We are a nonprofit dedicated to helping Detroit's children get the great education they deserve by partnering with strong school leaders and equipping them with the resources they need to succeed.
Detroit Children's Fund centers its grantmaking on Detroit charter schools and the students, teachers, and school leaders who support them. The largest recent grant in the data went to New Paradigm for Education Inc., where $1,384,438 in 2025 supported additional staff, coaching and development, building improvements and surveys to charter schools, transportation, and retention bonuses. That mix captures the funder’s pattern: school-level capacity building paired with practical supports that remove barriers for students and staff. The foundation’s portfolio also shows sustained investment in leadership and instructional infrastructure. New Paradigm for Education Inc. received $500,000 in 2023 to enhance Detroit’s teacher and leadership pipeline, while Detroit Academy of Arts & Science received several awards for foundational tools and support to staff and students, including retention bonuses. Detroit Public Schools Foundation and other partners appear in grants tied to curriculum coaching, district improvement, and high school supports. Across these awards, Detroit Children's Fund backs both the people and the systems that shape day-to-day school experience, from teacher development to transportation, laptops, and school building needs.
A clear theme in Detroit Children's Fund’s grantmaking is curriculum implementation and coaching. Great Minds Pbc received $500,000 in 2023 for implementation of Model Schools' math curriculum and instructional coaching, and another $242,500 in 2024 for principal and teacher coaching/development. El Education Inc. was awarded $400,000 in 2023 for implementation of Model Schools' EL curriculum and instructional coaching, followed by $242,500 in 2024 for principal and teacher coaching/development. The funder also invests in college and career readiness. Michigan College Access Network received $210,000 in 2025 to increase Detroit’s college and Michigan’s college matriculation, persistence, and match rates at participating schools, plus $112,700 in 2023 and $110,000 in 2023 for high school college readiness programming. Postsecondary access appears again in a $25,000 2025 grant to University Preparatory Academy for transportation for enrollees of dual enrollment courses. Teacher pipeline development is another recurring area, with grants to New Paradigm for Education Inc. and TNTP for teacher and leadership pipeline work.
$3.8M
$6.4M
$3.9M
$5.6M
Most grants fall between $60K and $243K, with a median of $113K.
25th Percentile
$60K
Median
$113K
75th Percentile
$243K
NICK KARMANOS
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Detroit Children's Fund’s typical grant size sits at $60,000 at the 25th percentile, $112,700 at the median, and $242,500 at the 75th percentile. The portfolio includes both one-time awards and repeated support to the same organizations across multiple years, including Detroit Academy of Arts & Science, Jalen Rose Leadership Academy, Escuela Avancemos Academy, Michigan College Access Network, Great Minds Pbc, El Education Inc., Plymouth Educational Center, and Mapsa Foundation. That pattern points to ongoing partnership rather than isolated transactions. The foundation is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. Its grants are largely targeted project and capacity-building awards, often tied to staff coaching, retention, curriculum rollout, or school operations.
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly concentrated in Michigan, which accounts for 79% of grants in the HQ state, though the foundation’s regional scope reaches beyond Detroit. Detroit is the main recipient city, with recurring awards to organizations such as New Paradigm for Education Inc., Detroit Academy of Arts & Science, Jalen Rose Leadership Academy, and Detroit Public Schools Community District. Other Michigan cities appear as well, including Lansing and Southfield. Outside Michigan, the recipient footprint is limited in the data: Washington, DC; New York, NY; Boston, MA; and one grant to a grantee in another country location is not shown, as all listed grants went to US recipients.
The foundation backs K-12 education work for Detroit charter schools and their students, with grants tied to teacher and school leader development, curriculum adoption and coaching, college and career readiness, student supports such as transportation and laptops, and school operations or infrastructure improvements.
The grant-size distribution is $60,000 at the 25th percentile, $112,700 at the median, and $242,500 at the 75th percentile. Recent awards also show larger project grants, including a $1,384,438 grant in 2025.
Yes. Several grantees appear across multiple years, including Detroit Academy of Arts & Science, Jalen Rose Leadership Academy, Escuela Avancemos Academy, Michigan College Access Network, Great Minds Pbc, El Education Inc., Plymouth Educational Center, and Mapsa Foundation.
It operates as a regular funder and does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. The grants in the data are mostly targeted awards for capacity building, instructional support, school operations, or student supports rather than unrestricted individual aid.
