Private foundation · EIN 87-4152774 · Grand Rapids, Michigan · Philanthropy & grantmaking

Mercantile Bank Foundation

Should you approach them?

Don't send a cold proposal. The foundation reports that it only gives to preselected organizations; an introduction through a current grantee or board member is the realistic route.

From the 2025 Form 990-PF: 139 grants paid, $311K total, median $1,000. 98% of grants stayed in Michigan.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2025
139
$311K
Median grant
$1,000
Stays in MI
98%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$8.4M

Grants paid in 2025

Top 60 of 139 grants by amount · from Form 990-PF Part XV

RecipientPurposeAmount
Mel Trotter MinistriesGrand Rapids, MIImmeasurably more tiny home campaign - general support$25K
American Heart AssociationGrand Rapids, MIFunding for small-scale.$23K
Habitat for Humanity of Kent CountyGrand Rapids, MIImagine campaign - general support$21K
Bbb Educational FoundationGrand Rapids, MI2025 program sponsorship$10K
Cherry Health FoundationGrand Rapids, MIHealth leader sponsorship$10K
Mount Pleasant Area Community FoundationMount Pleasant, MI2025 gold sponsor$8,300
Hispanic Center of Western MichiganGrand Rapids, MIHispanic festival sponsor - general support$8,000
Grand Rapids Community College FoundationGrand Rapids, MISupport student scholarships and grants$5,000
Nmc FoundationTraverse City, MISupport financial education and the arts in the community$5,000
Grand Rapids SymphonyGrand Rapids, MIGeneral support$5,000
West Michigan Asian American AssociationGrand Rapids, MIGeneral support$5,000
Junior League of Grand RapidsGrand Rapids, MIGeneral support$5,000
Gerald R Ford FoundationGrand Rapids, MIGeneral support$5,000
Grand Rapids Christian SchoolsGrand Rapids, MIGeneral support$5,000
Community HomeworksKalamazoo, MISafe start support - general support$5,000
Kalamazoo Loaves & FishesKalamazoo, MIGrocery pantry program - general support$5,000
Blandford Nature CenterGrand Rapids, MIAnnual fund$5,000
Bethany Christian ServicesGrand Rapids, MIProgram sponsorships$5,000
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest MiKalamazoo, MIGold plus sponsor$4,000
Project GreenGrand Rapids, MIGeneral support$3,500
Starlight MinistriesHudsonville, MIGrief support$3,500
North End Community MinistryGrand Rapids, MIProviding practical assistance donation$3,500
Grand Rapids African American Health InstituteGrand Rapids, MIGeneral support$3,000
Baxter Community CenterGrand Rapids, MIGeneral support$3,000
Community Food ClubGrand Rapids, MIGeneral support$3,000
Grand Rapids Public Schools FoundationGrand Rapids, MIMindshare sponsorship - general support$3,000
Alano Club of Kent CountyGrand Rapids, MIGeneral support$3,000
Western Michigan University FoundationKalamazoo, MISosw innovation endowment fund - general support$3,000
Saginaw FutureSaginaw, MIEconomic development and growth$2,500
Uhy CaresSterling Heights, MIGeneral support$2,500
American Red CrossGrand Rapids, MIBoard pledge southeast michigan$2,500
Lydia's GateMio, MIGeneral support$2,500
Heart of West Michigan United WayGrand Rapids, MIGeneral support$2,500
Michigan CASA IncGrand Rapids, MIGeneral support$2,500
Turning Point IncMount Clemens, MIEmpower servivors of domestic and sexual violence$2,500
Arc-Kent CountyGrand Rapids, MIGeneral support$2,500
Hospice of MichiganAda, MIGeneral support$2,500
Senior NeighborsGrand Rapids, MIGeneral support$2,500
Youth for ChristAlma, MIBanquet sponsorship$2,500
Kids Food BasketGrand Rapids, MIGeneral support$2,500
Fulton Street Farmers MarketGrand Rapids, MIGeneral support$2,500
Grand Rapids Children's MuseumGrand Rapids, MIGeneral support$2,500
Flat River Outreach Ministries IncLowell, MIGeneral support$2,500
Girls Build KalamazooKalamazoo, MIHome renovation project donation$2,100
Bronson Health FoundationKalamazoo, MIGeneral support$2,000
Mrc Industries IncKalamazoo, MIGeneral support$2,000
Fishing With VeteransHolland, MISupport fishing activites$2,000
New City NeighborsGrand Rapids, MIGeneral support$2,000
Creative Arts Repertoire EnsembleGrand Rapids, MIGeneral support$2,000
Valley Family ChurchPortage, MILove week 2025 donation - general support$2,000
Kalamazoo Valley Community College FoundationKalamazoo, MISilver sponsorship - general support$2,000
Mosaic Film ExperienceGrand Rapids, MISponsor$2,000
American Cancer SocietyDetroit, MIGeneral support$1,750
Gryphon PlacePortage, MISuicide prevention$1,500
Wedgwood Christian ServicesGrand Rapids, MIGeneral support$1,500
Theatre EnsembleRochester, MIGeneral support$1,500
Girls Choral AcademyGrand Rapids, MIGeneral support$1,500
Isabella County Child Advocacy CenterMount Pleasant, MIGeneral support$1,500
Ionia County Economic AllianceIonia, MIMi pitch 2025 sponsorship - general support$1,500
Ionia Free Fair AssociationIonia, MISponsorship - general support$1,500

By state: Michigan 136 · Virginia 1 · Texas 1 · Maryland 1

About this foundation

Mercantile Bank Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Grand Rapids, Michigan, administered in care of Charles E Christmas, tax-exempt since 2023. Private foundations must pay out roughly 5% of their assets each year, mostly as grants to 501(c)(3) public charities.

All filings on ProPublica

Does Mercantile Bank Foundation accept grant applications?

No. On its 2025 Form 990-PF the foundation checked that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations. Look for an introduction through a current grantee.

How much does Mercantile Bank Foundation give each year?

In tax year 2025 it paid $311K across 139 grants, a median of $1,000.

Where does Mercantile Bank Foundation give?

Michigan (136 grants), Virginia (1 grants), Texas (1 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.

More foundations near Grand Rapids that accept applications

All in Michigan
FoundationBased inGrants paidMedian grantAccepts applicationsAssets
Wege Foundationsince 1967 Grand Rapids, MI $22M1 grants · 2024 $22MYes $336M
Frey Foundationsince 1974 Grand Rapids, MI $4.8M195 grants · 2024 $5,000Yes $162M
The David and Carol Van Andel Family Foundationsince 2005 Grand Rapids, MI $8.4M49 grants · 2024 $51KYes $112M
Cdv5 Foundationsince 1992 Grand Rapids, MI $4.2M59 grants · 2024 $25KYes $72M
Douglas & Maria Devos Foundationsince 1992 Grand Rapids, MI $10M93 grants · 2024 $30KYes $63M
Email me matching grants