Step 1: Application Guidelines
Geographic Focus:
The Foundation primarily focuses its grants on Western Michigan, with significant emphasis on the greater Grand Rapids area. For statewide initiatives that may affect the geographical focus areas, the Trustees prefer to work through organizations with which they already have a relationship. Rarely are grants awarded outside of this geographic area, especially international activities, unless initiated by the Trustees.
Grant Acceptance:
As a reflection upon those values that the DeVos’ have outlined as personally important, their Foundation makes grants to those organizations that share in their commitments to faith as well as to the local community.
While the Foundation accepts unsolicited proposals, the majority of the grants made are to organizations that the Trustees have an established relationship or are initiated by them. Very few grants are awarded to new organizations with no previous involvement. Please note: grants made to organizations, without a personal relationship with the Trustees, rarely exceed $5,000.
Additionally, the Foundation prefers to receive and consider applications from an organization only once every 12 months, whether a previous application was approved or denied. For organizations that have received a multi-year grant, the Foundation prefers to receive new applications only after the multi-year grant has been completed. The Foundation also prefers not to consider second requests for a capital project in which the foundation has already made a descision on a request.
Program Focus Areas:
The Foundation only makes grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, governmental units, or non-private foundation public charities, as defined by the Internal Revenue code. Additionally, the Foundation prefers that the organizations they support have a track-record of successful operations and a strong sustainability outlook.
Types of Support:
The majority of the Foundation’s funding is made on an annual basis and does not often make multi-year commitments. Generally, the Foundation will support the following types:
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General operating and annual campaigns
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Capital – Building/Renovation/Equipment support
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Program development
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Fundraising events – for previous grantees
Restrictions:
Generally, the Foundation does not support::
- A charity that does not have a valid 501(c)(3) determination letter from the IRS
- Direct grants, scholarships, or loans for the benefit of specific individuals
- For-profit organizations or candidates for political office
- Loans or operating debt-retirement
- Endowments
- Investment opportunities
- Start-up organizations (within 18 months of incorporation)
- Organizations that contradict the Trustee’s stated values
- Organizations primarily working outside of the United States
- Greater than 10% of the organizational/project budget (unless initiated by the trustees)
- Greater than one application per year from any organization (unless initiated by the trustees)
Proceed to: Application Requirements