The Dorothy U Dalton Foundation is a concentrated, locally-focused funder primarily supporting Kalamazoo-region civic life through arts and cultural institutions, community health and behavioral health capital projects, and frontline social services for youth, families, and seniors. They favor both capital campaigns (auditorium restoration, crisis stabilization units, expansion/renovation projects) and recurring operating support for established local nonprofits, often making multiple grants to the same organizations. The foundation’s giving highlights a commitment to preserving cultural infrastructure while strengthening basic human services—housing, recovery, victim services, and youth programming—across the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek area.
Dorothy U Dalton Foundation Inc has put repeated six-figure support behind Kalamazoo Civic Theatre, including $150,000 grants for three straight season awards and $70,000 and $60,000 awards for historic auditorium restoration. That pattern captures the foundation’s style: steady, local backing for institutions that anchor cultural life, alongside capital support for health, housing, and human services across Kalamazoo. Recent giving also includes $100,000 for Pine Rest Foundation’s Kalamazoo crisis stabilization unit, $100,000 for Lift Foundation’s permanent housing at Knights Inn, and $100,000 for Milestone Senior Services’ new home/new hope capital campaign. The foundation’s portfolio reaches beyond arts and facilities into direct-service work for people facing violence, homelessness, substance use disorders, and family instability. It has also supported Western Michigan University Foundation for student financial aid, the College of Fine Arts, and Miller Auditorium, showing interest in higher-education arts programming as well as community-facing cultural spaces. Across the grant list, the common thread is local infrastructure: buildings, programs, and operating support that sustain institutions serving Kalamazoo-area residents.
Arts and cultural institutions are a clear priority. The foundation gave $150,000 to Kalamazoo Civic Theatre for the 96th season, including theatrical, educational and outreach programming, and also supported the group’s historic auditorium plaster restoration with $70,000 and $60,000 grants. Higher-education arts programming appears as well: Western Michigan University Foundation received $75,000 for Miller Auditorium and $60,000 for WMU College of Fine Arts virtual imaging technology. On the health side, Pine Rest Foundation received $100,000 for the Pine Rest Kalamazoo crisis stabilization unit, while Bronson Health Foundation received $75,000 for health care worker resilience and mental health. Human services are another recurring theme, with grants to YWCA for sexual assault violence prevention programming and to Community Healing Centers for inpatient substance use disorder treatment and outpatient recovery services.
Typical grant size sits at $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $11,000 at the median, and $25,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent record shows a heavier tier of larger local awards alongside many smaller operating and program grants. Recipients appear across multiple years, including Kalamazoo Civic Theatre, YWCA, Western Michigan University Foundation, Community Healing Centers, and United Way of Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region, which points to recurring relationships rather than one-time support. The foundation does not make program-related investments and funds individuals. The grant list also reflects a mix of capital requests, seasonal support, operating support, and direct-service funding.
$1.8M
$27.5M
$2M
$2.1M
Most grants fall between $5K and $25K, with a median of $11K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$11K
75th Percentile
$25K
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Concentrated, regional grantmaking with many repeat awards; mixes large capital grants and multi-year operating support; typically funds established local institutions rather than national causes; grant sizes often range from mid-five to low-six figures and are targeted to specific projects or campaigns.
Notable grantees: Kalamazoo Civic Theatre, Western Michigan University Foundation, YWCA (Kalamazoo victim/sexual assault services), Bronson Health Foundation, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kalamazoo
Giving is fully concentrated in Michigan, with 100% of grants to recipients in the HQ state and Michigan also the top state by grant count. Most awards land in Kalamazoo, with additional grants in Grand Rapids and Portage. Recent recipient cities include Kalamazoo Civic Theatre in Kalamazoo, Pine Rest Foundation in Grand Rapids, and Kalamazoo Aviation History Museum in Portage. The pattern is local rather than multi-state, centered on the Kalamazoo region and nearby West Michigan communities.
The foundation backs Kalamazoo-area arts and cultural institutions, health and behavioral health projects, and direct-service nonprofits. Recent examples include Kalamazoo Civic Theatre, Pine Rest Foundation, YWCA, Community Healing Centers, and Western Michigan University Foundation.
