Advocates | Holland, MI | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Start Garden LLC | Grand Rapids, MI | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| East Grand Rapids Schools Foundation | East Grand Rapids, MI | $29,500 | 8 | 4 | 2024 |
| Women's Resource Center of Northern Michigan | Petoskey, MI | $29,000 | 3 | 2 | 2024 |
| Nature Conservancy | Lansing, MI | $28,740 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Our Kitchen Table | Grand Rapids, MI | $28,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| City of Grand Rapids | Grand Rapids, MI | $26,500 | 3 | 2 | 2023 |
| Council of Michigan Foundations Inc | Grand Rapids, MI | $25,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Grand Haven Community Foundation | Grand Haven, MI | $25,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Mayo Clinic | Rochester, MN | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| The Grand Rapids Economic Club Charitable Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | $25,000 | 2 | 1 | 2024 |
| University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Arts and Sciences Foundation | Chapel Hill, NC | $25,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Alachua County Public Schools | Gainesville, FL | $22,000 | 7 | 3 | 2023 |
| Traverse Bay Children's Advocacy Center | Traverse City, MI | $21,400 | 2 | 1 | 2022 |
| American Rivers | Washington, DC | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Camp Blodgett | Grand Rapids, MI | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Cherry Street Services Inc | Grand Rapids, MI | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Conductive Learning Center of North America | Grand Rapids, MI | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Cranbrook Educational Community | Bloomfield Hills, MI | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Earth University Foundation | Atlanta, GA | $20,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Fashion Has Heart | Grand Rapids, MI | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Girls Choral Academy | Grand Rapids, MI | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Housing Next | Grand Rapids, MI | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| New City Kids Inc | Grand Rapids, MI | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Salvation Army | Petoskey, MI | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Site Lab Inc | Grand Rapids, MI | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| University of Oregon Foundation | Eugene, OR | $20,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Upwardly Global | New York, NY | $20,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| West Michigan Environmental Action Council Education Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Women's Audio Mission | San Francisco, CA | $20,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Interlochen Center for the Arts | Interlochen, MI | $19,258 | 6 | 4 | 2024 |
| Junior Achievement of the Michigan Great Lakes | Grand Rapids, MI | $18,500 | 3 | 2 | 2024 |
| Celebration United Methodist Church | Gainesville, FL | $17,628 | 7 | 4 | 2024 |
| Good Hart Artist Residency Inc | Harbor Springs, MI | $17,500 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Kalamazoo College | Kalamazoo, MI | $17,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Planned Parenthood Federation of America | Washington, DC | $16,000 | 6 | 2 | 2023 |
| Montessori Society of Greater Grand Rapids Inc | Grand Rapids, MI | $15,500 | 4 | 3 | 2023 |
| Pellston Public Schools | Pellston, MI | $15,500 | 5 | 3 | 2023 |
| Friends of Grand Rapids Parks | Grand Rapids, MI | $15,350 | 7 | 4 | 2024 |
| The Grand Rapids Children's Museum | Grand Rapids, MI | $15,050 | 4 | 2 | 2024 |
| Camp Daggett | Petoskey, MI | $15,000 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| East Grand Rapids Crew Team(fiscal Sponsor Is Egr Team Boosters) | East Grand Rapids, MI | $15,000 | 2 | 1 | 2022 |
| Great Lakes Aquatic Habitat Network and Fund Inc | Petoskey, MI | $15,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Issue Media Group LLC | Saginaw, MI | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Marvelous Lifestyles Outreach Corporation | Grand Rapids, MI | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| New City Neighbors | Grand Rapids, MI | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Spectrum Health Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | $15,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| The Preservation Association of Beaver Island | Beaver Island, MI | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Top of Michigan Mountain Bike Association | Boyne City, MI | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Treetops Collective | Grand Rapids, MI | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| The Regents of the University of Michigan | Ann Arbor, MI | $13,000 | 7 | 3 | 2023 |
| United Methodist Community House | Grand Rapids, MI | $13,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Jewish Federation of Grand Rapids | Grand Rapids, MI | $12,500 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| Opera Grand Rapids | Grand Rapids, MI | $12,500 | 4 | 3 | 2024 |
| Planned Parenthood of Michigan | Ann Arbor, MI | $11,850 | 7 | 4 | 2024 |
| Disart | Grand Rapids, MI | $11,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| United Way of North Carolina | Cary, NC | $11,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Access of West Michigan | Grand Rapids, MI | $10,500 | 2 | 1 | 2023 |
| Nia Centre | Grand Rapids, MI | $10,500 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| University of Vermont and State Agricultural College Foundation | Burlington, VT | $10,500 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Arts Marketplace at Studio Park | Grand Rapids, MI | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Drummond Island Medical Center | Drummond Island, MI | $10,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Fountain Street Church | Grand Rapids, MI | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Hoap Inc | Grand Rapids, MI | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Johns Hopkins Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences | Baltimore, MD | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Linc Up Nonprofit Housing Corporation | Grand Rapids, MI | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Lake Fellowship Ministries | Baldwin, MI | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Mclaren Northern Michigan Foundation | Petoskey, MI | $10,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Meaning in Colors | Grand Rapids, MI | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Michigan Tech Fund | Houghton, MI | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Momentum Center | Grand Haven, MI | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Muskegon River Watershed Assembly | Big Rapids, MI | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| River Network | Boulder, CO | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| St Stephen Catholic School | Riverview, FL | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| The VILLAGE99 | Grand Rapids, MI | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| The Young Americans Inc | Corona, CA | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Tri-Cities Alano Club | Grand Haven, MI | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| United Way of Palm Beach County | West Palm Beach, FL | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Young Money Finances | Grand Rapids, MI | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Saint Mark's Episcopal Church | Grand Rapids, MI | $9,500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Land Conservancy of West Michigan | Grand Rapids, MI | $9,000 | 4 | 3 | 2024 |
