Kindora
FeaturesSocial Impact InvestmentsPricing
AboutLive Demos
Sign InSign Up
    Kindora
    FeaturesSocial Impact InvestmentsPricing
    AboutLive Demos
    Sign InSign Up
    1. Home
    3. Foundations
    5. Wege Foundation
    Wege Foundation logo

    Wege Foundation

    ActiveHuman Services
    GRAND RAPIDS, MIWebsite6169570480EIN: 38-6124363

    About Wege Foundation

    The Wege Foundation appears to operate as a high-capacity funder that makes very large, infrequent grants rather than many small awards. The dataset here contains only three grants totaling about $59 million, all reported under a single attached recipient entry, suggesting concentrated support for one or a few major projects or institutions—most likely local or regionally focused given the foundation’s Grand Rapids base. Because individual grantee names and NTEE codes are not provided, the precise programmatic priorities are not visible in this file.

    Focus Areas

    Major local/regional capital projects or endowments (Grand Rapids / West Michigan)Large-scale institutional support for civic or cultural organizationsCapital or program support for higher education or research institutions (hypothesized)Strategic philanthropic investments (e.g., endowments, large multi-year awards)

    Who They Fund

    local nonprofits and community initiatives in Grand Rapids and surrounding regionresidents of Grand Rapids-area communitieshistorically marginalized and underrepresented populations (DEI-focused)

    About Wege Foundation

    The Wege Foundation’s recent grant history is defined by very large awards in Grand Rapids, with the three latest grants totaling nearly $59 million and each reported to a recipient in Grand Rapids, Michigan. That pattern points to concentrated support rather than a broad scatter of small awards. The foundation’s giving is organized around four pillars: environment, education, arts and culture, and community health and wellbeing. Environment carries the largest share of the portfolio at about 35%, while education accounts for about 25%, and arts and culture and community health and wellbeing each account for about 20%. Its grantmaking also includes invitation-only channels for projects outside Kent County and the Grand Rapids metro area. The public grant programs show that it supports 501(c)(3) organizations, public schools, and governmental entities, with some capital support tied to LEED-certified projects. The Wege Prize adds another dimension: an annual student design competition focused on sustainable design and the circular economy.

    What Wege Foundation Funds

    Environmental work is the largest pillar in the portfolio, representing about 35% of funding. The program includes environmental projects and initiatives, conservation, and sustainability, and the geographic priority grants allow environment funding statewide in Michigan. Education is another core area, with the education pillar representing about 25% of the portfolio and supporting K–12 and postsecondary educational programs in Kent County and the Grand Rapids metropolitan area. Arts and culture accounts for about 20% of the portfolio and supports community arts programming in the same local geography. Community health and wellbeing also represents about 20% of the portfolio and covers community health, wellbeing, and public health initiatives.

    How Wege Foundation Gives

    The typical grant size is very large: the 25th percentile is $18,456,713, the median is $18,610,972, and the 75th percentile is $18,765,230. That narrow range suggests a consistent award scale. The file also shows three grants in consecutive years from 2023 through 2025, all to the same city, which points to repeated local giving rather than one-off national spread. The foundation is a regular funder and does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. Several public programs accept unsolicited applications, while invitation-only channels are reserved for special initiative and family interest grants.

    Open Grant Opportunities

    Current and upcoming funding from Wege Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.

    Open nowAward: Varies

    Geographic Priority Grant Program (Wege Foundation Spring/Fall Grant Cycles)

    EducationEnvironmentArts & Culture+5 more

    Who can apply: Applicant must be a current 501(c)(3) public charity (or a public school or governmental entity). Request must align with one of the four pillars and primarily serve Kent County / Greater Grand Rapids (environment projects may be statewide). Capital projects considered only if LEED certified. Foundation typically funds a portion of project costs and values collaboration with other donors.

    Deadline: Two annual cycles. Example posted: Spring 2026 cycle opened Monday, January 5, 2026 and closed Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 5:00pm Eastern Time. Typical windows: January–February and August–September (exact dates posted before portal opening).

    View & apply

    Financial Snapshot

    Annual Giving

    $22.1M

    Total Assets

    $268.1M

    Total Revenue

    $24.4M

    Total Expenses

    $27.5M

    Typical Grant Size

    Most grants fall between $18.5M and $18.8M, with a median of $18.6M.

    25th Percentile

    $18.5M

    Median

    $18.6M

    75th Percentile

    $18.8M

    Geographic Reach

    Local1 state funded

    About 100% of grants go to recipients in MI.

    Funding intensity
    Low
    High
    Headquarters

    Deep Analysis

    Unlock Deep Analysis

    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 Free

    Similar Funders

    See Similar Funders

    Free Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.

    Get Started Free

    Explore related grant guides

    Human Services GrantsHuman Services Grants in MichiganGrants in Michigan

    Want a Personalized Pitch for Wege Foundation?

