The Steve & Amy Van Andel Foundation concentrates large, strategic gifts to a small number of institutions, with a strong emphasis on higher education (notably funding Hillsdale College), public policy/leadership initiatives, and regional healthcare. Their giving mixes national-profile policy philanthropy with targeted support for West Michigan institutions, suggesting interest in shaping civic and educational agendas as well as strengthening local health infrastructure.
A defining feature of the Steve & Amy Van Andel Foundation is its repeated seven-figure support for Hillsdale College, including $3,000,000 grants in both 2023 and 2024 and an additional $1,200,000 in 2023. That pattern sits alongside major gifts to West Michigan health institutions and policy-focused organizations, showing a portfolio that combines higher education, public policy, and regional health care. The foundation’s recent giving includes $1,000,000 grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025 to The George W. Bush Foundation, as well as recurring support for University of Michigan Health-West Foundation. The recent record also shows a strong local emphasis in Grand Rapids and nearby communities. Grants to Trillium Institute, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation, Faith Hospice, and Childrens Healing Center all point to sustained support for health and human services in West Michigan. Beyond those core areas, the foundation has funded arts and culture through the Gerald R. Ford Foundation and Harbor Springs Festival of the Book, and community development through Ada Township and the City of Rockford. The mix suggests a funder that concentrates on a relatively small set of institutions while returning to them over multiple years.
In higher education, the foundation has made some of its largest gifts to Hillsdale College, including $3,000,000 in 2023 and 2024. That same education-oriented thread appears in its broader public-policy and leadership interest, with $1,000,000 awarded in each of 2023, 2024, and 2025 to The George W. Bush Foundation. Health and human services is another recurring area. The foundation gave $1,000,000 to University of Michigan Health-West Foundation in 2024 and again in 2025, and it supported Trillium Institute with $500,000 in each of 2023, 2024, and 2025. It also backed Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation, Faith Hospice, Hospice of Michigan Inc, and Childrens Healing Center. Community development appears in grants to Ada Township, Brodys Be Cafe LLC, Equest Center for Therapeutic Riding Inc, and the City of Rockford. Arts and culture grants include The Gerald R. Ford Foundation and Harbor Springs Festival of the Book.
The typical grant size is $2,750 at the 25th percentile, $10,000 at the median, and $27,500 at the 75th percentile, but the recent record also shows repeated large institutional grants in the six- and seven-figure range. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including Hillsdale College, The George W. Bush Foundation, Trillium Institute, University of Michigan Health-West Foundation, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation, and Hospice of Michigan Inc. That points to a renewal pattern rather than one-off awards. The foundation is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments.
$5.5M
$102.3M
$7.8M
$6.4M
Most grants fall between $3K and $28K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$3K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$28K
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Highly concentrated: very few, large gifts often repeated to the same organizations; mix of national-profile grantees and local institutional support rather than many small grants.
Notable grantees: Hillsdale College, The George W. Bush Foundation, University of Michigan Health–West Foundation
Giving is strongly concentrated in Michigan: 86% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and Michigan is also the top state by grant count. Recent recipients cluster in Grand Rapids, Wyoming, Ada, Rockford, Hillsdale, and Harbor Springs. Outside Michigan, the recent grants list includes The George W. Bush Foundation in Dallas, Texas, and Bella Mente Quantum Racing Association in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based.
Recent grants show support for higher education, public policy and leadership, health and human services, community development, and arts and culture. Examples include Hillsdale College, The George W. Bush Foundation, University of Michigan Health-West Foundation, Ada Township, and The Gerald R. Ford Foundation.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Hillsdale College in 2023 and 2024, The George W. Bush Foundation in 2023 through 2025, Trillium Institute in 2023 through 2025, and University of Michigan Health-West Foundation in 2024 and 2025.
The typical grant size is $2,750 at the 25th percentile, $10,000 at the median, and $27,500 at the 75th percentile. The recent grant list also includes larger recurring awards at $500,000 and $1,000,000 levels.
