Founded in 1970, the Ecology Center serves one purpose: protecting healthy people and a healthy planet. We believe that the central question of our time is how human beings are going to thrive in the world without destroying the earth's ability to sustain us.
Ecology Center’s recent grantmaking is organized around clean air, toxics reduction, zero waste, and Great Lakes environmental health. The largest grants in the record go to Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition for the Clean Air Council, including $60,333 in 2023, $55,000 in 2024, and $60,000 in 2025. That repeated support points to a funder that stays with projects over multiple years rather than making isolated awards. The foundation also backs regional policy and advocacy networks. Michigan League of Conservation Voters Ed Fund received $45,000 in 2025 and $30,000 in 2024 for the Great Lakes PFAS Action Network, while National Wildlife Federation received $35,000 in 2025 and $30,000 in 2024 for the same effort. Alongside those network grants, Ecology Center funds local groups working on community-based air monitoring, lead poisoning prevention, clean fuels, and zero waste initiatives. The recipient list is concentrated in Great Lakes communities, with many grants supporting organizations in Detroit, Lansing, Grand Rapids, and other Michigan cities, plus partners in Ohio, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, New York, and Virginia.
In environmental health and toxics work, Ecology Center supported the Great Lakes PFAS Action Network with $45,000 to Michigan League of Conservation Voters Ed Fund in 2025 and $35,000 to National Wildlife Federation in 2025. The same network also received $30,000 from each organization in 2024, showing a sustained emphasis on PFAS response. Lead poisoning prevention is another clear thread. Clean Water Fund of Minnesota received $30,000 in 2023 to reduce lead poisoning in the Great Lakes region, and Ohio Healthy Homes Network received $25,000 in 2024 for the same purpose. Zero waste initiatives appear in multiple grants, including $55,000 to West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum in 2024 and $50,000 to Sierra Club Michigan in 2025. Ecology Center also funded clean air work through $21,000 to Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision for a community-based air monitoring project in 2025.
Typical grant sizes cluster in the low tens of thousands, with p25 at $10,000, a median of $22,500, and p75 at $28,125. The recent record also includes several larger multi-year awards, especially in the $45,000 to $60,333 range, suggesting a mix of core project support and smaller local awards. Recipients often appear across multiple years: Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition, Michigan League of Conservation Voters Ed Fund, National Wildlife Federation, The Green Door Initiative, and Progress Michigan all received repeat grants. Ecology Center’s profile identifies collaborative partnerships, network support, project-specific grants, and capacity building, and the foundation does not fund individuals. The grant record shown is entirely U.S.-based.
$434K
$4.5M
$2.9M
$3M
Most grants fall between $10K and $28K, with a median of $23K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$23K
75th Percentile
$28K
MICHAEL GARFIELD
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Grantmaking is regional and heavily centered in Michigan, with 62% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Detroit appears repeatedly through Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition, Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision, The Green Door Initiative, and other local partners, while Lansing and Grand Rapids also show up often. Outside Michigan, the foundation gives in Ohio, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, New York, and Virginia. The recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S., with 49 grants to U.S. organizations.
The foundation funds climate and energy, environmental health and toxics, recycling and zero waste, community science and monitoring, environmental education, and sustainable procurement. In the topic taxonomy, its work also includes zero waste initiatives, PFAS contamination mitigation in the Great Lakes, lead poisoning prevention, community-based air monitoring, transition to clean fuels, and clean water protection.
The typical grant size centers in the low tens of thousands: p25 is $10,000, the median is $22,500, and p75 is $28,125. The recent record also includes several awards above $50,000, including multiple grants in the $55,000 to $60,333 range.
Yes. Several recipients appear across multiple years in the recent grants list, including Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition, Michigan League of Conservation Voters Ed Fund, National Wildlife Federation, The Green Door Initiative, and Progress Michigan. That pattern suggests recurring support for some partners rather than only one-time awards.
