Updated Oct 28, 2026
Private foundations based in Michigan
967 grantmaking foundations headquartered in Michigan, holding $34B in assets. Ranked by grants paid in their latest 990-PF; 28 on this page say they accept applications. For foundations ranked by where their grants went, see local funders.
| Foundation | Based in | Grants paid | Median grant | Accepts applications | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W K Kellogg Foundation Trust-T/A 5315since 1941 | Battle Creek, MI | $420M1 grants · 2024 | $420M | Preselected only | $7.6B |
| W K Kellogg Foundationsince 2014 | Battle Creek, MI | $304M1,819 grants · 2024 | $100K | Yes | $481M |
| Kresge Foundationsince 1928 | Troy, MI | $170M800 grants · 2024 | $140K | Yes | $4.1B |
| Charles Stewart Mott Foundationsince 1933 | Flint, MI | $166M835 grants · 2024 | $55K | Preselected only | $3.7B |
| The Ralph C Wilson Jr Foundationsince 2012 | Detroit, MI | $141M413 grants · 2024 | $100K | Yes | $897M |
| Gilbert Fam Foundationsince 2021 | Detroit, MI | $113M140 grants · 2024 | $162K | Preselected only | $53M |
| William Davidson Foundationsince 2006 | Bloomfld Hls, MI | $60M94 grants · 2024 | $288K | Preselected only | $1.5B |
| Ford Philanthropysince 1950 | Dearborn, MI | $42M207 grants · 2025 | $50K | Preselected only | $221M |
| The Samuel and Jean Frankel Jewish Heritage Foundationsince 2002 | Troy, MI | $30M16 grants · 2024 | $220K | Preselected only | $176M |
| Wege Foundationsince 1967 | Grand Rapids, MI | $22M1 grants · 2024 | $22M | Yes | $268M |
| Dow Company Foundationsince 1980 | Midland, MI | $20M221 grants · 2024 | $10K | Yes | $250M |
| Skillman Foundationsince 2023 | Detroit, MI | $18M417 grants · 2024 | $10K | Yes | $419M |
| Fred & Barbara Erb Family Foundationsince 2007 | Royal Oak, MI | $17M122 grants · 2024 | $25K | Yes | $377M |
| Dte Energy Foundationsince 1988 | Detroit, MI | $16M442 grants · 2024 | $10K | Yes | $129M |
| Irving S Gilmore Foundationsince 1977 | Kalamazoo, MI | $16M205 grants · 2025 | $25K | Yes | $367M |
| Max M & Marjorie S Fisher Foundation Incsince 1957 | Southfield, MI | $15M189 grants · 2024 | $48K | Preselected only | $280M |
| Wing Shadow Foundationsince 2015 | Ada, MI | $14M13 grants · 2024 | $1.2M | Preselected only | $115M |
| Annabelle Foundationsince 2006 | Southfield, MI | $14M36 grants · 2024 | $103K | Preselected only | $64M |
| Herbert H & Grace a Dow Foundationsince 1943 | Midland, MI | $14M2 grants · 2024 | $7.0M | Yes | $643M |
| McGregor Fundsince 1933 | Detroit, MI | $14M141 grants · 2024 | $55K | Yes | $235M |
| Dorothy D & Joseph a Mollersince 1987 | Hillsdale, MI | $11M24 grants · 2025 | $85K | Preselected only | $185M |
| Penske Foundation Incsince 2012 | Bloomfld Hls, MI | $11M29 grants · 2025 | $125K | Preselected only | $219M |
| Douglas & Maria Devos Foundationsince 1992 | Grand Rapids, MI | $10M93 grants · 2024 | $30K | Yes | $63M |
| The D Dan and Betty Kahn Foundationsince 1987 | Troy, MI | $10M3 grants · 2024 | $25K | Preselected only | $103M |
| Rollin M Gerstacker Foundationsince 1958 | Midland, MI | $9.9M1 grants · 2025 | $9.9M | Yes | $145M |
| Bill & Julia Van Domelen Foundationsince 1991 | Southfield, MI | $9.7M7 grants · 2024 | $1.0M | Preselected only | $122M |
| The Samuel and Jean Frankel Fine Arts Foundationsince 2002 | Bloomfld Hls, MI | $9.3M1 grants · 2024 | $9.3M | Preselected only | $139M |
| Hudson-Webber Foundationsince 1943 | Detroit, MI | $9.1M170 grants · 2024 | $13K | Yes | $167M |
| Herrick Foundationsince 1949 | Ann Arbor, MI | $8.8M88 grants · 2024 | $16K | Yes | $177M |
| The David and Carol Van Andel Family Foundationsince 2005 | Grand Rapids, MI | $8.4M49 grants · 2024 | $51K | Yes | $112M |
| Consumers Energy Foundationsince 1991 | Jackson, MI | $7.5M296 grants · 2024 | $5,000 | Yes | $67M |
| Meijer Foundationsince 2024 | Grand Rapids, MI | $7.4M67 grants · 2024 | $50K | Preselected only | $195M |
| A Alfred Taubman Foundationsince 2010 | Bloomfld Hls, MI | $7.3M101 grants · 2024 | $25K | Preselected only | $212M |
| Steelcase Foundationsince 1953 | Grand Rapids, MI | $7.2M98 grants · 2024 | $50K | Preselected only | $129M |
| Perkins Malo Hunter Foundationsince 1997 | Holland, MI | $7.1M50 grants · 2025 | $120K | Preselected only | $61M |