Michigan receives the bulk of awards, with 79% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Detroit is the most common recipient city, and the dataset also includes grants to organizations in Lansing, Southfield, Washington, DC, New York, and Boston.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEW PARADIGN FOR EDUCATION | DETROIT, MI | $2,091,051 | 2026 | ADDITIONAL STAFF, COACHING & DEVELOPMENT BUILDING IMPORVEMENTS AND SURVEYS TO CHARTER SCHOOLS; RETENTION BONUSES; CONSTRUCTION OF A SCHOOL PANTRY AND LAUNDRY FACILITY |
| DETROIT PUBLIC SCHOOLS COMMUNITY DISTRICT | DETROIT, MI | $1,500,000 | 2026 | COACH AND SUPPORT DATA-DRIVEN LEADERSHIP PRACTICES ACHIEVE AGGRESSIVE ACADEMIC GAINS IN ELA AND MATH |
| JALEN ROSE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY | DETROIT, MI | $177,461 | 2026 | FUND JRLA'S SENIOR CLASSES WITH CURRICULAR AND TECHNOLOGICAL RESOURCES; RETENTION BONUSES |
| LAWRENCE TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY | SOUTHFIELD, MI | $10,750 | 2026 | TUITION AND SUPPLIES FOR CHARTER SCHOOL ENROLLEES |
| NEW PARADIGM FOR EDUCATION INC | DETROIT, MI | $1,384,438 | 2025 | ADDITIONAL STAFF, COACHING & DEVELOPMENT BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS AND SURVEYS TO CHARTER SCHOOLS; TRANSPORTATION; RETENTION BONUSES |
| MICHIGAN COLLEGE ACCESS NETWORK | LANSING, MI | $210,000 | 2025 | INCREASE DETROIT'S (CITY) COLLEGE AND MICHIGAN'S COLLEGE MATRICULATION RATES, PERSISTENCE RATES AND MATCH RATES AT PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS |
| ESCUELA AVANCEMOS ACADEMY | DETROT, MI | $79,500 | 2025 | RETENTION BONUSES |
| MAPSA FOUNDATION | LANSING, MI | $75,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS, COACHING TO PASS TEACHER CERTIFICATION |
| LAWRENCE TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY | SOUTHFIELD, MI | $60,000 | 2025 | TUITION AND SUPPLIES FOR CHARTER SCHOOL ENROLLEES |
| DETROIT ACADEMY OF ARTS & SCIENCE | DETROIT, MI | $60,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE FOUNDATIONAL TOOLS AND SUPPORT TO STAFF AND STUDENTS |
| JALEN ROSE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY | DETROIT, MI | $53,250 | 2025 | RETENTION BONUSES |
| UNIVERSITY PREPARATORY ACADEMY | DETROIT, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | TRANSPORTATION FOR ENROLLEES OF THE DUAL ENROLLMENT COURSES |
| DETROIT PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION | DETROIT, MI | $437,500 | 2024 | MODEL SCHOOLS PROJECT, TRAIN EL AND GREAT MINDS COACHES |
| DETROIT ACADEMY OF ARTS & SCIENCE | DETROIT, MI | $385,000 | 2024 | PROVIDE FOUNDATIONAL TOOLS AND SUPPORT TO STAFF AND STUDENTS; RETENTION BONUSES |
| EL EDUCATION INC | NEW YORK, NY | $242,500 | 2024 | PRINCIPAL AND TEACHER COACHING/DEVELOPMENT |
| GREAT MINDS PBC | WASHINGTON, DC | $242,500 | 2024 | PRINCIPAL AND TEACHER COACHING/DEVELOPMENT |
| JALEN ROSE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY | DETROIT, MI | $216,828 | 2024 | PROVIDE FOUNDATIONAL TOOLS AND SUPPORT TO STAFF AND STUDENTS; SENIOR STUDENT AND GRADUATING SENIOR LAPTOPS; RETENTION BONUSES |
| ESCUELA AVANCEMOS ACADEMY | DETROT, MI | $135,250 | 2024 | PROVIDE FOUNDATIONAL TOOLS AND SUPPORT TO STAFF AND STUDENTS; RETENTION BONUSES |