Yes. The grant list shows repeated support across multiple years for several organizations, including Kalamazoo Civic Theatre, YWCA, Western Michigan University Foundation, Community Healing Centers, and United Way of Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region.
Typical grant size is $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $11,000 at the median, and $25,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent awards also include larger six-figure grants for capital and season support.
All grants in the provided data go to recipients in Michigan. The main concentration is Kalamazoo, with additional awards in Grand Rapids and Portage.
Yes. The foundation funds individuals, and its profile also shows a local giving scope with 100% of grants going to recipients in Michigan.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KALAMAZOO CIVIC THEATRE | KALAMAZOO, MI | $150,000 | 2026 | KALAMAZOO CIVIC THEATRE FOR KALAMAZOO CIVIC THEATRES 97TH SEASON, INCLUDING THEATRICAL, EDUCATIONAL AND OUTREACH PROGRAMMING |
| YMCA OF GREATER KALAMAZOO | KALAMAZOO, MI | $150,000 | 2026 | YMCA OF GREATER KALAMAZOO FOR THIS IS Y. BUILDING HEALTHY FUTURES FOR ALL. |
| YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION | KALAMAZOO, MI | $100,000 | 2026 | YWCA KALAMAZOO FOR YWCA KALAMAZOO COMMUNITY IMPACT AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION |
| UNITED WAY OF SOUTH CENTRAL MICHIGAN | KALAMAZOO, MI | $65,000 | 2026 | UNITED WAY OF SOUTH CENTRAL MICHIGAN FOR 2025 ANNUAL CAMPAIGN |
| BRONSON HEALTH FOUNDATION | KALAMAZOO, MI | $50,000 | 2026 | BRONSON HEALTH FOUNDATION FOR PEDIATRIC SUBSPECIALTIES SPACE EXPANSION AT BRONSON METHODIST HOSPITAL |
| KALAMAZOO VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION | KALAMAZOO, MI | $50,000 | 2026 | FALL 2025 MULTI YEAR GRANT AGREEMENT # 2025-0916 AWARDED TO KALAMAZOO VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION FOR KALAMAZOO VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE TECHNICAL TRADES WING RENOVATION AND EXPANSION PAYMENT 1 OF 2 |
| FAMILY AND CHILDREN SERVICES | KALAMAZOO, MI | $50,000 | 2026 | FAMILY & CHILDREN SERVICES FOR FAMILY & CHILDREN SERVICES (F&CS) AUTISM ASSESSMENT & DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY HEALING CENTER | KALAMAZOO, MI | $50,000 | 2026 | INPATIENT SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENT PROGRAM |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF GREATER KALAMAZOO | KALAMAZOO, MI | $50,000 | 2026 | BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF GREATER KALAMAZOO FOR BOYS & GIRLS CLUB GENERAL OPERATING GRANT |
| MILESTONE SENIOR SERVICES | KALAMAZOO, MI | $50,000 | 2026 | HOME REPAIR & ACCESSIBILITY |
| KALAMAZOO COLLEGE | KALAMAZOO, MI | $45,000 | 2026 | FESTIVAL PLAYHOUSE 2025-26 SEASON: FORYOURENTERTAINMENT |
| MINISTRY WITH COMMUNITY OF KALAMAZOO | KALAMAZOO, MI | $40,000 | 2026 | MINISTRY WITH COMMUNITY, INC. FOR DROP-IN/MEALS PROGRAM |
