The Dick and Betsy DeVos Family Foundation
| The Dick and Betsy DeVos Family Foundation | |
 | |
| Basic facts | |
| Location: | Grand Rapids, Mich. |
| Type: | 501(c)(3) private foundation |
| Top official: | Betsy DeVos, President |
| Founder(s): | Dick DeVos and Betsy DeVos |
| Year founded: | 1989 |
| Website: | Official website |
| Budget | |
| 2013: | $7,845,046 |
| 2012: | $14,660,823 |
| 2011: | $7,402,981 |
The Dick and Betsy DeVos Family Foundation is a 501(c)(3) private foundation that makes grants to community organizations in Michigan and to other national nonprofit organizations. The foundation is located in Grand Rapids, Mich., and is funded by Richard DeVos Jr.—son of Amway co-founder Richard DeVos Sr.—and his wife Betsy.[1]
Mission
The website for the Dick and Betsy DeVos Family Foundation lists the following as guiding passion's for the organization's giving:[2]
| “ | Our faith motivates our giving; it is integral to who we are and what we do. Our giving is centered in cultivating leadership, accelerating transformation and leveraging support in five areas: Education: We strive to be a catalyst for positive change by expanding choices and improving access opportunities in education. |
” |
Work
The Dick and Betsy DeVos Family Foundation is a private foundation that makes grants to other organizations. The group is registered as a 501(c)(3) private foundation with the IRS. The foundation was founded in 1989 by Richard DeVos Jr. and his wife Betsy. Dick DeVos is the son of Richard DeVos Sr., who founded the multilevel marketing company Amway, which is now valued at over $10 billion.[4] The two started the foundation as a way to contribute to the community, according to it's website: "In response to the financial blessing we have received, our foundation was launched in 1989 to serve as a vehicle for our giving. Based on the model taught us by our parents, we seek to serve as faithful stewards."[1] According to a 2006 report from the Detroit Metro Times, the foundation mostly offers funds to "conservative think tanks, activist groups and fundamentalist Christian organizations."[5]
The foundation extensively donates to other nonprofit organizations. The following is a list of notable organizations who received grants exceeding $100,000 from the Dick and Betsy DeVos Family Foundation in 2013:[6]
| Dick and Betsy DeVos Family Foundation Grant Activity 2013 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Recipient | Amount granted | |
| The Acton Institute | $250,000 | |
| Alliance for School Choice | $250,000 | |
| ArtPrize Grand Rapids | $506,650 | |
| Cape Eleuthera Foundation, Inc. | $270,000 | |
| Endeavor Global Inc. | $162,500 | |
| Ferris State University | $100,000 | |
| Foundation for Excellence in Education | $100,000 | |
| Grand Rapids Christian School Association | $300,000 | |
| Great Lakes Education Foundation | $200,000 | |
| Helen DeVos Children's Hospital Foundation | $526,000 | |
| John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts | $125,000 | |
| Kids Hope USA | $100,000 | |
| Mars Hill Bible Church | $460,000 | |
| Northwood University | $200,000 | |
| Potter's House | $301,000 | |
| Regional Air Alliance of West Michigan | $200,000 | |
| Van Andel Institute | $135,000 | |
| Wedgwood Christian Services | $250,000 | |
| West Michigan Aviation Academy | $315,000 | |
| Willow Creek Association | $1,000,000 | |
Leadership
The Dick and Betsy DeVos Family Foundation's 2013 tax forms list the following officers:[6]
- Richard DeVos Jr., Chairperson
- Betsy DeVos, President
- Jerry Tubergen, Executive vice president
- Robert Schierbeek, Treasurer
- Jeffrey Lambert, Vice president
Finances
The following is a breakdown of the Dick and Betsy DeVos Foundation's revenues and expenses for the 2011 to 2013 fiscal years:
| Annual revenue and expenses for the Dick and Betsy DeVos Foundation, 2011–2013 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Tax Year | Total Revenue | Total Expenses |
| 2013[6] | $10,520,967 | $7,845,046 |
| 2012[7] | $12,370,243 | $14,660,823 |
| 2011[8] | $13,995,885 | $7,402,981 |
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms 'Dick and Betsy DeVos' Foundation. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
- DeVos Family
- Richard DeVos Jr.
- Betsy DeVos
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The Dick and Betsy DeVos Family Foundation, "About," accessed November 18, 2015
- ↑ The Dick and Betsy DeVos Family Foundation, "Passions," accessed November 18, 2015
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Forbes, "Amway," accessed November 17, 2015
- ↑ Detroit Metro Times, "You don’t know Dick," October 4, 2006
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 GuideStar, "The Dick and Betsy DeVos Family Foundation IRS Form 990 (2013)," accessed November 18, 2015
- ↑ Guidestar, "The Dick and Betsy DeVos Family Foundation IRS Form 990 (2012)," accessed November 18, 2015
- ↑ Guidestar, "The Dick and Betsy DeVos Family Foundation IRS Form 990 (2011)," accessed November 18, 2015
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