    Sign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.

    Get Started FreeView Pricing
    Free plan available
    No contracts
    Cancel anytime
    Free Weekly Newsletter

    The Grant Brief

    Weekly grant intelligence for social impact leaders. Curated opportunities, funding trends, and strategic insights — free.

    Join 500+ social impact leaders. Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy Policy

    Trusted by mission-driven teams at organizations nationwide

    Kindora Logo

    At Kindora, we combine data-driven insights with a human touch to create meaningful, strategic fundraising solutions for mission-driven organizations of all sizes.

    Get The Grant Brief — free weekly grant intelligence

    Quick Links

    • Features
    • Social Impact Investments
    • About Us
    • Mission
    • How It Works
    • Pricing
    • Sales deck
    • Philanthropy Jobs
    • Nonprofit Compensation
    • Live demo (every plan)
    • Individual prospecting demoBeta
    • Blog
    • FAQ
    • Getting Started

    Connect With Us

    LinkedInTwitterFacebook

    Find Grants

    Grants by CauseGrants by StateFoundations by CityEducation GrantsHealth GrantsArts & Culture GrantsEnvironment GrantsCommunity Development GrantsYouth Development Grants

    © 2026 Kindora. All rights reserved.

    Privacy PolicyTerms of ServiceSystem Status
    3 filings on record
    See If You're a Fit — FreeFree account · instant fit score · similar funders
    local civic organizations and community engagement groups

    Giving Approach

    Highly concentrated: very few, very large grants that likely represent core commitments to one or a small number of flagship recipients; appears oriented to capital/endowment-style or multi-year institutional support rather than broad, small-dollar grantmaking.

    Funding Style

    place-based fundingcapacity buildinggeneral operating / organizational stability supportcross-sector / multi-issue grants

    Notable grantees: Grant recipient name(s) not provided in dataset (listed as 'SEE ATTACHED DETAIL')

    Topics

    environmental sustainabilityenvironmental conservation and local environment initiativeseducation (K-12 and community education)arts & culture programming and creative placemakingcommunity health & wellbeing (including public health and social services)civic engagement and voter/community participationdiversity, equity & inclusion initiatives

    Where Wege Foundation Makes Grants

    Giving is concentrated locally: 100% of grants in the file went to recipients in Michigan, and the top state by grant count is MI. The recent grants are all tied to Grand Rapids, with recipient locations listed as Grand Rapids, MI. Public programs focus on Grand Rapids, Kent County, and the Grand Rapids metropolitan area, while the environment pillar can extend statewide in Michigan. Separate invitation-only grant channels are used for projects outside Kent County and the metro area.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Wege Foundation

    What are The Wege Foundation’s main focus areas?

    The foundation organizes its grantmaking around four pillars: environment, education, arts and culture, and community health and wellbeing. The portfolio shares listed in the data are about 35% for environment, 25% for education, and about 20% each for arts and culture and community health and wellbeing.

    What is the foundation’s typical grant size?

    Its grants are very large and tightly clustered. The 25th percentile is $18,456,713, the median is $18,610,972, and the 75th percentile is $18,765,230.

    Does The Wege Foundation accept unsolicited applications?

    Yes, several programs do. The education, arts and culture, community health and wellbeing, general grantmaking, geographic priority, and Wege Prize programs accept unsolicited applications, while special initiative grants and family interest grants are invitation only.

    Where does The Wege Foundation primarily give?

    Its giving is highly local. The file shows 100% of grants to recipients in Michigan, with recent grants tied to Grand Rapids and public programs focused on Grand Rapids, Kent County, and the Grand Rapids metropolitan area.

    What kinds of organizations are eligible for funding?

    The public programs described in the data support 501(c)(3) organizations, public schools, and governmental entities. Some capital support is available, including capital projects linked to LEED certification.

    Latest 990 Filing

    2025

    Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.

    Track these deadlines, get reminders, and see how well your nonprofit fits — free with a Kindora account.

    Create a free account

    Deadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.

    Recent Grants

    Most recent grants reported to the IRS.

    RecipientLocationAmountYearPurpose
    SEE ATTACHED DETAILGRAND RAPIDS, MI$21,763,7522025SEE ATTACHED
    SEE ATTACHED DETAILGRAND RAPIDS, MI$18,919,4892024SEE ATTACHED
    SEE ATTACHED DETAILGRAND RAPIDS, MI$18,302,4542023SEE ATTACHED

    SEE ATTACHED DETAIL

    $21,763,752
    GRAND RAPIDS, MI2025

    SEE ATTACHED

    SEE ATTACHED DETAIL

    $18,919,489
    GRAND RAPIDS, MI2024

    SEE ATTACHED

    SEE ATTACHED DETAIL

    $18,302,454
    GRAND RAPIDS, MI2023

    SEE ATTACHED