| KALAMAZOO COLLEGE | KALAMAZOO, MI | $40,000 | 2026 | DOROTHY U. DALTON THEATRE LIGHTING PROJECT |
| HOUSING RESOURCES INC | KALAMAZOO, MI | $40,000 | 2026 | HOUSING RESOURCES, INC. FOR GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| YWCA KALAMAZOO | KALAMAZOO, MI | $35,000 | 2026 | YWCA KALAMAZOO FOR YWCA KALAMAZOO SURVIVOR SERVICES |
| COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS OF KALAMAZOO | LANSING, MI | $35,000 | 2026 | INTEGRATED STUDENT SUPPORTS |
| OPEN DOORS KALAMAZOO | KALAMAZOO, MI | $35,000 | 2026 | OPEN DOORS KALAMAZOO FOR OPERATING SUPPORT |
| KALAMAZOO LOAVES & FISHES | KALAMAZOO, MI | $35,000 | 2026 | GROCERY PANTRY PROGRAM |
| KALAMAZOO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | KALAMAZOO, MI | $25,000 | 2026 | KALAMAZOO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA FOR KSO ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE PROGRAM |
| KAIROS DWELLING | KALAMAZOO, MI | $25,000 | 2026 | KAIROS DWELLING FOR 2026 OPERATIONAL EXPENSES |
| WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | KALAMAZOO, MI | $25,000 | 2026 | WMU IRVING S. GILMORE SCHOOL OF MUSIC SOUND MIXING CONSOLE AT THE WESTERN SOUND STUDIO |
| KALAMAZOO INSTITUTE OF ARTS | KALAMAZOO, MI | $25,000 | 2026 | KALAMAZOO INSTITUTE OF ARTS FOR KALAMAZOO INSTITUTE OF ARTS GENERAL OPERATIONS FY2026 |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF MICHIGAN | KALAMAZOO, MI | $25,000 | 2026 | PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF MICHIGAN FOR THE PATIENT CARE FUND |
| KALAMAZOO VALLEY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | KALAMAZOO, MI | $25,000 | 2026 | KALAMAZOO VALLEY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, INC. FOR COMMUNITY HOUSING IMPACT |
| GILMORE CAR MUSEUM | HICKORY CORNERS, MI | $25,000 | 2026 | FALL 2025 MULTI YEAR GRANT AGREEMENT # 2025-0908 AWARDED TO GILMORE CAR MUSEUM FOR GILMORE CAR MUSEUM EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT CENTER PAYMENT 1 OF 2 |
| CHEFF THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER | AUGUSTA, MI | $25,000 | 2026 | CHEFF THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER FOR GENERAL OPERATING |
| KALAMAZOO AVIATION HISTORY MUSEUM | PORTAGE, MI | $20,000 | 2026 | KALAMAZOO AVIATION HISTORY MUSEUM DBA AIR ZOO FOR THE SCIENCE INSPIRATION SCHOLARSHIP FUND |
| HOSPITAL HOSPITALITY HOUSE | KALAMAZOO, MI | $20,000 | 2026 | HOSPITAL HOSPITALITY HOUSE OF SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN, INC FOR OPERATIONAL SUPPORT FOR HOSPITAL HOSPITALITY HOUSE |
| HOSPICE CARE OF SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN | KALAMAZOO, MI | $20,000 | 2026 | CENTRICA YOUTH-FOCUSED GRIEF SUPPORT PROGRAMS |
| CAN-DO KALAMAZOO | KALAMAZOO, MI | $20,000 | 2026 | ACCESSIBLE PROGRAMS = SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEURS! |
| KC READY 4S | KALAMAZOO, MI | $20,000 | 2026 | KALAMAZOO COUNTY READY 4S FOR KC READY 4S 2025-2026 HIGH QUALITY SUPPORT |
