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The Marzke Family Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

The Marzke Family Foundation

Its FY2025 filing reports that it accepted unsolicited grant applications.

$73k
Granted FY2025still arriving
38
Grants FY2025still arriving
3
States reached
$10k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
01What it funds
0199% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2019 to 2025.

Education$97kHuman Services$77kArts & Culture$34kFood & Nutrition$30kReligion$30kRecreation & Sports$29kHealth$26kYouth Development$17kOther$0
02FY2025 · 38 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2025

  • Under $10k37 grants · $63k
  • $10k–50k1 grant · $10k
$1,000
Median grant
3
States reached
$1.4M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
FRIENDS OF BERRIEN COUNTY TRAILS$10,000
YMCA - BENTON HARBOR - ST JOSEPH$5,000
READINESS CENTER$5,000
LAKE MICHIGAN CATHOLIC SCHOOLS$5,000
OUR LADY OF THE LAKE CATHOLIC SCHOOL$3,500
CURIOUS KIDS MUSEUM$3,100
LORY'S PLACE$3,000
CATHOLIC COMMUNITY CENTER$3,000
THE SOUP KITCHEN$2,500
SACRED HEART SERENITY HILLS RECOVERY & WELLNESS CENTER$2,500
THERAPEUTIC EQUESTRIAN CENTER$2,000
BIRTHRIGHT OF ST JOSEPH$2,000
HUMANE SOCIETY OF SW MICHIGAN$2,000
BERRIEN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION$2,000
ST JOSEPH CATHOLIC PARISH$2,000
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Its human-services grants (FY19–25, $39k) land where the poverty rate runs at 15%, against an area that typically sits at 9%. 100% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 9%THERAPEUTIC EQUESTRIAN CENTER: $4k → 15%THERAPEUTIC EQUESTRIAN CENTER: $2k → 15%THERAPEUTIC EQUESTRIAN CENTER: $2k → 15%THERAPEUTIC EQUESTRIAN CENTER: $2k → 15%THERAPEUTIC EQUESTRIAN CENTER: $2k → 15%THERAPEUTIC EQUESTRIAN CENTER: $2k → 15%THERAPEUTIC EQUESTRIAN CENTER: $1k → 15%READINESS CENTER: $5k → 15%READINESS CENTER: $4k → 15%READINESS CENTER: $3k → 15%READINESS CENTER: $3k → 15%READINESS CENTER: $2k → 15%READINESS CENTER: $2k → 15%THE AVENUE FAMILY NETWORK: $1k → 15%THE AVENUE FAMILY NETWORK: $1k → 15%READINESS CENTER: $1k → 15%THE AVENUE FAMILY NETWORK: $1k → 15%THE AVENUE FAMILY NETWORK: $1k → 15%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

92%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$355k · 47 repeat orgs$32k to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +31% since the first grant, against -8% for those funded once.

47 repeat relationships: 30 still active in FY2025, 17 since wound down; 5 grantees were first funded in FY2025 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

47
12

Total granted

$355k
$28k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+31%
-8%

Still filing today

43%
50%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2025, 93% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $5k went to new ones.

50%100%’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Arts & CultureEducationHuman ServicesHealthPhilanthropyRecreation & SportsOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • TA
    TWIN-CITY AREA CATHOLIC SCHOOL FUND
    3× · 2019–2021 · $20k · revenue +27%
  • RC
    READINESS CENTER INC
    7× · 2019–2025 · $20k · revenue +4%
  • TE
    Therapeutic Equestrian Center
    7× · 2019–2025 · $15k · revenue +127%

Funded once

  • LM
    LAKE MICHIGAN COLLEGE FOUNDATION
    one grant, 2019 · $13k · revenue -22%
  • KA
    KRASL ART CENTER INC
    one grant, 2019 · $5k · revenue -8%
  • FO
    FRIENDS OF BERRIEN COUNTY TRAILS
    one grant, 2022 · $3k
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

04Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
Harbor Country Chamber of Commerce

To promote business and economic development for eight towns in southwest michigan.

—
2
Legacy Land Conservancy

Safeguard southern michigan's land and water to support diverse, resilient, and thriving communities - forever

Environment
3
The Northern Michigan University Foundation

The nmu foundation will establish and foster relationships to generate resources that benefit the strategic goals of northern michigan university.

Education
4
Michigan Science Center

The mission of the michigan science center is to inspire curious minds of all ages to discover, explore and appreciate science, technology, engineering and math in a creative, dynamic learning environment.

Education
5
Leelanau Conservancy

To conserve the land, water and scenic character of leelanau county, and to provide educational programs to develop an understanding and appreciation of leelanau county's natural heritage.

Environment
6
Arbor Research Collaborative for Health

Arbor research collaborative for health is committed to improving patient care through research that shapes medical policies and practice. in particular, arbor research conducts health outcomes research on chronic disease and end-stage…

Health
7
Michigan Assoc of Community Mental Health Boards

Assisting the community mental health boards of michigan in developing methods for mental health planning, care and treatment.

—
8
United Way of Southwest Michigan

United way of southwest michigan works in berrien, cass, and van buren counties to sustain a united community where everyone contributes, belongs, and thrives.

Philanthropy
9
Charlevoix County Community Foundation

Awarding grants and scholarships.

Philanthropy
10
Brighton Marine Inc

Brighton marine, inc. provides military and veteran families with comprehensive campus-based quality health care, as well as affordable and supportive housing for at-risk veterans and their families.

Health
11
Chicago Maritime Museum

Operation of a nautical history museum.

—
12
Lakeland Health Foundation Niles

To enhance health and serve our community to improve health, inspire hope, and save lives.

—
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Berrien Community Foundation Inc; the most unlike its peers is Paws of Hope. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
04the grantee network

30 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2025.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2025, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 30 of the 66 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

0
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
7
Early backer (in before they grew)
29/30
Grantees still filing
17/30
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

OUR LADY OF THE LAKE CATHOLIC SCHOO: $24,000 · OtherOUR LADY OF THE LAKE CATHOLIC SCHOOYMCA - BENTON HARBOR - ST JOSEPH: $20,000 · OtherYMCA - BENTON HARBOR - ST JOSEPHLORY'S PLACE: $16,080 · OtherLORY'S PLACECATHOLIC COMMUNITY CENTER: $15,000 · OtherCATHOLIC COMMUNITY CENTERThe Soup Kitchen Inc: $14,200 · OtherThe Soup Kitchen IncBOYS AND GIRLS CLUB: $13,000 · OtherLAKE MICHIGAN COLLEGE FOUNDATION: $12,500 · OtherST JOSEPH JUNIOR FOUNDATION INC: $12,000 · OtherAREA AGENCY ON AGING: $12,000 · OtherTWIN CITY AREA CATHOLIC SCHOOL FUND (LMC SCHOOL FUND): $10,000 · OtherST JOSEPH CATHOLIC PARISH: $10,000 · OtherHUMANE SOCIETY OF SW MICHIGAN: $9,500 · Other+36 more: $83,800 · Other+36 moreREADINESS CENTER INC: $20,000 · Human ServicesREADINESS C…Therapeutic Equestrian Center: $15,000 · Human ServicesTherapeutic…THE AVENUE FAMILY NETWORK INC: $4,300 · Human ServicesTHE AVENUE …TWIN-CITY AREA CATHOLIC SCHOOL FUND: $20,000 · EducationTWIN-CITY A…Michigan Colleges Alliance: $7,000 · EducationMichigan Co…SACRED HEART ACADEMY FOUNDATION INC: $6,000 · EducationSACRED HEAR…ANDREWS UNIVERSITY: $6,000 · EducationANDREWS UNI…CURIOUS KIDS MUSEUM: $12,100 · Arts & CultureGHOSTLIGHT PRODUCTIONS INC: $7,000 · Arts & CultureKRASL ART CENTER INC: $5,000 · Arts & CultureTHE HERITAGE MUSEUM AND CULTURAL CENTER: $2,500 · Arts & CultureMICHIGAN MARITIME MUSEUM INC: $1,000 · Arts & CultureFRIENDS OF BERRIEN COUNTY TRAILS: $13,000 · Recreation & SportsTHE FIRST TEE OF BENTON HARBOR INC: $1,000 · Recreation & SportsBIRTHRIGHT OF ST JOSEPH INC: $13,000 · Civil RightsBERRIEN COUNTY CANCER SERVICES INC: $6,000 · HealthMAYO CLINIC: $5,000 · Health+1 more: $250 · Health
Other$252,080Human Services$39,300Education$39,000Arts & Culture$27,600Recreation & Sports$14,000Civil Rights$13,000Health$11,250