| Carls Foundationsince 1965 | Bloomfld Hls, MI | $6.8M39 grants · 2024 | $100K | Yes | $129M |
| Andreas Foundationsince 1949 | Otsego, MI | $6.6M165 grants · 2024 | $10K | Preselected only | $80M |
| Bill and Bea Idema Foundationsince 1986 | Grand Rapids, MI | $5.9M8 grants · 2024 | $125K | Preselected only | $118M |
| The Steve & Amy Van Andel Foundationsince 2005 | Ada, MI | $5.5M63 grants · 2024 | $20K | Preselected only | $102M |
| David G & Carol P Myers Charitable Foundationsince 1989 | Holland, MI | $5.1M1 grants · 2024 | $5.1M | Preselected only | $66M |
| Paul & Maxine Frohring Foundation Incsince 1961 | Detroit, MI | $5.1M14 grants · 2024 | $200K | Yes | $109M |
| Elsa U Pardee Foundationsince 1946 | Midland, MI | $5.1M1 grants · 2025 | $5.1M | Yes | $69M |
| Charles J Strosacker Foundationsince 1958 | Midland, MI | $4.9M1 grants · 2025 | $4.9M | Yes | $80M |
| Frey Foundationsince 1974 | Grand Rapids, MI | $4.8M195 grants · 2024 | $5,000 | Yes | $162M |
| The Alix Foundationsince 1994 | Birmingham, MI | $4.4M16 grants · 2024 | $24K | Preselected only | $64M |
| Cdv5 Foundationsince 1992 | Grand Rapids, MI | $4.2M59 grants · 2024 | $25K | Yes | $72M |
| Ruth Mott Foundationsince 1989 | Flint, MI | $4.1M51 grants · 2024 | $50K | Yes | $272M |
| Leinweber Foundationsince 2016 | Birmingham, MI | $4.1M15 grants · 2024 | $75K | Yes | $72M |
| Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundationincsince 2009 | Detroit, MI | $3.9M57 grants · 2025 | $28K | Preselected only | $160M |
| Gerber Foundationsince 1954 | Fremont, MI | $3.8M1 grants · 2024 | $3.8M | Yes | $103M |
| Our Heart Foundationsince 2025 | Grand Blanc, MI | $3.5M1 grants · 2025 | $3.5M | Preselected only | $58M |
| Alro Steel Foundationsince 2005 | Jackson, MI | $3.3M107 grants · 2024 | $2,000 | Preselected only | $81M |
| Isabel Foundationsince 1989 | Flint, MI | $3.3M82 grants · 2024 | $25K | Yes | $88M |
| The Alvin L Glick Foundationsince 2000 | Jackson, MI | $3.2M98 grants · 2025 | $5,000 | Preselected only | $56M |
| Ethel and James Flinn Foundationsince 1977 | Detroit, MI | $2.9M83 grants · 2024 | $15K | Yes | $60M |
| Lloyd and Mabel Johnson Foundationsince 1990 | Zeeland, MI | $2.8M60 grants · 2024 | $28K | Preselected only | $75M |
| William and Claire Dart Foundationsince 1985 | Mason, MI | $1.9M3 grants · 2024 | $440K | Preselected only | $57M |
| Jamie and Denise Jacob Family Private Foundationsince 2022 | Detroit, MI | $811K8 grants · 2024 | $80K | Preselected only | $70M |
| Tamara Van Den Bergh Ferguson Charitable Foundationsince 2022 | Bloomfield Hills, MI | $60K3 grants · 2024 | $20K | Preselected only | $67M |
| Thompson Schools Foundationsince 2002 | Plymouth, MI | — | — | Preselected only | $76M |
Sources: IRS Business Master File (assets), ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer and IRS 990-PF e-file (grants paid, application policy). "Accepts applications" reflects the foundation's own Part XV checkbox.
Open grant programs in Michigan
All 2| Deadline | Grant | Funder | Award ceiling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rollingno deadline | Michigan Arts and Culture Council — Organizational GrantsStateMichigan Arts and Culture Council | Michigan Arts and Culture Council | Not listed |
| Rollingno deadline | Michigan Humanities — Humanities GrantsStateMichigan Humanities | Michigan Humanities | Not listed |
Common questions
How many private foundations are based in Michigan?
Our directory lists 967 private grantmaking foundations in Michigan with at least $1 million in assets, holding a combined $34B. The data comes from the IRS Exempt Organizations Business Master File and Form 990-PF.
How do I get a grant from a private foundation?
Start with foundations that already fund organizations like yours nearby. Read the grantee list on each profile, check whether the foundation accepts applications (it says so on its 990-PF), and lead with a short letter of inquiry. Many family foundations fund only organizations they already know; an introduction through a shared grantee or board member works better than a cold proposal.
Can you help us approach foundations?
Yes. Our grant writers research foundation prospects, write letters of inquiry, and build a foundation fundraising plan. Request a free consultation.