The David and Carol Van Andel Family Foundation concentrates its giving in West Michigan with a strong emphasis on Christian faith-based institutions, including health care, social services, and Christian education. Grants are large and often repeat commitments to a small set of regional organizations (hospitals, seminaries, ministries) while also supporting community amenities like the John Ball Zoo. The foundation favors capacity- and capital-style gifts that strengthen institutions central to faith, family well-being, and community life in Grand Rapids and surrounding areas.
The David and Carol Van Andel Family Foundation’s giving is defined by large, repeated support for Christian institutions in West Michigan, with Pine Rest Christian Hospital receiving a $2,000,000 grant in 2025 and Mel Trotter Ministries receiving $1,000,000 the same year. That pattern extends beyond a single sector: the foundation also backs Christian education, health-related institutions, and regional organizations that serve Grand Rapids and nearby communities. Recent gifts show a clear preference for multi-year commitments, with some recipients appearing across several years and in multiple grant sizes. Western Theological Seminary in Holland received $750,000 in 2024, $627,839 in 2025, $251,000 in 2023, and $125,000 in 2024, illustrating how the foundation sustains institutions over time. The portfolio also includes civic and cultural anchors such as John Ball Zoological Society and Opera Grand Rapids, alongside organizations working in social services and community life. Across the recent grants list, the foundation’s support is concentrated in organizations that combine institutional stability with direct service or public-facing impact in West Michigan.
Christian institutions are central to the foundation’s grantmaking. In 2025, it gave $2,000,000 to Pine Rest Christian Hospital and $1,000,000 to Mel Trotter Ministries, and it also supported Bethany Christian Services with $600,000 in 2023 and $300,000 in both 2024 and 2025. Christian education is another major theme: Ada Christian School Education Foundation received $1,000,000 in 2024, while Western Theological Seminary received multiple awards across 2023-2025. The foundation also funds health and well-being work through Grand Action Foundation, which received a series of grants in 2024, and Children’s Healing Center, which received $125,000 in 2025. In arts and culture, Opera Grand Rapids and John Ball Zoological Society both appear in the recent grants list, showing support for community institutions beyond explicitly faith-based organizations.
Typical grants cluster around a median of $16,300, with the middle half ranging from $5,000 to $50,125. The recent record shows both one-time awards and repeated commitments, especially to institutions that appear across multiple years. Western Theological Seminary, Mel Trotter Ministries, Bethany Christian Services, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation, Grand Action Foundation, Opera Grand Rapids, and John Ball Zoological Society all recur in the data. The foundation is a regular funder rather than a donor-advised fund and does not make program-related investments. Its giving pattern is strongly local, with 98% of grants going to recipients in Michigan.
$8.4M
$111.6M
$9.2M
$9.6M
Most grants fall between $5K and $50K, with a median of $16K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$16K
75th Percentile
$50K
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Concentrated, high-dollar grants focused on a small set of regional grantees with repeated support; primarily capital and institutional strengthening gifts rather than many small grants to disparate causes.
Notable grantees: Pine Rest Christian Hospital, Mel Trotter Ministries, Western Theological Seminary, John Ball Zoological Society, Ada Christian School Education Foundation
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly centered in Michigan, and most recipients are in Grand Rapids. That city appears repeatedly across Christian institutions, health providers, arts groups, and community organizations, including Pine Rest Christian Hospital, Mel Trotter Ministries, Grand Action Foundation, and Opera Grand Rapids. Outside Grand Rapids, the data includes Ada, Holland, and a small number of other Michigan locations, but the foundation’s top giving state is clearly Michigan. All grants in the recipient-country distribution go to U.S. organizations.
The recent grants list shows a strong focus on Christian institutions, Christian education, health and well-being, community development, and arts and culture. Examples include Pine Rest Christian Hospital, Western Theological Seminary, Grand Action Foundation, and Opera Grand Rapids.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Western Theological Seminary, Mel Trotter Ministries, Bethany Christian Services, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation, Grand Action Foundation, Opera Grand Rapids, and John Ball Zoological Society.
The typical grant size is $16,300 at the median, with the middle half of grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,125. That indicates a mix of smaller awards and larger institutional grants.
Michigan is the top state by grant count, and 98% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. The recent grants list is concentrated in Grand Rapids and nearby Michigan communities such as Ada and Holland.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PINE REST CHRISTIAN HOSPITAL | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $2,000,000 | 2025 | CHRISTIAN INSTITUTIONS |
| MEL TROTTER MINISTRIES | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $1,000,000 | 2025 | CHRISTIAN INSTITUTIONS |
| GRAND ACTION FOUNDATION | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $1,000,000 | 2025 | HEALTH & WELL-BEING |
| JOHN BALL ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $755,000 | 2025 | ARTS & CULTURE |
| WESTERN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY | HOLLAND, MI | $627,839 | 2025 | CHRISTIAN EDUCATION |
| OPERA GRAND RAPIDS | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $408,000 | 2025 | ARTS & CULTURE |
| GRAND RAPIDS NEHEMIAH PROJECT | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $350,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
| MARY FREE BED REHABILITATION HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $333,333 | 2025 | HEALTH & WELL-BEING |
| BETHANY CHRISTIAN SERVICES | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $300,000 | 2025 | CHRISTIAN INSTITUTIONS |
| GIRL SCOUTS OF MICHIGAN SHORE TO SHORE | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $140,000 | 2025 | HEALTH & WELL-BEING |
| CHILDREN'S HEALING CENTER | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $125,000 | 2025 | HEALTH & WELL-BEING |
| GRAND RAPIDS CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $100,000 | 2025 | CHRISTIAN EDUCATION |
| CASCADE FELLOWSHIP CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $90,000 | 2025 | CHRISTIAN INSTITUTIONS |
| AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $85,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
| SALVATION ARMY | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $85,000 | 2025 | CHRISTIAN INSTITUTIONS |
| GRAND RAPIDS AFRICAN AMERICAN HEALTH INSTITUTE | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $70,000 | 2025 | HEALTH & WELL-BEING |
| BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $70,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
| POTTERS HOUSE | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $65,100 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| VAN ANDEL RESEARCH INSTITUTE | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $61,430 | 2025 | HEALTH & WELL-BEING |
| BLANDFORD NATURE CENTER | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $60,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
| WEDGWOOD CHRISTIAN SERVICES | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $60,000 | 2025 | HEALTH & WELL-BEING |
| MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION OF MICHIGAN | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $55,000 | 2025 | HEALTH & WELL-BEING |
| YMCA OF GREATER GRAND RAPIDS | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $55,000 | 2025 | HEALTH & WELL-BEING |
| 3-11 YOUTH HOUSING | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $54,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
| GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC MUSEUM FOUNDATION | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $50,500 | 2025 | ARTS & CULTURE |
| KIDS FOOD BASKET | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
| WEST MICHIGAN SPORTS COMMISSION | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
| THE ACTON INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF RELIGION AND LIBERTY | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $43,500 | 2025 | CHRISTIAN EDUCATION |
| HOLLAND HARBOR LIGHTHOUSE HISTORICAL COMMISSION | MACATAWA, MI | $35,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
| GILDA'S CLUB GRAND RAPIDS | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $35,000 | 2025 | HEALTH & WELL-BEING |
| INNER CITY CHRISTIAN FEDERATION | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | HEALTH & WELL-BEING |
| WOMEN'S RESOURCE CENTER | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | HEALTH & WELL-BEING |
| STREAMS OF HOPE | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | HEALTH & WELL-BEING |
| SCHOOL EMERGENCY RESPONSE COALITION | CEDAR SPRINGS, MI | $20,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
| BAXTER COMMUNITY CENTER | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $15,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
| GRAND RAPIDS DOWNTOWN MARKET EDUCATION FOUNDATION | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $15,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| KENT COUNTY PARKS FOUNDATION | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $10,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
| SENIOR NEIGHBORS INC | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $10,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
| PINE REST FOUNDATION | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $10,000 | 2025 | CHRISTIAN INSTITUTIONS |
| VOLUNTEERS IN SERVICE | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $5,000 | 2025 | CHRISTIAN INSTITUTIONS |
| WEST MICHIGAN HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $5,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
| THE MICHIGAN WOMEN'S FOUNDATION | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $5,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| SAINT MARY'S FOUNDATION | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $5,000 | 2025 | HEALTH & WELL-BEING |
| GRAND RAPIDS CHAMBER FOUNDATION | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $5,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
| DAVENPORT UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $4,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| HOME REPAIR SERVICES OF KENT COUNTY INC | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $2,500 | 2025 | HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES |
| GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS YOUTH FOUNDATION | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $2,500 | 2025 | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
| CAROLINE'S PEACH FOUNDATION | HOLLAND, MI | $1,000 | 2025 | HEALTH & WELL-BEING |
| RED GLASSES MOVEMENT | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $1,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
| ADA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL EDUCATION FOUNDATION | ADA, MI | $1,000,000 | 2024 | CHRISTIAN EDUCATION |
PINE REST CHRISTIAN HOSPITAL
$2,000,000CHRISTIAN INSTITUTIONS
MEL TROTTER MINISTRIES
$1,000,000CHRISTIAN INSTITUTIONS
JOHN BALL ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY
$755,000ARTS & CULTURE
WESTERN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
$627,839CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
OPERA GRAND RAPIDS
$408,000ARTS & CULTURE
GRAND RAPIDS NEHEMIAH PROJECT
$350,000COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
BETHANY CHRISTIAN SERVICES
$300,000CHRISTIAN INSTITUTIONS
CHILDREN'S HEALING CENTER
$125,000HEALTH & WELL-BEING
GRAND RAPIDS CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS
$100,000CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
CASCADE FELLOWSHIP CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH
$90,000CHRISTIAN INSTITUTIONS
AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS
$85,000COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
SALVATION ARMY
$85,000CHRISTIAN INSTITUTIONS
GRAND RAPIDS AFRICAN AMERICAN HEALTH INSTITUTE
$70,000HEALTH & WELL-BEING
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
$70,000COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
KIDS FOOD BASKET
$50,000COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
HOLLAND HARBOR LIGHTHOUSE HISTORICAL COMMISSION
$35,000COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
SCHOOL EMERGENCY RESPONSE COALITION
$20,000COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
GRAND RAPIDS DOWNTOWN MARKET EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$15,000EDUCATION
VOLUNTEERS IN SERVICE
$5,000CHRISTIAN INSTITUTIONS
WEST MICHIGAN HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
$5,000COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
GRAND RAPIDS CHAMBER FOUNDATION
$5,000COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS YOUTH FOUNDATION
$2,500COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
CAROLINE'S PEACH FOUNDATION
$1,000HEALTH & WELL-BEING
RED GLASSES MOVEMENT
$1,000COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
ADA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$1,000,000CHRISTIAN EDUCATION