We connect people and resources to causes that strengthen and build our community. For Jackson. For good. Forever.
Jackson Community Foundation’s largest recent grants show a strong emphasis on robotics and youth pathways in Jackson County. From 2023 through 2025, it gave repeated six-figure support to First in Michigan for robotics, including $500,000 in 2025 and 2024, and $450,953 in 2023. The same pattern appears with The Shop Rat Foundation Inc., which received $158,391 in 2024 and $150,000 in 2025 for robotics, after a $135,000 grant in 2023. Those awards sit alongside local support for community institutions and services, showing a funder that mixes large designated gifts with project-based community investment. The foundation also awards scholarships and other grants tied to Jackson County residents, reflecting a place-based approach rather than a broad national strategy. Its grantmaking includes support for education, health, housing, arts, and community development, but the clearest recent thread is sustained backing for STEM and technical learning. The breadth of recipients ranges from schools and colleges to local nonprofit organizations and county-level entities, with most grants staying within Michigan and especially Jackson County.
In STEM and robotics education, Jackson Community Foundation has backed multiple organizations at substantial levels. First in Michigan received $500,000 in 2025 and 2024, while The Shop Rat Foundation Inc. received $158,391 in 2024 and $150,000 in 2025 for robotics-related work. The foundation also supports education and scholarships through its competitive scholarship programs and separate scholarship funds. Jackson College received $42,000 in 2023 and $31,500 in 2024 for scholarships, and the University of Michigan Office of Financial Aid received $28,500 in 2023 for scholarships. Community health and housing are also present in recent giving: Jackson Interfaith Shelter received $32,268 in 2023 for housing, and Center for Family Health received designated grants in 2024 and 2025. Arts and culture appear as well, including a $50,000 grant to the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Jackson County in 2023.
Typical grants cluster around the mid-five-figure range, with a p25 of $10,000, a median of $15,476, and a p75 of $25,242. The distribution is wider because the foundation also makes large designated and programmatic awards, including several six-figure grants. Grant records show repeated support for the same organizations across multiple years, especially in robotics, scholarships, and health-related designations. The foundation uses a mix of program grants, community needs funding, youth-advisory grants, disaster response, scholarships, and competitive operating support. Several active programs accept unsolicited applications, while youth-advisory grants are administered through the Youth Advisory Committee.
$1.9M
$64.3M
$8.7M
$3.6M
Most grants fall between $10K and $25K, with a median of $15K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$15K
75th Percentile
$25K
Monica Moser
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Grant activity is overwhelmingly local: 95% of grants go to recipients in Michigan, and all recipient-country records are in the US. Jackson is the main recipient city, with grants also landing in West Bloomfield, Manchester, Ann Arbor, Flint, Glenview, Horton, and Jackson County institutions. The recent record includes countywide and Jackson-based recipients such as Jackson County Parks, Jackson College, and Jackson Interfaith Shelter, showing a strong concentration in the foundation’s service area. Awards outside Jackson are still in Michigan-focused education and robotics work.
Its recent giving centers on robotics and STEM education, scholarships, community health, housing, arts, and local community development. The active program list also includes youth services, disaster response, nonprofit capacity, equity and inclusion, and systems change in Jackson County.
The typical grant size sits at a p25 of $10,000, a median of $15,476, and a p75 of $25,242. The foundation also makes smaller community-building grants and larger designated or program grants that can reach six figures.
Yes for several programs. The Program Grant (Community Impact), Community Impact — Program & Operational Support Grants, Systems Change Grant, Community-Building Grants, and the youth and scholarship programs all accept unsolicited applications. The Youth Impact Grant (YAC) is not unsolicited.
Grantmaking is concentrated in Michigan, with 95% of grants going to recipients in the state. The recent recipient list is heavily Jackson-centered, with additional Michigan locations including West Bloomfield, Manchester, Ann Arbor, Flint, and Horton.
Yes. It runs JCF Competitive Scholarships for students and returning learners, a Myer and Lois Franklin Scholarship, and the James L. & Mary L. Geisman Future Leadership Scholarship (Trades). Recent scholarship awards also went to Jackson College and the University of Michigan Office of Financial Aid.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from Jackson Community Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: K-12 students submit grants for classroom projects; funds must benefit youth, encourage volunteerism, or enhance the school environment.
Deadline: Applications accepted October 2026 through March 2027
Who can apply: Nonprofits serving Jackson County. Maximum request depends on organization's annual budget: under $150k up to $10,000; $150k–$500k up to $15,000; over $500k up to $20,000.
Deadline: Two annual rounds; examples: Round 1: opens mid-February, deadline March 3; Round 2: opens mid-July, deadline September 8 (annual cycle).
Who can apply: Supports youth up to age 18 in Jackson County through sports organized by schools, youth leagues, or local nonprofits, especially youth who cannot otherwise afford participation.
Deadline: Until all funds are spent.
Who can apply: Applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, school districts, churches, or units of government impacting youth mental health in Jackson County, Michigan.
Deadline: Next grant round: December 2026.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIRST in Michigan | West Bloomfield, MI | $500,000 | 2026 | robotics grant |
| Dahlem Conservancy | Jackson, MI | $221,241 | 2026 | designated |
| The Shop Rat Foundation Inc | Jackson, MI | $150,000 | 2026 | robotics grant |
| 228 Michigan Ave LLC | Jackson, MI | $105,110 | 2026 | redevelopment |
| FIRST | Manchester, NH | $100,000 | 2026 | robotics grant |
| College and Career Access Center | Jackson, MI | $80,000 | 2026 | robotics grant |
| Center for Family Health Inc | Jackson, MI | $36,687 | 2026 | designated |
| Jackson Interfaith Shelter | Jackson, MI | $36,334 | 2026 | family shelter, designated |
| Hanover-Horton School District | Horton, MI | $35,377 | 2026 | student services |
| South Michigan Food Bank | Battle Creek, MI | $34,297 | 2026 | food bank, donor advised |
| Jackson Community Foundation | Jackson, MI | $31,856 | 2026 | operations |
| MyPlace Inc | Jackson, MI | $31,341 | 2026 | operational support, donor advised |
| St Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church | Jackson, MI | $26,002 | 2026 | designated |
| Accelerate Jackson County | Jackson, MI | $25,000 | 2026 | membership |
| Hope Kitchen | Jackson, MI | $25,000 | 2026 | donor advised |
| Jackson County Parks Association | Jackson, MI | $24,170 | 2026 | designated |
| Nonprofit Network | Jackson, MI | $20,860 | 2026 | agency fund grant |
| Temple Beth Israel | Jackson, MI | $20,000 | 2026 | church grant, donor advised |
| Shalom Center | Philadelphia, PA | $20,000 | 2026 | donor advised, family fund |
| AWARE Inc | Jackson, MI | $20,000 | 2026 | operational costs |
| Jackson YMCA | Jackson, MI | $20,000 | 2026 | operational support |
| Isaiah's Hub | Jackson, MI | $20,000 | 2026 | summer program |
| New Smiles New Beginnings Inc | Jackson, MI | $20,000 | 2026 | student services |
| Greater Jackson Habitat for Humanity | Jackson, MI | $20,000 | 2026 | operational support |
| Jackson Collaborative Network | Jackson, MI | $20,000 | 2026 | systems change grant |
| Grow Jackson | Jackson, MI | $19,426 | 2026 | program expansion |
| Queen of the Miraculous Medal School | Jackson, MI | $16,333 | 2026 | designated |
| St Vincent DePaul Society | Jackson, MI | $16,333 | 2026 | designated |
| Jackson Symphony Orchestra | Jackson, MI | $16,280 | 2026 | concerts, agency fund grant |