| West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | $8,500 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Flow for Love of Water | Traverse City, MI | $8,000 | 2 | 1 | 2024 |
| Little Traverse Sailors | Harbor Springs, MI | $8,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Breakthrough Silicon Valley | San Jose, CA | $7,500 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Harbor Springs Lyric Theatre | Harbor Springs, MI | $7,500 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| Harbor Springs Ram Boosters Football | Harbor Springs, MI | $7,500 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Home Repair Services of Kent County Inc | Grand Rapids, MI | $7,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| The Arbor Circle Corporation | Grand Rapids, MI | $7,500 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council | Petoskey, MI | $7,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| East Grand Rapids Community Foundation | East Grand Rapids, MI | $7,000 | 3 | 2 | 2024 |
| Episcopal High School | Bellaire, TX | $7,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Literacy Center of West Michigan | Grand Rapids, MI | $7,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Christ Child Society of Northern Michigan | Harbor Springs, MI | $6,500 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| South End Community Outreach Ministries | Grand Rapids, MI | $6,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Charlevoix Historical Society | Charlevoix, MI | $6,400 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Oberlin College | Cleveland, OH | $6,301 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| First United Methodist Church of Gainesville | Gainesville, FL | $6,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| International Rescue Committee | New York, NY | $6,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Episcopal High School | Alexandria, VA | $5,500 | 2 | 1 | 2024 |
| Graz'n Acres Therapeutiuc | Sedley, VA | $5,500 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| The 5 Gyres Institute | Santa Monica, CA | $5,500 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Presbyterian Villages of Michigan Foundation Public Charity | Southfield, MI | $5,260 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Ebony Road Players | Grand Rapids, MI | $5,250 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Bay Area Substance Education Services | Charlevoix, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Challenge Mountain of Walloon Hills Inc | Boyne City, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Corewell Health Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Exodus Place | Grand Rapids, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Family Promise of Grand Rapids | Grand Rapids, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Florida Coalition for Preservation | Boynton Beach, FL | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Johns Hopkins University | Baltimore, MD | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Kosciuszko Foundation Inc | New York, NY | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Kiersten's Ride | East Jordan, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Montana Land Reliance | Helena, MT | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Petoskey Montessori Children's House | Petoskey, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Puertas Abiertas | Grand Rapids, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Shay Elementary School | Harbor Springs, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Stepping Stones Montessori | Grand Rapids, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Talent 2025 Inc | Grand Rapids, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Temple Emanuel | Grand Rapids, MI | $5,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| The Greater Grand Rapids Chamber Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| The Society of the Four Arts | Palm Beach, FL | $5,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Conserving Carolina | Hendersonville, NC | $4,500 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Equest Center for Therapeutic Riding Inc | Rockford, MI | $4,500 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Fulton Street Farmers Market Inc | Grand Rapids, MI | $4,500 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Public Schools of Petoskey | Petoskey, MI | $4,500 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| The New School | New York, NY | $4,500 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Vail Valley Foundation | Avon, CO | $4,500 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Walking Mountains Science Center | Avon, CO | $4,500 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Young Men's Christian Association of Grand Rapids | Grand Rapids, MI | $4,250 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Be Cafe | Ada, MI | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Kids Food Basket | Grand Rapids, MI | $4,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Schrems West Michigan Trout Unlimited | Grand Rapids, MI | $3,250 | 3 | 2 | 2024 |
| Boy Scouts of American North Florida Council | Jacksonville, FL | $3,000 | 2 | 1 | 2021 |
| Cornell University | Ithaca, NY | $3,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Crossnore School & Children's Home | Crossnore, NC | $3,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Eagle River Watershed Council | Gypsum, CO | $3,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Eagle Valley Mental Health | Vail, CO | $3,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Round Up River Ranch | Gypsum, CO | $3,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum | Winchester, VA | $3,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Ursinus College | Collegeville, PA | $2,600 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Aqume Foundation | Wyoming, MI | $2,500 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Children's Assessment Center | Grand Rapids, MI | $2,500 | 3 | 2 | 2022 |
| Community Foundation of the Holland Zeeland Area | Holland, MI | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Eagle County Charter Academy Education Foundation | Edwards, CO | $2,500 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Equal Justice Initiative | Montgomery, AL | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
151 of 341 (44%) 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 51%, across 3 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is less consistent than most. 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.
