In September 2021, Steve and Marge LeBel established The LeBel Foundation for the purpose of increasing the scope and regularity of their charitable giving. The Foundation is considered a private foundation by the IRS, which has granted it a 501(c)(3) tax exempt status.
Short Term Plan: The Foundation expects to continue contributions similar to those Steve and Marge have made over the years, including a special interest in animal rescue and shelter agencies. Currently, the Foundation’s grant making focuses on the Muskegon, Michigan area, although proposals from Western Michigan may be considered.
The Foundation added two Donor Designated Funds (DDF), which allows targeted giving opportunities for the donors. The Foundation hopes to add more DDFs in the future.
The Foundation also hopes to engage with community organizations in ways that help them become more strategic and more effective in delivering services.
Long Term Plan: To evolve funding strategies that ensure maximum impact from Foundation contributions. To build the Foundation’s net worth to a significant level through aggressive contributions and moderately aggressive investing strategies. The Foundation’s goal is to survive its founders and become a strong resource long into the future.
Donation Restrictions: As a private foundation, grants are limited to fully-qualified charitable 501(c)(3) organizations or public entities.
Donation History: Organizations that Steve and Marge and/or the Foundation have contributed to in recent years include (in no particular order):
- Pay It Forward Animal Outreach – Veterinarian Clinic
- Humane Society & Animal Rescue of Muskegon County
- Norton Shores Branch Library of MADL
- Heaven Can Wait Animal Rescue
- Community Foundation of Muskegon County
- Prostate Cancer Foundation
- Salvation Army
- Noah Project
- Faithful to Felines
- Doctors without Borders
- C-SNIP
- United Way
- Wounded Warriors
- Memorial Gift – City of Muskegon Parks
- Memorial Gift – Mundy Township Parks