Updated Nov 2, 2026
Private foundations based in Detroit, Michigan
84 grantmaking foundations headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, holding $2.9B in assets. Ranked by grants paid in their latest 990-PF; 27 on this page say they accept applications. For foundations ranked by where their grants went, see local funders.
| Foundation | Grants paid | Median grant | Accepts applications | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Ralph C Wilson Jr Foundationsince 2012 | $141M413 grants · 2024 | $100K | Yes | $1.0B |
| Gilbert Fam Foundationsince 2021 | $113M140 grants · 2024 | $162K | Preselected only | $53M |
| Skillman Foundationsince 2023 | $18M417 grants · 2024 | $10K | Yes | $568M |
| Dte Energy Foundationsince 1988 | $16M442 grants · 2024 | $10K | Yes | $129M |
| McGregor Fundsince 1933 | $14M141 grants · 2024 | $55K | Yes | $235M |
| Hudson-Webber Foundationsince 1943 | $9.1M170 grants · 2024 | $13K | Yes | $167M |
| Paul & Maxine Frohring Foundation Incsince 1961 | $5.1M14 grants · 2024 | $200K | Yes | $109M |
| Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundationincsince 2009 | $3.9M57 grants · 2025 | $28K | Preselected only | $160M |
| Ethel and James Flinn Foundationsince 1977 | $2.9M83 grants · 2024 | $15K | Yes | $60M |
| Davis Elkins Foundation Ua 09202013since 2014 | $2.4M34 grants · 2024 | $50K | Preselected only | $36M |
| Michael and Marian Ilitch Foundationsince 2017 | $2.1M3 grants · 2025 | $110K | Preselected only | $3.7M |
| Simpson Foundationsince 1965 | $2.1M33 grants · 2024 | $20K | Yes | $25M |
| Joel Landy Foundationsince 2022 | $2.0M2 grants · 2024 | $1.0M | Yes | $11M |
| Martha P Mack Foundationsince 2022 | $1.8M9 grants · 2024 | $100K | Preselected only | $23M |
| Henry Ford II Fundsince 1954 | $1.6M15 grants · 2024 | $50K | Yes | $33M |
| Jane Smith Turner Foundation Incsince 1995 | $1.4M1 grants · 2025 | $1.4M | Preselected only | $17M |
| Benson & Edith Ford Fundsince 1954 | $1.3M24 grants · 2024 | $7,750 | Yes | $16M |
| Matilda R Wilson Fundsince 1946 | $1.3M24 grants · 2024 | $25K | Yes | $12M |
| Harold P Bovenkerk Scholarship Trsince 2025 | $1.3M35 grants · 2024 | $9,332 | Preselected only | $30M |
| Harvest Charitiessince 1948 | $1.1M20 grants · 2024 | $23K | Yes | $11M |
| Edwin J and Ruth M Shoemaker Foundationsince 1993 | $895K29 grants · 2025 | $25K | Yes | $12M |
| Terence & Jennifer Adderley Foundationsince 2018 | $875K7 grants · 2024 | $50K | Preselected only | $29M |
| Carl & Phyllis Dalton Family Foundation Incsince 2018 | $863K16 grants · 2024 | $50K | Preselected only | $19M |
| Morse Charitable Foundation Incsince 2012 | $863K31 grants · 2024 | $15K | Yes | $21M |
| Eleanor & Edsel Ford Fundsince 1946 | $850K6 grants · 2024 | $200K | Yes | $14M |
| Willie H Pickard and Victoria Woodyard Pickard Family Foundationsince 2022 | $825K14 grants · 2024 | $25K | Preselected only | $3.6M |
| Jamie and Denise Jacob Family Private Foundationsince 2022 | $811K8 grants · 2024 | $80K | Preselected only | $70M |
| Little Family Foundationsince 1966 | $750K60 grants · 2024 | $10K | Preselected only | $17M |
| Daniel J Loepp Family Foundationsince 2014 | $740K19 grants · 2025 | $10K | Preselected only | $15M |
| Kramer Fam Foundationsince 2015 | $700K23 grants · 2024 | $30K | Preselected only | $9.6M |
| Lilian and Earl Bettinger Char Trsince 2023 | $690K10 grants · 2024 | $52K | Preselected only | $12M |
| Ruesch Family Foundationsince 2005 | $658K11 grants · 2024 | $35K | Preselected only | $10M |
| Abrams Family Foundationsince 2016 | $580K26 grants · 2025 | $10K | Preselected only | $3.4M |
| Willmas Charitable Trustsince 2008 | $556K9 grants · 2024 | $15K | Preselected only | $12M |
| Lynn & Paul Alandt Foundationsince 2010 | $526K32 grants · 2024 | $5,000 | Yes | $5.9M |
| Kathryn Caine Wanlass Charitable Foundationsince 2004 | $457K7 grants · 2024 | $55K | Preselected only | $7.1M |
| Allegra C Ford-Thomas Foundationsince 2009 | $411K10 grants · 2024 | $7,500 | Yes | $3.7M |
| Vera and Imre Hecht Foundation Incsince 1999 | $384K12 grants · 2024 | $30K | Preselected only | $3.1M |
| Delong-Sweet Family Foundationsince 1998 | $380K19 grants · 2024 | $11K | Preselected only | $7.5M |
| Jack & Mary Phillips Charitable Trsince 2020 | $356K6 grants · 2024 | $60K | Preselected only | $7.1M |
| George and Mary Cassis Charitable Foundationsince 2018 | $338K1 grants · 2024 | $338K | Preselected only | $6.6M |
| Phillip and Elizabeth Filmer Memorial Charitable Trustsince 2007 | $325K35 grants · 2024 | $10K | Yes | $4.7M |
| Callant Family Foundationsince 2009 | $313K11 grants · 2024 | $25K | Yes | $4.5M |
| Tweddle Foundationsince 2015 | $290K9 grants · 2024 | $3,500 | Preselected only | $9.8M |
| Victor & Mary Nelson Scholarship Fund 43-S352-00-5since 1974 | $277K16 grants · 2024 | $8,375 | Yes | $5.0M |
| Edsel B Ford II Fundsince 1994 | $259K28 grants · 2024 | $8,750 | Yes | $4.9M |
| Freeman E Fairchild Meeker Charitable Trustsince 1970 | $247K9 grants · 2023 | $21K | Preselected only | $3.2M |
| De Groote Scholarship Awards Trust 9-342179250011since 2002 | $240K1 grants · 2024 | $240K | Preselected only | $3.0M |
| Hamp Family Fundsince 2010 | $240K27 grants · 2024 | $5,000 | Yes | $6.2M |
| John R Woods Foundationsince 2009 | $205K54 grants · 2023 | $2,000 | Yes | $3.4M |
| Stanley & Florence Patten Char Fdnsince 2019 | $195K4 grants · 2024 | $49K | Preselected only | $3.3M |
| Sustainability Institute of Detroitsince 2014 | $181K10 grants · 2024 | $2,246 | Preselected only | $5.6M |
| Chilant and Mansfield Sprague Herbert Frenzell Foundationsince 2009 | $141K1 grants · 2024 | $141K | Preselected only | $2.9M |
| William and Lisa Ford Foundationsince 1999 | $130K6 grants · 2024 | $23K | Yes | $7.4M |
| Kontulis Fundsince 2021 | $115K30 grants · 2024 | $1,000 | Yes | $2.9M |
| Wieczorek Family Foundationsince 2002 | $80K7 grants · 2025 | $9,000 | Preselected only | $12M |
| Dte Beacon Park Foundationsince 2018 | — | — | Preselected only | $9.0M |
| N Rachmale Foundationsince 2011 | — | — | Yes | $3.7M |
| Charles Harry and Mina Den Van Dusen Scholarship Fundsince 2023 | — | — | Preselected only | $3.6M |
| Henrietta M Riley Trust 33b006006 Fbosince 1970 | — | — | Preselected only | $3.3M |
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 Detroit, Michigan?
Our directory lists 84 private grantmaking foundations in Detroit, Michigan with at least $1 million in assets, holding a combined $2.9B. 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.