The Political function of Philanthropy: DeVos Family Foundations – CDV5 Foundation, the Cheri 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.

GRIID has been providing information and analysis on the various DeVos Family Foundations, using 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 public scrutiny. So far we have posted articles about the Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation, the Dick and Betsy DeVos Foundation, the Doug and Maria DeVos Foundation and the Dan and Pamela DeVos Foundation.

CDV5 – Cheri 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 Cheri DeVos Foundation has been one of the larger foundations in West Michigan, and was also founded in 1992. According to GuideStar, in 2020, the Cheri DeVos Foundation contributed $8,308,020, leaving them with $62,463,632 of funds left in their foundation. To see the 990 document for 2020 from the Cheri DeVos Foundation, go here.

The Cheri 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

• Base Camp Urban Outreach – $30,000
• Bridge St. House of Prayer – $70,000
• Christian Leaders NFP – $50,000
• Mel Trotter Ministries – $25,000
• Partners Worldwide – $30,000
• Young Life – $50,000
• Zuni Christian Mission School – $30,000

Life the other DeVos Family Foundations, contributing money to religious right groups is important for Cheri DeVos. Groups like the Bridge St. House of Prayer and Mel Trotter Ministries prey on those who are financially struggling or unhoused in order to evangelize them, while perpetuating the harm that Capitalism creates that actually is the root cause of economic hardship for thousands in Grand Rapids. 

Far Right Think Tanks and Free Market groups

• FII National – $1,225,000
• Greater Grand Rapids Chamber Foundation – $130,000

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 Greater Grand Rapids Chamber Foundation, which is currently focused on supporting the Housing Next program, which was created by the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and believes that market-based solutions will solve the housing crisis.

Education-centered groups

• Grand Rapids Christian Schools – $160,000
• Grand Rapids Community College Foundation – $250,000
• Grand Rapids Student Advancement Foundation – $720,000
• Grand Valley State University – $200,000
• Hope Academy of West Michigan – $78,500
• Hope College – $50,000
• Potters House – $90,000
• Rehoboth Christian School – $120,000
• Wake Forest University – $25,000

DeVos-owned, created or connected groups

• ArtPrize – $50,000
• Grand Action Foundation – $50,000
• Grand Rapids Initiative for Leaders – $20,500
• Orlando Magic Youth Foundation – $90,000
• Spectrum Health Foundation – $385,000
• West Michigan Aviation Academy – $365,000

Like the other DeVos Family Foundations, the Cheri DeVos Foundation makes it a point to fund other DeVos created projects, which means that DeVos family members are just shuffling money to each other and calling it a charitable contribution.  

Groups receiving Hush $ 

• Baxter Community Center – $40,000
• Bethany Christian Services – $260,000
• Children’s Assessment Center – $40,000
• Dégagé Ministries – $60,000
• Family Promise – $155,000
• Feeding America West MI – $50,000
• Heart of West MI United Way – $345,000
• ICCF – $25,000
• Kent Habitat for Humanity – $300,000
• Kids Food Basket – $150,000
• Safe Haven Ministries – $90,000
• Wedgewood Christian Services – $215,000

Foundations rarely make contributions without strings attached. The Cheri 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 Cheri 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.