Foundations that fund recreation and sports in Michigan
These 25 foundations made grants to recreation and sports in Michigan in the most recent IRS filing I have for each. None of them ticked the box for giving only to preselected organizations, and each filing gives application instructions or a website. That doesn't prove a foundation takes applications, and some on this list may not. The text below is copied from the filings, most of them for tax year 2024, so check a foundation's website or call before you apply.
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Frey Foundation
- $100,000 to West Michigan Sports Commission, Grand Rapids: Meijer Sports Complex expansion campaign
- $30,000 to Ottawa County Parks Foundation, West Olive: Fullfilling the Rosy Mound Vision
- $10,000 to Rotary Club of Little Traverse Bay Sunset, Petoskey: Parker W. Rose Scholarship Fund
How to apply: Standard application form available upon request from address above or at the foundation's website: www.freyfdn.org
Deadlines: Due twelve weeks prior to scheduled date of board funding meetings, held in feb, may, aug, and nov.
Restrictions: For community-based or regional projects, the foundation focuses on proposals from organizations and agencies serving kent, emmet or charlevoix counties. The foundation also accepts proposals from charitable organizations with a...
The Ralph C Wilson Jr Foundation
- $6,532,800 to Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, Detroit: Construction Support - Ralph Wilson Park
- $500,000 to Friends of Wayne County Parks, Livonia: Holliday Nature Preserve
- $266,400 to Lower Town Riverfront Conservancy, Ann Arbor: Broadway Park West
How to apply: See website www.ralphcwilsonjrfoundation.org or email info@rcwjrf.org
Restrictions: See website www.ralphcwilsonjrfoundation.org or email info@rcwjrf.org
Hudson-Webber Foundation
- $200,000 to Detroit Riverfront Conservancy Inc, Detroit: General operating support
- $200,000 to Detroit Riverfront Conservancy Inc, Detroit: General operating support
- $200,000 to Joe Louis Greenway Partnership, Detroit: General operating support renewal
How to apply: Please see https://hudson-webber.org/how-to-apply/.
Deadlines: Please see https://hudson-webber.org/how-to-apply/.
Restrictions: The hudson-webber foundation concentrates its giving for activities based in detroit, or otherwise have a significant benefit to the detroit community. The foundation concentrates its efforts and resources in support of projects within...
Consumers Energy Foundation
- $228,000 to First in Michigan, W Bloomfield: 2024-2025 first robotics for high school and middle school
- $20,000 to Kalamazoo County Parks and Recreation Development Foundation, Kalamazoo: Woollam nature preserve phase i improvement project
- $9,760 to Camp Daggett, Petoskey: Camp daggett place-base, steam experience
How to apply: See statements 10-12
Deadlines: See statements 10-12
Restrictions: See statements 10-12
Peter C & Emajean Cook Foundation
- $100,000 to West Michigan Sports Commission, Grand Rapids: Capital campaign
- $18,500 to Camp Roger, Rockford: Campers support
- $12,800 to Tall Turf Ministries, Grand Rapids: Cabin sponsor
How to apply: Refer to the foundation's website - cookfoundationgr.org
Restrictions: The foundation only makes grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, governmental units or non-private foundation public charities primarily located within the greater grand rapids, michigan area with an emphasis on organizations with a...
The Kresge Foundation
- $739,000 to Detroit Riverfront Conservancy Inc, Detroit: General operating support
- $175,000 to Detroit Parks Coalition, Detroit: Project support to provide funding and technical assistance to a cohort of seven...
- $100,000 to Detroit Parks Coalition, Detroit: General operating support
How to apply: See www.kresge.org or email grantsmanagement@kresge.org
Deadlines: See www.kresge.org or email grantsmanagement@kresge.org
Restrictions: See www.kresge.org or email grantsmanagement@kresge.org
Elizabeth Allan & Warren Shelden Fund
- $300,000 to Racquet Up Detroit, Detroit: Unrestricted
- $25,000 to Neighborhood Club, Grosse Pointe: Unrestricted
- $25,000 to Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, Detroit: Unrestricted
How to apply: No formal application procedure
Deadlines: None, but prefer november submission prior to board of trustees meeting.
Restrictions: No awards to individuals.
Daniel & Pamella Devos Foundation
- $32,500 to West Michigan Sports Commission, Grand Rapids: General operating
- $5,000 to Camp Blodgetts Babies Welfare Guild, Grand Rapids: General operating
- $5,000 to Grand Rapids Amateur Hockey Association, Ada: General operating
How to apply: Details available at dpdevosfoundation.org
Harold and Grace Upjohn Foundation
- $15,000 to Gottagetit, Caledonia: Support of beat the odds mentorship program in kalamazoo county
- $10,000 to First Tee - West Michigan, Kalamazoo: Expansion and growth of program initiatives
- $8,000 to Action Matters, Kalamazoo: Support of the smart moves summer learning program
How to apply: Grant application available at address listed in item 2a
Restrictions: Board reviews grant applications
Wk Kellogg Foundation
- $150,000 to C I R Inc, Battle Creek: Jobs and Family Economic Security
- $100,000 to Soar Detroit, Detroit: Early Care and Education
- $1,000 to Pretty Lake Vacation Camp, Mattawan: Matching Grant
How to apply: See "how to apply" at www.wkkf.org/grantseekers/#how-to-apply
Deadlines: Proposals for grants may be submitted at any time through the website, www.wkkf.org
Restrictions: See "our priorities" (what we fund) on our website, www.wkkf.org/what-we-fund/
Marvin and Rosalie Okun Foundation
- $25,000 to Pretty Lake Vacation Camp, Mattawan: Charitable
- $5,000 to First Tee of West Michigan, Grnad Rapids: Charitable
- $4,500 to Bike Friendly Kalamazoo, Portage: Charitable
How to apply: No designated application necessary
Deadlines: Requests are reviewed and considered on a bi-annual basis. The spring submission deadline is march 1
The Scripps Howard Foundation
- $1,250 to Tone Up Elite Track Club, Grand Rapids: Volunteer Gift
- $1,250 to Haslett Soccer Club, East Lansing: Volunteer Gift
- $1,250 to Special Olympics Michigan, Grand Rapids: Volunteer Gift
Douglas & Maria Devos Foundation
- $75,000 to West Michigan Sports Commission, Grand Rapids: Capital campaign
- $25,000 to Tall Turf Ministries, Grand Rapids: General operating
How to apply: Letter of request
Matilda R Wilson Fund
- $50,000 to Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, Detroit: General operations
- $15,000 to Racquet Up Detroit, Detroit: Program support
How to apply: Letter outlining the need and use of funds, 501(c)(3) status, budget, prior history of funding
Deadlines: Meetings are held in april and november.
Restrictions: No restrictions are imposed; however, priority is given to organizations previously supported
Oleson Foundation
- $50,000 to Thompsonville Area Revitalization Project, Thompsonville: Capital campaign - construct new trailhead and visitor center
- $7,500 to Charlevoix Area Community Pool, Charlevoix: Automated pool chemical mixing system
How to apply: Application form posted on foundation's website
Deadlines: April 1st of each calendar year
Restrictions: Preference is given to charitable and exempt organizations which are located in northwestern lower michigan.
Ethel and James Flinn Foundation
- $50,000 to Ruth Ellis Center Inc, Highland Park: To increase access to home-based services for lgbtq2s+ youth in wayne county.
- $2,500 to East Side Youth Sports Foundation, Saint Clair Shores: Trustee recognition program
How to apply: The foundation accepts competitve proposals once a year through its on-line grant application system.
Deadlines: The fdn announces rfps annually in may, apps are accepted through july and announced in september.
Restrictions: The foundation awards grants to non-profits that deliver mental health care and services in michigan.
Lynn & Paul Alandt Foundation
- $10,000 to Neighborhood Club, Grosse Pointe: Program services
- $5,000 to Racquet Up Detroit, Detroit: Program services
How to apply: Brief letter, financial statement and copy of irs determination letter.
Restrictions: Awards generally limited to charitable organizations already favorably known to, and of interest to, the substantial contributors of this foundation. No grants to individuals.
Gary Sisters Foundation
- $9,500 to Kalamazoo Junior Golf Association, Kalamazoo: Support programs
- $4,500 to Special Olympics Michigan, Bloomfield: General operations
How to apply: Brief description and budget for program that grant is intended to fund.
Restrictions: Individuals are ineligible to receive grants or loans.
Mesara Family Foundation
- $10,000 to Kalamazoo County Parks and Recreation Development Foundation, Kalamazoo: Arthur e. And mildred h. Woollam nature preserve
- $2,500 to Great Lakes Burn Camp, Jackson: General operating support
How to apply: Grant application and requirements are available on our website.
Deadlines: Grant submission deadlines are posted on our website.
Restrictions: Restrictions and limitations on grant eligibility is outlined on our website.
The Art and Mary Schmuckal Family Foundation
- $8,000 to Mt Holiday Inc, Traverse City: Funding towards snowmaking machines
- $3,000 to Crystal Community Ski Club, Thompsonville: Memorial scholorship fund
How to apply: Application form available on the foundation's web site.
Deadlines: Twice yearly prior to semi-annual grant cycles. Deadlines are posted on the foundation's web site.
Restrictions: Preference is given to charitable and exempt organizations which enhance the well being of children, strengthen the economic ability of citizens and/or contribute to moral and spiritual life of the community.
Allegis Group Foundation Inc
- $5,000 to North Oakland Scamp Funding Corp, Clarkston: General use
- $2,500 to Brave Athletics Inc, Lake Orion: General use
How to apply: Letter
Restrictions: The foundation focuses on supporting organizations advancing education, strengthening the workforce, and engaging employees through volunteerism. The foundation has no restrictions or limitations on awards.
Yeo & Yeo Foundation
- $5,000 to Bay Community Tennis Association, Bay City: Community
- $2,250 to Beaverton Activity Center, Beaverton: Community
How to apply: Email Only
Wm Mcnally Family Foundation
- $5,000 to Women of Colors, Saginaw: General Fund
- $1,000 to Special Olympics of Michigan, Bloomfield: Fund Saginaw participants in olympic
How to apply: Letter form - No formal requirements
The Serra Foundation
- $3,374 to Play Right Sports Academy, Albion: General Use
- $1,000 to Special Olympics of Michigan, Mt Pleasant: General Use
How to apply: Letter form
The Samuel L Westerman Foundation
- $3,000 to Camp Blodgett, Grand Rapids: Charitable
- $1,000 to Special Olympics of Michigan Inc, Mt Pleasant: Charitable
How to apply: Letter furnishing purpose and copy of exempt status
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