Grabe Family Foundation

About Grabe Family Foundation

Grabe Family Foundation Inc puts unusual weight on independent K–12 schools, especially annual funds and campaign gifts, while also backing animal welfare, breast care, and place-based public projects. Its largest recent grant in the dataset was $100,000 to Brimmer & May School for the Building Our Tomorrow Campaign, a signal that the foundation will make larger commitments when a school project aligns with its priorities. Other recent school support includes $25,000 to Landmark School Inc for the Landmark Fund and $25,000 to New Canaan Country School Inc for its Annual Fund. The foundation also extends support beyond education: $55,000 went to Detroit Zoological Society for general and unrestricted use, and $25,000 to Bridgeport Hospital Foundation Inc for the Norma Prfiem Breast Care Center. That mix suggests a donor advised, institutional style of giving that favors schools, zoological institutions, and targeted community projects over individual or grassroots awards. Across the recent grants list, the same patterns recur in annual fund support, unrestricted gifts, and event-linked contributions, with occasional capital or campaign funding when the project is defined and place-based.

What Grabe Family Foundation Funds

Independent schools form the clearest thread in the foundation’s giving. It awarded $25,000 to New Canaan Country School Inc for its Annual Fund and another $25,000 to the same school for a charitable event, showing support for both core operations and fundraising activity. In the same pattern, Brimmer & May School received $25,000 for its Annual Fund after a separate $100,000 campaign grant, indicating that the foundation backs both annual support and longer-horizon school projects. Animal-related grants are another visible area. Detroit Zoological Society received $55,000 for general and unrestricted use, while Hands Helping Paws in White Lake, Michigan, received multiple grants, including $17,500 and $10,000, both for general and unrestricted support. The foundation also funded Crossroads K9 Rescue Inc twice, at $12,000 and $6,500. Place-based public work appears in Boston and nearby communities. Esplanade Association Inc received $25,000 for the Charlesbank landing on the Esplanade, and Sasco Creek Neighbors Environmental Trust received $5,000 for general and unrestricted use.

How Grabe Family Foundation Gives