| PLYMOUTH EDUCATIONAL CENTER | DETROIT, MI | $128,500 | 2024 | PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, COACHING, IMPROVE STUDENT ATTENDANCE; RETENTION BONUSES |
| MAPSA FOUNDATION | LANSING, MI | $75,000 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIPS, COACHING TO PASS TEACHER CERTIFICATION |
| DETROIT PUBLIC SCHOOLS COMMUNITY DISTRICT | DETROIT, MI | $59,700 | 2024 | PLACE CORE ELEMENTS IN MUMFORD HIGH SCHOOL: TECHNOLOGY, FURNITURE, DCOR |
| NEW PARADIGM FOR EDUCATION INC | DETROIT, MI | $20,000 | 2024 | TRANSPORTATION |
| GREAT MINDS PBC | WASHINGTON, DC | $500,000 | 2023 | IMPLEMENTATION OF MODEL SCHOOLS' MATH CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTIONAL COACHING |
| NEW PARADIGM FOR EDUCATION INC | DETROIT, MI | $500,000 | 2023 | ENHANCE DETROIT'S TEACHER AND LEADERSHIP PIPELINE |
| DETROIT ACADEMY OF ARTS & SCIENCE | DETROIT, MI | $434,278 | 2023 | PROVIDE FOUNDATIONAL TOOLS AND SUPPORT TO STAFF AND STUDENTS |
| EL EDUCATION INC | NEW YORK, NY | $400,000 | 2023 | IMPLEMENTATION OF MODEL SCHOOLS' EL CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTIONAL COACHING |
| PLYMOUTH EDUCATIONAL CENTER | DETROIT, MI | $263,612 | 2023 | PROVIDE FOUNDATIONAL TOOLS AND SUPPORT TO STAFF AND STUDENTS |
| JALEN ROSE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY | DETROIT, MI | $213,737 | 2023 | PROVIDE FOUNDATIONAL TOOLS AND SUPPORT TO STAFF AND STUDENTS |
| TNTP | NEW YORK, NY | $188,950 | 2023 | ENHANCE DETROIT'S TEACHER AND LEADERSHIP PIPELINE |
| MICHIGAN COLLEGE ACCESS NETWORK | LANSING, MI | $112,700 | 2023 | PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR HIGH SCHOOL COLLEGE READINESS PROGRAM (FUNDS ON BEHALF OF DCAN) |
| MICHIGAN COLLEGE ACCESS NETWORK | LANSING, MI | $110,000 | 2023 | PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR HIGH SCHOOL COLLEGE READINESS PROGRAM (MCAN FUNDS) |
| ESCUELA AVANCEMOS ACADEMY | DETROT, MI | $93,663 | 2023 | PROVIDE FOUNDATIONAL TOOLS AND SUPPORT TO STAFF AND STUDENTS |
| EDUCATION PIONEERS | BOSTON, MA | $76,500 | 2023 | FUND ONE DATA CONTRACTOR FOR DCF TO ENHANCE DCF'S DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS CAPABILITIES |
| MAPSA FOUNDATION | LANSING, MI | $75,000 | 2023 | PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR NEW TEACHER CERTIFICATION PROGRAM |
| LAWRENCE TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY | SOUTHFIELD, MI | $60,000 | 2023 | PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR HIGH SCHOOL COLLEGE READINESS PROGRAM (MCAN & DCAN) |
| PUBLIC IMPACT | CARRBORO, NC | $20,000 | 2023 | PROVIDE FUNDS FOR SCHOOL COMPUTERS |
| DETROIT PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION | DETROIT, MI | $16,300 | 2023 | PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT FOR TEACHERS AND INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERS |
ADDITIONAL STAFF, COACHING & DEVELOPMENT BUILDING IMPORVEMENTS AND SURVEYS TO CHARTER SCHOOLS; RETENTION BONUSES; CONSTRUCTION OF A SCHOOL PANTRY AND LAUNDRY FACILITY
DETROIT PUBLIC SCHOOLS COMMUNITY DISTRICT
$1,500,000COACH AND SUPPORT DATA-DRIVEN LEADERSHIP PRACTICES ACHIEVE AGGRESSIVE ACADEMIC GAINS IN ELA AND MATH
JALEN ROSE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
$177,461FUND JRLA'S SENIOR CLASSES WITH CURRICULAR AND TECHNOLOGICAL RESOURCES; RETENTION BONUSES
TUITION AND SUPPLIES FOR CHARTER SCHOOL ENROLLEES
NEW PARADIGM FOR EDUCATION INC
$1,384,438ADDITIONAL STAFF, COACHING & DEVELOPMENT BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS AND SURVEYS TO CHARTER SCHOOLS; TRANSPORTATION; RETENTION BONUSES
MICHIGAN COLLEGE ACCESS NETWORK
$210,000INCREASE DETROIT'S (CITY) COLLEGE AND MICHIGAN'S COLLEGE MATRICULATION RATES, PERSISTENCE RATES AND MATCH RATES AT PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS
ESCUELA AVANCEMOS ACADEMY
$79,500RETENTION BONUSES
MAPSA FOUNDATION
$75,000SCHOLARSHIPS, COACHING TO PASS TEACHER CERTIFICATION
TUITION AND SUPPLIES FOR CHARTER SCHOOL ENROLLEES
DETROIT ACADEMY OF ARTS & SCIENCE
$60,000PROVIDE FOUNDATIONAL TOOLS AND SUPPORT TO STAFF AND STUDENTS
JALEN ROSE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
$53,250RETENTION BONUSES
UNIVERSITY PREPARATORY ACADEMY
$25,000TRANSPORTATION FOR ENROLLEES OF THE DUAL ENROLLMENT COURSES
MODEL SCHOOLS PROJECT, TRAIN EL AND GREAT MINDS COACHES
DETROIT ACADEMY OF ARTS & SCIENCE
$385,000PROVIDE FOUNDATIONAL TOOLS AND SUPPORT TO STAFF AND STUDENTS; RETENTION BONUSES
GREAT MINDS PBC
$242,500PRINCIPAL AND TEACHER COACHING/DEVELOPMENT
JALEN ROSE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
$216,828PROVIDE FOUNDATIONAL TOOLS AND SUPPORT TO STAFF AND STUDENTS; SENIOR STUDENT AND GRADUATING SENIOR LAPTOPS; RETENTION BONUSES
ESCUELA AVANCEMOS ACADEMY
$135,250PROVIDE FOUNDATIONAL TOOLS AND SUPPORT TO STAFF AND STUDENTS; RETENTION BONUSES
PLYMOUTH EDUCATIONAL CENTER
$128,500PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, COACHING, IMPROVE STUDENT ATTENDANCE; RETENTION BONUSES
MAPSA FOUNDATION
$75,000SCHOLARSHIPS, COACHING TO PASS TEACHER CERTIFICATION
DETROIT PUBLIC SCHOOLS COMMUNITY DISTRICT
$59,700PLACE CORE ELEMENTS IN MUMFORD HIGH SCHOOL: TECHNOLOGY, FURNITURE, DCOR
GREAT MINDS PBC
$500,000IMPLEMENTATION OF MODEL SCHOOLS' MATH CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTIONAL COACHING
NEW PARADIGM FOR EDUCATION INC
$500,000ENHANCE DETROIT'S TEACHER AND LEADERSHIP PIPELINE
DETROIT ACADEMY OF ARTS & SCIENCE
$434,278PROVIDE FOUNDATIONAL TOOLS AND SUPPORT TO STAFF AND STUDENTS
IMPLEMENTATION OF MODEL SCHOOLS' EL CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTIONAL COACHING
PLYMOUTH EDUCATIONAL CENTER
$263,612PROVIDE FOUNDATIONAL TOOLS AND SUPPORT TO STAFF AND STUDENTS
JALEN ROSE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
$213,737PROVIDE FOUNDATIONAL TOOLS AND SUPPORT TO STAFF AND STUDENTS
MICHIGAN COLLEGE ACCESS NETWORK
$112,700PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR HIGH SCHOOL COLLEGE READINESS PROGRAM (FUNDS ON BEHALF OF DCAN)
MICHIGAN COLLEGE ACCESS NETWORK
$110,000PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR HIGH SCHOOL COLLEGE READINESS PROGRAM (MCAN FUNDS)
ESCUELA AVANCEMOS ACADEMY
$93,663PROVIDE FOUNDATIONAL TOOLS AND SUPPORT TO STAFF AND STUDENTS
FUND ONE DATA CONTRACTOR FOR DCF TO ENHANCE DCF'S DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS CAPABILITIES
MAPSA FOUNDATION
$75,000PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR NEW TEACHER CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR HIGH SCHOOL COLLEGE READINESS PROGRAM (MCAN & DCAN)
PUBLIC IMPACT
$20,000PROVIDE FUNDS FOR SCHOOL COMPUTERS
PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT FOR TEACHERS AND INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERS