Steelcase Foundation

Steelcase Foundation is a US private foundation based in Grand Rapids, MI.

Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.

Priority Areas

Steelcase Foundation invests in public education, family well-being and systems change to help students and families flourish. Its grants support 501(c)(3) non-profit organisations and governmental entities serving the community, for work aligned with its focus areas; support may cover existing or pilot programmes, special projects and initiatives, and general operations. Its stated priorities include inclusive, student-centred public education; positive transitions through school and into postsecondary study; youth leadership and belonging; mental health for students and families; culturally responsive whole-child and whole-family supports; and postsecondary access and success, particularly for first-generation or historically underserved students. It also partners with families on family well-being and systems-level change. It prioritises efforts that centre the wisdom, leadership and lived experience of the communities they serve, and organisations with relevant experience, implementation capacity, inclusive and equitable practices, and feasible, financially sustainable work. Its grantmaking is deliberately local, building deep relationships and responding to community needs.

Themes

• Public education
• Family well-being
• Systems change

Geographic Focus

Kent County.

What They Don't Fund

• Work outside Kent County, Michigan
• Basic needs, youth sports, animal welfare, environmental programs
• Capital campaigns, endowments, or furniture purchases
• Event sponsorships, scholarships, or requests for individuals
• Organizations that discriminate based on protected characteristics or require participation in religious activities to receive services
• Requests to purchase Steelcase Inc. furniture
• Grants to individuals or for religious purposes
• Grants to non-501(c)(3) organizations (unless through a fiscal sponsor)
• Grants that fall outside of our funding priorities or geographic focus (Kent County)
• Conferences, seminars, events, or sponsorships
• School-based or community-based clubs and athletic teams
• Endowments
• Grants for projects that duplicate or significantly overlap the work of federal, state, or local government agencies
• Organizations that discriminate based on religion, gender identity, and expression, disability, sexual orientation, race, or national origin
• Government-approved overhead rates on research grants
• Indirect costs on non-research grants, such as fellowships or training grants, regardless of the total budget
• Those related to institutional infrastructure

Applicants submit a clear, concise initial inquiry through the online portal. The Foundation reviews it and responds within two weeks. If the request moves forward, applicants complete a full application and determine shared learning goals with the Foundation.

Deadlines: Initial inquiries are due in four scheduled rounds each year; invited applicants have a separate application deadline for each round.

• Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 74% 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 273 grants to organisations were $50,000 or less.

What the foundation says:

• Funding decisions favour alignment with the Foundation’s mission, particularly a social justice lens.
• Applicants should demonstrate implementation capacity.
• Board and management leadership are considered in funding decisions.
• Funding decisions consider inclusion and equity practices.
• Requests are assessed for feasibility and financial sustainability.
• Funding decisions consider measurable community benefit and broad opportunities.
• Grantseekers should discuss indirect costs with the Grant Lead before submitting a proposed budget.
• Grantees must provide an annual report detailing progress towards grant outcomes and collective learnings.
• Organisations should tell staff about significant project changes, unanticipated challenges and timeline adjustments.
• Partners are encouraged to share successes through articles, social media and key learnings during the grant period.
• The Foundation encourages applicants to seek other support and typically is not a project's sole funder.
• Early-Stage Operations and Planning Fund candidates must hold 501(c)(3) status for at least one year but less than eight years.
• Early-Stage Operations and Planning Fund candidates have cash and in-kind operational budgets under $500,000.
• Early-Stage Operations and Planning Fund candidates have secured at least $50,000 in revenue over the last two years.
• The fund identifies organisations being led by their founders as candidates.
• The fund seeks organisations able to invest time in sustainable infrastructure and fund development, preferably with a consistent staff or board team.