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Desk Drawer Fund’s grantmaking is organized around five pillars: The Arts, Entrepreneurship, Financial Education, Stable Housing, and Youth Empowerment. In the recent grants list, that framework shows up in repeated support for youth-serving organizations in Lansing and across Michigan, including Child and Family Charities, which received $100,000 in 2025 for youth empowerment after earlier $100,000 awards in 2023 and 2024 for empowering youth. The same pattern of sustained support appears in housing, where Lighthouse MI received $100,000 in 2025 for stable housing, and Habitat for Humanity Capital Region received $75,000 in 2024 and $50,000 in 2025 for the same pillar. The foundation also backs arts access and cultural programming, with grants to the Traverse City Philharmonic and the Detroit Institute of Arts. Its stated pillar structure and recurring awards suggest a grantmaker that uses multiple program areas rather than a single-theme strategy.
Youth empowerment is a clear throughline. Child and Family Charities received $100,000 in 2025 for youth empowerment, while Big Brothers Big Sisters MI Cap Region received $50,000 in 2025 for the same purpose. Stable housing is another major pillar: Lighthouse MI received $100,000 in 2025 for stable housing, and Habitat for Humanity Capital Region received $75,000 in 2024 for stable housing. The foundation also funds financial education, including a $46,350 grant in 2025 to Lansing Promise Foundation and a $39,108 grant in 2024 to New Day Foundation. Arts funding reaches both performance and museum-based work, such as $100,000 to Traverse City Philharmonic in 2025 and $50,000 to Detroit Institute of Arts in 2024.
Typical grant size sits at $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $43,390 at the 75th percentile. The recent list includes repeated awards to the same organizations across multiple years, including Child and Family Charities, Habitat for Humanity Capital Region, Capital Area United Way, and Michigan Women Forward, which points to ongoing relationships rather than isolated one-off grants. Desk Drawer Fund is a pure DAF provider and also makes program-related investments. Its transformational grants are described as multi-year funding, and that program uses a Letter of Inquiry followed by invitation-only full proposals.
$786K
$2.5M
$680K
$879K
Most grants fall between $10K and $43K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$43K
About 100% of grants go to recipients in MI.
REBECCA SURIAN
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Grantmaking is local and all recent recipients are in the United States, with 100% of grants going to Michigan organizations in the data provided. Lansing appears most often, with awards to Child and Family Charities, Tri County Office on Aging, Lansing Promise Foundation, Reach Studio Art Center, and Salus Center. Other Michigan cities include Detroit, Traverse City, Pontiac, Grand Rapids, Rochester Hills, Chelsea, Holt, Charlotte, and Haslett. The geographic pattern is statewide within Michigan rather than centered on the headquarters city alone.
The foundation organizes grantmaking around five pillars: The Arts, Entrepreneurship, Financial Education, Stable Housing, and Youth Empowerment. Recent awards show activity in each of those areas, including youth-serving groups, housing providers, arts organizations, and financial education programs.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years in the recent grants list, including Child and Family Charities, Habitat for Humanity Capital Region, Capital Area United Way, and Michigan Women Forward. That pattern suggests repeated support for selected partners.
The grant-size distribution centers at $10,000 for the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $43,390 at the 75th percentile. Recent awards also include larger individual grants such as $100,000 and $75,000.
Transformational Grants provide multi-year funding to trusted partners aligned with the foundation’s pillars and geographic regions. The process begins with a Letter of Inquiry, and selected organizations are invited to submit full proposals. The stated grant size range for this program is $25,000 to $500,000.
Yes. Several active programs are marked as accepting unsolicited requests, including the Pillars Grantmaking program, Stable Housing Pillar, Entrepreneurship Pillar, The Arts Pillar, Transformational Grants, and the Dreams Take Flight Scholarship.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TRAVERSE CITY PHILHARMONIC | TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $100,000 | 2025 | THE ARTS |
| LIGHTHOUSE MI | PONTIAC, MI | $100,000 | 2025 | STABLE HOUSING |
| CHILD AND FAMILY CHARITIES | LANSING, MI | $100,000 | 2025 | YOUTH EMPOWERMENT |
| MICHIGAN WOMEN FORWARD | DETROIT, MI | $63,478 | 2025 | ENTREPRENEURSHIP |
| TRI COUNTY OFFICE ON AGING | LANSING, MI | $60,829 | 2025 | STABLE HOUSING |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS MI CAP REGION | LANSING, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | YOUTH EMPOWERMENT |
| DETROIT INSTITUTE OF ARTS | DETROIT, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | THE ARTS |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY CAPITAL REGION | LANSING, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | STABLE HOUSING |
| LANSING PROMISE FOUNDATION | LANSING, MI | $46,350 | 2025 | FINANCIAL EDUCATION |
| CHILDREN'S HEALING CENTER | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $45,859 | 2025 | YOUTH EMPOWERMENT |
| FIRST STEP | PLYMOUTH, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | STABLE HOUSING |
| IMPRESSION 5 | LANSING, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | YOUTH EMPOWERMENT |
| UNITED WAY OF SOUTH CENTRAL MICHIGAN | LANSING, MI | $24,057 | 2025 | STABLE HOUSING |
| HOME REPAIR SERVICES OF KENT COUNTY | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $20,000 | 2025 | FINANCIAL EDUCATION |
| LANSING ART GALLERY & EDUCATION CENTER | LANSING, MI | $15,000 | 2025 | THE ARTS |
| CITY OF EAST LANSING JAZZ FESTIVAL | LANSING, MI | $10,000 | 2025 | THE ARTS |
| CHILD AND FAMILY CHARITIES | LANSING, MI | $100,000 | 2024 | EMPOWERING YOUTH |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY CAPITAL REGION | LANSING, MI | $75,000 | 2024 | STABLE HOUSING |
| DETROIT INSTITUTE OF ARTS | DETROIT, MI | $50,000 | 2024 | ARTS & CULTURE |
| WOMEN'S RESOURCE CENTER | TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $47,965 | 2024 | STABLE HOUSING |
| ALLEN NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER | LANSING, MI | $46,828 | 2024 | STABLE HOUSING |
| THE DAVIES PROJECT | LANSING, MI | $39,253 | 2024 | EMPOWERING YOUTH |
| NEW DAY FOUNDATION | ROCHESTER HILLS, MI | $39,108 | 2024 | FINANCIAL EDUCATION |
| NEW HOPE PET RESCUE | CHARLOTTE, MI | $36,789 | 2024 | STABLE HOUSING |
| REACH STUDIO ART CENTER | LANSING, MI | $36,057 | 2024 | ARTS AND CULTURE |
| SALUS CENTER | LANSING, MI | $31,497 | 2024 | ARTS AND CULTURE |
| CAPITAL AREA UNITED WAY | LANSING, MI | $30,557 | 2024 | STABLE HOUSING |
| MICHIGAN WOMEN FORWARD | LANSING, MI | $30,000 | 2024 | FOSTERING ENTREPRENEURSHIP |
| IMPRESSION 5 | LANSING, MI | $25,000 | 2024 | EMPOWERING YOUTH |
| DETROIT INSTITUTE OF ARTS | DETROIT, MI | $25,000 | 2024 | ARTS AND CULTURE |
| LANSING SAVE | LANSING, MI | $25,000 | 2024 | FINANCIAL EDUCATION |
| DETROIT PUBLIC THEATRE | DETROIT, MI | $25,000 | 2024 | ARTS & CULTURE |
| LANSING PROMISE FOUNDATION | LANSING, MI | $25,000 | 2024 | EMPOWERING YOUTH |
| CAPITAL AREA UNITED WAY | LANSING, MI | $24,965 | 2024 | FINANCIAL EDUCATION |
| SWEET ENCOUNTER | LANSING, MI | $21,500 | 2024 | FOSTERING ENTREPRENEURSHIP |
| JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF THE MI GREAT LAKES | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $15,000 | 2024 | FINANCIAL EDUCATION |
| LANSING ART GALLERY & EDUCATION CENTER | LANSING, MI | $15,000 | 2024 | ARTS & CULTURE |
| CAPITAL AREA HOUSING PARTNERSHIP | LANSING, MI | $12,500 | 2024 | STABLE HOUSING |
| ALL OF THE ABOVE HIP HOP ACADEMY | LANSING, MI | $12,500 | 2024 | ARTS AND CULTURE |
| BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA - CHIEF OKEMOS | EAGLE, MI | $11,500 | 2024 | FINANCIAL EDUCATION |
| KIDS FOOD BASKET | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $10,834 | 2024 | EMPOWERING YOUTH |
