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Bill And Bea Idema Foundation

Annual Giving
$5.9M
Grant Range
$30K - $15.0M

Bill And Bea Idema Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $5,930,000 (2024)
  • Total Assets: ~$15 million
  • Grant Range: $30,000 - $15,000,000 (highly variable based on project scale)
  • Number of Awards: 8 grants (2024)
  • Geographic Focus: Grand Rapids and western Michigan area
  • Application Type: Invitation only - does not accept unsolicited applications
  • Established: 1986

Contact Details

Address: 111 Lyon St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Contact: Philip P. Versluis, Trustee

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.

Overview

The Bill and Bea Idema Foundation was established in 1986 as an independent private foundation in Michigan. The foundation exists to give expression to traditional Christian values by supporting schools, organizations and community programs that help children and families, with a geographic focus restricted to the Grand Rapids, Michigan area. Founded by William W. Idema of the Steelcase family and his wife Beatrice "Bea" Idema, a former nurse at Blodgett Hospital, the foundation continues their legacy of quiet, generous philanthropy. In 2024, the foundation distributed $5,930,000 in grants across 8 awards. The foundation has demonstrated particular strength in large-scale capital projects, including a historic $15 million commitment to John Ball Zoo in recent years and a $2 million gift to the Grand River Greenway Trail project. Bea Idema, who passed away in 2022 at age 99, was particularly known for her leadership in developing the Grand River Greenway, a 41-mile hiking/biking corridor from Grand Rapids to Lake Michigan.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through trustee-directed grantmaking rather than formal grant programs. Grants are awarded to preselected organizations aligned with the foundation's mission.

Recent Major Grants Include:

  • John Ball Zoo: $15 million (2025 announcement) for new giraffe habitat and savannah expansion, opening 2028; $5 million for North American river otter habitat
  • Grand River Greenway: $2 million for trail development (now named Idema Explorers Trail)
  • Historical Grants: $750,000 to John Ball Zoo (2014), $700,000 to John Ball Zoo (2013), $30,000 to Gilda's Club of Grand Rapids (2012)

The foundation's total commitment to John Ball Zoo's "Rising to New Heights" capital campaign now stands at $20 million, including the $15 million lead gift and previous contributions that created the Idema Funicular and Idema Forest Realm in 2010.

Priority Areas

The foundation primarily focuses on:

  • Christian Causes: Organizations reflecting traditional Christian values
  • Education: Schools and educational programs serving children and families
  • The Arts: Cultural and artistic programs
  • Youth Development: Programs that help children and families
  • Environmental/Conservation: Parks, trails, and outdoor educational facilities (evidenced by zoo and greenway support)
  • Health: Organizations serving children and families (reflecting Bea's nursing background)

All funding is restricted to the Grand Rapids, MI area and western Michigan.

What They Don't Fund

  • Organizations outside the Grand Rapids/western Michigan region
  • Unsolicited applications from organizations not already known to the foundation
  • General operating support (preference shown for capital projects and special programs)

Governance and Leadership

Trustee: Philip P. Versluis

The foundation operates as a private family foundation continuing the philanthropic legacy of Bill and Bea Idema. According to John Ball Zoo's tribute: "Bill and Bea Idema quietly and generously touched the lives of millions of people not just in Michigan but around the world. For decades they gave from their hearts never seeking recognition for their good works. They gave for the joy of giving and because they simply wanted to help others."

Bea Idema (1922-2022) was described as "a nurse, philanthropist and an advocate for education, she supported many Christian, educational, and environmental organizations in West Michigan and across the globe. Bill and Bea's generosity had no boundaries and impacted countless lives."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Grants are awarded through trustee discretion to organizations identified by the foundation's leadership based on alignment with their mission to support schools, organizations, and community programs that help children and families and reflect traditional Christian values.

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation's grantmaking history shows a pattern of deep, long-term relationships with select organizations, particularly those focused on conservation, education, and family-serving programs in Grand Rapids. The foundation demonstrated this through its multi-decade relationship with John Ball Zoo, beginning with major gifts in 2010 and culminating in a $15 million commitment in 2025.

Organizations working in Christian education, environmental conservation, youth development, and family services in the Grand Rapids area that have strong track records and are well-connected within the West Michigan philanthropic community may have the best opportunity to develop relationships that could lead to foundation support.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. The foundation made 8 grants in 2024, 6 grants in 2023, and 2 grants in 2022, suggesting selective, strategic grantmaking rather than ongoing rolling decisions.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis with a small number of annual grants to preselected organizations.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to invitation-only structure.

Application Success Factors

Given the foundation's closed application process, success factors are based on observable patterns from their grantmaking history:

Scale and Impact: The foundation has made transformational gifts, including the largest donations in John Ball Zoo's history. They appear to favor projects with significant, lasting community impact rather than small incremental programs.

Alignment with Christian Values: The foundation's mission explicitly states support for organizations reflecting "traditional Christian values." Organizations should demonstrate how their work aligns with these values in serving children and families.

Capital Projects Over Operating Support: Major documented grants have been for capital projects—the Idema Funicular and Forest Realm, giraffe habitat, river otter habitat, suspension bridges, and trail development. The foundation appears to prefer supporting tangible, named projects.

Long-Term Relationships: The John Ball Zoo relationship spans from 2010 to 2025+ with multiple successive gifts totaling $20 million. The foundation builds deep partnerships with select organizations rather than spreading support widely.

Geographic Focus: All grants are restricted to Grand Rapids and western Michigan. Organizations outside this region are not eligible regardless of mission alignment.

Children, Families, and Education Focus: Whether through zoo education programs, trails for family recreation, or direct educational institutions, successful grantees serve children and families in meaningful ways.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This is not a traditional grantmaking foundation—they do not accept unsolicited applications and work only with preselected organizations
  • Building awareness within West Michigan philanthropic circles may be the only path to consideration, as the foundation identifies recipients through trustee discretion
  • Think transformational, not transactional—their grants range from $30,000 to $15 million with clear preference for major capital projects
  • Christian values alignment is essential—organizations must demonstrate how their work reflects traditional Christian values supporting children and families
  • Geographic restriction is absolute—only Grand Rapids and western Michigan organizations are eligible
  • Long-term vision matters—the foundation has shown willingness to make multi-year, multi-million dollar commitments to organizations they believe in
  • Legacy and naming opportunities—major gifts have resulted in named facilities (Idema Funicular, Idema Forest Realm, Idema Explorers Trail), suggesting the foundation values lasting recognition of their founders' values

References

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