The Gerber Foundation
At a glance
Key takeaways
- If your organisation runs youth programmes for ages 0 to 18 in Lake, Muskegon, Newaygo or Oceana counties, West Michigan Grants are the most direct fit, with a stated maximum of up to $10,000, so a modest request suits this foundation.
- The foundation encourages collaborative programmes supported by the broader community, so show local partners and backing in your proposal.
- Research awards go up to $350,000 and are open only to eligible charitable and governmental organisations, not individuals or private foundations, and research applicants must submit a concept paper before any full proposal.
- Applications are due March 15 and September 15 each year at 4pm, so plan to submit well before those dates.
Overview
The Gerber Foundation is a US private foundation based in Fremont, MI.
What they fund
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
The Gerber Foundation’s giving is guided by enhancing the quality of life of infants and children. Its research awards support innovative paediatric research that improves children’s health and well-being, prioritising work on nutrition, care and development from pre-birth through age three. The Foundation values practical, evidence-based projects with potential to improve clinical care and be implemented broadly, while developing future child-health researchers through mentorship and collaboration. Its West Michigan Grants fund youth programmes for ages 0–18 in Lake, Muskegon, Newaygo and Oceana counties, emphasising health, nutrition and dental issues, early childhood services and literacy, parenting education, and life experiences. It also offers competitive merit-based post-secondary scholarships to students graduating from selected high schools in West Michigan. Research awards are made to eligible charitable and governmental organisations; local youth grants are open to eligible public non-profits and governmental entities.
Themes
- Pediatric Health
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Environmental Hazards
- Early Childhood Services & Literacy
- Parenting Education
- Life Experiences
Geographic Focus
United States; Lake; Muskegon; Newaygo; Oceana.
What They Don't Fund
- Research Grants only: individuals; private foundations
How to apply
Organisations may apply through West Michigan Grants or the research awards. Research applicants submit a concept paper; if accepted, they submit a full proposal through the online application tool.
Deadlines: Applications are due March 15 and September 15 each year at 4pm.
Application success factors
What the foundation says:
- The Foundation encourages programmes that are collaborative and supported by the broader community.
- For research, the Foundation seeks practical solutions that can be implemented easily and rapidly at scale, with a predictable route to clinical application.
- The Foundation values mentorship, collaboration and the development of future leaders in child health research.
Officers and directors
- Wendy Taylor — Director
- Amy Sapsford — Director
- Robert Schumacher MD — Director
- Steven Poole — Director
- Randy Puff — Director
- Raymond Hutchinson MD — Director
- Leigh Anne Higgins — Director
- Michael G Ebert — Director
- Randall Dyk MD — Director
- Tracy A Baker — Secretary
- Stan M Vanderroest — Treasurer
- William Bush MD — Vice Preside
- Fernando Flores-New — President
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $5,409,258 | $4,291,656 | $84,337,676 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $4,374,548 | $3,764,740 | $86,569,243 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $4,742,850 | $3,756,279 | $90,965,107 | 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
Registers and filings
Other sources
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At a glance
Applying to The Gerber Foundation?
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Applying to The Gerber Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required