The Political function of Philanthropy: DeVos Family Foundations – Dan and Pamela DeVos Foundation

“In any case, the hidden hand of of foundations can control the course of social change and deflect anger to targets other than elite power.” 

 – Joan Roelofs, Foundations and Public Policy

For the past 10 years, GRIID has been monitoring foundations in West Michigan, particularly the large family foundations that those who are part of the Grand Rapids Power Structure have created. Our monitoring of local foundations has been part of our larger critique of the Non-Profit Industrial complex in Grand Rapids.

Over the next several weeks, GRIID will provide some information and analysis of the most recent 990 documents that foundations are legally required to submit. These 990 documents must be submitted within a three-year period, which is why the 990s that we will be examining are from 2020, since most foundations prefer to submit their 990 documents at the last minute, thus minimizing possible scrutiny. So far we have posted article about the Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation, the Dick and Betsy DeVos Foundation, and the Doug and Maria DeVos Foundation.

Dan and Pamela DeVos Foundation

GRIID has always begun our Foundation Watch work by looking at the foundations associated with the most powerful family in West Michigan, the DeVos family. The Dan and Pamela DeVos Foundation has been one of the largest in West Michigan, which was founded in 1992. According to GuideStar, in 2020, the Dan and Pamela DeVos Foundation contributed $8,735,200, leaving them with $11,167,253 of funds left in their foundation. To see the 990 document for 2020 from the Dan and Pamela DeVos Foundation, go here.

The Dan and Pamela DeVos Foundation made contributions to dozens of entities in 2020, but there are some clear categories of groups they contributed to, such as the Religious Right, Think Tanks, Education-centered groups, and social service entities, to name a few. Below is a listing of each from these categories, with a dollar amount and a brief analysis. 

We also include groups that are DeVos owned or created, along with liberal non-profits. With the liberal non-profits, we believe that funding from foundations like the DeVos family foundations is a form of hush money. When we say hush money, we mean that these entities will not publicly challenge the system of Capitalism, the wealth gap, structural racism and other systems of oppression, which the DeVos family benefits from and perpetuates through their own political funding.

Religious Right

• Alliance for Children Everywhere – $100,000
• Base Camp Urban Outreach – $20,000
• Bridge St. House of Prayer – $50,000
• Christian Leaders NFP – $50,000
• Keystone Community Church – $120,000
• Life International – $100,000
• Luis Palau Association – $150,000
• Partners Worldwide – $40,000
• Pregnancy Resource Center – $30,000
• Ron Ball Evangelistic Association – $90,000
• Tall Turf Ministries – $100,000
• US Conference of Catholic Bishops – $30,000
• West Michigan Christian Foundation – $450,000
• Young Life – $50,000

Life the other DeVos Family Foundations, contributing money to religious right groups is important for Dan and Pamela DeVos. For example, they contributed $450,000 to the West Michigan Christian Foundation, which according to their 2022 Impact Report, donated $5.7 Million to anti-abortion groups. Another example is the Ron Ball Evangelistic Association, which received $90,000 from the foundation. Ron Ball does large revival-like gatherings and partners with the Heritage Foundation to promote American Capitalism.

Far Right Think Tanks and Free Market groups

• Acton Institute – $75,000
• American Enterprise Institute – $500,000
• FII National – $1,225,000
• Greater Grand Rapids Chamber Foundation – $160,000
• Junior Achievement of the Michigan Great Lakes – $265,000
• Mackinac Center – $50,000
• National Constitution Center – $2,000,000
• Purdue Research Foundation – $5,175,000
• The Seminar Network Inc – $500,000

The DeVos family has always been deeply committed to free market Capitalism. They contributed $1,225,000 to FII National, also known as UpTogether, which believes that poverty is a choice and that people can chose to get out of poverty by starting their own business. Another interesting group is The Seminar Network Inc. (also known as Stand Together), which is an entity that promotes social entrepreneurs, was founded by the Koch Brothers and creates education material that denies Climate Change.

Education-centered groups

• Calvin University – $100,000
• Cornerstone University – $30,000
• Early Neighborhood Learning Collaborative – $265,500
• Godwin Heights Public Schools – $48,000
• Grand Rapids Christian Schools – $161,000
• Grand Rapids Community College Foundation – $631,000
• Grand Rapids Student Advancement Foundation – $545,000
• Grand Rapids Public Schools – $93,500
• Grand Valley State University – $195,000
• Hope Academy of West Michigan – $78,500
• K-Connect – $125,000
• Kent School Services Network – $50,000
• Leading Educators Inc. – $1,855,250
• Ottawa Area ISD – $87,000
• Potters House – $125,000
• Rehoboth Christian School – $200,000
• NYC Leadership Academy Inc – $345,000
• Wake Forest University – $250,000

DeVos-owned, created or connected groups

• ArtPrize – $50,000
• Grand Action Foundation – $50,000
• Grand Rapids Initiative for Leaders – $30,5000
• Orlando Magic Youth Foundation – $90,000
• Spectrum Health Foundation – $492,500
• West Michigan Aviation Academy – $315,000

Groups receiving Hush $ 

• Baxter Community Center – $50,000
• Bethany Christian Services – $475,000
• Children’s Assessment Center – $40,000
• Dégagé Ministries – $165,000
• Dwelling Place – $200,000
• Family Promise – $135,000
• First Steps Kent – $75,000
• Guiding Light Mission – $20,000
• Heart of West MI United Way – $525,000
• ICCF – $30,000
• Kent Habitat for Humanity – $125,000
• Kids Food Basket – $27,500
• Lifequest – $20,000
• Safe Haven Ministries – $120,000
• The Other Way Ministries – $60,000
• Wedgewood Christian Services – $250,000

Foundations rarely make contributions without strings attached. The Dan and Pamela DeVos has a long history of funding far right and religious right groups, which GRIID documented 10 years ago when we started this project. Lastly, it is worth noting that the Dan and Pamela DeVos Foundation, like all of the DeVos family foundation, compliments the campaign contributions they make to further impact public policy and promote their religious and capitalist ideologies.