The Living Legacy of Edward & Frances Frey
The Frey family’s ties to West and Northern Michigan go deep, spanning generations of people who have helped to build and enhance our community. Over the decades, that commitment has continued to grow as we’ve built lasting relationships, showed up to listen, learn, and share ideas, and offered resources with those who are working to make our region stronger, healthier, and more equitable.
We believe that knowledge and resources grow in value when they are shared, so we invite our grantees and partners to leverage our strengths to help solve problems and magnify their own capabilities.
Our Mission
Investing collaboratively in West and Northern Michigan to create a better place to live by strengthening communities, protecting the natural environment, enhancing the arts, and transforming the lives of individuals and families.
Our Values
1970s
Edward J. Frey
Frances T. Frey
1974
Edward J. and Frances “Tallie” Frey establish the Frey Foundation, quietly giving to a variety of causes over the next fifteen years.
1980s
Edward Frey with President Gerald R. Ford
John, Twink, Ted and David Frey
1988
Pat Edison is hired to serve as the first foundation president.
1989
Frances Taliaferro Frey passes.
Edward J. Frey passes. The Frey Foundation is permanently endowed.
Edward & Frances’ children — Twink (Mary Caroline), John, David and Ted — begin service as second generation trustees.
1990s
Staff from the Community Foundations, L to R: Russ Mawby, John Frey, Maureen Nicholson, Jim Ramer, Scott Beatty
L to R: John Canepa, Dick DeVos, David Frey
1991
Trustees and staff formalize foundation grantmaking priorities: Building Community, Children & Families, Community Arts and the Environment.
1992
Frey Foundation trustees help establish the Charlevoix County and Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundations.
David Frey, Dick DeVos, John Canepa, and other community leaders form Grand Action, an economic development organization focused on downtown Grand Rapids.
1998
Milt W. Rohwer becomes president.
2000s
“Ecliptic” by Maya Lin
“Ecliptic” by Maya Lin
2001
Twink Frey transitions to trustee emeritus and focuses on her grantmaking through the Nokomis Foundation (now sunset).
The Foundation dedicates “Ecliptic” at Rosa Parks Circle to the City of Grand Rapids. This work of art and signature public park is designed by Maya Lin.
2006
The Foundation establishes the Frey Foundation Chair for Family Philanthropy at the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University.
2010s
L to R: Cam Frey, Sarah Frey, David Frey, Mary Frey Bennett, John Frey, Ted Frey, Ellie Frey Zagel, Tripp Frey
Mary Frey Bennett
“Love” by Robert Indiana
2012
Steven M. Wilson becomes president.
2012-2014
Third generation family members become trustees.
2015-2017
The foundation’s Building Community workgroup adopts affordable housing as a key strategy.
2016
Mary Frey Bennett becomes the first third-generation board chair.
2018
The foundation unveils Robert Indiana’s “LOVE” sculpture downtown Grand Rapids.
Holly A. Johnson becomes the foundation’s president.
2020s
The Frey Foundation renovated office
Tripp Frey
Edward J. “Ted” Frey, Jr.
David G. Frey
2024 staff, L to R: Alana Placzkowski, Sarah Hockin-Mix, Holly Johnson, Chris Romero, Tyler Crawford, Bryana Hopkins
John M. Frey
The foundation launches new logo and branding.
2020
The foundation responds to COVID-19 pandemic, with emergency funding in northern and west Michigan.
2021
The Frey Foundation renovates its office to enhance its community convening spaces.
2022
David G. “Tripp” Frey, Jr. becomes board chair.
Edward J. “Ted” Frey, Jr. passes.
2023
David G. Frey passes
2024
John M. Frey passes
Foundation staff and family celebrate the foundation’s 50th anniversary and launch a new logo and tagline.
And the story continues…