The Baker Family Foundation concentrates its giving locally in the Grand Rapids/Kent County area, prioritizing direct services that support young children and families, and women in crisis. Most grants are sizable, unrestricted/general operating gifts to nonprofit service providers rather than national policy groups, indicating a preference for organizations delivering front-line programs. The foundation repeatedly funds a small set of local partners, signaling long-term relationships with childhood development, family support, and community health organizations.
A single December grant cycle and repeated support for a small circle of Grand Rapids nonprofits define Baker Family Foundation Fka Jeff & Cheryl Baker Family Foundation’s giving. The foundation’s recent awards show long-running relationships with organizations serving children, families, and women in crisis, with multi-year general grants to groups such as First Steps Kent and Children’s Healing Center. Its largest recent grant went to Women’s Resource Center for general support, and that same local pattern appears across early childhood, family support, and health care access. The foundation also backs community-facing service providers like Heart of Michigan United Way and Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative, suggesting a preference for organizations that deliver direct services rather than policy or advocacy work. Recent grant records show many awards in the $5,000 to $10,000 range, alongside larger commitments that recur across years. The overall picture is of a local funder that stays close to a compact set of West Michigan partners and uses general operating support to help sustain their work.
In early childhood development, the foundation has supported First Steps Kent with grants of $75,000 in 2025 and $59,500 in both 2024 and 2023, showing repeated backing for parent support and home-visiting work. It also funded Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative with $75,000 in 2023. For trauma-informed child services, Children's Healing Center received $125,000 in 2025 and $85,000 in 2024. Family crisis support appears in the $200,000 general grant to Women's Resource Center in 2023. Community safety-net work is reflected in grants to Heart of Michigan United Way, including $37,500 in both 2023 and 2024.
Typical grant size is modest-to-midrange: the p25 is $1,000, the median is $5,000, and the p75 is $10,500. Recent awards also include larger general grants, which indicates a mix of smaller community support and higher-capacity operating gifts. The grant list shows repeated support to the same organizations across multiple years, especially First Steps Kent, Children's Healing Center, and Casa of Kent County. The foundation accepts unsolicited requests through an annual December cycle for tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations in its focus areas.
$267K
$1.1M
$331K
$273K
Most grants fall between $1K and $11K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$11K
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Concentrated, relatively large general‑support grants to a small number of repeat, local service providers — favoring multi‑grant relationships and operating support over many small or one‑off awards.
Notable grantees: Children's Healing Center, Women's Resource Center, First Steps Kent, Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative, Heart of Michigan United Way
All recorded grants in the data went to U.S. recipients, and every listed recipient is in Michigan. Grand Rapids is the clear center of activity, with most awards going to organizations there, including Children's Museum, Kids Food Basket, and Frontline Essentials Store. Outside Grand Rapids, the recent list includes Hudsonville-based Ebenezer Dtc and Coopersville Pto - Walk a Thon Fundraise in Coopersville. The broader grant program language points to West Michigan and Michigan as the geographic frame for giving.
Its active grant programs center on Early Childhood Education, Family Support Services, and Health Care Access. The recent grants list matches that pattern through support for organizations such as First Steps Kent, Children's Healing Center, Women's Resource Center, and Heart of Michigan United Way.
The foundation runs a single grant cycle each year in December. Its grant request form and annual grant cycle materials both describe unsolicited applications from eligible tax-exempt nonprofits.
The grant size distribution is centered at small-to-midrange awards: p25 is $1,000, median grant size is $5,000, and p75 is $10,500. Recent awards also include larger general grants, such as $200,000 to Women's Resource Center and $125,000 to Children's Healing Center.
Yes. First Steps Kent appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Children's Healing Center appears in 2024 and 2025; and Casa of Kent County appears in 2024 and 2025. That pattern suggests recurring relationships rather than one-time gifts.
The giving is local and centered in Michigan, with 100% of recorded grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Grand Rapids organizations make up most of the recent list, with additional grants to Hudsonville and Coopersville.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from Baker Family Foundation Fka Jeff & Cheryl Baker Family Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Applicant must be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and engage in work that aligns with the Foundation’s funding interests and priorities.
Deadline: One annual grant cycle in December. Specific date not published on site.
Who can apply: Applicants must be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code and engage in work aligned with the Foundation’s funding interests and priorities.
Deadline: One grant cycle in December each year; late applications roll to the next cycle.
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIRST STEPS KENT | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $75,000 | 2026 | GENERAL GRANT |
| STOREHOUSE OF COMMUNITY RESOURCE | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL GRANT |
| GRAND ACTION 20 | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL GRANT |
| KIDS FOOD BASKET | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL GRANT |
| WELL HOUSE | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL GRANT |
| CHILDREN'S HEALING CENTER | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL GRANT |
| ALPHA GRAND RAPIDS | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $10,500 | 2026 | GENERAL GRANT |
| WEST MICHIGAN YOUTH FOR CHRIST | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL GRANT |
| SAN JUAN DIEGO ACADEMY | WYOMING, MI | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL GRANT |
| CASA OF KENT COUNTY | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL GRANT |
| EXALTA HEALTH | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL GRANT |
| SUSAN MAST ALS | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL GRANT |
| STAGEGR | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $4,000 | 2026 | GENERAL GRANT |
| COOPERSVILLE CHOIR BOOSTERS | MARNE, MI | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL GRANT |
| GUIDING LIGHT | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $2,000 | 2026 | GENERAL GRANT |
| COMMUNITY FOOD CLUB | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $1,500 | 2026 | GENERAL GRANT |
| HUMANE SOCIETY OF WEST MICHIGAN | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL GRANT |
| CHILDREN'S HEALING CENTER | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $125,000 | 2025 | GENERAL GRANT |
| FIRST STEPS KENT | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL GRANT |
| CHILDREN'S MUSEUM | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL GRANT |
| KIDS FOOD BASKET | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $12,000 | 2025 | GENERAL GRANT |
| FRONTLINE ESSENTIALS STORE | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL GRANT |
| CASA OF KENT COUNTY | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL GRANT |
| STAGEGR | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $4,000 | 2025 | GENERAL GRANT |
| OASIS OF HOPE CENTER | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL GRANT |
| EBENEZER DTC | HUDSONVILLE, MI | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL GRANT |
| GUIDING LIGHT | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL GRANT |
| HUMANE SOCIETY OF WEST MICHIGAN | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL GRANT |
| PET TALES RESCUE | KENTWOOD, MI | $500 | 2025 | GENERAL GRANT |
| SENIOR NEIGHBORS | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $500 | 2025 | GENERAL GRANT |
| ALS FOUNDATION | WALKER, MI | $500 | 2025 | GENERAL GRANT |
| ELE'S PLACE | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $500 | 2025 | GENERAL GRANT |
| CHILDREN'S HEALING CENTER | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $85,000 | 2024 | GENERAL GRANT |
| FIRST STEPS KENT | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $59,500 | 2024 | GENERAL GRANT |
| HEART OF MICHIGAN UNITED WAY | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $37,500 | 2024 | GENERAL GRANT |
| WEST MICHIGAN YOUTH FOR CHRIST | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL GRANT |
| CASA OF KENT COUNTY | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL GRANT |
| FRONTLINE ESSENTIALS STORE | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL GRANT |
| OASIS OF HOPE CENTER | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL GRANT |
| ALPHA GRAND RAPIDS | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL GRANT |
| KIDS FOOD BASKET | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL GRANT |
| HUMANE SOCIETY OF WEST MICHIGAN | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $2,000 | 2024 | GENERAL GRANT |
| PET TALES RESCUE | KENTWOOD, MI | $1,000 | 2024 | GENERAL GRANT |
| SLEEP IN HEAVENLY PEACE | HASLETT, MI | $500 | 2024 | GENERAL GRANT |
| STEM GREENHOUSE | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $500 | 2024 | GENERAL GRANT |
| WOMEN'S RESOURCE CENTER | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $200,000 | 2023 | GENERAL GRANT |
| EARLY LEARNING NEIGHBORHOOD COLLABORATIVE | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $75,000 | 2023 | GENERAL GRANT |
| FIRST STEPS KENT | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $59,500 | 2023 | GENERAL GRANT |
| HEART OF MICHIGAN UNITED WAY | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $37,500 | 2023 | GENERAL GRANT |
| FIRST TEE OF WEST MICHIGAN | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $10,000 | 2023 | GENERAL GRANT |
STOREHOUSE OF COMMUNITY RESOURCE
$50,000GENERAL GRANT
KIDS FOOD BASKET
$20,000GENERAL GRANT
WELL HOUSE
$20,000GENERAL GRANT
CHILDREN'S HEALING CENTER
$15,000GENERAL GRANT
WEST MICHIGAN YOUTH FOR CHRIST
$10,000GENERAL GRANT
SAN JUAN DIEGO ACADEMY
$10,000GENERAL GRANT
SUSAN MAST ALS
$5,000GENERAL GRANT
STAGEGR
$4,000GENERAL GRANT
COOPERSVILLE CHOIR BOOSTERS
$2,500GENERAL GRANT
GUIDING LIGHT
$2,000GENERAL GRANT
HUMANE SOCIETY OF WEST MICHIGAN
$1,000GENERAL GRANT
CHILDREN'S HEALING CENTER
$125,000GENERAL GRANT
CHILDREN'S MUSEUM
$20,000GENERAL GRANT
KIDS FOOD BASKET
$12,000GENERAL GRANT
FRONTLINE ESSENTIALS STORE
$10,000GENERAL GRANT
STAGEGR
$4,000GENERAL GRANT
OASIS OF HOPE CENTER
$2,500GENERAL GRANT
EBENEZER DTC
$2,500GENERAL GRANT
GUIDING LIGHT
$1,000GENERAL GRANT
HUMANE SOCIETY OF WEST MICHIGAN
$1,000GENERAL GRANT
PET TALES RESCUE
$500GENERAL GRANT
ALS FOUNDATION
$500GENERAL GRANT
WEST MICHIGAN YOUTH FOR CHRIST
$10,000GENERAL GRANT
FRONTLINE ESSENTIALS STORE
$5,000GENERAL GRANT
OASIS OF HOPE CENTER
$5,000GENERAL GRANT
KIDS FOOD BASKET
$5,000GENERAL GRANT
HUMANE SOCIETY OF WEST MICHIGAN
$2,000GENERAL GRANT
PET TALES RESCUE
$1,000GENERAL GRANT
SLEEP IN HEAVENLY PEACE
$500GENERAL GRANT
EARLY LEARNING NEIGHBORHOOD COLLABORATIVE
$75,000GENERAL GRANT
FIRST TEE OF WEST MICHIGAN
$10,000GENERAL GRANT