| GILMORE KEYBOARD FESTIVAL | KALAMAZOO, MI | $20,000 | 2026 | IRVING S. GILMORE INTERNATIONAL KEYBOARD FESTIVAL FOR FY26 GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT FOR THE GILMORE |
| HISPANIC AMERICAN COUNCIL INC | KALAMAZOO, MI | $20,000 | 2026 | MENTE SANA, COMUNIDAD PROSPERA (HEALTHY MIND, THRIVING COMMUNITY) |
| ARTS COUNCIL OF GREATER KALAMAZOO | KALAMAZOO, MI | $15,000 | 2026 | ARTS COUNCIL OF GREATER KALAMAZOO FOR 2025-26 PROGRAMMING SUPPORT OF ARTS COUNCIL |
| WEST MICHIGAN CANCER CENTER | KALAMAZOO, MI | $15,000 | 2026 | WEST MICHIGAN CANCER CENTER & INSTITUTE FOR BLOOD DISORDERS FOR PATIENT CARE SERVICES & SURVIVORSHIP PROGRAM (PCSP) |
| PORTAGE COMMUNITY CENTER | KALAMAZOO, MI | $15,000 | 2026 | PORTAGE COMMUNITY CENTER FOR GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS | KALAMAZOO, MI | $15,000 | 2026 | ONE TO ONE MENTORING |
| READ AND WRITE KALAMAZOO | KALAMAZOO, MI | $15,000 | 2026 | 2025-2026 FY OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| KALAMAZOO PUBLIC LIBRARY | KALAMAZOO, MI | $15,000 | 2026 | KALAMAZOO PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR ONEPLACE@KPL |
| AACORN FARM INC | KALAMAZOO, MI | $15,000 | 2026 | AACORN, INC FOR AACORN SKILL BUILDING PROGRAM ESSENTIAL OPERATIONS |
| EDISON NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION | KALAMAZOO, MI | $15,000 | 2026 | EDISON NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION FOR THE EDISON NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS PROGRAMS, PROJECTS, AND SERVICES |
| BLACK ARTS & CULTURAL CENTER | KALAMAZOO, MI | $13,000 | 2026 | BLACK ARTS & CULTURAL CENTER FOR WINTER/40TH YEAR CELEBRATION SUPPORT |
| BLACK ARTS AND CULTURAL CENTER | KALAMAZOO, MI | $13,000 | 2026 | FALL PROGRAMING AND BLACK ARTS FESTIVAL |
| FIRST DAY SHOE FUND | KALAMAZOO, MI | $12,500 | 2026 | 2025 SHOE DISTRIBUTION |
| SLD READ | PORTAGE, MI | $12,000 | 2026 | TUTORING & INTERVENTION SERVICES - KALAMAZOO COUNTY |
| NEW YEAR'S FEST OF KALAMAZOO INC | KALAMAZOO, MI | $11,000 | 2026 | NEW YEARS FEST OF KALAMAZOO, INC. FOR NEW YEARS FEST |
| THE ARC COMMUNITY ADVOCATES | KALAMAZOO, MI | $10,000 | 2026 | THE ARC COMMUNITY ADVOCATES FOR ADVOCACY FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES: GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| KALAMAZOO CULTURAL CENTER | KALAMAZOO, MI | $10,000 | 2026 | KALAMAZOO CULTURAL CENTER FOR 2025 KCC OPERATIONAL REQUEST |
| GIRLS BUILD KALAMAZOO INC | KALAMAZOO, MI | $10,000 | 2026 | THE WOODWARD PROJECT: A GBK LEARNING LAB FOR COMMUNITY IMPACT |
| KALAMAZOO HOUSING ADVOCATES | KALAMAZOO, MI | $10,000 | 2026 | KALAMAZOO HOUSING ADVOCATES FOR HOUSING STABILITY |
KALAMAZOO CIVIC THEATRE
$150,000KALAMAZOO CIVIC THEATRE FOR KALAMAZOO CIVIC THEATRES 97TH SEASON, INCLUDING THEATRICAL, EDUCATIONAL AND OUTREACH PROGRAMMING
YMCA OF GREATER KALAMAZOO FOR THIS IS Y. BUILDING HEALTHY FUTURES FOR ALL.
