The Jandernoa Foundation concentrates its giving in West Michigan, with a strong emphasis on education (K–12 tuition assistance, college access programs, and vocational/urban higher education expansion) and local human services (family sheltering and women's rescue services). Grants are sizable and often directed to a small set of repeat local institutions, signaling place-based philanthropy that supports both immediate social needs and pathways to economic mobility.
Jandernoa Foundation C/o Michael Jandernoa made one of its largest recent commitments to Catholic Cental High School, awarding $300,000 in both 2024 and 2025 for general tuition assistance and general tuition support. That recurring support signals a foundation that uses large, repeated grants to sustain local education institutions over time. Across its recent giving, the foundation backs K–12 tuition aid, college-access work, urban higher education expansion, shelter services, women’s rescue programs, and other West Michigan nonprofits. The pattern is place-based and institution-centered: the same Grand Rapids organizations appear more than once, often with general support or project-specific funding that helps them maintain programs or expand capacity. Education is a major thread. The foundation supported Grand Rapids Community Foundation for Challenge Scholars, Davenport University Foundation for expansion of the College of Urban Education, and San Juan Diego Academy for teacher salary support. It also funds human services tied to housing instability and recovery, including Family Promise, Women’s Resource Center, and Safe Haven Ministries. The mix shows a funder that pairs tuition assistance and pathway-building with direct local social services.
Education-related grants include $75,000 to Grand Rapids Community Foundation for the Challenge Scholars Program and $100,000 to Davenport University Foundation for expansion of the College of Urban Ed. The foundation also gave $50,000 to San Juan Diego Academy for the Teacher Salary Project, linking its education support to school staffing as well as student access. In human services, the foundation funded Family Promise with $100,000 for general support and Safe Haven Ministries with $20,000 for general support. It also gave $50,000 to Women’s Resource Center for the Propel Campaign for Women’s Rescue, showing a direct interest in services for women and families facing crisis. Other grants point to youth and community supports. It gave $25,000 to New City Kids Foundation for program support, $50,000 to Junior Achievement of the MI Great for annual mission and events sponsorship, and $20,000 to Kids Food Basket for nourishing children efforts.
$838K
$3.2M
$637K
$466K
Most grants fall between $5K and $25K, with a median of $15K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$15K
75th Percentile
$25K
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Concentrated, large-dollar local giving with repeat grants to a limited number of core grantees; mix of multi-hundred-thousand gifts for capital/tuition priorities and sizeable operating support for community safety-net programs.
Notable grantees: Catholic Central High School, Grand Rapids Community Foundation, Heart of West Michigan United Way, Davenport University Foundation, Family Promise
Typical grant size sits at $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $15,000 at the median, and $25,000 at the 75th percentile, though the recent list also includes several six-figure awards. The foundation’s pattern is repeat-oriented: Catholic Cental High School, Grand Rapids Community Foundation, and Junior Achievement of the MI Great each appear in multiple years, often with renewed support. The foundation is also comfortable with different grant types, including general support, tuition assistance, project funding, sponsorships, and technical assistance. It funds individuals and also makes program-related investments, indicating a structure that extends beyond standard grantmaking.
Giving is highly concentrated in Michigan, with 97% of grants to recipients in the HQ state and the top giving state also MI. Most recipients are in Grand Rapids, including Catholic Cental High School, Family Promise, Grand Rapids Community Foundation, Women’s Resource Center, and Special Olympics Michigan. Other Michigan recipients include Wyoming, Holland, Rockford, South Haven, Allegan, Southfield, and East Lansing. All recent grants in the provided list went to U.S. recipients.
The foundation supports Catholic secondary school tuition assistance, K–12 college-access and scholarship programs, workforce and vocational higher education expansion, family homelessness prevention and shelter services, and women’s rescue and recovery services. Recent grants also include youth programs, urgent dental care, disability inclusion, and nonprofit capacity building.
The typical grant size is $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $15,000 at the median, and $25,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent awards also include larger commitments, such as $300,000 to Catholic Cental High School and $100,000 to Family Promise.
