The Political function of Philanthropy: The Jandernoa 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, the Cheri DeVos Foundation, the Jerry & Marcia Tubergen Foundation, the Steve and Amy Van Andel Foundation, and the David and Carol Van Andel Foundation.

The Janderoa Foundation

Michael Jandernoa is part of the Grand Rapids Power Structure, although his name is not as familiar as DeVos, Van Andel, Seechia or Meijer. Jandernoa is a former executive with the Perrigo Company and is now the head of 42 North Partners in Grand Rapids. The Jandernoa Foundation began in 1993 and currently has $5,191,772 in assets, while contributing $2,981,127 in 2020, which is the most recent 990 document available on Guidestar. What follows is a breakdown of some of the larger contributions the Jandernoa Foundation has made in each of the four categories we have been using.

Conservative Christian Groups

• Diocese of Grand Rapids – $80,000
• Madison Square Church  – $100,000
• Mel Trotter Ministries – $187,500

It is interesting that the Jandernoa Foundation has also contributed to Mel Trotter Ministries, just like most of the other foundations we have looked at over the past few months. This demonstrates that many members of the Grand Rapids Power Structure contribute to the charity work that Mel Trotter does, primarily because they are a religious entity and have no commitment to challenging the root causes of housing insecurity in this city.

Political Right and Think Tanks

• Greater Grand Rapids Chamber Foundation – $50,000

Education Institutions

• Aquinas College – $50,000
• Catholic Central High School – $150,000
• Grand Valley State University – $125,000 
• Michigan Colleges Alliance (Private schools) – $80,000
• University of Michigan Business School – $957,877

You can see from this list that over half of the education groups are religious and/or private education groups, plus the largest contribution was to U of M’s business school. Jandernoa is a huge proponent of Entrepreneurial Capitalism. 

Groups receiving Hush Money

• Disability Advocates of Kent County – $40,000
• Habitat for Humanity Kent County – $150,000
• Heart of West Michigan United Way – $350,000
• Kids Food Basket – $20,000

None of these four groups listed here challenge systems of power, nor do they seek to address the root causes of societal problems like housing insecurity or food insecurity. 

In addition, the Jandernoa Foundation gets to buy their silence, making it very improbable that these groups will speak out against the public policy decisions that are adopted by the politicians that Jandernoa and other members of the Grand Rapids Power Structure are funding. In fact, according to FollowtheMoney.org, Jandernoa has contributed a total of $4,299,096 in campaign money over the past 27 years, mostly to GOP candidates. Like most private foundations, their owners create social problems through exploitation and buying politicians, then turn around and contribute to charity groups that serve the very same people harmed by their wealth.