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetTWIN-CITY AREA CATHOLIC SCHOOL FUND: $20,000 over 3y, 1.3% of budgetREADINESS CENTER INC: $20,000 over 7y, 1.2% of budgetTherapeutic Equestrian Center: $15,000 over 7y, 2.8% of budgetThe Soup Kitchen Inc: $14,200 over 7y, 1.2% of budgetFRIENDS OF BERRIEN COUNTY TRAILS: $13,000 over 2y, 3.8% of budgetBIRTHRIGHT OF ST JOSEPH INC: $13,000 over 7y, 1.5% of budgetLAKE MICHIGAN COLLEGE FOUNDATION: $12,500 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetCURIOUS KIDS MUSEUM: $12,100 over 7y, 0.2% of budgetST JOSEPH JUNIOR FOUNDATION INC: $12,000 over 7y, 3.2% of budgetGHOSTLIGHT PRODUCTIONS INC: $7,000 over 7y, 1.0% of budgetMichigan Colleges Alliance: $7,000 over 7y, 0.0% of budgetCORNERSTONE ALLIANCE: $6,000 over 6y, 0.1% of budgetSACRED HEART ACADEMY FOUNDATION INC: $6,000 over 7y, 0.1% of budgetBERRIEN COUNTY CANCER SERVICES INC: $6,000 over 6y, 0.6% of budgetANDREWS UNIVERSITY: $6,000 over 7y, 0.0% of budgetMAYO CLINIC: $5,000 over 7y, 0.0% of budgetKRASL ART CENTER INC: $5,000 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetTHE AVENUE FAMILY NETWORK INC: $4,300 over 4y, 0.0% of budgetJupiter Medical Center Foundation Inc: $4,250 over 7y, 0.0% of budgetSARETT NATURE CENTER: $4,000 over 6y, 0.1% of budgetBERRIEN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC: $4,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetTHE HERITAGE MUSEUM AND CULTURAL CENTER: $2,500 over 5y, 0.3% of budgetLAKESHORE EXCELLENCE FOUNDATION: $1,250 over 5y, 0.1% of budgetPAWS OF HOPE: $1,000 over 2y, 0.7% of budgetHOMES FOR OUR TROOPS INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetMICHIGAN MARITIME MUSEUM INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetCommunity Hospital Foundation: $1,000 over 1y, 1.2% of budgetST JOSEPH PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION: $1,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetAMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY INC: $250 over 1y, 0.0% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

  • Who funds TWIN-CITY AREA CATHOLIC SCHOOL FUND ↗
  • Who funds READINESS CENTER INC ↗
  • Who funds Therapeutic Equestrian Center ↗
  • Who funds The Soup Kitchen Inc ↗
  • Who funds FRIENDS OF BERRIEN COUNTY TRAILS ↗
  • Who funds BIRTHRIGHT OF ST JOSEPH INC ↗
  • Who funds LAKE MICHIGAN COLLEGE FOUNDATION ↗
  • Who funds CURIOUS KIDS MUSEUM ↗
  • Who funds ST JOSEPH JUNIOR FOUNDATION INC ↗
  • Who funds GHOSTLIGHT PRODUCTIONS INC ↗
  • Who funds Michigan Colleges Alliance ↗
  • Who funds CORNERSTONE ALLIANCE ↗
  • Who funds SACRED HEART ACADEMY FOUNDATION INC ↗
  • Who funds BERRIEN COUNTY CANCER SERVICES INC ↗
  • Who funds ANDREWS UNIVERSITY ↗
  • Who funds MAYO CLINIC ↗
  • Who funds KRASL ART CENTER INC ↗
  • Who funds THE AVENUE FAMILY NETWORK INC ↗
  • Who funds Jupiter Medical Center Foundation Inc ↗
  • Who funds SARETT NATURE CENTER ↗
  • Who funds BERRIEN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC ↗

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

Berrien Community Fou…Fettig Family Foundat…Whirlpool FoundationHanson Family Foundat…Degroot Family Founda…The Covia FoundationAmerican Electric Pow…The Thomas and Maria …Ronald and Eva Kinney…The Schalon Foundation1st Source Bank Found…David and Barbara Whi…
Berrien Community Foundation IncMI54.7× affinity24 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Berrien Community Foundation Inc · Fettig Family Foundation · Whirlpool Foundation · Hanson Family Foundation · Degroot Family Foundation · The Covia Foundation · American Electric Power Foundation · The Thomas and Maria Yeager Family Foundation · Ronald and Eva Kinney Family Foundation · The Schalon Foundation · 1st Source Bank Foundation Inc Xxx-Xx-Xxxx · David and Barbara Whitwam Foundation

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization The Marzke Family Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from The Marzke Family Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 20%0%1%3%5%funder's share of their income ↑0%13%25%38%50%share of the org’s income from government →
    no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
    2get no government money at all
    2report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
    0rely on government for over half their income
    ⤢ axis zoomed · 0–50%
    typical government reliance, FY20–25
    How this is measured
    Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.

    On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 66 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

    How this is measured
    Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

    Generated from the IRS Form 990-PF e-file return for fiscal year 2025, released 2025. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

    Source object · view filing

    Play a game based on Marzke Family’s filings →

    More from the funding graph

    The unnamed billions
    grants reported with no recipient in the public record
    The regranting layer
    51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
    The DAF merry-go-round
    $9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
    The endowment market
    who holds foundation money, and what just moved
    The camps
    funders cluster by geography, not ideology
    By state
    where grant money is based, and what stays home