James and Shirley Balk Foundation
At a glance
Key takeaways
- The filings state no geographic focus, but grants have mainly gone to Michigan organisations, so a Michigan group has a clear fit without that being a stated requirement.
- Half of its 52 grants to organisations were $2,500 or less, and about 8 in 10 fall between $1,000 and $32,500, so a modest request in that range is the most realistic size, though its largest grant was $1,350,000, so the band is typical rather than a ceiling.
- About 92% of its grant dollars to organisations went to groups it had also funded in earlier filings, so repeat giving is the strongest pattern, and a letter that shows how your work links to its recipient types (health, education, community, faith, recreation or culture) will help.
- It accepts applications with no deadlines given, so you can send a short letter whenever you are ready, but the filings do not state a narrower purpose, so be specific about what your funds would pay for.
Overview
James and Shirley Balk Foundation is a US private foundation based in Grand Rapids, MI.
What they fund
Profile based on the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) only: no website or other web source for the foundation was found. Every statement is checked against the filings. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The filings describe the foundation’s organisational grants as general support rather than naming a particular field. Recipients include a children’s hospital foundation, a hospice, a research institute, schools, a child advocacy organisation, youth programmes, a cancer support organisation, a university, service clubs, churches, a botanical garden, food and homelessness services, and parks. The recorded recipients span health, education, community, faith, recreation and cultural organisations. Almost all reported grant dollars went to Michigan organisations. The filings do not state a narrower purpose for this broad support.
Geographic Focus
No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in Michigan.
How to apply
Submit a letter.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 92% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 52 grants to organisations were $2,500 or less.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
- The largest single recipient received 66% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 92% of grant dollars went to organisations James and Shirley Balk Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 15 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $3,000 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Corewell - Helen Devos Chidlren's Hospital Foundation · General support$60,0002024 tax year
- Hospice of Michigan · General support$32,5002024 tax year
- Van Andel Institute · General support$14,2002024 tax year
- Grand Rapids Christian School · General support$10,0002024 tax year
- Casa Of Kent County Inc · General support$10,0002024 tax year
- Rockford High School · General support$4,0002024 tax year
- Younglife · General support$3,5002024 tax year
- San Juan Diego Academy · General support$3,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Steven J Balk — Trustee
- Martin A Balk — Trustee
- James H Balk — Trustee
- Shirley Balk — Trustee
- James Balk II — Trustee
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $1,819,425 | $1,770,350 | $5,295,824 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $156,418 | $143,539 | $5,170,126 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $202,643 | $146,700 | $5,675,716 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
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At a glance
Applying to James and Shirley Balk Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (616) 458-1414
- Grand Rapids, MI
Applying to James and Shirley Balk Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (616) 458-1414
- Grand Rapids, MI