The Leslie Tassell Foundation concentrates its giving in a very targeted way, supporting workforce-focused applied-technology education in Grand Rapids and biomedical research at nationally prominent medical institutions. With only three grants totaling $225,000, the foundation makes sizable gifts that fund capital/program support for a community college technology center and significant research initiatives in transplant medicine.
A defining feature of Leslie Tassell Foundation Dba Tassell-wisner-bottrall Fdn is its concentration in two very different areas: transplant research at major medical institutions and applied-technology training in Grand Rapids. The largest recent grant, $100,000 to Mayo Foundation in 2025, was earmarked for transplant research and innovation, signaling a willingness to back specialized biomedical work at scale. On the education side, the foundation has made repeated gifts to GRCC Foundation for the Wisner-Bottrall Applied Technology Center and M-TEC-related work, including $65,000 in 2024, $60,000 in 2023, and $40,000 in 2025 for M-TEC/robotics. Those gifts point to a pattern of support for technical pathways rather than broad-based grantmaking. The foundation also appears in other local community settings, including scholarship, capital, and operating support at Grand Rapids institutions. Its recent giving shows a small number of grants, but each one is substantial relative to typical foundation awards.
In higher education and workforce development, the foundation has supported Grand Rapids Community College through GRCC Foundation with $65,000 for A Broader Vision Campaign, $60,000 for the Wisner-Bottrall Applied Technology Center, and $40,000 for M-TEC/Robotics. Aquinas College also received $40,000 for the Sister Aquinas Endowed Scholarship and $25,000 for the Chapel Fund, showing support for both student aid and campus facilities. Beyond education, the foundation has backed biomedical work with $100,000 to Mayo Foundation for transplant research and innovation, plus $50,000 to Mayo Hospital Foundation for general support. It also made a $50,000 grant to Imaging the World for Kenya, indicating some international health-related giving. Local operating support appears as well, including gifts to Cascade Community Foundation and Children's Healing Center.
Typical grants are relatively small in count but not in size: p25 is $2,000, median is $2,500, and p75 is $5,000. The recent grants record shows repeated support to several recipients across multiple years, including GRCC Foundation, Mayo Foundation, Cascade Community Foundation, Children’s Healing Center, C-snip, and Gerald R Ford Presidential Foundation. That pattern suggests a mix of recurring relationships and one-off awards. The foundation is organized as a private family foundation-style funder and also funds individuals. It does not make program-related investments. The recent grants include operating support, scholarships, sponsorships, and capital/project gifts.
$371K
$8.6M
$1.1M
$544K
Most grants fall between $2K and $5K, with a median of $3K.
25th Percentile
$2K
Median
$3K
75th Percentile
$5K
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Highly concentrated: few, relatively large gifts; repeat funding to a local community college program and single large grant to a national medical research institution.
Notable grantees: GRCC Foundation (Wisner-Bottrall Applied Technology Center), Mayo Foundation / Mayo Clinic, Wisner-Bottrall Applied Technology Center (program-level recipient)
Grantmaking is heavily centered in Michigan, with 79% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Grand Rapids is the main recipient city, appearing across education, community, health, and operating support grants. Outside Michigan, Rochester, Minnesota appears through Mayo Foundation and Mayo Hospital Foundation, while Charlotte, Vermont appears through Imaging the World. Tennessee also stands out in the broader grant-count pattern as the top state by grant count, even though the headquarters are in Grand Rapids.
The foundation focuses most clearly on applied technology workforce education in Grand Rapids and transplant research and biomedical innovation at major medical institutions. Recent grants also show support for scholarships, campus facilities, general operating support, and some community fundraising and sponsorship requests.
Yes. Recent education grants include $65,000 for A Broader Vision Campaign, $60,000 for the Wisner-Bottrall Applied Technology Center, and $40,000 for M-TEC/Robotics at GRCC Foundation, plus $40,000 for the Sister Aquinas Endowed Scholarship at Aquinas College.
The distribution is modest on the low end: p25 is $2,000, median grant size is $2,500, and p75 is $5,000. The recent list also includes much larger project grants, showing that the foundation can make selected awards well above the median.
