The Mercantile Bank Foundation
Invitation OnlyGrand Rapids, Michigan · EIN 87-4152774 · Private foundation
Grants paid (2025)$311K
Organizations funded139
Typical grant$1,000
Total assets$9.8M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $500 and $2,500.
From the return
How to apply
On its return for tax year 2025 the foundation checked the box saying it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
What it funds
Share of grant lines on the latest return, classified from the purpose each grant states.
Where it gives
2% of grants went outside Michigan.
Grants paid in tax year 2025
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mel Trotter Ministries | Grand Rapids, MI | Immeasurably more tiny home campaign - general support | $25,000 |
| American Heart Association | Grand Rapids, MI | Funding for small-scale. | $23,000 |
| Habitat for Humanity of Kent County | Grand Rapids, MI | Imagine campaign - general support | $20,500 |
| Bbb Educational Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | 2025 program sponsorship | $10,000 |
| Cherry Health Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | Health leader sponsorship | $10,000 |
| Mount Pleasant Area Community Foundation | Mt Pleasant, MI | 2025 gold sponsor | $8,300 |
| Hispanic Center of Western Michigan | Grand Rapids, MI | Hispanic festival sponsor - general support | $8,000 |
| Grand Rapids Community College Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | Support student scholarships and grants | $5,000 |
| Nmc Foundation | Traverse City, MI | Support financial education and the arts in the community | $5,000 |
| Grand Rapids Symphony | Grand Rapids, MI | General support | $5,000 |
| West Michigan Asian American Association | Grand Rapids, MI | General support | $5,000 |
| Junior League of Grand Rapids | Grand Rapids, MI | General support | $5,000 |
| Gerald R Ford Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | General support | $5,000 |
| Grand Rapids Christian Schools | Grand Rapids, MI | General support | $5,000 |
| Community Homeworks | Kalamazoo, MI | Safe start support - general support | $5,000 |
| Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes | Kalamazoo, MI | Grocery pantry program - general support | $5,000 |
| Blandford Nature Center | Grand Rapids, MI | Annual fund | $5,000 |
| Bethany Christian Services | Grand Rapids, MI | Program sponsorships | $5,000 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Mi | Kalamazoo, MI | Gold plus sponsor | $4,000 |
| Project Green | Grand Rapids, MI | General support | $3,500 |
| Starlight Ministries | Hudsonville, MI | Grief support | $3,500 |
| North End Community Ministry | Grand Rapids, MI | Providing practical assistance donation | $3,500 |
| Grand Rapids African American Health Institute | Grand Rapids, MI | General support | $3,000 |
| Baxter Community Center | Grand Rapids, MI | General support | $3,000 |
| Community Food Club | Grand Rapids, MI | General support | $3,000 |
| Grand Rapids Public Schools Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | Mindshare sponsorship - general support | $3,000 |
| Alano Club of Kent County | Grand Rapids, MI | General support | $3,000 |
| Western Michigan University Foundation | Kalamazoo, MI | Sosw innovation endowment fund - general support | $3,000 |
| Saginaw Future | Saginaw, MI | Economic development and growth | $2,500 |
| Uhy Cares | Sterling Heights, MI | General support | $2,500 |
| American Red Cross | Grand Rapids, MI | Board pledge southeast michigan | $2,500 |
| Lydia's Gate | Mio, MI | General support | $2,500 |
| Heart of West Michigan United Way | Grand Rapids, MI | General support | $2,500 |
| Michigan Casa Inc | Grand Rapids, MI | General support | $2,500 |
| Turning Point Inc | Mt Clemens, MI | Empower servivors of domestic and sexual violence | $2,500 |
| Arc-Kent County | Grand Rapids, MI | General support | $2,500 |
| Hospice of Michigan | Ada, MI | General support | $2,500 |
| Senior Neighbors | Grand Rapids, MI | General support | $2,500 |
| Youth for Christ | Alma, MI | Banquet sponsorship | $2,500 |
| Kids Food Basket | Grand Rapids, MI | General support | $2,500 |
| Fulton Street Farmers Market | Grand Rapids, MI | General support | $2,500 |
| Grand Rapids Children's Museum | Grand Rapids, MI | General support | $2,500 |
| Flat River Outreach Ministries Inc | Lowell, MI | General support | $2,500 |
| Girls Build Kalamazoo | Kalamazoo, MI | Home renovation project donation | $2,100 |
| Bronson Health Foundation | Kalamazoo, MI | General support | $2,000 |
| Mrc Industries Inc | Kalamazoo, MI | General support | $2,000 |
| Fishing With Veterans | Holland, MI | Support fishing activites | $2,000 |
| New City Neighbors | Grand Rapids, MI | General support | $2,000 |
| Creative Arts Repertoire Ensemble | Grand Rapids, MI | General support | $2,000 |
| Valley Family Church | Portage, MI | Love week 2025 donation - general support | $2,000 |
| Kalamazoo Valley Community College Foundation | Kalamazoo, MI | Silver sponsorship - general support | $2,000 |
| Mosaic Film Experience | Grand Rapids, MI | Sponsor | $2,000 |
| American Cancer Society | Detroit, MI | General support | $1,750 |
| Gryphon Place | Portage, MI | Suicide prevention | $1,500 |
| Wedgwood Christian Services | Grand Rapids, MI | General support | $1,500 |
| Theatre Ensemble | Rochester, MI | General support | $1,500 |
| Girls Choral Academy | Grand Rapids, MI | General support | $1,500 |
| Isabella County Child Advocacy Center | Mt Pleasant, MI | General support | $1,500 |
| Ionia County Economic Alliance | Ionia, MI | Mi pitch 2025 sponsorship - general support | $1,500 |
| Ionia Free Fair Association | Ionia, MI | Sponsorship - general support | $1,500 |
Showing the 60 largest of 139 grants to organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $310,550 | 139 |
| 2024 | $141,850 | 51 |
| 2023 | $517,820 | 161 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2025, filed May 8, 2026 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202601289349101100
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 87-4152774
- Profile updated Nov 4, 2026
Facts on this page come from the foundation's own IRS Form 990-PF filings as published by the IRS. Grantvello does not know whether a foundation is accepting proposals right now: a past grant is not an open opportunity. Always confirm current guidelines with the funder before applying.