- Grand Action Foundation
Acrisure Amphitheater in Downtown Grand Rapids - Grand Valley State University
Fully endow the Frey Foundation Chair for Family Philanthropy - Young Men's Christian Association of Greater Grand Rapids
The development of a childcare center in Rapid Central Station in downtown Grand Rapids and its first year of programming - Blandford Nature Center
Second Nature: A Campaign for The Highlands - Mary Free Bed Hospital and Rehabilitation Center
A Shared Vision for Brighter Futures - Building a Pediatric Rehabilitation Hospital - Pine Rest Foundation
Pine Rest Pediatric Center for Behavioral Health
What kind of organizations it funds
By the recipient's own IRS classification, for the 593 grants where we could identify the organization. These are assigned categories, not our guesses.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants | Total | Median grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 180 | $5,487,793 | $3,500 |
| 2022 | 219 | $6,114,864 | $5,000 |
| 2023 | 205 | $5,522,441 | $3,500 |
| 2024 | 195 | $4,780,950 | $5,000 |
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.
Already committed for future years
Form 990-PF has a separate schedule for grants approved but not yet paid. Frey Foundation has 261 of them, worth $8,457,300. This is the one part of the filing that looks forward rather than back -- and it also tells you how much of the next year's budget is already spoken for.
| Organization | Location | Approved |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Action Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | $500,000 |
| Grand Action Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | $500,000 |
| Grand Action Foundation 20 | Grand Rapids, MI | $500,000 |
| Grand Action Foundation 20 | Grand Rapids, MI | $500,000 |
| Grand Action Foundation 20 | Grand Rapids, MI | $500,000 |
| Grand Action Foundation 20 | Grand Rapids, MI | $500,000 |
| Grand Valley State University | Allendale, MI | $400,000 |
| Grand Rapids Whitewater Inc | Grand Rapids, MI | $350,000 |
| Grand Rapids Whitewater Inc | Grand Rapids, MI | $350,000 |
| Grand Rapids Whitewater Inc | Grand Rapids, MI | $350,000 |
| Grand Rapids Whitewater Inc | Grand Rapids, MI | $350,000 |
| Grand Rapids Whitewater Inc | Grand Rapids, MI | $350,000 |
| Grand Valley State University | Allendale, MI | $300,000 |
| Grand Valley State University | Grand Rapids, MI | $200,000 |
| West Michigan Trails & Greenways Coalition | Grand Rapids, MI | $150,000 |
Where its money goes
Foundations concentrate geographically far more than their mission statements suggest. 95% 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.
Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund173 shared recipientsDonor Advised Charitable Giving Inc134 shared recipientsGrand Rapids Community Foundation126 shared recipientsAmerican Online Giving Foundation Inc90 shared recipientsNatl Christian Charitable Fdn Inc81 shared recipientsVanguard Charitable Endowment Program80 shared recipients
How to approach this foundation
- Check you are its size. The median grant is $5,000. 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.
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Where these numbers come from
Everything above is taken from Frey 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: 40 Pearl Street Nw 1100, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503. 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 23-7094777 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this
This is history, not an open call. Foundation returns are published about a year after the tax year ends. Nothing on this page is a deadline. It is a record of who this foundation has actually funded, which is the best available predictor of who it will fund next -- and a much better basis for deciding whether to write to them than a mission statement.
Is something here wrong about your foundation? Email [email protected] and we will correct it.