The Political function of Philanthropy: DeVos Family Foundations – The Jerry & Marcia Tubergen 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, the Dan and Pamela DeVos Foundation and the Cheri DeVos Foundation.

The Jerry & Marcia Tubergen 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. Now,  Jerry and Marcia Tubergen are not directly DeVos Family members, but they have a long and deep connection to the most powerful family in. West Michigan. The Jerry and Marcia Tubergen was  founded in 1998. According to GuideStar, in 2020, the Jerry and Marcia Tubergen Foundation contributed $3,418,635, leaving them with $14,695,875 of funds left in their foundation. To see the 990 document for 2020 from the Jerry and Marcia Tubergen Foundation, go here.

The long standing connection that Jerry and Marica Tubergen have with the DeVos family are as follows. Jerry Tubergen is the CEO of one of the largest components of the DeVos empire, the RDV Corporation. Jerry is also runs the DeVos investment firm, called Ottawa Private Capital LLC. It is also important to point out that Jerry Tubergen is listed as a trustee for every DeVos family foundation, according to the 990 reports.

The Jerry and Marcia Tubergen 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, Education-centered groups and DeVos created/connected entities. The Jerry and Marcia Tubergen Foundation has a smaller foundation compared to the DeVos family members, but there is some similarities in the groups they fund. 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

• Center for Faith Sexuality and Gender – $50,000
• Cure International – $1,250,000
• Mel Trotter Ministries – $525,000
• Museum of the Bible – $100,000
• The Colson Center for Christian Worldview. – $25,000
• Young Life – $20,000

Jerry Tubergen sits on the board of Cure International, which is a christian ministry that provides health services for people living in countries in the Global South. Cure International does not challenge or question the political or economic conditions in the Global South and should be viewed a an organization that engages in a form of Saviorism. Mel Trotter Ministries also practices a brand of Saviorism, plus are not interested in solving the root causes of homelessness.

Education-centered groups

• Cornerstone University $205,000
• NorthPointe Christian Schools – $30,000
• Potters House – $30,000

DeVos-owned, created or connected groups

• ArtPrize – $5000
• West Michigan Aviation Academy – $5,000

Groups receiving Hush $ 

• Heart of West MI United Way – $30,000
• Kids Food Basket – $27,500
• Wedgewood Christian Services – $150,000