The Merle & Sheri DeWitt Foundation concentrates its support on Christian faith-based institutions and initiatives, giving substantial unrestricted gifts to local churches, theological education, Christian higher education, and biblical outreach. Grants are targeted and fewer in number but sizable, often used as general operating support, reflecting a preference for sustaining institutional capacity rather than project-specific funding. The foundation appears rooted in the Reformed/evangelical sphere with both local (Holland-area) and global (mission hospital) interests.
A 2023 grant of $50,000 to Friends of American Mission Hospital stands out as the foundation’s largest recent award and shows how Merle & Sheri Dewitt Foundation pairs local church support with broader Christian institutions. Across the recent grants list, the foundation repeatedly backs unrestricted general funds, suggesting a preference for flexible operating support rather than tightly scoped projects. Its giving reaches churches, seminaries, Christian schools, and public-facing faith organizations, with several recipients appearing in more than one year. The foundation’s pattern also shows a clear institutional focus. Western Theological Seminary received multiple grants, including $35,000 in 2024 and $25,000 in 2025, while Ottawa Reformed Church appears with awards of $39,000 in 2023, $15,000 in 2024, and $31,000 in 2025. Other recurring recipients include Northwestern College and North Holland Crc, reinforcing a portfolio centered on Christian formation, congregational life, and mission-oriented work. The presence of grants to Museum of the Bible and American Values extends that support into biblical engagement and public faith resources.
A strong thread in the foundation’s grantmaking is Christian education and clergy formation. Western Theological Seminary received $35,000 in 2024 and $25,000 in 2025 for unrestricted general support, and Northwestern College received $25,000 in both 2024 and 2025 for the same purpose. Local congregational support is another major theme. Ottawa Reformed Church was awarded $39,000 in 2023, $15,000 in 2024, and $31,000 in 2025, all as unrestricted general fund grants. The foundation also backs faith-based outreach and institutions beyond the immediate church and school setting. Museum of the Bible received $40,000 in 2025, while Focus on the Family received $10,000 in 2025 and $6,000 in 2023. Mission India and Multiplication Network also appear multiple times, each with general-fund support across recent years.
Typical grant size is modest but flexible: the 25th percentile is $1,000, the median is $2,000, and the 75th percentile is $5,000. The recent grants list, however, includes several larger awards that rise well above that range. Recipients recur across multiple years, including Ottawa Reformed Church, Western Theological Seminary, Northwestern College, North Holland Crc, Mission India, and American Values, which points to ongoing relationships rather than one-time gifts. The foundation is a private grantmaker that does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments. Recent grants are consistently described as unrestricted grants to general funds, indicating operating support.
$249K
$951K
$103K
$311K
Most grants fall between $1K and $5K, with a median of $2K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$2K
75th Percentile
$5K
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Relatively small portfolio of mid-to-large unrestricted grants concentrated on religious and educational institutions; repeats some local grantees and favors general operating support over program-restricted funding.
Notable grantees: Ottawa Reformed Church, Western Theological Seminary, Northwestern College, Museum of the Bible, Friends of American Mission Hospital
Grantmaking is concentrated in Michigan, where 82% of grants go and where the foundation gives most often. Recent recipient cities in the state include West Olive, Holland, Zeeland, and Grand Rapids, showing a strong West Michigan footprint around the foundation’s local area. Outside Michigan, the recent list includes Washington, DC; Orange City, Iowa; Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Sauk Village, Illinois. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 90 grants in the United States.
The foundation supports Christian congregations, theological education, Christian higher education, biblical outreach, and faith-based mission or service organizations. Recent grants include unrestricted general-fund support for churches, seminaries, colleges, and public-facing Christian institutions.
Yes. Several recipients appear in more than one year, including Ottawa Reformed Church, Western Theological Seminary, Northwestern College, North Holland Crc, Mission India, and American Values. That pattern suggests repeated support rather than isolated gifts.
The grant-size distribution centers on smaller awards: the 25th percentile is $1,000, the median is $2,000, and the 75th percentile is $5,000. The recent list also includes larger exceptions, such as $50,000 to Friends of American Mission Hospital and $40,000 to Museum of the Bible.
Michigan is the main geography for its grantmaking, accounting for 82% of grants. Recent Michigan recipients include West Olive, Holland, Zeeland, and Grand Rapids, with the strongest concentration in West Michigan.
The recent grants are consistently labeled unrestricted grants to general funds. That points to flexible operating support rather than project-restricted funding.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZEELAND CHRISTIAN | ZEELAND, MI | $33,500 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND |
| UNITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL | HUDSONVILLE, MI | $30,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND |
| NORTHWESTERN COLLEGE | ORANGE CITY, IA | $27,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND |
| FOCUS ON THE FAMILY | COLORADO SPRINGS, CO | $20,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND |
| WESTERN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY | HOLLAND, MI | $19,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND |
| OTTAWA REFORMED CHURCH | WEST OLIVE, MI | $17,340 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND |
| CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER | HOLLAND, MI | $17,234 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND |
| MULTIPLICATION NETWORK | SAUK VILLAGE, IL | $15,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND |
| NORTH HOLLAND CRC | HOLLAND, MI | $10,500 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND |
| MISSION INDIA | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND |
| MUSEUM OF THE BIBLE | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND |
| AMERICAN VALUES | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND |
| BORCULO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL | ZEELAND, MI | $4,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND |
| BLVD CHURCH | HOLLAND, MI | $3,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND |
| CRAN-HILL RANCH | RODNEY, MI | $2,500 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND |
| HOSPICE OF HOLLAND | HOLLAND, MI | $2,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND |
| UPWARD BOUND | ZEELAND, MI | $2,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND |
| RESILIANCE | ALLEGAN, MI | $2,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND |
| THE HUMANITY SHARE | NORRISTOWN, PA | $2,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND |
| STEPHEN'S CHILDREN FOUNDATION INC | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $1,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND |
| NESTLINGS DIAPER BANK | HOLLAND, MI | $1,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND |
| HOPE COLLEGE | HOLLAND, MI | $1,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND |
| BARNABAS MINISTRIES | HAMILTON, MI | $1,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND |
| REACH THE FORGOTTEN | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $1,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND |
| OUTSIDE IN | GRAND HAVEN, MI | $1,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND |
| SHIELDS OF HOPE | ZEELAND, MI | $1,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND |
| FAMILY LIFE CENTER | ALLENDALE, MI | $1,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND |
| 3SIXTY | HOLLAND, MI | $600 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND |
| LIGHTHOUSE IMMIGRANT ADVOCATES | HOLLAND, MI | $500 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND |
| KIDS HOPE USA | ZEELAND, MI | $500 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND |
| LAKESHORE PREGNANCY CENTER | HOLLAND, MI | $500 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND |
| BELAY YOUTH MINISTRY | HOLLAND, MI | $500 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND |
| MENTAL HEALTH FOUNDATION | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $500 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND |
| LOVE INC | ALLENDALE, MI | $500 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND |
| GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY | ALLENDALE, MI | $400 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND |
| MUSEUM OF THE BIBLE | WASHINGTON, DC | $40,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND |
| OTTAWA REFORMED CHURCH | WEST OLIVE, MI | $31,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND |
| WESTERN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY | HOLLAND, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND |
| NORTHWESTERN COLLEGE | ORANGE CITY, IA | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND |
| MISSION INDIA | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND |
| AMERICAN VALUES | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND |
| FOCUS ON THE FAMILY | COLORADO SPRINGS, CO | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND |
| MULTIPLICATION NETWORK | SAUK VILLAGE, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND |
| CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER | HOLLAND, MI | $9,780 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND |
| NORTH HOLLAND CRC | HOLLAND, MI | $8,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND |
| ZEELAND CHRISTIAN | ZEELAND, MI | $5,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND |
| BORCULO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL | ZEELAND, MI | $4,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND |
| HOSPICE OF HOLLAND | HOLLAND, MI | $2,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND |
| UPWARD BOUND | ZEELAND, MI | $2,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND |
| BLVD CHURCH | HOLLAND, MI | $2,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND |
ZEELAND CHRISTIAN
$33,500UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND
NORTHWESTERN COLLEGE
$27,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND
FOCUS ON THE FAMILY
$20,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND
WESTERN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
$19,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND
OTTAWA REFORMED CHURCH
$17,340UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND
NORTH HOLLAND CRC
$10,500UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND
MISSION INDIA
$10,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND
MUSEUM OF THE BIBLE
$10,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND
AMERICAN VALUES
$10,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND
BORCULO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
$4,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND
BLVD CHURCH
$3,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND
CRAN-HILL RANCH
$2,500UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND
UPWARD BOUND
$2,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND
RESILIANCE
$2,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND
THE HUMANITY SHARE
$2,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND
NESTLINGS DIAPER BANK
$1,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND
HOPE COLLEGE
$1,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND
BARNABAS MINISTRIES
$1,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND
REACH THE FORGOTTEN
$1,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND
OUTSIDE IN
$1,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND
SHIELDS OF HOPE
$1,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND
FAMILY LIFE CENTER
$1,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND
3SIXTY
$600UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND
LAKESHORE PREGNANCY CENTER
$500UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND
BELAY YOUTH MINISTRY
$500UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND
LOVE INC
$500UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND
GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
$400UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND
MUSEUM OF THE BIBLE
$40,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND
OTTAWA REFORMED CHURCH
$31,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND
WESTERN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
$25,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND
NORTHWESTERN COLLEGE
$25,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND
MISSION INDIA
$10,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND
AMERICAN VALUES
$10,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND
FOCUS ON THE FAMILY
$10,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND
MULTIPLICATION NETWORK
$10,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND
NORTH HOLLAND CRC
$8,500UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND
ZEELAND CHRISTIAN
$5,500UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND
BORCULO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
$4,500UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND
UPWARD BOUND
$2,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND
BLVD CHURCH
$2,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT TO GENERAL FUND