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John and Judy Spoelhof Foundation

Annual Giving
$2.3M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.5M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $2,336,000 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $37,274,135 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $538,000
  • Average Grant: $35,394
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Holland, Michigan area, with some grants to other U.S. states

Contact Details

Address: Holland, MI 49423
Phone: (616) 494-7400
Website: None
Email: Not publicly available

Note: The foundation does not maintain a public website or accept unsolicited applications.

Overview

The John and Judy Spoelhof Foundation was established in December 1984 as a private family foundation in Holland, Michigan. Founded by John Spoelhof, former President and CEO of Prince Corporation (a major automotive supplier acquired by Johnson Controls in 1996 for $1.35 billion), the foundation has grown to hold assets of over $37 million. In 2023, the foundation distributed $2,336,000 through 66 grants to organizations primarily in West Michigan. The foundation focuses on Christian education, religious organizations, healthcare, and human services. All leadership positions are held by family members who serve without compensation. The foundation operates on a model of trustee-directed grantmaking, supporting organizations with which the family has pre-existing relationships or knowledge.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with published guidelines. Instead, grants are awarded at the discretion of the board of directors to preselected charitable organizations.

2023 Major Grant Recipients:

  • Holland Christian Schools: $538,000 (General Operations)
  • Benjamin's Hope: $170,000 (General Operations)
  • Holland Deacons Conference: $150,000 (General Operations)
  • Resthaven Care Center: $150,000 (General Operations)
  • Community Action House: $125,000 (General Operations)
  • Western Seminary: $125,000 (General Operations)
  • Renew Therapeutic Riding Center: $110,000 (General Operations)

Priority Areas

Based on actual grantmaking patterns, the foundation prioritizes:

  • Christian Education: Elementary, secondary, and theological education (particularly Holland Christian Schools and Western Seminary)
  • Religious Organizations: Churches and Christian ministries, including support for deacons conferences
  • Healthcare and Senior Services: Care centers and health organizations serving the Holland community
  • Human Services: Organizations addressing poverty, disability services, and community support
  • Geographic Focus: Strong preference for Holland, Michigan and West Michigan organizations, with occasional grants to other U.S. locations

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation's giving pattern suggests they do not fund:

  • Secular organizations without a Christian mission
  • Organizations outside their existing network
  • International programs
  • Individual scholarships or fellowships
  • Political or advocacy organizations

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed entirely by members of the Spoelhof family, all serving without compensation:

Officers:

  • John W. Spoelhof - President and Founder (former President/CEO of Prince Corporation)
  • Judith Spoelhof - Secretary
  • Scott Spoelhof - Treasurer

Directors:

  • Christopher Spoelhof
  • Craig Spoelhof
  • Stephen Spoelhof

Leadership Philosophy: The family has demonstrated long-term commitment to the Holland, Michigan community, mirroring John Spoelhof's leadership philosophy during the Johnson Controls acquisition when he stated the importance of remaining in Holland and respecting local culture. This community-centered approach is evident in the foundation's concentrated grantmaking to local organizations.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process.

The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not respond to unsolicited applications or requests for funding. Grants are awarded based on trustee discretion and pre-existing relationships with organizations known to the family.

According to public records, the foundation operates on a model where the board of directors identifies and selects grant recipients based on their own knowledge of and connections to charitable organizations, primarily in the Holland, Michigan area.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. Grant decisions are made by the board of directors on their own timeline without published deadlines or notification schedules.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications from organizations they do not already know.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - there is no public application process.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. Organizations that receive grants from the John and Judy Spoelhof Foundation are selected by the trustees without a formal application process.

Based on the foundation's actual grantmaking patterns, organizations most likely to receive support share these characteristics:

  • Location in Holland, Michigan: The vast majority of grants support West Michigan organizations, particularly those in Holland
  • Christian Mission: All identified grant recipients align with Christian values and many explicitly serve Christian communities
  • Established Operations: Recipients tend to be well-established organizations with strong reputations in the community
  • Community Impact: Focus on organizations providing direct services - education, healthcare, human services, and ministry
  • Connection to Founders: The foundation appears to support organizations with which the Spoelhof family has personal knowledge or long-standing relationships

The foundation's largest and most consistent grants go to Holland Christian Schools, suggesting a strong personal commitment to Christian education in the local community.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No unsolicited applications accepted: This foundation cannot be approached through traditional grant writing - they only fund preselected organizations
  • Strong local focus: Nearly all grants support Holland, Michigan organizations, particularly those serving the Christian community
  • Christian mission essential: All giving aligns with Christian values, particularly supporting Reformed/Protestant organizations
  • Relationship-based grantmaking: Grants flow to organizations the family knows and trusts, not through competitive processes
  • Education is top priority: Holland Christian Schools receives the largest grants, indicating education - particularly Christian K-12 education - is a core interest
  • Multi-year support evident: The foundation appears to provide ongoing support to key organizations rather than one-time grants
  • Family foundation structure: All decision-making authority rests with family members who volunteer their time

References

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