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.
$2.1M
$27.6M
$2.5M
$2.4M
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.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KALAMAZOO CIVIC THEATRE | KALAMAZOO, MI | $150,000 | 2025 | KALAMAZOO CIVIC THEATRES 96TH SEASON, INCLUDING THEATRICAL, EDUCATIONAL AND OUTREACH PROGRAMMING |
| YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION | KALAMAZOO, MI | $100,000 | 2025 | YWCA KALAMAZOO SEXUAL ASSAULT VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAM |
| MILESTONE SENIOR SERVICES | KALAMAZOO, MI | $100,000 | 2025 | NEW HOME/NEW HOPE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| PINE REST FOUNDATION | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $100,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL REQUEST FOR PINE REST KALAMAZOO CRISIS STABILIZATION UNIT |
| UNITED WAY OF SOUTH CENTRAL MICHIGAN | KALAMAZOO, MI | $63,732 | 2025 | 2024 WINTER GRANT FOR 2024 ANNUAL CAMPAIGN |
| COMMUNITY HEALING CENTERS | KALAMAZOO, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | INPATIENT SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENT & OUTPATIENT RECOVERY SERVICES, COMMUNITY HEALING CENTERS |
| BRONSON HEALTH FOUNDATION | KALAMAZOO, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | NEW KALAMAZOO URGENT CARE CENTER |
| SHERMAN LAKE YMCA OUTDOOR CENTER | AUGUSTA, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | 2024 WINTER GRANT APPROVED FOR SAFETY & SECURITY PROJECT |
| FAMILY AND CHILDREN SERVICES INC | KALAMAZOO, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | FAMILY & CHILDREN SERVICES CHILD WELFARE PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | KALAMAZOO, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | WMU COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS VIRTUAL IMAGING TECHNOLOGY LAB IN THE DOROTHY U. DALTON CENTER |
| GRYPHON PLACE | KALAMAZOO, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | 2024 WINTER GRANT APPROVED FOR COMMUNITY INFORMATION EXCHANGE (CIE) |
| KALAMAZOO COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | KALAMAZOO, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | RX KIDS KALAMAZOO |
| CHEFF THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER | AUGUSTA, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | 2024 WINTER GRANT FOR RAISE THE ROOF-UNBRIDLE POTENTIAL CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| YMCA OF GREATER KALAMAZOO | KALAMAZOO, MI | $48,893 | 2025 | 2024 WINTER GRANT FOR NORTHSIDE OUTREACH PROGRAM |
| KALAMAZOO COLLEGE | KALAMAZOO, MI | $45,000 | 2025 | FESTIVAL PLAYHOUSE 2024-25 SEASON: CREATURES, CURSES, AND COLLABORATION |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF GREATER KALAMAZOO | KALAMAZOO, MI | $45,000 | 2025 | BOYS & GIRLS CUBS GENERAL OPERATING GRANT |
| MINISTRY WITH COMMUNITY INC | KALAMAZOO, MI | $40,000 | 2025 | DROP-IN/MEALS PROGRAM |
| HOUSING RESOURCES INC | KALAMAZOO, MI | $40,000 | 2025 | OPERATIONS |
| KALAMAZOO LOAVES & FISHES | KALAMAZOO, MI | $35,000 | 2025 | GROCERY PANTRY PROGRAM |
| OPEN DOORS KALAMAZOO | KALAMAZOO, MI | $35,000 | 2025 | 2024 WINTER GRANT APPROVED FOR OPERATING SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS OF KALAMAZOO | LANSING, MI | $35,000 | 2025 | INTEGRATED STUDENT SUPPORTS |
| YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION | KALAMAZOO, MI | $30,000 | 2025 | YWCA KALAMAZOO VICTIM SERVICES PROGRAM |
| KALAMAZOO INSTITUTE OF ARTS | KALAMAZOO, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | 2024-2025 CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILY ARTS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING |
| CHEFF THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER | AUGUSTA, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | 2024 WINTER GRANT APPROVED FOR GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| KAIROS DWELLING | KALAMAZOO, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | 2024 WINTER GRANT FOR 2025 OPERATIONAL EXPENSES |
| ECUMENICAL SENIOR CENTER | KALAMAZOO, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | GRANT PAYMENT 3 OF 3 TOWARDS THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN BUILDING EXPANSION PROJECT |
| KALAMAZOO VALLEY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | KALAMAZOO, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP AND CRITICAL HOME REPAIRS |
| KALAMAZOO NONPROFIT ADVOCACY COALITION | KALAMAZOO, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | GRANT PAYMENT 3 OF 4 TOWARDS INSPIRE ACCESS TO ARTS & INNOVATION CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| PRETTY LAKE VACATION CAMP | MATTAWAN, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HISPANIC AMERICAN COUNCIL INC | KALAMAZOO, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | ACADEMIA AZTECA(AZTEC ACADEMY) |
| KALAMAZOO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA LEAGUE | KALAMAZOO, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | KALAMAZOO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRAS ARTIST IN RESIDENCE (AIR) PROGRAM |
| KALAMAZOO CULTURAL CENTER | KALAMAZOO, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | GRANT PAYMENT 3 OF 4 TOWARDS THE EPIC CENTER CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF MICHIGAN | KALAMAZOO, MI | $24,415 | 2025 | 2024 WINTER GRANT FOR PROTECTING EQUITABLE ACCESS TO SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE AND EDUCATION IN KALAMAZOO |
| KALAMAZOO AVIATION HISTORY MUSEUM | PORTAGE, MI | $24,415 | 2025 | 2024 WINTER GRANT FOR AIR ZOO 3.0 MASTER PLAN |
| CAN-DO KITCHEN | KALAMAZOO, MI | $20,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| ROOTEAD ENRICHMENT CENTER | KALAMAZOO, MI | $20,000 | 2025 | RED BIRTH GREEN-ROOTEAD DOULA COLLECTIVE |
| IRVING S GILMORE INTERNATIONAL KEYBOARD FESTIVAL RET PLAN | KALAMAZOO, MI | $20,000 | 2025 | THE 2024-2025 GILMORE SEASON |
| KALAMAZOO COUNTY READY 4S | KALAMAZOO, MI | $20,000 | 2025 | KCR4S 2024-25 HIGH QUALITY SUPPORT SERVICES |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS OF SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN | KALAMAZOO, MI | $20,000 | 2025 | FOR TORNADO RELIEF IN PORTAGE AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY |
| HOSPITAL HOSPITALITY HOUSE | KALAMAZOO, MI | $20,000 | 2025 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT FOR HOSPITAL HOSPITALITY HOUSE |
| HOSPICE CARE OF SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN | KALAMAZOO, MI | $20,000 | 2025 | CENTRICA YOUTH-FOCUSED GRIEF SUPPORT PROGRAMS |
| WEST MICHIGAN CANCER CENTER | KALAMAZOO, MI | $15,000 | 2025 | 2024 WINTER GRANT APPROVED FOR PATIENT SERVICES & SURVIVORSHIP PROGRAM |
| READ AND WRITE KALAMAZOO | KALAMAZOO, MI | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| KALAMAZOO CULTURAL CENTER | KALAMAZOO, MI | $15,000 | 2025 | 2024 KCC OPERATIONAL REQUEST |
| EDISON NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION | KALAMAZOO, MI | $15,000 | 2025 | 2024 WINTER GRANT APPROVED FOR PROGRAMS, PROJECTS, AND SERVICES |
| PORTAGE COMMUNITY OUTREACH CENTER | PORTAGE, MI | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ARTS COUNCIL OF GREATER KALAMAZOO | KALAMAZOO, MI | $15,000 | 2025 | 2024 WINTER GRANT FOR GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| AACORN FARM INC | KALAMAZOO, MI | $15,000 | 2025 | AACORN FARM SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS | KALAMAZOO, MI | $15,000 | 2025 | ONE TO ONE MENTORING |
| BLACK ARTS AND CULTURAL CENTER | KALAMAZOO, MI | $13,000 | 2025 | 2024 WINTER GRANT APPROVED FOR GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
KALAMAZOO CIVIC THEATRE
$150,000KALAMAZOO CIVIC THEATRES 96TH SEASON, INCLUDING THEATRICAL, EDUCATIONAL AND OUTREACH PROGRAMMING
YWCA KALAMAZOO SEXUAL ASSAULT VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAM
MILESTONE SENIOR SERVICES
$100,000NEW HOME/NEW HOPE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
CAPITAL REQUEST FOR PINE REST KALAMAZOO CRISIS STABILIZATION UNIT
UNITED WAY OF SOUTH CENTRAL MICHIGAN
$63,7322024 WINTER GRANT FOR 2024 ANNUAL CAMPAIGN
INPATIENT SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENT & OUTPATIENT RECOVERY SERVICES, COMMUNITY HEALING CENTERS
2024 WINTER GRANT APPROVED FOR SAFETY & SECURITY PROJECT
FAMILY & CHILDREN SERVICES CHILD WELFARE PROGRAM SUPPORT
WMU COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS VIRTUAL IMAGING TECHNOLOGY LAB IN THE DOROTHY U. DALTON CENTER
2024 WINTER GRANT APPROVED FOR COMMUNITY INFORMATION EXCHANGE (CIE)
2024 WINTER GRANT FOR RAISE THE ROOF-UNBRIDLE POTENTIAL CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
YMCA OF GREATER KALAMAZOO
$48,8932024 WINTER GRANT FOR NORTHSIDE OUTREACH PROGRAM
FESTIVAL PLAYHOUSE 2024-25 SEASON: CREATURES, CURSES, AND COLLABORATION
BOYS & GIRLS CUBS GENERAL OPERATING GRANT
COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS OF KALAMAZOO
$35,000INTEGRATED STUDENT SUPPORTS
2024-2025 CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILY ARTS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING
2024 WINTER GRANT APPROVED FOR GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
KAIROS DWELLING
$25,0002024 WINTER GRANT FOR 2025 OPERATIONAL EXPENSES
GRANT PAYMENT 3 OF 3 TOWARDS THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN BUILDING EXPANSION PROJECT
KALAMAZOO VALLEY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
$25,000AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP AND CRITICAL HOME REPAIRS
GRANT PAYMENT 3 OF 4 TOWARDS INSPIRE ACCESS TO ARTS & INNOVATION CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
KALAMAZOO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA LEAGUE
$25,000KALAMAZOO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRAS ARTIST IN RESIDENCE (AIR) PROGRAM
GRANT PAYMENT 3 OF 4 TOWARDS THE EPIC CENTER CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF MICHIGAN
$24,4152024 WINTER GRANT FOR PROTECTING EQUITABLE ACCESS TO SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE AND EDUCATION IN KALAMAZOO
KALAMAZOO AVIATION HISTORY MUSEUM
$24,4152024 WINTER GRANT FOR AIR ZOO 3.0 MASTER PLAN
CAN-DO KITCHEN
$20,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
IRVING S GILMORE INTERNATIONAL KEYBOARD FESTIVAL RET PLAN
$20,000THE 2024-2025 GILMORE SEASON
FOR TORNADO RELIEF IN PORTAGE AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY
HOSPITAL HOSPITALITY HOUSE
$20,000OPERATIONAL SUPPORT FOR HOSPITAL HOSPITALITY HOUSE
CENTRICA YOUTH-FOCUSED GRIEF SUPPORT PROGRAMS
2024 WINTER GRANT APPROVED FOR PATIENT SERVICES & SURVIVORSHIP PROGRAM
READ AND WRITE KALAMAZOO
$15,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
2024 WINTER GRANT APPROVED FOR PROGRAMS, PROJECTS, AND SERVICES
PORTAGE COMMUNITY OUTREACH CENTER
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
2024 WINTER GRANT FOR GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
BLACK ARTS AND CULTURAL CENTER
$13,0002024 WINTER GRANT APPROVED FOR GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT