Foundation Basics
Do you accept donations?
No, we do not accept donations. Our private family foundation status means that we are solely funded by family members.
Do you give scholarships or grants to individuals?
No, we do not give scholarships, fellowships, or grants to individuals. In order to remain IRS-compliant, we only give to appropriate 501(c)(3) organizations.
How many organizations or projects does the foundation support through grants each year?
It varies, but usually between nn and nn organizations or projects are supported each year.
Grant Eligibility
Do you have a maximum amount for the grants you offer?
No, we do not have a set maximum for our grants. As we are a smaller family foundation, we prefer to focus on smaller grant amounts.
Do you have a minimum amount for the grants you offer?
No, certainly not. We are especially interested in applications and requests for small, but high-impact grants.
Do you offer multi-year grants?
Multi-year grants maybe considered for organizations and projects that are known to us. Applicants maybe approved for a one-year grant and invited to apply again the following year. Documented positive outcomes are key for any ongoing support.
How flexible are you about the geographic focus of the grants you fund?
We primarily fund organizations working to address needs in Michigan. We do, however, make grants in other areas when a program or project is compelling and well-aligned with our topics of interest.
How flexible are you about the focus of the grants you fund?
Our key issues (education and conservation) are a good guide to the kinds of programs and projects that will be most compelling to our board. We do recognize that there are many smaller organizations involved where grant funding will make a genuine difference. If an application attracts our family’s interests, offers significant gains or a unique approach to less easily categorized issues in those communities and groups, it may still find support here.
Do you support political organizations?
No, we do not, as a foundation, support any political organizations and we are not involved in any form of political advocacy. We do not provide support to organizations or projects that can be considered politically divisive. Any involvement by members of the board in political activities is strictly a part of their individual private lives and does not bear any relevance to the workings of the foundation itself.
Grant Applications
Can you explain your grant application cycle?
The board meets at regular intervals throughout our grant application cycle, to review new applications and to address other pressing business.
Do you accept phone calls, for clarification purposes or to check the status of an application?
No, not usually; we prefer to communicate via e-mail, so that both parties maintain a record of what was said and so that questions can be answered in a timely manner.
Do you have a grant renewal process for previously funded organizations and projects?
No, we do not currently have a specific grant renewal process. We encourage successful grantees to submit honest and timely reports and to apply again in future years.
How quickly will we hear a determination on our grant application?
Typically you can expect to receive a response within four months of application submission.
Do you require site visits or interviews?
No, we do not require site visits or interviews, either with applicants or with organizations we choose to fund. However, we may decide to visit at some point.
Do you provide feedback on grant applications, especially those that were rejected?
If asked, we are willing to provide feedback on submitted applications, whether they were accepted or rejected, and we have worked with some organizations to revise and resubmit applications when needed.
Do you accept draft applications?
No, we do not.