Private foundation · EIN 23-7003478 · Sterling Hts, Michigan

Triford Foundation

Should you approach them?

Don't send a cold proposal. The foundation reports that it only gives to preselected organizations; an introduction through a current grantee or board member is the realistic route.

From the 2025 Form 990-PF: 69 grants paid, $340K total, median $2,500. 64% of grants stayed in Michigan.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2025
69
$340K
Median grant
$2,500
Stays in MI
64%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$2.6M

Grants paid in 2025

Top 60 of 69 grants by amount · from Form 990-PF Part XV

RecipientPurposeAmount
National Christian Foundation Eastern MichiganAda, MIReligious$68K
Malama KulaKula, HICharitable$20K
Harbor Hall FoundationHarbor Springs, MICharitable$20K
FIRST DescentsDenver, COCharitable$15K
Rumsey Hall SchoolWashington Depot, CTEducational$12K
Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community FoundationPetoskey, MICharitable$12K
Belle Isle ConservancyDetroit, MICharitable$11K
High Point UniversityHigh Point, NCEducational$10K
Litchfield Montessori SchoolNorthfield, CTEducational$10K
Vail Health FoundationVail, COScientific$10K
Harbor Springs Area Historical SociHarbor Springs, MICharitable$8,000
Manna Food ProjectHarbor Springs, MICharitable$7,000
Ann's NestHarbor Springs, MICharitable$6,500
McLaren N Mich HospitalPetoskey, MIScientific$6,500
Camp DaggettPetoskey, MICharitable$6,000
Munson Healthcare FoundationTraverse City, MIScientific$6,000
Little Traverse Conservancy IncHarbor Springs, MICharitable$5,250
Tip of the Mitt Watershed CouncilPetoskey, MICharitable$5,000
Center for Learn LocalHarbor Springs, MICharitable$5,000
Western Resources AdvocatesBoulder, COCharitable$5,000
Nehemiah ProjectPetoskey, MICharitable$4,500
Northwestern Memorial Foundation C/O Nw Med Lake Forest HospitalLake Forest, ILScientific$4,500
The Salvation ArmyPetoskey, MICharitable$4,450
Taraloka FoundationSignal Mountain, TNCharitable$4,000
North Shore Hospital FoundationEvanston, ILScientific$3,500
Special Olympics MichiganGrand Rapids, MICharitable$3,500
Top O Michigan TrailsPetoskey, MICharitable$3,500
Womens Resource CenterPetoskey, MICharitable$3,500
FIRST Presbyterian Church of Harbor SpringsHarbor Springs, MIReligious$3,000
Harbor Springs Food PantryHarbor Springs, MICharitable$3,000
Little Traverse Bay Humane SocieityHarbor Springs, MIPrevention of cruelty to animals$3,000
Raven Hill Discovery CenterEast Jordan, MIEducational$3,000
Challenge MountainBoyne City, MICharitable$2,500
Cure EpilepsyChicago, ILScientific$2,500
Harbor Springs Festival of the BookHarbor Springs, MILiteracy$2,500
SOS OutreachAvon, COCharitable$2,500
GroundworksTraverse City, MICharitable$2,200
American Red Cross Northern Lower Mi ChapterLansing, MICharitable$2,150
Heartland Animal ShelterWheeling, ILPrevention of cruelty to animals$2,000
Michigan Environmental CouncilLansing, MICharitable$2,000
North Central Mi College FoundationPetoskey, MIEducational$2,000
Tree House Humane SocietyChicago, ILCharitable$2,000
Lucky Paw FoundationHarbor Springs, MIPrevention of cruelty to animals$1,670
Retired to RescueLas Vegas, NVCharitable$1,600
Tails Together CoWilmette, ILCharitable$1,600
Northern Den Youth ServicesPetoskey, MICharitable$1,500
Petoskey Youth Soccer AssociationPetoskey, MICharitable$1,500
St John's Episcopal Church Nancy B Ford Endowment FundHarbor Springs, MIReligious$1,500
Ford City Public LibraryFord City, PACharitable$1,250
Doctors Without BordersNew York, NYScientific$1,200
Breakthrough T1dHagerstown, MDScientific$1,000
Cranbrook Schools Office of AdvancementBloomfield Hills, MIEducational$1,000
Defenders of WildlifeWashington, DCPrevention of cruelty to animals$1,000
Friendship Centers of Emmett Co Council on AgingPetoskey, MICharitable$1,000
H a R B O R IncHarbor Springs, MICharitable$1,000
Harbor Springs LibraryHarbor Springs, MILiteracy$1,000
Harbor Springs Public SchoolsHarbor Springs, MIEducational$1,000
Lake Forest College Office of AdvancementLake Forest, ILEducational$1,000
National Wildlife FederationReston, VAPrevention of cruelty to animals$1,000
Pewabic PotteryDetroit, MICharitable$1,000

By state: Michigan 44 · Colorado 4 · Connecticut 2 · Hawaii 1 · Illinois 8 · North Carolina 1

About this foundation

Triford Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Sterling Hts, Michigan, tax-exempt since 1968. Private foundations must pay out roughly 5% of their assets each year, mostly as grants to 501(c)(3) public charities.

All filings on ProPublica

Does Triford Foundation accept grant applications?

No. On its 2025 Form 990-PF the foundation checked that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations. Look for an introduction through a current grantee.

How much does Triford Foundation give each year?

In tax year 2025 it paid $340K across 69 grants, a median of $2,500.

Where does Triford Foundation give?

Michigan (44 grants), Colorado (4 grants), Connecticut (2 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.

More foundations near Sterling Hts that accept applications

All in Michigan
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Appletree Hill Foundationsince 2020 Sterling Hts, MI $208K24 grants · 2025 $9,000Preselected only $3.8M
John P Slifco Foundationsince 2026 Sterling Hts, MI — —Preselected only $2.0M
Aline Underhill Orten Foundation Incsince 2000 Sterling Hts, MI — —Not stated $1.5M
Georges Family Foundationsince 2012 Sterling Hts, MI $22K2 grants · 2025 $11KPreselected only $1.1M
W K Kellogg Foundationsince 2014 Battle Creek, MI $304M1,819 grants · 2024 $100KYes $475M
W K Kellogg Foundation Trust-T/A 5315since 1941 Battle Creek, MI $420M1 grants · 2024 $420MPreselected only $7.6B
Kresge Foundationsince 1928 Troy, MI $170M800 grants · 2024 $140KYes $4.1B
Charles Stewart Mott Foundationsince 1933 Flint, MI $166M835 grants · 2024 $55KPreselected only $3.7B
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