| LANSING ART GALLERY & EDUCATION CENTER | LANSING, MI | $10,000 | 2024 | ARTS AND CULTURE |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY GRAND TRAVERSE REGION | TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $10,000 | 2024 | STABLE HOUSING |
| CITY OF EAST LANSING | EAST LANSING, MI | $10,000 | 2024 | ARTS & CULTURE |
| MLK COMMISSION | LANSING, MI | $10,000 | 2024 | ARTS AND CULTURE |
| FAMILY PROMISE OF WEST MICHIGAN | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $10,000 | 2024 | STABLE HOUSING |
| ACCELERATE4KIDS | DETROIT, MI | $9,000 | 2024 | FOSTERING ENTREPRENEURSHIP |
| HQ RUNAWAY & HOMELESS YOUTH DROP-IN CTR | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $8,702 | 2024 | STABLE HOUSING |
| OAKLAND COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER | PONTIAC, MI | $8,702 | 2024 | STABLE HOUSING |
| HELPING WOMEN PERIOD | EAST LANSING, MI | $8,702 | 2024 | STABLE HOUSING |
TRAVERSE CITY PHILHARMONIC
$100,000THE ARTS
LIGHTHOUSE MI
$100,000STABLE HOUSING
CHILD AND FAMILY CHARITIES
$100,000YOUTH EMPOWERMENT
MICHIGAN WOMEN FORWARD
$63,478ENTREPRENEURSHIP
TRI COUNTY OFFICE ON AGING
$60,829STABLE HOUSING
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS MI CAP REGION
$50,000YOUTH EMPOWERMENT
DETROIT INSTITUTE OF ARTS
THE ARTS
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY CAPITAL REGION
$50,000STABLE HOUSING
LANSING PROMISE FOUNDATION
$46,350FINANCIAL EDUCATION
CHILDREN'S HEALING CENTER
$45,859YOUTH EMPOWERMENT
FIRST STEP
$25,000STABLE HOUSING
IMPRESSION 5
$25,000YOUTH EMPOWERMENT
UNITED WAY OF SOUTH CENTRAL MICHIGAN
$24,057STABLE HOUSING
HOME REPAIR SERVICES OF KENT COUNTY
$20,000FINANCIAL EDUCATION
LANSING ART GALLERY & EDUCATION CENTER
$15,000THE ARTS
CITY OF EAST LANSING JAZZ FESTIVAL
$10,000THE ARTS
CHILD AND FAMILY CHARITIES
$100,000EMPOWERING YOUTH
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY CAPITAL REGION
$75,000STABLE HOUSING
DETROIT INSTITUTE OF ARTS
$50,000ARTS & CULTURE
WOMEN'S RESOURCE CENTER
$47,965STABLE HOUSING
ALLEN NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER
$46,828STABLE HOUSING
THE DAVIES PROJECT
$39,253EMPOWERING YOUTH
NEW DAY FOUNDATION
$39,108FINANCIAL EDUCATION
NEW HOPE PET RESCUE
$36,789STABLE HOUSING
REACH STUDIO ART CENTER
$36,057ARTS AND CULTURE
SALUS CENTER
$31,497ARTS AND CULTURE
CAPITAL AREA UNITED WAY
$30,557STABLE HOUSING
MICHIGAN WOMEN FORWARD
$30,000FOSTERING ENTREPRENEURSHIP
IMPRESSION 5
$25,000EMPOWERING YOUTH
DETROIT INSTITUTE OF ARTS
$25,000ARTS AND CULTURE
LANSING SAVE
$25,000FINANCIAL EDUCATION
DETROIT PUBLIC THEATRE
$25,000ARTS & CULTURE
LANSING PROMISE FOUNDATION
$25,000EMPOWERING YOUTH
CAPITAL AREA UNITED WAY
$24,965FINANCIAL EDUCATION
SWEET ENCOUNTER
$21,500FOSTERING ENTREPRENEURSHIP
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF THE MI GREAT LAKES
$15,000FINANCIAL EDUCATION
LANSING ART GALLERY & EDUCATION CENTER
$15,000ARTS & CULTURE
CAPITAL AREA HOUSING PARTNERSHIP
$12,500STABLE HOUSING
ALL OF THE ABOVE HIP HOP ACADEMY
$12,500ARTS AND CULTURE
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA - CHIEF OKEMOS
$11,500FINANCIAL EDUCATION
KIDS FOOD BASKET
$10,834EMPOWERING YOUTH
LANSING ART GALLERY & EDUCATION CENTER
$10,000ARTS AND CULTURE
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY GRAND TRAVERSE REGION
$10,000STABLE HOUSING
CITY OF EAST LANSING
$10,000ARTS & CULTURE
MLK COMMISSION
$10,000ARTS AND CULTURE
FAMILY PROMISE OF WEST MICHIGAN
$10,000STABLE HOUSING
ACCELERATE4KIDS
$9,000FOSTERING ENTREPRENEURSHIP
HQ RUNAWAY & HOMELESS YOUTH DROP-IN CTR
$8,702STABLE HOUSING
OAKLAND COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER
$8,702STABLE HOUSING
HELPING WOMEN PERIOD
$8,702STABLE HOUSING
Current and upcoming funding from Desk Drawer Fund that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: 501(c)(3) nonprofits within the Foundation's regional footprint and aligned with at least one philanthropic pillar; proposals should demonstrate long-term, systemic impact.
Deadline: 2026 Transformational LOI: December 1, 2026. Full grant application due January 2, 2027. Awards communicated February 2027.
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