Michigan is the top state by grant count, and 86% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Recent Michigan recipients include organizations in Grand Rapids, Wyoming, Ada, Rockford, Hillsdale, and Harbor Springs.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN HEALTH-WEST FOUNDATION | WYOMING, MI | $1,000,000 | 2025 | HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES |
| THE GEORGE W BUSH FOUNDATION | DALLAS, TX | $1,000,000 | 2025 | PUBLIC POLICY |
| TRILLIUM INSTITUTE | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $500,000 | 2025 | HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES |
| ADA TOWNSHIP | ADA, MI | $375,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
| CHILDRENS HEALING CENTER | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $348,333 | 2025 | HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES |
| THE GERALD R FORD FOUNDATION | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $260,000 | 2025 | ARTS & CULTURE |
| BELLA MENTE QUANTUM RACING ASSOCIATION | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $250,000 | 2025 | ARTS & CULTURE |
| MARY FREE BED REHABILITATION HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $250,000 | 2025 | HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES |
| BRODYS BE CAF LLC | ADA, MI | $150,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
| HOSPICE OF MICHIGAN INC | ADA, MI | $112,500 | 2025 | HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES |
| EQUEST CENTER FOR THERAPEUTIC RIDING INC | ROCKFORD, MI | $110,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
| CORWELL HEALTH WEST MICHIGAN FOUNDATION | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $110,000 | 2025 | HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES |
| CITY OF ROCKFORD | ROCKFORD, MI | $100,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
| HARBOR SPRINGS FESTIVAL OF THE BOOK | HARBOR SPRINGS, MI | $100,000 | 2025 | ARTS & CULTURE |
| HOLLAND HOME | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $80,000 | 2025 | HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES |
| ELITE GREYHOUND ADOPTIONS INC | PARIS, KY | $50,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
| MCLAREN NORTHERN MICHIGAN FOUNDATION | PETOSKEY, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES |
| SAINT THOMAS EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC MUSEUM | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | ARTS & CULTURE |
| BETHEL COMMUNITY EDUCATION | ROCKFORD, MI | $47,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| TRAFFIC SQUAD FUND INC | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $45,000 | 2025 | HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES |
| UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN HEALTH-WEST FOUNDATION | WYOMING, MI | $35,000 | 2025 | HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES |
| POTTERS HOUSE | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $35,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| WORLDMAKER INTERNATIONAL INC | CEDAR RAPIDS, IA | $30,500 | 2025 | HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES |
| BAXTER COMMUNITY CENTER | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $30,000 | 2025 | HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES |
| WEDGWOOD CHRISTIAN SERVICES | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES |
| FAMILY PROMISE OF GRAND RAPIDS | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES |
| LITERACY CENTER OF WEST MICHIGAN | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| KIDS FOOD BASKET | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES |
| VAN ANDEL RESEARCH INSTITUTE | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $23,000 | 2025 | HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES |
| FREDERIK MEIJER GARDENS & SCULPTURE PARK | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $20,000 | 2025 | ARTS & CULTURE |
| FRIENDS OF GRAND RAPIDS PARKS | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $20,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
| SCHOOL EMERGENCY RESPONSE COALITION | CEDAR SPRINGS, MI | $20,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
| MARY FREE BED REHABILITATION HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $15,000 | 2025 | HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES |
| ARBOR HOSPICE INC | ANN ARBOR, MI | $12,500 | 2025 | HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES |
| SENIOR NEIGHBORS INC | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $10,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
| THE YOUNG AMERICANS INC | CORONA, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | ARTS & CULTURE |
| AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY RESEARCH | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2025 | PUBLIC POLICY |
| GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $10,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| HEART OF WEST MICHIGAN UNITED WAY | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $10,000 | 2025 | HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES |
| THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2025 | PUBLIC POLICY |
| HUNT2HEAL | GRANDVILLE, MI | $10,000 | 2025 | HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES |
| MEALS ON WHEELS WESTERN MICHIGAN INC | GRANDVILLE, MI | $5,000 | 2025 | CHRISTIAN INSTITUTIONS |
| CROOKED TREE ARTS COUNCIL INC | PETOSKEY, MI | $5,000 | 2025 | ARTS & CULTURE |
| NORTHPOINTE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $5,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| GUIDING LIGHT MISSION | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $5,000 | 2025 | HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES |
| SAINT MARY'S FOUNDATION | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $5,000 | 2025 | HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES |
| MEL TROTTER MINISTRIES | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $5,000 | 2025 | HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES |
| DA BLODGETT - ST JOHNS | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $3,500 | 2025 | HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES |
| FOLDS OF HONOR GRAND RAPIDS | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $3,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN HEALTH-WEST FOUNDATION
$1,000,000HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
TRILLIUM INSTITUTE
$500,000HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
ADA TOWNSHIP
$375,000COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
CHILDRENS HEALING CENTER
$348,333HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
THE GERALD R FORD FOUNDATION
$260,000ARTS & CULTURE
BELLA MENTE QUANTUM RACING ASSOCIATION
$250,000ARTS & CULTURE
BRODYS BE CAF LLC
$150,000COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
CITY OF ROCKFORD
$100,000COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
HARBOR SPRINGS FESTIVAL OF THE BOOK
$100,000ARTS & CULTURE
ELITE GREYHOUND ADOPTIONS INC
$50,000COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
MCLAREN NORTHERN MICHIGAN FOUNDATION
$50,000HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
SAINT THOMAS EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION
$50,000EDUCATION
BETHEL COMMUNITY EDUCATION
$47,000EDUCATION
TRAFFIC SQUAD FUND INC
$45,000HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN HEALTH-WEST FOUNDATION
$35,000HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
WORLDMAKER INTERNATIONAL INC
$30,500HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
FAMILY PROMISE OF GRAND RAPIDS
$25,000HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
KIDS FOOD BASKET
$25,000HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
FRIENDS OF GRAND RAPIDS PARKS
$20,000COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
SCHOOL EMERGENCY RESPONSE COALITION
$20,000COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
THE YOUNG AMERICANS INC
$10,000ARTS & CULTURE
GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
$10,000EDUCATION
HUNT2HEAL
$10,000HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
GUIDING LIGHT MISSION
$5,000HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
MEL TROTTER MINISTRIES
$5,000HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
DA BLODGETT - ST JOHNS
$3,500HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
FOLDS OF HONOR GRAND RAPIDS
$3,000COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT