The Steelcase Foundation was established in 1951 by Walter Idema and David Hunting Sr., co-founders and original trustees of Steelcase Inc. in Grand Rapids, to support scientific, educational, literary, and other charitable causes. It was launched independently of Steelcase Inc. and focuses its support on projects in Grand Rapids and Athens, Ala. With a goal of making people feel empowered, the foundation has a strong commitment to social justice. Today, the foundation supports projects that create systemic change within communities with a specific focus on education and arts. Of the budget, 60 percent is allocated to education efforts such as literacy programs and teacher development that help children succeed in K-12 schools. The foundation gave more than $4.7 million to organizations in 2019, including The Grand Rapids Nehemiah Project, Heart of Midwest Michigan United Way’s Fulton Manor Shelter, and the Migrant Legal Aid’s Defending Against Hate program.