Yes. Catholic Cental High School received $300,000 in 2024 and again in 2025. Grand Rapids Community Foundation appears in both 2024 and 2025, and Junior Achievement of the MI Great also appears in two consecutive years. The pattern suggests ongoing support for familiar local partners.
Its giving is strongly concentrated in Michigan: 97% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and MI is also the top state by grant count. Grand Rapids is the most visible recipient city in the recent grant list, with additional Michigan recipients in Wyoming, Holland, Rockford, South Haven, Allegan, Southfield, and East Lansing.
The foundation uses several formats, including general support, general tuition assistance, project support, sponsorships, capital or campaign support, and technical assistance. Examples in the recent list include general support to Family Promise and Safe Haven Ministries, tuition assistance for Catholic Cental High School, and non-profit technical assistance funding through Grand Rapids Community Foundation.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CATHOLIC CENTAL HIGH SCHOOL | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $300,000 | 2025 | GENERAL TUITION SUPPORT |
| FAMILY PROMISE | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GRAND RAPIDS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $75,000 | 2025 | CHALLENGE SCHOLARS PROGRAM |
| JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF THE MI GREAT | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL MISSION AND EVENTS SPONSORSHI |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES WES | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $31,667 | 2025 | PLEDGE FAMILY SUPPORT |
| OPPORTUNITY THRIVE INC | ROCKFORD, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | A VISION FOR BUILDING CAPACITY |
| YWCA WEST CENTRAL MICHIGAN | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| GRAND RAPIDS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | NON-PROFIT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FUND |
| NEW CITY KIDS FOUNDATION | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MOSAIC COUNSELING | SOUTH HAVEN, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | YOU MATTER CAMPAIGN |
| KIDS FOOD BASKET | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $20,000 | 2025 | NOURISHING CHILDREN TO REACH THEIR |
| MICHIGAN COLLEGES ALLIANCE | SOUTHFIELD, MI | $20,000 | 2025 | JANDERNOA INNOVATION SCHOLARSHIP |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES WES | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $15,000 | 2025 | PLEDGE MORE ROOMS MORE LOVE |
| KENT SCHOOLS SERVICES NETWORK | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $15,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| EVAN'S SCHOLARS FOUNDATION | GLENVIEW, IL | $12,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FRANCISCAN LIFE PROCESS CENTER | LOWELL, MI | $10,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| ENDLESS OPPORTUNITIES | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $10,000 | 2025 | MENTORING PROGRAM |
| HOME REPAIR SERVICE | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $10,000 | 2025 | SELF HELP PROGRAM |
| THE RIGHT PLACE INC | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| DOMINICAN SISTERS GRAND RAPIDS | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $10,000 | 2025 | JUNE LUNCHEON/O ANTIPHONS |
| THE CENTER FOR MICHIGAN | YPSILANTI, MI | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $5,000 | 2025 | PADDLE RAISE DONATION AT HOPE ON THE |
| GIRL SCOUTS OF MICHIGAN SHORE TO SH | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $5,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| TALENTFIRST | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $2,500 | 2025 | EARLY LITERACY SPONSORSHIP 2025 |
| COUNCIL OF MICHIGAN FOUNDATIONS | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $1,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CATHOLIC CENTAL HIGH SCHOOL | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $300,000 | 2024 | GENERAL TUITION ASSISTANCE |
| DAVENPORT UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $100,000 | 2024 | EXPANSION OF THE COLLEGE OF URBAN ED |
| GRAND RAPIDS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $75,000 | 2024 | CENTENNIAL CAMPAIGN - CHALLENGE SCHO |
| JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF THE MI GREAT | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $50,000 | 2024 | ANNUAL MISSION AND EVENTS SPONSORSHI |
| SPECIAL OLYMPICS MICHIGAN | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $50,000 | 2024 | SPECIAL OLYMPICS INCLUSION FACILITY |
| WOMEN'S RESOURCE CENTER | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $50,000 | 2024 | PROPEL CAMPAIGN FOR WOMEN'S RESCUE |
| SAN JUAN DIEGO ACADEMY | WYOMING, MI | $50,000 | 2024 | TEACHER SALARY PROJECT |
| HOPE COLLEGE | HOLLAND, MI | $48,000 | 2024 | HOPE COLLEGE CENTER FOR LEADERSHIP |
| URBAN CIRE COLLECTIVE | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $45,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHERRY HEALTH FOUNDATION | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $37,500 | 2024 | BELKNAP URGENT DENTAL CARE PROGRAM |
| GRAND RAPIDS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $30,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| YMCA OF GREATER GRAND RAPIDS | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SAFE HARBOR CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER | ALLEGAN, MI | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ARBOR CIRCLE | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $25,000 | 2024 | SHAPING THE FUTURE: ARBOR CIRCLE PA |
| AYA YOUTH COLLECTIVE | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $25,000 | 2024 | FROM CRISIS TO HOUSED |
| KIDS FOOD BASKET | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $20,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY | EAST LANSING, MI | $20,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MICHIGAN COLLEGES ALLIANCE | SOUTHFIELD, MI | $20,000 | 2024 | JANDERNOA INNOVATION SCHOLARSHIP |
| SAFE HAVEN MINISTRIES INC | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $20,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| DIOCESE OF GRAND RAPIDS | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $20,000 | 2024 | OUR SHEPHERDS OUR FUTURE CAMPAIGN |
| CATHOILIC CHARITIES OF WEST MICHIGAN | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $17,500 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| KENT SCHOOLS SERVICES NETWORK | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $15,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GRAND RAPIDS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $15,000 | 2024 | NON-PROFIT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FUND |
| EVANS SCHOLARS FOUNDATION | GLENVIEW, IL | $12,500 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| DOMINICAN SISTERS | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
CATHOLIC CENTAL HIGH SCHOOL
$300,000GENERAL TUITION SUPPORT
FAMILY PROMISE
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF THE MI GREAT
$50,000ANNUAL MISSION AND EVENTS SPONSORSHI
OPPORTUNITY THRIVE INC
$25,000A VISION FOR BUILDING CAPACITY
NEW CITY KIDS FOUNDATION
$25,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
KIDS FOOD BASKET
$20,000NOURISHING CHILDREN TO REACH THEIR
EVAN'S SCHOLARS FOUNDATION
$12,500GENERAL SUPPORT
FRANCISCAN LIFE PROCESS CENTER
$10,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
ENDLESS OPPORTUNITIES
$10,000MENTORING PROGRAM
HOME REPAIR SERVICE
$10,000SELF HELP PROGRAM
THE RIGHT PLACE INC
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
DOMINICAN SISTERS GRAND RAPIDS
$10,000JUNE LUNCHEON/O ANTIPHONS
GIRL SCOUTS OF MICHIGAN SHORE TO SH
$5,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
TALENTFIRST
$2,500EARLY LITERACY SPONSORSHIP 2025
CATHOLIC CENTAL HIGH SCHOOL
$300,000GENERAL TUITION ASSISTANCE
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF THE MI GREAT
$50,000ANNUAL MISSION AND EVENTS SPONSORSHI
SAN JUAN DIEGO ACADEMY
$50,000TEACHER SALARY PROJECT
HOPE COLLEGE
$48,000HOPE COLLEGE CENTER FOR LEADERSHIP
URBAN CIRE COLLECTIVE
$45,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CHERRY HEALTH FOUNDATION
$37,500BELKNAP URGENT DENTAL CARE PROGRAM
KIDS FOOD BASKET
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
DIOCESE OF GRAND RAPIDS
$20,000OUR SHEPHERDS OUR FUTURE CAMPAIGN
CATHOILIC CHARITIES OF WEST MICHIGAN
$17,500GENERAL SUPPORT
EVANS SCHOLARS FOUNDATION
$12,500GENERAL SUPPORT
DOMINICAN SISTERS
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT