The Carls Foundation
Bloomfield Hills, MI · EIN 38-6099935. Reported 234 grants totalling $28.2M to 163 recipients across tax years 2021-2024. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.
Does this foundation accept applications?
Yes -- on its own tax return. Form 990-PF asks every private foundation whether it makes grants only to organizations it selects itself. Of the 91,758 foundations in our data that made a grant and answered, 78% said yes -- and applying to those is wasted effort. The Carls Foundation did not check that box on its most recent filing, which puts it in the minority that is at least open to being approached.
How big are its grants?
The median grant is $54,500. Half of everything it gave fell between $30,000 and $195,000; the smallest was $2,000 and the largest $600,000. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.
Every organization it funded
This is the complete list from its filings, largest first. Recipients are grouped by name and state as they were written on the returns, so an organization entered under two different names appears twice. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which that name received money.
| Organization | Location | Total received | Grants | Years funded | Last |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Nature Conservancy | Lansing, MI | $2,000,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Munson Healthcare Foundation | Traverse City, MI | $1,800,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy | Traverse City, MI | $1,700,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Forgotten Harvest | Oak Park, MI | $1,000,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Ascension St John Foundation | Grosse Pointe Woods, MI | $750,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeast Michigan | Detroit, MI | $750,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Walloon Lake Association and Trust | Walloon Lake, MI | $600,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Keweenaw Natural Areas | Calumet, MI | $524,500 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Goodwill Industries Northern Michigan | Traverse City, MI | $500,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Little Traverse Conservancy | Harbor Springs, MI | $500,000 | 4 | 3 | 2023 |
| Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital | Grand Rapids, MI | $500,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Micha 6 | Pontiac, MI | $500,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Trinity Health Oakland | Pontiac, MI | $500,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Ascension Michigan - St John Hospital | Detroit, MI | $475,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Huron Pines | Gaylord, MI | $450,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Mel Trotter Ministries | Grand Rapids, MI | $450,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Six Rivers Land Conservancy | Rochester, MI | $425,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy | Galesburg, MI | $425,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Children's Healing Center | Grand Rapids, MI | $400,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Keweenaw Land Trust | Hancock, MI | $325,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Avalon Healing Center | Detroit, MI | $300,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Legacy Conservancy | Ann Arbor, MI | $292,975 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| American Indian Health & Family Services | Detroit, MI | $250,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Child & Family Charities | Lansing, MI | $250,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan | Destoit, MI | $250,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Freedom House | Detroit, MI | $250,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Gleaners Community Food Bank | Detroit, MI | $250,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Goodwill Industries Nothern Michigan | Traverse City, MI | $250,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Greater Flint Mental Health Facilities | Flint, MI | $250,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Judson Center Inc | Farmington Hills, MI | $250,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Lacasa | Howell, MI | $250,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Leelanau Conservancy | Leland, MI | $250,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| New Community Vision | Northport, MI | $250,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| New Day Foundation for Families | Rochester Hills, MI | $250,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Samaritas | Detroit, MI | $250,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| United Way Northwest Michigan | Traverse City, MI | $250,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Bronson Health Foundation | Kalmazoo, MI | $222,358 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Henry Ford Health | Detroit, MI | $220,200 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Corewell Health Foundation Southeast Michigan | Southfield, MI | $220,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Henry Ford Health System Foundation | Detroit, MI | $220,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Zaman International | Inkster, MI | $220,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Alternatives for Girls | Detroit, MI | $214,603 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Autisism Alliance of Michigan | Bingham Farms, MI | $200,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Land Trust Alliance | Washington, DC | $200,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Lapeer Child Advocacy Center | Lapeer, MI | $200,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Michigan Medicine University of Michigan | Ann Arbor, MI | $200,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Whaley Children's Center | Flint, MI | $200,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Crossroads of Michigan | Detroit, MI | $191,500 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Beaumont Health Foundation | Southfield, MI | $179,243 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Hospice of Michigan | Ann Arbor, MI | $156,244 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Downtown Boxing Gym | Detroit, MI | $150,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Streams of Hope | Grand Rapids, MI | $150,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Vision to Learn | Los Angeles, CA | $150,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Vista Maria | Dearborn Heights, MI | $150,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Oakland University | Rochester, MI | $148,896 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Ascension St John Hospital - the Holley Institute | Detroit, MI | $148,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Detroit Institute for Children | Commerce Twp, MI | $147,149 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Starfish Family Services | Inkster, MI | $140,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Upper Peninsula Land Conservancy | Marquette, MI | $120,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| North Star Reach | Pinkney, MI | $117,626 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Ele's Place | Ann Arbor, MI | $114,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Ascension Michigan - the Holley Institute | Detroit, MI | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Environmental Law & Policy Center | Chicago, IL | $100,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Food Bank of Eastern Michigan Inc | Flint, MI | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Great Lakes Bay Health Centers | Saginaw, MI | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Holley Institute | Detroit, MI | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Kids Kicking Cancer Inc | Southfield, MI | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Land Conservancy of West Michigan | Grand Rapids, MI | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| South Michigan Food Bank | Battle Creek, MI | $100,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Thumb Land Conservancy | Marlette, MI | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| University of Michigan - Ann Arbor | Ann Arbor, MI | $96,482 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Legacy Land Conservancy | Ann Arbor, MI | $95,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Chandler Park Conservancy | Detroit, MI | $90,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Variety Children's Charity | Birmingham, MI | $90,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Our House | Ypsilanti, MI | $88,450 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Abide Ministries Inc | Clawson, MI | $86,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Packard Health Inc | Ann Arbor, MI | $85,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Washtenaw County Conservation District | Ann Arbor, MI | $80,562 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Lions of Michgan Foundation | Lansing, MI | $79,689 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| YMCA of Metro Detroitcarls Family YMCA | Milford, MI | $79,295 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Hands Across the Water Inc | Ann Arbor, MI | $75,944 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Can Council of Great Lakes Bay Region | Boy City, MI | $75,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Children's Leukemia Foundation Dba the Blood Cancer Fdn of Mi | Farmington Hills, MI | $75,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Covenant House of Michigan | Detroit, MI | $75,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Discovery Center Great Lakes | Traverse City, MI | $75,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Matrix Human Services | Detroit, MI | $75,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Oakland Hope | Pontiac, MI | $75,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy | Ypsilanti, MI | $75,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Southwest Solutions | Detroit, MI | $75,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| The Corner Health Center | Ypsilanti, MI | $71,911 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Chaldean American Ladies Charity - Dba United Community Family Services | Troy, MI | $70,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Western Michigan University Foundation | Kalamazoo, MI | $70,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| The Davies Project | Lansing, MI | $67,410 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Women's Resource Center for the Grand Traverse Area | Traverse City, MI | $62,500 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Crossover Outreach | Flint, MI | $55,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Michigan Nature Association | Okemos, MI | $55,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Ascension Genesys Foundation | Grand Blanc, MI | $54,542 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Abigayle Ministries | Sterling Heights, MI | $54,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| South Oakland Shelter Dba Lightouse Mi | Pontiac, MI | $51,664 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Catholic Charities of West Michigan | Grand Rapids, MI | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Cherry Health Foundation | Grand Rapids, MI | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Child & Family Services of Northeast Michigan | Alpena, MI | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Children's Advocacy Center of Lapeer County | Lapeer, MI | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Kids Food Basket | Grand Rapids, MI | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Mi-Ucp | Southfield, MI | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Neighborhood Service Organization | Detroit, MI | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Northmen Den Youth Pantries Inc | Petoskey, MI | $50,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Oakland Family Services | Pontiac, MI | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Racquet Up Detroit | Detroit, MI | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Student Advocacy Center | Ypsilanti, MI | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Traverse Bay Children's Advocacy Center | Traverse City, MI | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Women's Resource Center for the Traverse City Area | Traverse City, MI | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Council of Michigan Foundations | Detroit, MI | $48,450 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Hurley Foundation | Flint, MI | $46,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Catholic Charities of Jackson Lenewee & Hilldale Counties | Jackson, MI | $45,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Christ Child House | Detroit, MI | $45,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| United Comm Family Svcschaldean Assoc of Ladies Charities | Troy, MI | $45,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Penrickton Center for the Blind | Taylor, MI | $44,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Detroit Police Athletic League (pal) | Detroit, MI | $42,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Kent Intermediate School District | Grand Rapids, MI | $42,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Trinity Health - St Joseph Mercy Oakland | Pontiac, MI | $41,293 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Ascension Providence Foundation | Warren, MI | $40,098 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Catholic Charities West Michigan | Grand Rapids, MI | $40,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County | Ann Arbor, MI | $40,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services | Kentwood, MI | $40,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| HAND2HAND | Hudsonville, MI | $40,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Lighthouse Mi | Pontiac, MI | $40,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Wedgewood Christian Services | Grand Rapids, MI | $40,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Arc of Northwest Wayne County | Redford, MI | $39,400 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| The Arc Community Advocates | Kalamazoo, MI | $38,870 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Gilda's Club Metro Detroit | Royal Oak, MI | $38,215 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| The Davies Project for Mid Michigan Children | Lansing, MI | $36,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Ascension Providence Rochester Foundation | Warren, MI | $35,312 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Growing Hope Inc | Ypsilanti, MI | $35,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Michigan Hand & Voices | Gaylord, MI | $33,750 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Christ Child House Society | Detroit, MI | $33,600 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Aid in Milan | Milan, MI | $32,500 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Ascension Borgess Foundation | Kalamazoo, MI | $32,443 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Hearts Cri Michigan Inc | Brighton, MI | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Life Lab Kids | Ferndale, MI | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Building Beds for Kids | Oak Park, MI | $29,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Cass Community Social Services | Detroit, MI | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Friends of Parkside | Detroit, MI | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Greater Lansing Food Bank | Lansing, MI | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Higher Hopes Inc | Commerce, MI | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Berrien Springs Public Schools | Berrien Springs, MI | $21,800 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Munson Healthcare Foundations | Traverse City, MI | $21,231 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Six Rivers Regional and Conservancy | Rochester, MI | $21,092 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Lions Visually Impaired Youth Camp Inc | Lapeer, MI | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Trinity Health Muskegon | Norton Shores, MI | $18,241 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Michigan Technological University | Houghton, MI | $18,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Grand Valley State University | Allendale, MI | $17,286 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| University of Michigan - Dearborn | Ann Arbor, MI | $16,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Seeds Ecology & Education Center | Traverse City, MI | $15,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Chippewa Watershed Conservancy | Mount Pleasant, MI | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute | Detroit, MI | $10,188 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Children's Advocacy Center of Kent County | Grand Rapids, MI | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| The Lennon Center | Dearborn Heights, MI | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Michigan State University | East Lansing, MI | $9,833 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Eversight International | Ann Arbor, MI | $6,158 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Eversight | Ann Arbor, MI | $6,150 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| The Lennon Pregnancy Center | Dearborn Heights, MI | $3,985 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Mercy Christian Health | Ypsilanti, MI | $2,950 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
46 of 163 (28%) received money in more than one year over the 4 years we hold.
Measured the way we measure every foundation -- what share of one year's grantees are funded again the next -- this one retains 35%, across 3 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is less consistent than most. This measures how often it paid the same organizations again. It says nothing about whether it would consider a new one.
What the money was for
Taken verbatim from the purpose field of its filings. This is the closest thing to a statement of what this foundation cares about, in its own words.
- Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy
LOVE THE LAND PRESERVATION CAMPAIGN - The Nature Conservancy
PURCHASE AND PROTECTION OF NORTHPOINT PRESERVE - Goodwill Industries Northern Michigan
CAPITAL SUPPPORT FOR WAREHOUSE RENOVATION FOR FOOD RESCUE - Trinity Health Oakland
RELOCATION AND RENOVATION OF NICU - Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FOR CHILDREN'S REHABILITATION HOSPITAL - Micha 6
RENOVATION OF WEBSTER SCHOOL FOR COMMUNITY CENTER
What kind of organizations it funds
By the activity category the IRS assigns each recipient, for the 134 grants where we could match the recipient to a registered organization. The categories are the IRS's. The match, made from the name and address on the return, is ours.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants | Total | Median grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 72 | $7,077,096 | $50,000 |
| 2022 | 61 | $6,653,177 | $50,000 |
| 2023 | 62 | $7,689,511 | $75,000 |
| 2024 | 39 | $6,802,304 | $100,000 |
Tax years, not calendar years, and the most recent year is usually incomplete -- filings arrive about a year late, so a low final year means late paperwork rather than a foundation winding down.
Already committed for future years
Form 990-PF has a separate schedule for grants approved but not yet paid. The Carls Foundation has 56 of them, worth $26.2M. This is the one part of the filing that looks forward rather than back.
| Organization | Location | Approved |
|---|---|---|
| Trinity Health Oakland | Pontiac, MI | $2,000,000 |
| Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital | Grand Rapids, MI | $2,000,000 |
| Trinity Health Oakland (2023 Approval) | Pontiac, MI | $1,500,000 |
| Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital (2023 Approval) | Grand Rapids, MI | $1,500,000 |
| The Nature Conservancy | Lansing, MI | $1,500,000 |
| Munson Healthcare Foundation | Traverse City, MI | $1,200,000 |
| Judson Center Inc | Farmington Hills, MI | $1,000,000 |
| South Oakland Shelter Dba Lightouse Mi | Pontiac, MI | $1,000,000 |
| South Oakland Shelter Dba Lightouse Mi (2023 Approval) | Pontiac, MI | $1,000,000 |
| The Nature Conservancy | Lansing, MI | $1,000,000 |
| Judson Center Inc (2023 Approval) | Farmington Hills, MI | $750,000 |
| Munson Healthcare Foundation | Traverse City, MI | $600,000 |
| Walloon Lake Association and Trust | Walloon Lake, MI | $600,000 |
| Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy | Traverse City, MI | $600,000 |
| The Nature Conservancy | Lansing, MI | $500,000 |
Where its money goes
98% of its giving went to organizations in Michigan. If your organization is based elsewhere, look in the recipient list for grants to your area before writing.
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Funders that support the same organizations
These funders gave to organizations this one also funded -- some private foundations, some community foundations and other grantmaking charities. Shared grantees are a sign of overlapping priorities and nothing more: they do not show that any of these funders would consider a new organization. Each page says what its filings show.
How to approach this foundation
- Check you are its size. The median grant is $54,500. A request many times that size asks for something it has rarely or never given.
- Check you are in its geography. Its giving is concentrated in Michigan.
- Read the recipient list above for organizations like yours. If nothing on it resembles your work, that is a real answer, and a cheap one to get.
- Look up the current filing before writing. The 990-PF names the foundation's officers and, where one exists, its application procedure. We link it below.
Where these numbers come from
Everything above is taken from The Carls Foundation's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 4 returns (tax years 2021-2024). Grant figures are from its returns. Matching recipients to registered organizations, their IRS classifications, the retention rate and the funders that support the same organizations are our own calculations, described in how we build this.
Address of record on the latest return: 6001 North Adams Road 215, Bloomfield Hills, MI, 48304. This is the address the foundation gave the IRS; many small foundations file through an accountant or a bank trust department, so it may not be where post to a programme officer should go.
EIN 38-6099935 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this
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