The top state by grant count is Ohio, while 62% of grants go to recipients in Michigan, the foundation’s HQ state. Recent recipient cities include Detroit, Lansing, Grand Rapids, Columbus, Minneapolis, Pittsburgh, and Reston.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Ecology Center that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Schools affiliated with the Washtenaw County Schools Recycling Program are eligible for ongoing free recycling education. The program is available to participating schools in Washtenaw County.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MICHIGAN ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE COALITION | DETROIT, MI | $60,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT CLEAN AIR COUNCIL |
| SIERRA CLUB MICHIGAN | LANSING, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT ZERO WASTE INITIATIVES |
| MICHIGAN LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS ED FUND | ANN ARBOR, MI | $45,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT GREAT LAKES PFAS ACTION NETWORK |
| NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION | RESTON, VA | $35,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT GREAT LAKES PFAS ACTION NETWORK |
| LEARNING DISABILITIES ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA | ALLISON PARK, PA | $25,000 | 2025 | REDUCE LEAD POISONING IN THE GREAT LAKES REGION |
| SOUTHWEST DETROIT ENVIRONMENTAL VISION | DETROIT, MI | $21,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY-BASED AIR MONITORING PROJECT |
| TRANSPORTATION RIDERS UNITED | DETROIT, MI | $20,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT TRANSITION TO CLEAN FUELS |
| SOUTHWEST DETROIT COMMUNITY BENEFITS COALITION | DETROIT, MI | $17,500 | 2025 | SUPPORT CLEAN AIR COUNCIL |
| GREAT LAKES ENVIRONMENTAL LAW CENTER | DETROIT, MI | $15,000 | 2025 | COLLABORATIVE CLEAN AIR PROJECT |
| ENGAGE MICHIGAN | LANSING, MI | $15,000 | 2025 | COLLABORATIVE CLEAN AIR PROJECT |
| PROGRESS MICHIGAN | LANSING, MI | $15,000 | 2025 | COLLABORATIVE CLEAN AIR PROJECT |
| THE GREEN DOOR INITIATIVE | DETROIT, MI | $12,000 | 2025 | COLLABORATIVE CLEAN AIR PROJECT |
| ELEVATE ENERGY | CHICAGO, IL | $8,000 | 2025 | REDUCE LEAD POISONING IN THE GREAT LAKES REGION |
| WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR URBAN STUDIES | DETROIT, MI | $8,000 | 2025 | REDUCE LEAD POISONING IN THE GREAT LAKES REGION |
| BLACK ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERS ASSOCIATION | SOLON, OH | $8,000 | 2025 | REDUCE LEAD POISONING IN THE GREAT LAKES REGION |
| CLEARCORPS DETROIT | DETROIT, MI | $8,000 | 2025 | REDUCE LEAD POISONING IN THE GREAT LAKES REGION |
| OHIO HEALTHY HOMES NETWORK | COLUMBUS, OH | $8,000 | 2025 | REDUCE LEAD POISONING IN THE GREAT LAKES REGION |
| CLEAN AND HEALTHY NEW YORK | ALBANY, NY | $8,000 | 2025 | REDUCE LEAD POISONING IN THE GREAT LAKES REGION |
| CLEAN WATER ACTION MINNESOTA | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $8,000 | 2025 | REDUCE LEAD POISONING IN THE GREAT LAKES REGION |
| COALITION ON LEAD EMERGENCY | MILWAUKEE, WI | $8,000 | 2025 | REDUCE LEAD POISONING IN THE GREAT LAKES REGION |
| GRANDVILLE AVE PARENTS FOR HEALTHY HOMES | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $8,000 | 2025 | REDUCE LEAD POISONING IN THE GREAT LAKES REGION |
| WOMEN FOR A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT | PITTSBURGH, PA | $8,000 | 2025 | REDUCE LEAD POISONING IN THE GREAT LAKES REGION |
| HEALTHY HOMES COALITION OF WEST MICHIGAN | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $8,000 | 2025 | REDUCE LEAD POISONING IN THE GREAT LAKES REGION |
| EASTSIDE COMMUNITY NETWORK | DETROIT, MI | $7,500 | 2025 | COLLABORATIVE CLEAN AIR PROJECT |
| COMMUNITIES POWER | DETROIT, MI | $7,500 | 2025 | COMMUNITY-BASED AIR MONITORING PROJECT |
| WEST MICHIGAN SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS FORUM | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $55,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT ZERO WASTE INITIATIVES |
| MICHIGAN ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE COALITION | DETROIT, MI | $55,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT CLEAN AIR COUNCIL |
| MICHIGAN LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS ED FUND | ANN ARBOR, MI | $30,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT GREAT LAKES PFAS ACTION NETWORK |
| NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION | RESTON, VA | $30,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT GREAT LAKES PFAS ACTION NETWORK |
| SIERRA CLUB MICHIGAN | LANSING, MI | $27,500 | 2024 | SUPPORT ZERO WASTE INITIATIVES |
| CLEAN AND HEALTHY NEW YORK | COLUMBUS, OH | $25,000 | 2024 | REDUCE LEAD POISONING IN THE GREAT LAKES REGION |
| OHIO HEALTHY HOMES NETWORK | COLUMBUS, OH | $25,000 | 2024 | REDUCE LEAD POISONING IN THE GREAT LAKES REGION |
| CENTER FOR URBAN STUDIES | DETROIT, MI | $20,000 | 2024 | REDUCE LEAD POISONING IN THE GREAT LAKES REGION |
| PROGRESS MICHIGAN | LANSING, MI | $20,000 | 2024 | COLLABORATIVE CLEAN AIR PROJECT |
| GREAT PLAINS INSTITUTE | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $16,500 | 2024 | SUPPORT TRANSITION TO CLEAN FUELS |
| THE GREEN DOOR INITIATIVE | DETROIT, MI | $14,000 | 2024 | COMMUNITY-BASED AIR MONITORING PROJECT |
| LEAD SAFE CLEVELAND COALITION | CLEVELAND, OH | $10,000 | 2024 | REDUCE LEAD POISONING IN THE GREAT LAKES REGION |
| CLEAN FUELS MICHIGAN | LANSING, MI | $9,500 | 2024 | SUPPORT TRANSITION TO CLEAN FUELS |
| Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition | Detroit, MI | $60,333 | 2023 | Support Clean Air Council |
| Clean Water Fund of Minnesota | Minneapolis, MN | $30,000 | 2023 | Reduce lead poisoning in the great lakes region |
| Michigan League of Conservation Voters Education Fund | Ann Arbor, MI | $26,621 | 2023 | Support Great Lakes PFAS Action Network |
| LDA of America | Allison Park, PA | $25,000 | 2023 | Reduce lead poisoning in the great lakes region |
| Women for a Healthy Environment | Pittsburgh, PA | $25,000 | 2023 | Reduce lead poisoning in the great lakes region |
| The Green Door Initiative | Detroit, MI | $15,333 | 2023 | Community-based air monitoring project |
| Progress Michigan | Lansing, MI | $10,000 | 2023 | Collaborative clean air project |
| Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan | Grand Rapids, MI | $10,000 | 2023 | Reduce lead poisoning in the great lakes region |
| National Wildlife Foundation | Reston, VA | $8,000 | 2023 | Support Great Lakes PFAS Action Network |
| Oscoda Citizens for Clean Water | Oscoda, MI | $5,400 | 2023 | Collaborative clean water project |
| Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision | Detroit, MI | $5,333 | 2023 | Collaborative clean air project |
SUPPORT GREAT LAKES PFAS ACTION NETWORK
LEARNING DISABILITIES ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
$25,000REDUCE LEAD POISONING IN THE GREAT LAKES REGION
SOUTHWEST DETROIT ENVIRONMENTAL VISION
$21,000COMMUNITY-BASED AIR MONITORING PROJECT
TRANSPORTATION RIDERS UNITED
$20,000SUPPORT TRANSITION TO CLEAN FUELS
SOUTHWEST DETROIT COMMUNITY BENEFITS COALITION
$17,500SUPPORT CLEAN AIR COUNCIL
WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR URBAN STUDIES
$8,000REDUCE LEAD POISONING IN THE GREAT LAKES REGION
REDUCE LEAD POISONING IN THE GREAT LAKES REGION
OHIO HEALTHY HOMES NETWORK
$8,000REDUCE LEAD POISONING IN THE GREAT LAKES REGION
REDUCE LEAD POISONING IN THE GREAT LAKES REGION
REDUCE LEAD POISONING IN THE GREAT LAKES REGION
REDUCE LEAD POISONING IN THE GREAT LAKES REGION
HEALTHY HOMES COALITION OF WEST MICHIGAN
$8,000REDUCE LEAD POISONING IN THE GREAT LAKES REGION
COMMUNITIES POWER
$7,500COMMUNITY-BASED AIR MONITORING PROJECT
SUPPORT GREAT LAKES PFAS ACTION NETWORK
SIERRA CLUB MICHIGAN
$27,500SUPPORT ZERO WASTE INITIATIVES
OHIO HEALTHY HOMES NETWORK
$25,000REDUCE LEAD POISONING IN THE GREAT LAKES REGION
CENTER FOR URBAN STUDIES
$20,000REDUCE LEAD POISONING IN THE GREAT LAKES REGION
REDUCE LEAD POISONING IN THE GREAT LAKES REGION
CLEAN FUELS MICHIGAN
$9,500SUPPORT TRANSITION TO CLEAN FUELS
Reduce lead poisoning in the great lakes region
Support Great Lakes PFAS Action Network
LDA of America
$25,000Reduce lead poisoning in the great lakes region
Reduce lead poisoning in the great lakes region
Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan
$10,000Reduce lead poisoning in the great lakes region
Oscoda Citizens for Clean Water
$5,400Collaborative clean water project
Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision
$5,333Collaborative clean air project