| Erik's Nonprofit | Jackson, MI | $15,000 | 2026 | robotics grant |
| Ella Sharp Museum | Jackson, MI | $11,924 | 2026 | agency fund grant |
| Michigan Center JrSr High School | Michigan Center, MI | $11,500 | 2026 | agency fund grant |
| Southeastern Dispute Resolution Services | Jackson, MI | $11,000 | 2026 | systems change grant |
| Center Stage Jackson | Jackson, MI | $10,000 | 2026 | operational support |
| Waterloo Area Historical Society | Grass Lake, MI | $10,000 | 2026 | operational support |
| St Paul's Episcopal Church | Jackson, MI | $10,000 | 2026 | donor advised |
| Jackson Pride Center | Jackson, MI | $10,000 | 2026 | operational support |
| Region 2 Planning Commission | Jackson, MI | $10,000 | 2026 | operational support |
| Cascades Humane Society | Jackson, MI | $10,000 | 2026 | donor advised |
| Vandercook Lake Public Schools | Jackson, MI | $9,525 | 2026 | drivers education |
| United Way of South Central Michigan | Jackson, MI | $9,172 | 2026 | designated |
| Legal Services of South Central Michigan | Jackson, MI | $7,500 | 2026 | operational support |
| Grass Lake Area Historical Society | Grass Lake, MI | $7,226 | 2026 | preservation |
| Partial to Girls | Jackson, MI | $6,000 | 2026 | donor advised |
| Welcome Home Organization | Jackson, MI | $6,000 | 2026 | donor advised |
| Birth Brite | Jackson, MI | $6,000 | 2026 | foster care |
| FIRST in Michigan | West Bloomfield, MI | $500,000 | 2025 | robotics grant |
| Dahlem Conservancy | Jackson, MI | $217,829 | 2025 | designated |
| The Shop Rat Foundation Inc | Jackson, MI | $150,000 | 2025 | robotics grant |
| FIRST | Manchester, NH | $100,000 | 2025 | robotics grant |
FIRST in Michigan
$500,000robotics grant
Dahlem Conservancy
$221,241designated
The Shop Rat Foundation Inc
$150,000robotics grant
228 Michigan Ave LLC
$105,110redevelopment
College and Career Access Center
$80,000robotics grant
Center for Family Health Inc
$36,687designated
Jackson Interfaith Shelter
$36,334family shelter, designated
Hanover-Horton School District
$35,377student services
Jackson Community Foundation
$31,856operations
MyPlace Inc
$31,341operational support, donor advised
St Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church
$26,002designated
Accelerate Jackson County
$25,000membership
Hope Kitchen
$25,000donor advised
Jackson County Parks Association
$24,170designated
Temple Beth Israel
$20,000church grant, donor advised
Shalom Center
$20,000donor advised, family fund
AWARE Inc
$20,000operational costs
Isaiah's Hub
$20,000summer program
New Smiles New Beginnings Inc
$20,000student services
Greater Jackson Habitat for Humanity
$20,000operational support
Jackson Collaborative Network
$20,000systems change grant
Grow Jackson
$19,426program expansion
Queen of the Miraculous Medal School
$16,333designated
St Vincent DePaul Society
$16,333designated
Jackson Symphony Orchestra
$16,280concerts, agency fund grant
Erik's Nonprofit
$15,000robotics grant
Ella Sharp Museum
$11,924agency fund grant
Michigan Center JrSr High School
$11,500agency fund grant
Southeastern Dispute Resolution Services
$11,000systems change grant
Center Stage Jackson
$10,000operational support
Waterloo Area Historical Society
$10,000operational support
St Paul's Episcopal Church
$10,000donor advised
Jackson Pride Center
$10,000operational support
Region 2 Planning Commission
$10,000operational support
Cascades Humane Society
$10,000donor advised
Vandercook Lake Public Schools
$9,525drivers education
Grass Lake Area Historical Society
$7,226preservation
Partial to Girls
$6,000donor advised
Welcome Home Organization
$6,000donor advised
Birth Brite
$6,000foster care
FIRST in Michigan
$500,000robotics grant
Dahlem Conservancy
$217,829designated
The Shop Rat Foundation Inc
$150,000robotics grant
