Accepts applications
Can I apply?
Accepts applications
The funder's latest Form 990-PF says it accepts applications. Read the instructions below before you write.
- How to apply
- Deadlines
The funder's latest Form 990-PF says it accepts applications. Read the instructions below before you write.
Application policy: Accepts applications, as stated on the FY2025 return.
These lines count this foundation's own Form 990-PF returns that the IRS has published as data. An amended return replaces its original. They describe past returns only.
Application guidance comes from the funder's own Form 990-PF, Part XV (the section where a private foundation says how to apply), shown as filed. It is the funder's words, not ours. These fields are free text and the IRS form cuts them short. Filers sometimes put whole sentences in the contact-name box. Shown exactly as filed.
Giving by year
Total assets by year
| Year | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Giving | Assets | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | 990-PF | $21,257,523 | $21,026,277 | $22,996,421 | $377,403,069 |
Figures are as reported on the e-filed return, with no restatement. Fiscal years are the funder's own tax year, labelled by the calendar year the period ends in. A blank line means the return does not carry that figure; a real zero shows as $0. When an amended return replaces an original, every figure here uses the amended return. The original is not shown. Giving is what the funder actually paid out toward its charitable purpose in the year (qualifying distributions on Form 990-PF, charitable disbursements otherwise). Assets are what it holds; giving is what moves.
Recipient focus areas
Where recipients are
Based on the 61% of grant rows we could match to an organization record. The rest stay as reported. The IRS assigns the NTEE category when it grants exemption. It often reflects the original filing, not today's giving.
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE NATURE CONSERVANCYMatched to this organization because 4 grant-making charities wrote this name with its EIN. Source: Schedule I of their Form 990 returns, fiscal years 2021 to 2024. Counted Oct 9, 2026.LANSING, MI | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $500,000 | 2022 |
Recipients are shown as the funder wrote them on the return. A recipient with a link was matched to an organization record; the rest stay as reported and are never guessed. Some links come from other funders' returns: when three or more of them wrote the same name and state with one EIN, and the city on this row matches, we use that EIN. The name on this row is still shown as this funder wrote it.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| John M Erb | CHAIR AND CEO | 40.00 | $335,208 |
| Melissa Damaschke | PRESIDENT | 40.00 | $369,458 |
| Deborah D Erb | TRUSTEE | 0.20 | $0 |
| Leslie Erb Liedtke | TRUSTEE |
From the officer list on the latest e-filed return. Compensation is as reported there; a blank means the return carries no figure.
| $364,646,764 |
| FY2024 | 990-PF | $17,647,921 | $21,861,682 | $21,569,343 | $363,118,936 | $346,253,436 |
| FY2023 | 990-PF | $9,986,071 | $25,505,821 | $20,117,174 | $342,348,054 | $326,630,823 |
| FY2022 | 990-PF | $16,148,869 | $22,901,996 | $16,367,801 | $329,525,987 | $319,417,924 |
| FY2021 | 990-PF | $14,319,746 | $15,465,652 | $14,375,595 | $367,107,126 | $360,481,562 |
| FY2020 | 990-PF | $13,535,888 | $14,564,924 | $15,153,511 | $295,394,682 | $289,692,161 |
| FOUNDATION FOR DETROITS FUTUREDETROIT, MI | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $500,000 | 2021 |
| FOUNDATION FOR DETROIT'S FUTUREDETROIT, MI | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $500,000 | 2025 |
| FOUNDATION FOR DETROIT'S FUTUREDETROIT, MI | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $500,000 | 2023 |
| FOUNDATION FOR DETROIT'S FUTUREDETROIT, MI | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $500,000 | 2022 |
| FOUNDATION FOR DETROIT'S FUTUREDETROIT, MI | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $500,000 | 2024 |
| DETROIT STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK DBA DETROIT FUTURE CITYDETROIT, MI | GRANT | $500,000 | 2020 |
| DETROIT EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION FOUNDATIONMatched to this organization because 9 grant-making charities wrote this name with its EIN. Source: Schedule I of their Form 990 returns, fiscal years 2020 to 2025. Counted Oct 9, 2026.WIXOM, MI | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $500,000 | 2023 |
| WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITYDETROIT, MI | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $485,000 | 2021 |
| HURON RIVER WATERSHED COUNCILANN ARBOR, MI | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $480,202 | 2022 |
| ECOLOGY CENTER INCANN ARBOR, MI | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $460,000 | 2024 |
| HURON RIVER WATERSHED COUNCILANN ARBOR, MI | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $458,000 | 2020 |
| HURON RIVER WATERSHED COUNCILANN ARBOR, MI | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $455,000 | 2025 |
| DETROIT EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION FOUNDATIONMatched to this organization because 9 grant-making charities wrote this name with its EIN. Source: Schedule I of their Form 990 returns, fiscal years 2020 to 2025. Counted Oct 9, 2026.WIXOM, MI | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $455,000 | 2021 |
| NATIONAL FISH AND WILDLIFE FEDERATIONANN ARBOR, MI | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $450,000 | 2020 |
| MICHIGAN OPERA THEATREMatched to this organization because 12 grant-making charities wrote this name with its EIN. Source: Schedule I of their Form 990 returns, fiscal years 2020 to 2024. Counted Oct 9, 2026.DETROIT, MI | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $425,000 | 2022 |
| CRANBROOK EDUCATIONAL COMMUNITYBLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $425,000 | 2021 |
| ECOLOGY CENTER INCANN ARBOR, MI | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $385,000 | 2025 |
| HURON RIVER WATERSHED COUNCILANN ARBOR, MI | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $379,250 | 2024 |
| COUNCIL OF MICHIGAN FOUNDATIONSGRAND HAVEN, MI | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $379,000 | 2025 |
| SOUTHEASTERN MICHIGAN HEALTH ASSOCIATIONDETROIT, MI | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $363,000 | 2021 |
| WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITYDETROIT, MI | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $362,500 | 2024 |
| MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITYDETROIT, MI | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $360,720 | 2023 |
| DETROIT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRAMatched to this organization because 19 grant-making charities wrote this name with its EIN. Source: Schedule I of their Form 990 returns, fiscal years 2020 to 2025. Counted Oct 9, 2026.DETROIT, MI | DISCRETIONARY FUND | $360,000 | 2020 |
| MOTOWN HISTORICAL MUSEUMDETROIT, MI | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $359,000 | 2020 |
| 0.20 |
| $0 |
| Douglas Ebert | TRUSTEE | 0.20 | $0 |
| Lawrence Garcia | TRUSTEE | 0.20 | $0 |
| Rhonda D Welburn | TRUSTEE | 0.20 | $0 |
| Tara Tuomaala | VICE PRESIDENT OF PROGRAMS | 40.00 | $244,792 |
| Mary Lyons-Richards | VICE PRESIDENT OF ADMINISTRATION | 40.00 | $198,833 |
Nearest by size, location and giving pattern in the database. Geography weighs heavily. Treat it as a starting list, not a ranking of fit.