DeVos was born Elisabeth Prince on January 8, 1958. She grew up in Holland, Michigan, the daughter of Elsa (Zwiep) Prince (later, Broekhuizen) and Edgar Prince, a billionaire industrialist. Both of her parents are of Dutch ancestry, and her family's original surname was "Prins". Edgar was the founder of Prince Corporation, an automobile parts supplier based in Holland, Michigan.
The Dick & Betsy DeVos Family Foundation was launched in 1989. The foundation's giving, according to its website, is motivated by faith, and "is centered in cultivating leadership, accelerating transformation and leveraging support in five areas", namely education, community, arts, justice, and leadership. In 2015, the DeVos Foundation made $11.6 million in charitable contributions, bringing the couple's lifetime charitable giving to $139 million. Forbes ranked the DeVos family No. 24 on its 2015 list of America's top givers. The DeVos Foundation has donated large amounts to hospitals, health research, arts organizations, Christian schools, evangelical missions, and conservative, free-market think tanks. Of the $100 million the foundation donated between 1999 until 2014, half of it went to Christian organizations. Organizations funded by the foundation include: Michigan's Foundation for Traditional Values; Center for Individual Rights; Acton Institute; Institute for Justice; Center for Individual Rights; Michigan's Pregnancy Resource Center; Right to Life Michigan Educational Fund; and Baptists for Life. With respect to educational-focused donations, the foundation from 1999 to 2014 supported private Christian schools (at least $8.6 million), charter schools ($5.2 million), and public schools ($59,750). Specific donations included $2.39 million to the Grand Rapids Christian High School Association, $652,000 to the Ada Christian School, and $458,000 to Holland Christian Schools. In 2016 the Foundation reported $14.3 million in donations to over 100 organizations including the X Prize Foundation, Mars Hill Bible Church, American Enterprise Institute. When DeVos was appointed US Education Secretary, it was revealed that she was an elder at Mars Hill Bible Church. During her tenure, she reportedly donated $431,000 to the church between 2002 and 2004 and $453,349 to Flannel, producer of the NOOMA video series.

Q: When was the foundation created?
A: The Dick & Betsy DeVos Family Foundation was launched in 1989.

Q: What was the foundation's goal or purpose?
A: The foundation's giving, according to its website, is motivated by faith, and "is centered in cultivating leadership,

Q: How much money did the foundation make?
A: In 2015, the DeVos Foundation made $11.6 million in charitable contributions, bringing the couple's lifetime charitable giving to $139 million.

Q: Did the foundation win any awards or recognition?
A: Forbes ranked the DeVos family No. 24 on its 2015 list of America's top givers.
What types of groups did the foundation donate to and support?
large amounts to hospitals, health research, arts organizations, Christian schools, evangelical missions, and conservative, free-market think tanks. The DeVos Foundation has donated large amounts to hospitals, health research, arts organizations, Christian schools, evangelical missions, and conservative, free-market think tanks. The DeVos Foundation has donated large amounts to hospitals, health research, arts organizations, Christian schools, evangelical missions, and conservative, free-market think tanks. hospitals, health research, arts organizations, Christian schools, evangelical missions, and conservative, free-market think tanks. The DeVos Foundation has donated large amounts to hospitals, health research, arts organizations, Christian schools, evangelical missions, and conservative, free-market think tanks.
The DeVos Foundation has donated large amounts to hospitals, health research, arts organizations, Christian schools, evangelical missions, and conservative, free-market think tanks.