The Mercantile Bank Foundation
Grand Rapids, MI · EIN 87-4152774. Reported 361 grants totalling $1,078,720 to 288 recipients across tax years 2022-2025. This foundation told the IRS it does not accept unsolicited requests: it contributes only to organizations it selects itself.
Does this foundation accept applications?
No -- on its own tax return. Form 990-PF asks every private foundation to check a box if it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds". The Mercantile Bank Foundation checked it on its most recent filing, as 78% of the 91,758 foundations in our data that made a grant and answered did. An unsolicited request is unlikely to go anywhere.
Organizations it funds that make grants of their own
3 of the organizations The Mercantile Bank Foundation funded make grants themselves, and it reported 5 grants totalling $57,000 to them. That is 6% of the $985,270 of its giving we could match to a registered organization. Each is classified by the IRS as a philanthropy or grantmaking organization, reported grants to at least 25 organizations of its own, and has at least 10 funders behind it.
All of them file Form 990, which never asks whether an organization funds only groups it picks, so there is no answer on record either way.
What that does not mean. It does not mean an application to any of them reaches this foundation's money. A private foundation's grant to a community foundation or a federated campaign is often a donor-advised fund or a gift designated for a purpose the foundation chose, and has nothing to do with any open programme the receiving organization runs. Its return's purpose text sometimes names a family fund or a designated purpose, which is the plainest case of money no applicant can reach; where it names none, neither return says which. The list is who this foundation paid that also makes grants. Whether any of them would fund you is a question for its own page.
| Grantmaker | Kind | State | Received | Grants | Years | Last | Only funds organizations it picks? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heart of West Michigan United Way | federated giving programme | Michigan | $54,500 | 3 | 3 | 2025 | Its form does not ask |
| Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area | community foundation | Michigan | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 | Its form does not ask |
| Grand Rapids Community Foundation | community foundation | Michigan | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 | Its form does not ask |
A floor, not a full list. A grantmaker appears here only where this foundation's return named it clearly enough for us to match the name to an EIN, which we manage for about two thirds of 990-PF grant rows, and only where that grantmaker has a page on this site. There may be more. Dollars here are summed by EIN across every spelling on its returns, so a figure can differ from the matching row in the full list below, which groups names as written. And the IRS classification cannot tell a grantmaker from a funders' association or a donor-advised fund sponsor, so a payment to one of these may be dues or an account rather than support for a grants programme.
How big are its grants?
The median grant is $1,200. Half of everything it gave fell between $500 and $3,000; the smallest was $100 and the largest $75,000.
Every organization it funded
288 recipient names appear in its filings; the 250 largest are listed here. Recipients are grouped by name and state as they were written on the returns, so an organization entered under two different names appears twice. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which that name received money.
| Organization | Location | Total received | Grants | Years funded | Last |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mel Trotter Ministries | Grand Rapids, MI | $125,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Heart of West Michigan United Way | Grand Rapids, MI | $54,500 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Habitat for Humanity of Kent County | Grand Rapids, MI | $45,500 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Urban League of West Michigan | Grand Rapids, MI | $40,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| West Michigan Sports Commission | Grand Rapids, MI | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| American Heart Association | Grand Rapids, MI | $27,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Hispanic Center of Western Michigan | Grand Rapids, MI | $25,500 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Grand Valley State University | Grand Rapids, MI | $17,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Opportunity Resource Fund | Grand Rapids, MI | $17,500 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Blandford Nature Center | Grand Rapids, MI | $15,500 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Bethany Christian Services | Grand Rapids, MI | $15,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Um Health-West Foundation | Wyoming, MI | $12,500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| United Way of Gratiot & Isabella Counties | Mt Pleasant, MI | $12,500 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Grand Rapids Community College Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | $11,500 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Angels of Action | Big Rapids, MI | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Bbb Educational Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Cherry Health Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Grand Rapids Christian Schools | Grand Rapids, MI | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Junior League of Grand Rapids | Grand Rapids, MI | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Nmc Foundation | Traverse City, MI | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Samaritas | Detroit, MI | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Southwest Michigan First Corporation | Kalamazoo, MI | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Community Homeworks | Kalamazoo, MI | $8,500 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Iccf Community Home | Grand Rapids, MI | $8,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Mount Pleasant Area Community