Private foundation · EIN 33-1011426 · Traverse City, Michigan · Philanthropy & grantmaking

Ames Fam 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 2024 Form 990-PF: 18 grants paid, $865K total, median $48K. 44% of grants stayed in Michigan.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2024
18
$865K
Median grant
$48K
Stays in MI
44%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$10M

Grants paid in 2024

18 grants, all shown · from Form 990-PF Part XV

RecipientPurposeAmount
Tuskegee UniversityTuskegee, ALCharitable contribution$165K
Think of USWashington, DCCharitable contribution$70K
Grand Traverse Regional Land ConserTraverse City, MICharitable contributions$50K
Northwestern Michigan CollegeTraverse City, MICharitable contributions$50K
SeedsTraverse City, MICharitable contributions$50K
Tart Trails IncTraverse City, MICharitable contribution$50K
Leelanau ConservancyLeland, MICharitable contribution$50K
Soul Fire FarmPetersburg, NYCharitable contributions$50K
Upper Peninsula Land ConservancyMarquette, MICharitable contribution$50K
The Atlanta Community Food BankEast Point, GACharitable contributions$45K
Chattahoochee RiverkeeperSmyrna, GACharitiable contribution$45K
One Hundred MilesBrunswick, GACharitable contributions$40K
Clarkston Community CenterClarkston, GACharitable contribution$35K
The Berry CenterNew Castle, KYCharitable contribution$25K
Detroit Black Community Food SovereDetroit, MICharitable contribution$25K
Grand Traverse Conservation DistricTraverse City, MICharitable contribution$25K
Community Assistance CenterAtlanta, GACharitable contribution$20K
Autism Improvised IncMarietta, GACharitable contribution$20K

By state: Michigan 8 · Georgia 6 · Alabama 1 · District of Columbia 1 · New York 1 · Kentucky 1

About this foundation

Ames Fam Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Traverse City, Michigan, administered in care of Clinton G Ames Jr & Doris M Ames, tax-exempt since 2002. 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 Ames Fam Foundation accept grant applications?

No. On its 2024 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 Ames Fam Foundation give each year?

In tax year 2024 it paid $865K across 18 grants, a median of $48K.

Where does Ames Fam Foundation give?

Michigan (8 grants), Georgia (6 grants), Alabama (1 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.

More foundations near Traverse City that accept applications

All in Michigan
FoundationBased inGrants paidMedian grantAccepts applicationsAssets
Margaret Dunning Foundationsince 1997 Traverse City, MI $1.1M33 grants · 2025 $30KYes $25M
Oleson Foundationsince 1962 Traverse City, MI $1.6M88 grants · 2025 $10KYes $23M
Les and Anne Biederman Foundationsince 1987 Traverse City, MI $489K41 grants · 2025 $10KYes $7.3M
Art and Mary Schmuckal Family Foundationsince 1999 Traverse City, MI $523K38 grants · 2024 $6,400Yes $7.1M
Cosgrove Foundationsince 2017 Traverse City, MI $220K17 grants · 2025 $11KYes $6.8M
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