The Meijer Foundation focuses on large, place-based investments in West Michigan, prioritizing capital campaigns and facility-building for health care, rehabilitation, youth services, and community organizations. Their giving also supports civic and cultural institutions, environmental conservation and outdoor recreation, and repeat partnerships with regional nonprofits that expand service capacity. Grants skew toward transformational, project-specific gifts (many for capital campaigns) rather than small operational grants.
A defining feature of The Meijer Foundation’s recent giving is its reliance on capital campaigns to shape West Michigan institutions. The largest grant in the latest filing went to Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services for a capital campaign, followed by a large capital gift to Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation. Those grants sit alongside support for hospitals, rehabilitation, youth-serving organizations, shelters, parks, and civic institutions, showing a pattern of funding bricks-and-mortar expansion and service capacity in the Grand Rapids region and beyond. The foundation also backs organizations that extend public access to arts, history, conservation, and community services, including Grand Action Foundation, Mel Trotter Ministries, and Boys & Girls Clubs of Grand Rapids Youth Commonwealth. Its recent portfolio includes both project-specific support and general operating support, but the clearest pattern is a preference for transformational, place-based investments that help organizations build or expand facilities and infrastructure.
Health care and rehabilitation appear repeatedly in the foundation’s recent awards. They gave $800,000 to Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services for a capital campaign and $666,667 to Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation for a capital campaign, signaling a strong emphasis on physical expansion in that sector. Youth-serving infrastructure is another clear theme: Boys & Girls Clubs of Grand Rapids Youth Commonwealth received $250,000 for a capital campaign, while Childrens Healing Center received $100,000 for a capital campaign. The foundation also supported housing and basic-needs work through a $333,333 capital campaign grant to Mel Trotter Ministries and a $166,667 capital campaign grant to Family Promise of Grand Rapids. Civic and cultural institutions are part of the mix as well, with project/program support for Gerald R Ford Foundation and the National Constitution Center.
Recent grants show a wide spread in size, from $50,000 at the low end of the listed awards to $800,000 at the high end. The median in the recent-grants list sits in the low six figures, with many awards clustered around $100,000 to $333,333. The pattern is dominated by capital campaigns, though the foundation also makes project/program grants and a smaller set of general operating awards. The same organizations can appear more than once in the recent list, which points to repeat relationships rather than one-off gifts only. The foundation is a private grantmaker with no individual giving and no program-related investments listed.
$7.4M
$195M
$496K
$7.5M
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Concentrated, high-dollar grants with frequent emphasis on capital campaigns and one-time transformational gifts; mix of repeat grantees and new large recipients within the Grand Rapids/West Michigan region.
Notable grantees: Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation, Michigan Physical Fitness Health and Sports Foundation, Mel Trotter Ministries, Nature Conservancy - Michigan Chapter
The granting footprint is concentrated in the United States, with all 67 recent grants going to U.S. recipients. Grand Rapids appears most often among recipient cities, including Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation, Grand Action Foundation, and Mel Trotter Ministries. Other Michigan recipients include Lansing, Detroit, Big Rapids, West Olive, Allendale, and Southfield. Outside Michigan, the foundation awarded grants to organizations in Columbus, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Washington, DC, showing selective support for national institutions alongside a strong West Michigan base.
The recent grants point to hospitals, rehabilitation providers, youth-serving organizations, shelters, parks and trail groups, and civic or cultural institutions. Capital campaigns are especially common, with awards ranging from mental health and rehab facilities to community housing and recreation projects.
Capital projects are the most visible pattern. Many of the listed awards are labeled capital campaign, while a smaller set are project/program support or general operating support. That mix suggests a preference for facility-building and major infrastructure alongside some ongoing support.
Yes. The recent list is heavily Michigan-centered, with recipient cities including Grand Rapids, Lansing, Detroit, Big Rapids, West Olive, Allendale, and Southfield. The grants also extend to a few out-of-state recipients in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Washington, DC.
Yes. The recent-grants list includes multiple awards to the same organization in some cases, including The Ferris Foundation, which appears twice with different grant purposes and amounts. That indicates the foundation does support some organizations across more than one grant.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PINE REST CHRISTIAN MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $800,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| MARY FREE BED REHABILITATION HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $666,667 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| MICHIGAN PHYSICAL FITNESS HEALTH AND SPORTS FOUNDATION | LANSING, MI | $500,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| GRAND ACTION FOUNDATION | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $333,334 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| GERALD R FORD FOUNDATION | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $333,333 | 2025 | PROJECT/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MEL TROTTER MINISTRIES | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $333,333 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | COLUMBUS, OH | $300,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| MICHIGAN TRAIL FUND | LANSING, MI | $250,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| NATURE CONSERVANCY - MICHIGAN CHAPTER | LANSING, MI | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF GRAND RAPIDS YOUTH COMMONWEALTH | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $250,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| NATIONAL CONSTITUTION CENTER | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $240,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| VAN ANDEL RESEARCH INSTITUTE | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $215,000 | 2025 | PROJECT/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION OF MICHIGAN | SOUTHFIELD, MI | $200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FAMILY PROMISE OF GRAND RAPIDS | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $166,667 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| THE FERRIS FOUNDATION | BIG RAPIDS, MI | $150,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| KENT COUNTY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $133,333 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| THE FERRIS FOUNDATION | BIG RAPIDS, MI | $110,000 | 2025 | PROJECT/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| EMPOWERMENT PLAN | DETROIT, MI | $110,000 | 2025 | PROJECT/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| HEART OF WEST MICHIGAN UNITED WAY | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $100,000 | 2025 | PROJECT/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| AMPLIFY GR | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $100,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| OTTAWA COUNTY PARKS FOUNDATION INC | WEST OLIVE, MI | $100,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY | ALLENDALE, MI | $100,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| THE CENTER FOR US GLOBAL LEADERSHIP | WASHINGTON, DC | $100,000 | 2025 | PROJECT/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| UNITED METHODIST COMMUNITY HOUSE | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $100,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| CHILDRENS HEALING CENTER | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $100,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| THE CHICAGO COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $93,500 | 2025 | PROJECT/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CONDUCTIVE LEARNING CENTER OF NORTH AMERICA | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MICHIGAN HUMANITIES COUNCIL | OKEMOS, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | PROJECT/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CATHOLIC CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | PROJECT/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| STEM GREENHOUSE INC | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | PROJECT/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| FAMILY PROMISE OF GRAND RAPIDS | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FAMILY OUTREACH CENTER | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| GRAND RAPIDS SYMPHONY | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MUSKEGON MUSEUM OF ART FOUNDATION | MUSKEGON, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| ST CECILIA MUSIC SOCIETY | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| OPERA GRAND RAPIDS | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $40,000 | 2025 | PROJECT/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MOMENTUM CENTER | GRAND HAVEN, MI | $40,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| THE STOREHOUSE OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| AYA YOUTH COLLECTIVE | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL OF WESTERN MICHIGAN | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $35,000 | 2025 | PROJECT/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| SAFE HAVEN MINISTRIES INC | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| TRI-CITIES FAMILY YMCA | GRAND HAVEN, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| BLANDFORD NATURE CENTER | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | PROJECT/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| BEER CITY DOG BISCUITS | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| YMCA OF GREATER MICHIANA | NILES, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| VISION TO LEARN | LOS ANGELES, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | PROJECT/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | PROJECT/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MID MICHIGAN HONOR FLIGHT INC | MECOSTA, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | PROJECT/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| HOLLAND HISTORICAL TRUST | HOLLAND, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | PROJECT/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
MICHIGAN PHYSICAL FITNESS HEALTH AND SPORTS FOUNDATION
$500,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
GRAND ACTION FOUNDATION
$333,334CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
GERALD R FORD FOUNDATION
$333,333PROJECT/PROGRAM SUPPORT
MEL TROTTER MINISTRIES
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$300,000SCHOLARSHIPS
MICHIGAN TRAIL FUND
$250,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
NATURE CONSERVANCY - MICHIGAN CHAPTER
$250,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
FAMILY PROMISE OF GRAND RAPIDS
$166,667CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
$100,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
THE CHICAGO COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$93,500PROJECT/PROGRAM SUPPORT
MICHIGAN HUMANITIES COUNCIL
$50,000PROJECT/PROGRAM SUPPORT
CATHOLIC CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL
$50,000PROJECT/PROGRAM SUPPORT
FAMILY PROMISE OF GRAND RAPIDS
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
GRAND RAPIDS SYMPHONY
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
MUSKEGON MUSEUM OF ART FOUNDATION
$50,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
ST CECILIA MUSIC SOCIETY
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
OPERA GRAND RAPIDS
$40,000PROJECT/PROGRAM SUPPORT
MOMENTUM CENTER
$40,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL OF WESTERN MICHIGAN
$35,000PROJECT/PROGRAM SUPPORT
BEER CITY DOG BISCUITS
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
$25,000PROJECT/PROGRAM SUPPORT
MID MICHIGAN HONOR FLIGHT INC
$25,000PROJECT/PROGRAM SUPPORT
HOLLAND HISTORICAL TRUST
$25,000PROJECT/PROGRAM SUPPORT