Foundation | Mt Pleasant, MI | $8,300 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Better Business Bureau of Western Michigan Educational Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | $7,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Genesis Non-Profit Housing Corporation | Grand Rapids, MI | $7,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Saginaw Future | Saginaw, MI | $7,500 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Start Garden LLC | Grand Rapids, MI | $7,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Turning Point Inc | Grand Rapids, MI | $7,500 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Winning Futures | Warren, MI | $7,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Grand Rapids Symphony | Grand Rapids, MI | $7,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Starlight Ministries | Hudsonville, MI | $7,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Junior Achievement USA | Grand Rapids, MI | $6,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| West Michigan Asian American Association Inc | Grand Rapids, MI | $6,500 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Habitat for Humanity International Inc | Kalamazoo, MI | $6,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Habitat for Humanity of Michigan Inc | Lansing, MI | $6,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Home Repair Services of Kent County Inc | Grand Rapids, MI | $6,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Kalamazoo Neighborhood Housing Services Inc | Kalamazoo, MI | $6,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Linc Up Nonprofit Housing Corporation | Grand Rapids, MI | $6,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| University Rehabilitation Alliance Inc | Mason, MI | $6,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Community Housing Network Inc | Troy, MI | $5,750 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Alano Club of Kent County | Grand Rapids, MI | $5,500 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Gildas Club Grand Rapids | Grand Rapids, MI | $5,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Capital Area Housing Partnership | Lansing, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Ele's Place Capital Region | Lansing, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Fair Housing Center of West Michigan | Grand Rapids, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| First Steps Kent | Grand Rapids, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Fulton Street Farmers Market Inc | Grand Rapids, MI | $5,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Gerald R Ford Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Grand Rapids Asian Pacific Festival | Grand Rapids, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Guiding Light Mission Inc | Grand Rapids, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Hispanic American Council Incorporated | Kalamazoo, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes | Kalamazoo, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Messiah Baptist Church | Grand Rapids, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency Inc | Traverse City, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Sparrow Foundation | Lansing, MI | $5,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Disability Advocates of Kent County | Grand Rapids, MI | $4,700 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Gryphon Place | Portage, MI | $4,500 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Mrc Industries Incorporated | Kalamazoo, MI | $4,500 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Mi | Kalamazoo, MI | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Ebony Road Players | Grand Rapids, MI | $4,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Ecumenical Senior Center | Kalamazoo, MI | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Fishing With Veterans | Holland, MI | $4,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Grand Rapids Civic Theatre Inc | Grand Rapids, MI | $4,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Grand Rapids Area Black Business | Grand Rapids, MI | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Kent County Habitat for Humanity | Grand Rapids, MI | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Kids Food Basket | Grand Rapids, MI | $4,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| North End Community Ministry | Grand Rapids, MI | $4,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Rockford Community Service Center | Rockford, MI | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Valley Family Church | Portage, MI | $4,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Seeds of Promise | Grand Rapids, MI | $3,700 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Ferris Foundation | Big Rapids, MI | $3,500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| I Understand Love Heals | Ada, MI | $3,500 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Project Green | Grand Rapids, MI | $3,500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Treetops Collective | Grand Rapids, MI | $3,500 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Baxter Community Center | Grand Rapids, MI | $3,100 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Beautiful You By Profile | Comstock Park, MI | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| BEYOND26 | Grandville, MI | $3,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Bronson Health Foundation Inc | Kalamazoo, MI | $3,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Community Food Club | Grand Rapids, MI | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Creative Arts Repertoire Ensemble Inc | Grand Rapids, MI | $3,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Davids House Ministries | Wyoming, MI | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Grand Rapids African American Health Institute | Grand Rapids, MI | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Grand Rapids Public Schools Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Greater Lansing Food Bank | Lansing, MI | $3,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Lydias Gate Inc | Mio, MI | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan | Grand Rapids, MI | $3,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| New Hope Shelter | Cadillac, MI | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Safe Haven Ministries Inc | Grand Rapids, MI | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Telamon Corporation | Raleigh, NC | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Wedgwood Christian Services | Grand Rapids, MI | $3,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Western Michigan University Foundation | Kalamazoo, MI | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Positive Impact for Life | Grand Rapids, MI | $2,900 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Capital Area Humane Society | Lansing, MI | $2,750 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| 92 for 22 | Allendale, MI | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| African American Health Institute | Grand Rapids, MI | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| American Red Cross | Grand Rapids, MI | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Arc-Kent County | Grand Rapids, MI | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Boys and Girls Club of Lansing | Lansing, MI | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Community Action House | Holland, MI | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Dwelling Place of Grand Rapids Nonprofit Housing Corporation | Grand Rapids, MI | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Exalta Health | Grand Rapids, MI | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Feeding America West Michigan | Comstock Park, MI | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Flat River Outreach Ministries Inc | Lowell, MI | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Grand Rapids Children's Museum | Grand Rapids, MI | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Grand Rapids Childrens Museum | Grand Rapids, MI | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Grand Rapids Pride Center | Grand Rapids, MI | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Grand Rapids Student Advancement Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Greater Gratiot Development Inc | Ithaca, MI | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Hospice of Michigan | Ada, MI | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Ionia County Economic Alliance | Ionia, MI | $2,500 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Irving S Gilmore International Piano Festival | Kalamazoo, MI | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Lydia's Gate | Mio, MI | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Michigan CASA Inc | Grand Rapids, MI | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Safecenter | Owosso, MI | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Senior Neighbors | Grand Rapids, MI | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Uhy Cares | Sterling Heights, MI | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| United Church Outreach Ministry Incorporated | Wyoming, MI | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Youth for Christ | Alma, MI | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Meals on Wheels Western Michigan | Grandville, MI | $2,250 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Girls Build Kalamazoo | Kalamazoo, MI | $2,100 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Abayomi Community Development Corporation | Detroit, MI | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| American Cancer Society of Michigan | Detroit, MI | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Endless Opportunities | Grand Rapids, MI | $2,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Housing Resources Inc | Kalamazoo, MI | $2,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Ionia Free Fair Association | Ionia, MI | $2,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Kalamazoo Valley Community College Foundation | Kalamazoo, MI | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Little League Baseball Inc | Lowell, MI | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Mid Michigan College Foundation | Harrison, MI | $2,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Mosaic Film Experience | Grand Rapids, MI | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| New City Neighbors | Grand Rapids, MI | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Petoskey Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation | Petoskey, MI | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| The Refugee Education Center | Kentwood, MI | $2,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| American Cancer Society | Detroit, MI | $1,750 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Affinity Mentoring | Grand Rapids, MI | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| B Foundation Inc | Belding, MI | $1,500 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Community Healing Centers | Kalamazoo, MI | $1,500 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Georgetown Harmony Homes | Jenison, MI | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Girls Choral Academy | Grand Rapids, MI | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Grand Rapids Public Museum Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Gratiot County Hope House | St Louis, MI | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Heartside Gleaning Initiative Inc | Ada, MI | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Isabella County Child Advocacy Center | Mt Pleasant, MI | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Mission Field | Grand Rapids, MI | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Theatre Ensemble | Rochester, MI | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum | Grand Rapids, MI | $1,500 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Womens Resource Center | Grand Rapids, MI | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Missaukee Humane Society | Lake City, MI | $1,250 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Young Womens Christian Assoc of Kalamazoo | Kalamazoo, MI | $1,200 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Clothing Inc | Mt Pleasant, MI | $1,100 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Affordable Housing Alliance Midland County Non Profit Housing Corp | Midland, MI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| American Red Cross | Washington, DC | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Michigan | Kalamazoo, MI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Breckenridge Community Schools Educational Foundation | Breckenridge, MI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Bsna Council of Neighbors | Grand Rapids, MI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Child Advocacy | Alma, MI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Communities in Schools | Lansing, MI | $1,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Community Compassion Network | Mt Pleasant, MI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Creston Neighborhood Association | Grand Rapids, MI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Da Blodgett St John's | Grand Rapids, MI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Encounter More Ministries | Byron Center, MI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Family Promise of West Michigan | Grand Rapids, MI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Foundation for Haslett Schools | Haslett, MI | $1,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Friendship Village | Kalamazoo, MI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Gratiot County Players | Alma, MI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Great Lakes Bay Foundation | Bay City, MI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Greater Ottawa County United Way Inc | Holland, MI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Habitat for Humanity of Ionia County | Ionia, MI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Holland Hospital | Holland, MI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Hospital Hospitality House of Southwest Michigan Inc | Kalamazoo, MI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Humane Animal Treatment Society | Mt Pleasant, MI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Humane Society of West Michigan | Grand Rapids, MI | $1,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Jdrf | Kentwood, MI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Junior Achievement | Grand Rapids, MI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Kalamazoo College | Kalamazoo, MI | $1,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Kelsea's Sacred Dwellings | Grandville, MI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Kenowa Ambucs | Grandville, MI | $1,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Michigan Historic Preservation Network | Lansing, MI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Michigan Sheriffs Association Educational Services Inc | Lansing, MI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Midtown Neighbordhood Association | Grand Rapids, MI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Mt Pleasant Public Schools Foundation Inc | Mt Pleasant, MI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Munson Healthcare Foundations | Traverse City, MI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Nia Centre | Grand Rapids, MI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Nmdp Foundation | Minneapolis, MN | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Opera Grand Rapids | Grand Rapids, MI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Osofomaame | Grand Rapids, MI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary | Grand Rapids, MI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Service Corps of Retired Executives Association | Grand Rapids, MI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| South Christian High School | Byron Center, MI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Southern Little League | Grand Rapids, MI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy | Galesburg, MI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| The Greenville Area Community Foundation | Greenville, MI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| The Salvation Army | Kalamazoo, MI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Tri-Unity Christian | Wyoming, MI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| VETERANS4USA Inc | Mt Pleasant, MI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| We Care Shop | St Helen, MI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology | Grand Rapids, MI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Women of Colors | Saginaw, MI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| The E Team Outdoor Ministries | Greenville, MI | $950 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan | Kalamazoo, MI | $820 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Veterans Serving Veterans Inc | Cadillac, MI | $750 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Eight Cap Inc | Orleans, MI | $700 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Healing Private Foundation Wounds | Cadillac, MI | $600 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Adopt a Classroom Inc | St Paul, MN | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Alveus Sanctuary Inc | Cedar Park, TX | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| American Bankruptcy Institute | Alexandria, VA | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Arbor Circle Corporation | Grand Rapids, MI | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Artists Creating Together | Grand Rapids, MI | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Arts in Motion Studio West Michigan | Grand Rapids, MI | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Belding Area Community Fund | Belding, MI | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Big Red Foundation | Holland, MI | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Black Knights Band Boosters Inc | Belding, MI | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Bradley Jacob Dow Foundation | Portage, MI | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Breakthrough T1D | Hagerstown, MD | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Cadillac Area Oasis Family Resource Center | Cadillac, MI | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Can Council Great Lakes Bay Region | Bay City, MI | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Care Store | Mt Pleasant, MI | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| City Rescue Mission of Lansing Michigan | Lansing, MI | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Confident Sole | Kalamazoo, MI | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Crash's Landing | Grand Rapids, MI | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Crashs Landing | Grand Rapids, MI | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Cultivating Futures | Grand Rapids, MI | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Faith Community Christian Association | Belding, MI | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Grand Rapids Community Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Grand Rapids Lgbtq Healthcare Consortium | Grand Rapids, MI | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| International Rett Syndrome Foundation | Cincinnati, OH | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Ionia Community Awareness Week | Ionia, MI | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Kalamazoo Youth Development Network | Kalamazoo, MI | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Kelly's Heart to Heart Pet Adoption | Walker, MI | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Leelanau Christian Neighbors | Lake Leelanau, MI | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Life Choices Resource Center | West Branch, MI | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Living Waters | Schoolcraft, MI | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Love Your Neighbor | Hudsonville, MI | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Luciana's Legacy | Sterling Heights, MI | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Maple View Assisted Living Inc | Ithaca, MI | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Mid Michigan Big Brothers Big Sisters | Clare, MI | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Ministry With Community Inc | Kalamazoo, MI | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Money Matters for Youth | Detroit, MI | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Mount Pleasant Discovery Museum | Mt Pleasant, MI | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Multitude Ministries Inc | Grand Rapids, MI | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Ogemaw Orioles | West Branch, MI | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Pillows and Prayers | Grand Rapids, MI | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Pine River Superfund Citizen Task Force | St Louis, MI | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Primal Outfitters Inc | Bangor, MI | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Pullen Elementary School PTO | Mt Pleasant, MI | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Red White & Blue Collar Festival | Mio, MI | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Safe Haven Humane Society | Ionia, MI | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Seeding Change | Kalamazoo, MI | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Sleep in Heavenly Peace Inc | Omaha, NE | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
61 of 288 (21%) received money in more than one year over the 4 years we hold.
Measured the way we measure every foundation -- what share of one year's grantees are funded again the next -- this one retains 40%, across 3 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is less consistent than most. This measures how often it paid the same organizations again. It says nothing about whether it would consider a new one, and this foundation told the IRS it does not.
What the money was for
Taken verbatim from the purpose field of its filings. This is the closest thing to a statement of what this foundation cares about, in its own words.
- Mel Trotter Ministries
IMMEASURABLY MORE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN; GENERAL SUPPORT - West Michigan Sports Commission
WINNING STREAK CAMPAIGN DUGOUT SPONSOR - Habitat for Humanity of Kent County
IMAGINE CAMPAIGN - GENERAL SUPPORT - Grand Valley State University
FINANCIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM; GENERAL SUPPORT - Hispanic Center of Western Michigan Inc
LATINX YOUTH CONFERENCE 2024; GENERAL SUPPORT - United Way of Gratiot & Isabella Counties
ADOPT A FAMILY SPONSOR 2023; GENERAL SUPPORT
What kind of organizations it funds
By the activity category the IRS assigns each recipient, for the 269 grants where we could match the recipient to a registered organization. The categories are the IRS's. The match, made from the name and address on the return, is ours.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants | Total | Median grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 10 | $108,500 | $5,000 |
| 2023 | 161 | $517,820 | $1,500 |
| 2024 | 51 | $141,850 | $1,000 |
| 2025 | 139 | $310,550 | $1,000 |
Tax years, not calendar years, and the most recent year is usually incomplete -- filings arrive about a year late, so a low final year means late paperwork rather than a foundation winding down.
Where its money goes
99% of its giving went to organizations in Michigan.
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Funders that support the same organizations
These funders gave to organizations this one also funded -- some private foundations, some community foundations and other grantmaking charities. Shared grantees are a sign of overlapping priorities and nothing more. Unlike this foundation, none of them is on record as funding only organizations it picks, and each page says what its filings show.
Related guides
Where these numbers come from
Everything above is taken from The Mercantile Bank Foundation's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 5 returns (tax years 2021-2025). Grant figures are from its returns. Matching recipients to registered organizations, their IRS classifications, the retention rate and the funders that support the same organizations are our own calculations, described in how we build this.
Address of record on the latest return: 310 Leonard Street Nw, Grand Rapids, MI, 49504. This is the address the foundation gave the IRS.
EIN 87-4152774 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this
Is something here wrong about your foundation? Email [email protected] and we will correct it.