The Gaby Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $3.4 million (2023)
• Success Rate: N/A (invitation-only)
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: $46 - $1,533,000
• Geographic Focus: Primarily Georgia, Virginia, and Washington D.C.

Contact Details

• Address: 3870 Peachtree Industrial Blvd, Berkeley Lake, GA 30096
• Website: None available
• Email: Not publicly available
• Phone: Not publicly available
• EIN: 45-3956268

Overview

The Gaby Family Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in February 2012 by Richard D. (Rick) and Barbara Van Andel-Gaby. With total assets of approximately $70 million and annual grant distribution of $3.4 million, the foundation focuses primarily on supporting Christian organizations, churches, and educational institutions. Barbara is the daughter of Amway co-founder Jay Van Andel, bringing significant philanthropic heritage to the foundation. Rick Gaby, founder and owner of A.K. Rikks specialty retail store, serves on the Board of Directors of Georgia Center for Opportunity. Since 2019, the foundation has awarded 214 individual grants totaling $11.7 million, demonstrating consistent and substantial philanthropic activity. The foundation operates exclusively on an invitation-only basis, making grants only to pre-selected charitable organizations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate specific named grant programs but makes discretionary grants in the following ranges:

• Major Gifts: $100,000 - $1,533,000 (for cornerstone partners like National Christian Foundation and Anago Partners)
• Mid-level Support: $10,000 - $100,000 (for educational institutions and established ministries)
• General Support: $46 - $10,000 (for smaller churches and local organizations)

Priority Areas

• Christian churches and ministries
• Christian education and leadership development
• National Christian Foundation and donor-advised fund organizations
• Faith-based human services organizations
• Educational institutions with Christian missions
• Philanthropy infrastructure and volunteerism support

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, based on their giving patterns, the foundation does not appear to fund:

• Secular organizations without faith-based components
• Individual assistance or scholarships
• For-profit ventures
• Political organizations
• Organizations outside their established network

Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

• Barbara Van Andel-Gaby: Co-trustee, daughter of Amway co-founder Jay Van Andel, bringing significant philanthropic experience and resources from the Van Andel family legacy
• Richard D. (Rick) Gaby: Co-trustee, founder and owner of A.K. Rikks specialty retail stores, serves on the Board of Directors of Georgia Center for Opportunity, active in Christian ministry leadership

The foundation is managed directly by its two trustees without additional staff or board members listed in public records. The Gabys also manage a separate but related foundation, the Richard and Barbara Gaby Foundation (EIN: 20-2110682), which distributed $6 million in grants in 2023.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants are made exclusively to pre-selected charitable organizations at the discretion of the trustees. Organizations cannot apply through traditional means such as online portals, letters of inquiry, or formal proposals.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on the foundation's giving patterns and trustee involvement, potential strategies include:

• Rick Gaby serves on the Board of Directors of Georgia Center for Opportunity - organizations connected to this center may have greater visibility
• The foundation consistently supports organizations within the National Christian Foundation network - establishing relationships within this network may increase awareness
• Given their strong support for Christian education and church leadership development organizations like Anago Partners and Covenant College, connections through these established beneficiaries may be valuable

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available due to the invitation-only nature of the foundation's grantmaking.

Success Rates

Not applicable as the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable as the foundation operates on an invitation-only basis. However, historical data shows many organizations receive multi-year support, suggesting ongoing relationships are maintained with selected beneficiaries.

Application Success Factors

Based on analysis of the foundation's giving patterns and trustee backgrounds:

• Faith Alignment: All identified grants support organizations with explicit Christian missions or faith-based programs
• Network Connections: Many supported organizations appear to be within established Christian philanthropy networks, particularly those connected to the National Christian Foundation
• Geographic Proximity: While not exclusive, organizations in Georgia receive substantial support, particularly those in the greater Atlanta area
• Leadership Development Focus: Organizations focusing on Christian leadership development, such as Anago Partners, receive consistent major support
• Educational Mission: Christian colleges and educational institutions align well with the foundation's priorities
• Established Track Record: The foundation tends to support well-established organizations rather than startups

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The Gaby Family Foundation only makes grants through invitation and does not accept unsolicited applications or proposals
• With approximately $70 million in assets and $3.4 million in annual giving, this is a substantial funder for organizations within their network
• Christian mission and faith-based programming are essential alignment factors for all grants
• Building relationships within the National Christian Foundation network or through existing beneficiaries may be the only pathway to consideration
• The foundation demonstrates loyalty to its beneficiaries, with many organizations receiving multi-year support
• Geographic proximity to Georgia, particularly the Atlanta area, appears advantageous but not required
• Organizations should focus on building visibility through mutual connections rather than direct solicitation

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - The Gaby Family Foundation Form 990 data (Accessed February 2024)
• Cause IQ - The Gaby Family Foundation Profile and Grant History (Accessed February 2024)
• Grantmakers.io - The Gaby Family Foundation Grant Recipients 2019-2023 (Accessed February 2024)
• Charity Navigator - The Gaby Family Foundation Overview (Accessed February 2024)
• Georgia Center for Opportunity - Board of Directors listing Rick Gaby (Accessed February 2024)
• InfluenceWatch - Van Andel Family Philanthropy Overview (Accessed February 2024)
• GuideStar - The Gaby Family Foundation Basic Information (Accessed February 2024)