YWCA KALAMAZOO FOR YWCA KALAMAZOO COMMUNITY IMPACT AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION
UNITED WAY OF SOUTH CENTRAL MICHIGAN FOR 2025 ANNUAL CAMPAIGN
BRONSON HEALTH FOUNDATION FOR PEDIATRIC SUBSPECIALTIES SPACE EXPANSION AT BRONSON METHODIST HOSPITAL
FALL 2025 MULTI YEAR GRANT AGREEMENT # 2025-0916 AWARDED TO KALAMAZOO VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION FOR KALAMAZOO VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE TECHNICAL TRADES WING RENOVATION AND EXPANSION PAYMENT 1 OF 2
FAMILY & CHILDREN SERVICES FOR FAMILY & CHILDREN SERVICES (F&CS) AUTISM ASSESSMENT & DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES SUPPORT
BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF GREATER KALAMAZOO FOR BOYS & GIRLS CLUB GENERAL OPERATING GRANT
MILESTONE SENIOR SERVICES
$50,000HOME REPAIR & ACCESSIBILITY
MINISTRY WITH COMMUNITY, INC. FOR DROP-IN/MEALS PROGRAM
KALAMAZOO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
$25,000KALAMAZOO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA FOR KSO ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE PROGRAM
KAIROS DWELLING
$25,000KAIROS DWELLING FOR 2026 OPERATIONAL EXPENSES
WMU IRVING S. GILMORE SCHOOL OF MUSIC SOUND MIXING CONSOLE AT THE WESTERN SOUND STUDIO
KALAMAZOO INSTITUTE OF ARTS FOR KALAMAZOO INSTITUTE OF ARTS GENERAL OPERATIONS FY2026
PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF MICHIGAN FOR THE PATIENT CARE FUND
KALAMAZOO VALLEY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
$25,000KALAMAZOO VALLEY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, INC. FOR COMMUNITY HOUSING IMPACT
GILMORE CAR MUSEUM
$25,000FALL 2025 MULTI YEAR GRANT AGREEMENT # 2025-0908 AWARDED TO GILMORE CAR MUSEUM FOR GILMORE CAR MUSEUM EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT CENTER PAYMENT 1 OF 2
CHEFF THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER FOR GENERAL OPERATING
KALAMAZOO AVIATION HISTORY MUSEUM
$20,000KALAMAZOO AVIATION HISTORY MUSEUM DBA AIR ZOO FOR THE SCIENCE INSPIRATION SCHOLARSHIP FUND
HOSPITAL HOSPITALITY HOUSE
$20,000HOSPITAL HOSPITALITY HOUSE OF SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN, INC FOR OPERATIONAL SUPPORT FOR HOSPITAL HOSPITALITY HOUSE
CENTRICA YOUTH-FOCUSED GRIEF SUPPORT PROGRAMS
CAN-DO KALAMAZOO
$20,000ACCESSIBLE PROGRAMS = SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEURS!
KC READY 4S
$20,000KALAMAZOO COUNTY READY 4S FOR KC READY 4S 2025-2026 HIGH QUALITY SUPPORT
GILMORE KEYBOARD FESTIVAL
$20,000IRVING S. GILMORE INTERNATIONAL KEYBOARD FESTIVAL FOR FY26 GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT FOR THE GILMORE
MENTE SANA, COMUNIDAD PROSPERA (HEALTHY MIND, THRIVING COMMUNITY)
ARTS COUNCIL OF GREATER KALAMAZOO FOR 2025-26 PROGRAMMING SUPPORT OF ARTS COUNCIL
WEST MICHIGAN CANCER CENTER & INSTITUTE FOR BLOOD DISORDERS FOR PATIENT CARE SERVICES & SURVIVORSHIP PROGRAM (PCSP)
PORTAGE COMMUNITY CENTER
$15,000PORTAGE COMMUNITY CENTER FOR GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
READ AND WRITE KALAMAZOO
$15,0002025-2026 FY OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
KALAMAZOO PUBLIC LIBRARY
$15,000KALAMAZOO PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR ONEPLACE@KPL
AACORN, INC FOR AACORN SKILL BUILDING PROGRAM ESSENTIAL OPERATIONS
EDISON NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION FOR THE EDISON NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS PROGRAMS, PROJECTS, AND SERVICES
BLACK ARTS & CULTURAL CENTER
$13,000BLACK ARTS & CULTURAL CENTER FOR WINTER/40TH YEAR CELEBRATION SUPPORT
BLACK ARTS AND CULTURAL CENTER
$13,000FALL PROGRAMING AND BLACK ARTS FESTIVAL
SLD READ
$12,000TUTORING & INTERVENTION SERVICES - KALAMAZOO COUNTY
NEW YEAR'S FEST OF KALAMAZOO INC
$11,000NEW YEARS FEST OF KALAMAZOO, INC. FOR NEW YEARS FEST
THE ARC COMMUNITY ADVOCATES
$10,000THE ARC COMMUNITY ADVOCATES FOR ADVOCACY FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES: GENERAL OPERATIONS
KALAMAZOO CULTURAL CENTER FOR 2025 KCC OPERATIONAL REQUEST
GIRLS BUILD KALAMAZOO INC
$10,000THE WOODWARD PROJECT: A GBK LEARNING LAB FOR COMMUNITY IMPACT
KALAMAZOO HOUSING ADVOCATES
$10,000KALAMAZOO HOUSING ADVOCATES FOR HOUSING STABILITY