Yes. GRCC Foundation appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Mayo Foundation appears in 2024 and 2025; Cascade Community Foundation appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Children’s Healing Center and C-snip also appear in multiple years.
Most grants go to Michigan recipients, and 79% of grants are to organizations in the HQ state. Grand Rapids is the dominant recipient city, while Rochester, Minnesota and Charlotte, Vermont show up outside Michigan.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAYO FOUNDATION | ROCHESTER, MN | $100,000 | 2026 | TRANSPLANT RESEARCH & INNOVATION |
| GRCC - TASSELL TECH | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $60,000 | 2026 | M-TEC/ROBOTICS |
| EQUINE ASSISTED DEVELOPMENT | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $30,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| IMAGING THE WORLD | CHARLOTTE, VT | $27,500 | 2026 | KENYA |
| CHILDREN'S HEALING CENTER | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| GERALD R FORD PRESIDENTIAL FOUNDATI | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SAINT JUDE RESEARCH | MEMPHIS, TN | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| KCIS COMMUNITY ACTION FUND | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $10,000 | 2026 | KENT COUNTY SHERIFF K9 |
| BANGLA MINISTRIES WORLDWIDE | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ALANO CLUB OF KENT COUNTY | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| EMPOWERED FAMILIES | LANSING, MI | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| METROPOLITAN CHOIR OF PRAISE | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WAWASHKAMO GOLF CLUB | MACKINAC ISLAND, MI | $5,000 | 2026 | SPONSORSHIP |
| FREDERIK MEIJER GARDENS & | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BRIDGE THE GAPWMFA | KENTWOOD, MI | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| LAUREN TIESMA AND GVSU | ALLENDALE, MI | $4,100 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| CORNELIUS LATHWEEL AND MSU | EAST LANSING, MI | $3,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| DAHLIA VELDHOUSE AND FERRIS STATE | BIG RAPIDS, MI | $3,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY | ALLENDALE, MI | $2,500 | 2026 | WISNER & NOVO CHIRO SCHOLARSHIP/GENE |
| ALEX SEATON & WMU | KALAMAZOO, MI | $2,250 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| NUHA HUSSEIN & GVSU | ALLENDALE, MI | $2,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| CONNOR COUCH AND U OF M | ANN ARBOR, MI | $2,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| MCKENNA VANOVEREN AND U OF TAMPA | TAMPA, FL | $2,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| KAELA ATKINSON AND MICHIGAN STATE | EAST LANSING, MI | $2,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| JOSEPH SITARSKI AND U OF M | ANN ARBOR, MI | $2,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| AKSHAT JAIN AND U OF M | ANN ARBOR, MI | $2,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| ABIGAIL CUMMINGS AND HOPE COLLEGE | HOLLAND, MI | $2,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| FIDELE BYIRINGIRO AND OAKLAND UNIV | ROCHESTER, MI | $2,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| COOPER DLUGOS & PURDUE UNIV | WEST LAFAYETTE, IN | $2,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| CODY VELDHOUSE AND MICHIGAN STATE | EAST LANSING, MI | $2,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| WEST MICHIGAN TEEN CHALLENGE | MUSKEGON, MI | $2,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ANNE WIECHERJES AND UNIV OF PITTSBU | PITTSBURGH, PA | $2,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| FLOYD TUCKER AND HAMPTON UNIV | HAMPTON, VA | $2,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| GRANT WOODS AND MSU | EAST LANSING, MI | $2,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| CARSON WOODS AND MSU | EAST LANSING, MI | $2,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| AVERY SHELDON AND BUTLER UNIV | INDIANAPOLIS, IN | $2,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| KELSEY DEPAULT & NORTHWOOD UNIVERSI | MIDLAND, MI | $2,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| ANNE DOUMA AND BUTLER UNIVERSITY | INDIANAPOLIS, IN | $2,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| AUSTIN IDZIAK AND MICHIGAN STATE | EAST LANSING, MI | $2,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| LUCY WU AND VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY | NASHVILLE, TN | $2,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| SIMAN PHAM & MSU | EAST LANSING, MI | $2,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| DWELLING PLACE | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $1,750 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| TOYS FOR TOTS | TRIANGLE, VA | $1,750 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| KID'S FOOD BASKET | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $1,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| COVENANT HOUSE | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| LEELANAU CONSERVANCY | LELAND, MI | $500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MAYO FOUNDATION | ROCHESTER, MN | $100,000 | 2025 | TRANSPLANT RESEARCH & INNOVATION |
| GRCC FOUNDATION | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $40,000 | 2025 | M-TEC/ROBOTICS |
| WAWASHKAMO GOLF CLUB | MACKINAC ISLAND, MI | $26,500 | 2025 | SPONSORSHIP |
| AQUINAS COLLEGE | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | CHAPEL FUND |
MAYO FOUNDATION
$100,000TRANSPLANT RESEARCH & INNOVATION
GRCC - TASSELL TECH
$60,000M-TEC/ROBOTICS
EQUINE ASSISTED DEVELOPMENT
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
IMAGING THE WORLD
$27,500KENYA
GERALD R FORD PRESIDENTIAL FOUNDATI
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
SAINT JUDE RESEARCH
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
KCIS COMMUNITY ACTION FUND
$10,000KENT COUNTY SHERIFF K9
BANGLA MINISTRIES WORLDWIDE
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
ALANO CLUB OF KENT COUNTY
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
EMPOWERED FAMILIES
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
METROPOLITAN CHOIR OF PRAISE
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
WAWASHKAMO GOLF CLUB
$5,000SPONSORSHIP
BRIDGE THE GAPWMFA
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
LAUREN TIESMA AND GVSU
$4,100SCHOLARSHIP
CORNELIUS LATHWEEL AND MSU
$3,000SCHOLARSHIP
DAHLIA VELDHOUSE AND FERRIS STATE
$3,000SCHOLARSHIP
GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
$2,500WISNER & NOVO CHIRO SCHOLARSHIP/GENE
ALEX SEATON & WMU
$2,250SCHOLARSHIP
NUHA HUSSEIN & GVSU
$2,000SCHOLARSHIP
CONNOR COUCH AND U OF M
$2,000SCHOLARSHIP
MCKENNA VANOVEREN AND U OF TAMPA
$2,000SCHOLARSHIP
KAELA ATKINSON AND MICHIGAN STATE
$2,000SCHOLARSHIP
JOSEPH SITARSKI AND U OF M
$2,000SCHOLARSHIP
AKSHAT JAIN AND U OF M
$2,000SCHOLARSHIP
ABIGAIL CUMMINGS AND HOPE COLLEGE
$2,000SCHOLARSHIP
FIDELE BYIRINGIRO AND OAKLAND UNIV
$2,000SCHOLARSHIP
COOPER DLUGOS & PURDUE UNIV
$2,000SCHOLARSHIP
CODY VELDHOUSE AND MICHIGAN STATE
$2,000SCHOLARSHIP
WEST MICHIGAN TEEN CHALLENGE
$2,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
ANNE WIECHERJES AND UNIV OF PITTSBU
$2,000SCHOLARSHIP
FLOYD TUCKER AND HAMPTON UNIV
$2,000SCHOLARSHIP
GRANT WOODS AND MSU
$2,000SCHOLARSHIP
CARSON WOODS AND MSU
$2,000SCHOLARSHIP
AVERY SHELDON AND BUTLER UNIV
$2,000SCHOLARSHIP
KELSEY DEPAULT & NORTHWOOD UNIVERSI
$2,000SCHOLARSHIP
ANNE DOUMA AND BUTLER UNIVERSITY
$2,000SCHOLARSHIP
AUSTIN IDZIAK AND MICHIGAN STATE
$2,000SCHOLARSHIP
LUCY WU AND VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
$2,000SCHOLARSHIP
SIMAN PHAM & MSU
$2,000SCHOLARSHIP
DWELLING PLACE
$1,750GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
TOYS FOR TOTS
$1,750GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
KID'S FOOD BASKET
$1,500GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
COVENANT HOUSE
$1,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
MAYO FOUNDATION
$100,000TRANSPLANT RESEARCH & INNOVATION
WAWASHKAMO GOLF CLUB
$26,500SPONSORSHIP