The Secchia Family foundation makes a small number of very large, locally-focused capital gifts, frequently supporting healthcare and youth-serving infrastructure in West Michigan. Their giving emphasizes major capital campaigns and facility expansions (children’s rehabilitation, hospital expansion, zoo aquarium, sports fields) and also funds community education initiatives tied to regional institutions. They favor transformational, project-based grants over many small operating grants.
A $5,003,000 grant to the Mary Free Bed Foundation for a children’s rehab hospital project captures the Peter and Joan Secchia Family foundation’s style: large, project-based gifts for visible institutions in West Michigan. The foundation’s recent record shows repeated support for healthcare, education, recreation, and civic spaces, with many awards tied to construction, expansion, endowments, and named capital campaigns. Mary Free Bed appears again with a $5,000,000 grant in 2023 for a 6th floor expansion capital campaign, underscoring a multi-year commitment to pediatric rehabilitation infrastructure. The foundation also backs regional amenities and institutions that serve broad local audiences. Recent examples include a $2,000,000 pledge to the John Ball Zoo Society for an aquarium project, a $1,500,000 grant to the West Michigan Sports Commission for softball fields, and multiple seven-figure awards to Michigan State University for medical and teacher education support. Its portfolio suggests a preference for major, one-time investments over small operating grants, especially where a project can shape a campus, hospital, park, or community facility.
Healthcare and children’s hospital support is a clear theme. The foundation gave $525,000 to the St Marys Foundation for an MSU St. Marys neuroscience research project coop, and another $1,000,000 to Michigan State University for MSU medical school support. Education appears in both higher education and K-12 settings. They awarded $1,500,000 to Michigan State University for the Community Teachers Education Fund, and $150,000 to Grand Rapids Public Schools Fndn for the Building Together Program. Public space and recreation are also present. A $250,000 grant to Ottawa Co Parks Foundation supported the Grand River Greenway project and trail bridge, while $100,000 to Kent Co Parks Foundation went toward Millennium Park maintenance and meadows improvement. Community culture and civic programming show up as well. The foundation gave $500,000 to Grand Rapids Community Legends for a public statuary education program and $100,000 to the Natl Italian American Foundation for the Voyage of Discovery travel fund.
Typical grants cluster around a median of $15,000, with a lower quartile of $2,500 and an upper quartile of $50,000, but the recent record also includes a small number of much larger capital gifts in the six- and seven-figure range. The pattern is heavily project-driven, with repeated awards to some organizations across more than one year, including Mary Free Bed, Michigan State University, Spectrum Health Foundation, Downtown Grand Rapids Inc, GR Ford Presidential Foundation, and Ottawa County Parks Foundation. The foundation gives directly, and it also funds individuals. Its annual giving of $26,783,267 against $99,894,733 in assets indicates substantial grantmaking capacity.
$16.9M
$99.9M
$7.6M
$17.7M
Most grants fall between $3K and $50K, with a median of $15K.
25th Percentile
$3K
Median
$15K
75th Percentile
$50K
About 75% of grants go to recipients in MI.
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Highly concentrated: very few, large grants centered on capital/campaign support in the Grand Rapids/West Michigan area; includes repeat, multi-million-dollar commitments to the same organizations (notably Mary Free Bed).
Notable grantees: Mary Free Bed Foundation / Mary Free Bed Hospital Foundation, John Ball Zoo Society, West Michigan Sports Commission, Michigan State University
Giving is concentrated in Michigan, with 75% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Recent awards land most often in Grand Rapids, with additional grants in East Lansing, Allendale, and West Olive. The recipient map is entirely domestic in the provided data: 173 grants went to US recipients. The grant list points to a strong West Michigan footprint, especially around Grand Rapids and nearby regional institutions.
The recent grants point to capital campaigns, construction, and endowment support. Examples include a children’s rehab hospital project, a zoo aquarium project, softball fields, a hospital floor expansion, park and trail work, and university funds for medical education, teacher education, and student transportation.
Several recipients recur across years, including Mary Free Bed Foundation, Michigan State University, Spectrum Health Foundation, Downtown Grand Rapids Inc, GR Ford Presidential Foundation, and Ottawa County Parks Foundation. That pattern suggests repeated support rather than one-time-only awards for some institutions.
Yes. Recent grants include $1,500,000 to Michigan State University for the Community Teachers Education Fund, $1,000,000 to MSU for medical school support, $200,000 to Grand Valley State University for a military and veterans education fund, and $150,000 to Grand Rapids Public Schools Fndn for the Building Together Program.
Michigan is the main state in the grant record, with 75% of grants going to recipients there. Recent recipient cities include Grand Rapids, East Lansing, Allendale, and West Olive, and the country distribution is entirely U.S.-based in the provided data.
The stated distribution is $2,500 at the 25th percentile, $15,000 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile. That sits alongside a smaller number of very large capital gifts that reach into the millions.
2024
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2024.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MARY FREE BED FOUNDATION | Grand Rapids, MI | $5,003,000 | 2024 | CHILDRENS REHAB HOSPITAL PROJECT |
| JOHN BALL ZOO SOCIETY | Grand Rapids, MI | $2,000,000 | 2024 | AQUARIUM PROJECT PLEDGE |
| WEST MICHIGAN SPORTS COMMISSION | Grand Rapids, MI | $1,500,000 | 2024 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FOR SOFTBALL FIELDS |
| MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY | East Lansing, MI | $1,500,000 | 2024 | COMMUNITY TEACHERS EDUCATION FUND |
| MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY | East Lansing, MI | $1,000,000 | 2024 | MSU MEDICAL SCHOOL SUPPORT |
| MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY | East Lansing, MI | $525,000 | 2024 | MSU ST MARYS NEUROSCIENCE COOP PROJECT |
| ST MARYS FOUNDATION | Grand Rapids, MI | $525,000 | 2024 | MSU ST MARYS NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH PROJECT COOP |
| UNITED METHODIST FOUNDATION WM | Grand Rapids, MI | $509,169 | 2024 | CONSTRUCTION OF THE UM COMMUNITY HOUSE |
| GRAND RAPIDS COMMUNITY LEGENDS | Grand Rapids, MI | $500,000 | 2024 | PUBLIC STATUARY EDUCATION PROGRAM |
| MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION | Grand Rapids, MI | $500,000 | 2024 | SPECIAL GIFTCAMPAIGN |
| SPECTRUM HEALTH FOUNDATION | Grand Rapids, MI | $250,000 | 2024 | CARE PARTNERS ENDOWMENT FUND |
| OTTAWA CO PARKS FOUNDATION | West Olive, MI | $250,000 | 2024 | GRAND RIVER GRENWAY PROJECT AND TRAIL BRIDGE |
| DOWNTOWN GRAND RAPIDS INC | Grand Rapids, MI | $250,000 | 2024 | CONSTRUCTION OF LYON SQUARE PARK |
| GR FORD PRESIDENTIAL FOUNDATION | Grand Rapids, MI | $250,000 | 2024 | GR FORD PRES MUSEUM SPEAKERS ENDOWNMENT FUND |
| MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY | East Lansing, MI | $200,000 | 2024 | MEDICAL SCHOOL CLASSROOM AND RESEARCH SUPPORT |
| GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY | Allendale, MI | $200,000 | 2024 | MILITARY AND VETERANS EDUCATION FUND |
| GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOLS FNDN | Grand Rapids, MI | $150,000 | 2024 | BUILDING TOGETHER PROGRAM |
| MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY | East Lansing, MI | $100,000 | 2024 | CLARA BELL SMITH STUDENT CENTER IMPROVEMENTS |
| KENT CO PARKS FOUNDATION | Grand Rapids, MI | $100,000 | 2024 | MILLENNIUM PARK MAINT FUND AND MEADOWS IMPROVEMENT |
| GRAND RAPIDS YOUTH COMMONWEALTH | Grand Rapids, MI | $100,000 | 2024 | KIDS AND KOPS AND DOLAN BELK LODGE FUND |
| GR FORD PRESIDENTIAL FOUNDATION | Grand Rapids, MI | $100,000 | 2024 | SECCHIA ALLEN STUDENT TRANSPORTATION ENDOWMENT FD |
| MAKE A WICH MICHIGAN | Southfield, MI | $100,000 | 2024 | SPECIAL GIFT |
| NATL ITALIAN AMERICAN FOUNDATION | Washington, DC | $100,000 | 2024 | VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY TRAVEL FUND |
| WEST MICHIGAN AVAIATION ACADEMY | Grand Rapids, MI | $75,000 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIPS MAINTENANCE AND EQUIPMENT |
| MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY | East Lansing, MI | $55,000 | 2024 | MENS TENNIS |
| GEO AND BARBARA BUSH PRED FNDN | College Station, TX | $50,000 | 2024 | SCHOLARS FUND |
| GIRLS CHORAL ACADEMY | Grand Rapids, MI | $50,000 | 2024 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| BAXTER COMMUNITY CENTER | Grand Rapids, MI | $50,000 | 2024 | FACILITY SUPPORT |
| MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY | East Lansing, MI | $50,000 | 2024 | MSU ATHLETIC TRAVEL FUND |
| GR FORD PRESIDENTIAL FOUNDATION | Grand Rapids, MI | $50,000 | 2024 | DEVOS LEARNING CENTER SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL ITALIAN AM FOUNDATION | Washington, DC | $50,000 | 2024 | VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY PROGRAM |
| DOWNTOWN GR MAINTENANCE FUND | Grand Rapids, MI | $50,000 | 2024 | LYON SQURE PARK ACTIVITIES |
| SPECIAL OLYMPICS MICHIGAN | Mount Pleasant, MI | $50,000 | 2024 | TOURNAMENT OPERATIONS ENDOWMENT FUND |
| MIHCIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY | East Lansing, MI | $50,000 | 2024 | UNIVERSITY BANDS SUPPORT |
| CHILDRENS HEALING CENTER | Grand Rapids, MI | $50,000 | 2024 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| GRAND RAPIDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE | Grand Rapids, MI | $50,000 | 2024 | CULINARY INSTITUTE SCHOLARSHIPS FUND |
| SPECTRUM HEALTH FOUNDATION | Grand Rapids, MI | $50,000 | 2024 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOLS FNDN | Grand Rapids, MI | $50,000 | 2024 | J SECCHIA ENDOWMENT FUND |
| MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY | East Lansing, MI | $50,000 | 2024 | MEDICAL SCHOOL SPEAKERS SERIES ENDOWMENT |
| OPERA GRAND RAPIDS | Grand Rapids, MI | $30,000 | 2024 | STUDNET TICKET SUPPORT GRANT |
| YMCA GRAND RAPIDS | Grand Rapids, MI | $25,000 | 2024 | SAFETY AROUND WATER CAMPAIGN |
| KENT COUNTY PARKS FOUNDATION | Grand Rapids, MI | $25,000 | 2024 | MILLENNIUM PARK SCHILDRENS ACTIVITIES FUND |
| SCHWAB CHARITABLE | Orlando, FL | $25,000 | 2024 | YEAR END GIFT |
| EAST GR SCHOOLS FOUNDATION | Grand Rapids, MI | $25,000 | 2024 | JIMMY GERKEN FUND |
| IZZO LEGACY 5K | East Lansing, MI | $20,000 | 2024 | 2023 5K SPONSORSHIP |
| EXPERIENCE GRAND RAPIDS | Grand Rapids, MI | $19,240 | 2024 | CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING |
| CITY OF GRAND RAPIDS PARKS | Grand Rapids, MI | $15,000 | 2024 | MAINTENANCE OF GR CITY PARKS FUND |
| HEART OF WM UNITED WAY | Grand Rapids, MI | $15,000 | 2024 | COMMUNITY EVENT UNITED PREMIER SPONSOR |
| WEST MICHIGAN AVIATION ACADEMY | Grand Rapids, MI | $15,000 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIP FUND GIFT |
| COREWELL HEALTH FOUNDATION | Grand Rapids, MI | $15,000 | 2024 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
MARY FREE BED FOUNDATION
$5,003,000CHILDRENS REHAB HOSPITAL PROJECT
JOHN BALL ZOO SOCIETY
$2,000,000AQUARIUM PROJECT PLEDGE
WEST MICHIGAN SPORTS COMMISSION
$1,500,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FOR SOFTBALL FIELDS
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
$1,500,000COMMUNITY TEACHERS EDUCATION FUND
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
$1,000,000MSU MEDICAL SCHOOL SUPPORT
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
$525,000MSU ST MARYS NEUROSCIENCE COOP PROJECT
ST MARYS FOUNDATION
$525,000MSU ST MARYS NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH PROJECT COOP
UNITED METHODIST FOUNDATION WM
$509,169CONSTRUCTION OF THE UM COMMUNITY HOUSE
GRAND RAPIDS COMMUNITY LEGENDS
$500,000PUBLIC STATUARY EDUCATION PROGRAM
MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION
$500,000SPECIAL GIFTCAMPAIGN
SPECTRUM HEALTH FOUNDATION
$250,000CARE PARTNERS ENDOWMENT FUND
OTTAWA CO PARKS FOUNDATION
$250,000GRAND RIVER GRENWAY PROJECT AND TRAIL BRIDGE
DOWNTOWN GRAND RAPIDS INC
$250,000CONSTRUCTION OF LYON SQUARE PARK
GR FORD PRESIDENTIAL FOUNDATION
$250,000GR FORD PRES MUSEUM SPEAKERS ENDOWNMENT FUND
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
$200,000MEDICAL SCHOOL CLASSROOM AND RESEARCH SUPPORT
GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
$200,000MILITARY AND VETERANS EDUCATION FUND
GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOLS FNDN
$150,000BUILDING TOGETHER PROGRAM
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
$100,000CLARA BELL SMITH STUDENT CENTER IMPROVEMENTS
KENT CO PARKS FOUNDATION
$100,000MILLENNIUM PARK MAINT FUND AND MEADOWS IMPROVEMENT
GRAND RAPIDS YOUTH COMMONWEALTH
$100,000KIDS AND KOPS AND DOLAN BELK LODGE FUND
GR FORD PRESIDENTIAL FOUNDATION
$100,000SECCHIA ALLEN STUDENT TRANSPORTATION ENDOWMENT FD
MAKE A WICH MICHIGAN
$100,000SPECIAL GIFT
NATL ITALIAN AMERICAN FOUNDATION
$100,000VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY TRAVEL FUND
WEST MICHIGAN AVAIATION ACADEMY
$75,000SCHOLARSHIPS MAINTENANCE AND EQUIPMENT
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
$55,000MENS TENNIS
GEO AND BARBARA BUSH PRED FNDN
$50,000SCHOLARS FUND
GIRLS CHORAL ACADEMY
$50,000OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
BAXTER COMMUNITY CENTER
$50,000FACILITY SUPPORT
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
$50,000MSU ATHLETIC TRAVEL FUND
GR FORD PRESIDENTIAL FOUNDATION
$50,000DEVOS LEARNING CENTER SUPPORT
NATIONAL ITALIAN AM FOUNDATION
$50,000VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY PROGRAM
DOWNTOWN GR MAINTENANCE FUND
$50,000LYON SQURE PARK ACTIVITIES
SPECIAL OLYMPICS MICHIGAN
$50,000TOURNAMENT OPERATIONS ENDOWMENT FUND
MIHCIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
$50,000UNIVERSITY BANDS SUPPORT
CHILDRENS HEALING CENTER
$50,000OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
GRAND RAPIDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
$50,000CULINARY INSTITUTE SCHOLARSHIPS FUND
SPECTRUM HEALTH FOUNDATION
$50,000OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOLS FNDN
$50,000J SECCHIA ENDOWMENT FUND
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
$50,000MEDICAL SCHOOL SPEAKERS SERIES ENDOWMENT
OPERA GRAND RAPIDS
$30,000STUDNET TICKET SUPPORT GRANT
YMCA GRAND RAPIDS
$25,000SAFETY AROUND WATER CAMPAIGN
KENT COUNTY PARKS FOUNDATION
$25,000MILLENNIUM PARK SCHILDRENS ACTIVITIES FUND
SCHWAB CHARITABLE
$25,000YEAR END GIFT
EAST GR SCHOOLS FOUNDATION
$25,000JIMMY GERKEN FUND
IZZO LEGACY 5K
$20,0002023 5K SPONSORSHIP
EXPERIENCE GRAND RAPIDS
$19,240CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING
CITY OF GRAND RAPIDS PARKS
$15,000MAINTENANCE OF GR CITY PARKS FUND
HEART OF WM UNITED WAY
$15,000COMMUNITY EVENT UNITED PREMIER SPONSOR
WEST MICHIGAN AVIATION ACADEMY
$15,000SCHOLARSHIP FUND GIFT
COREWELL HEALTH FOUNDATION
$15,000OPERATIONAL SUPPORT