The Marvin and Betty Danto Family Foundation concentrates large, unrestricted gifts on Jewish communal organizations, Israel-related humanitarian and medical relief, and select health and education institutions. They fund a mix of local Detroit-area Jewish infrastructure and major national/international Jewish relief agencies, while also supporting higher education and pediatric health programming. Grants are sizable and directed to a small number of repeat beneficiaries, indicating long-term relationships rather than one-off microgiving.
The Marvin and Betty Danto Family Foundation’s recent giving is defined by large unrestricted gifts to a small set of repeat recipients, especially Jewish communal organizations, Israel-related humanitarian agencies, and Detroit-area institutions. Among the clearest signals are repeated support to the University of Michigan, Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, and American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, each appearing across multiple years in the recent grants list. That pattern points to long-running institutional relationships rather than one-time awards. The foundation also backs organizations connected to Jewish life and emergency relief, including American Friends of Magen David Adom and Friends of the Israel Defense Forces. Alongside those priorities, it supports education, health, and cultural institutions such as Kids Kicking Cancer, Wayne State University, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and the Detroit Institute of Arts. Grant purposes in the data are consistently listed as unrestricted charitable gifts, which suggests flexible support for recipient operations and general needs. The result is a portfolio that mixes local Detroit-area philanthropy with national and Israel-linked Jewish causes, while keeping the number of beneficiaries relatively focused.
A core theme is support for Jewish communal infrastructure in Metro Detroit. The foundation gave $375,000 in 2023 and $375,000 in 2024 to Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, both as unrestricted charitable gifts. Israel-related humanitarian and medical relief is another visible priority. American Friends of Magen David Adom received $550,000 in 2023, $130,000 in 2024, and $350,000 in 2025, all listed as unrestricted charitable gifts. American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee also appears repeatedly, including $285,000 in 2023, $312,000 in 2024, and $395,000 in 2025. The foundation also supports children’s health and education. Kids Kicking Cancer received $280,000 in both 2023 and 2024, while Wayne State University received a $191,410 unrestricted gift in 2023.
Typical grant size centers on a $10,000 p25, $20,000 median, and $50,000 p75 profile, but the recent grants show many awards far above those thresholds. The list is dominated by unrestricted charitable gifts, which indicates flexible support rather than project-specific funding. The pattern also shows recurring relationships: multiple grantees appear in consecutive years, including University of Michigan, Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, Kids Kicking Cancer, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Institute of Arts, The Friendship Circle, and Hebrew Free Loan. The foundation is classified as a regular funder and does not fund individuals or make program-related investments.
$3M
$5.6M
$1.6M
$3.1M
Most grants fall between $10K and $50K, with a median of $20K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$20K
75th Percentile
$50K
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Concentrated, high-dollar unrestricted grants to a small set of repeat grantees — combination of local Jewish community organizations and large national/international Jewish or health institutions; few but large multi-grant commitments rather than many small awards.
Notable grantees: University of Michigan, Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, American Friends of Magen David Adom, Kids Kicking Cancer
Grantmaking is heavily concentrated in the United States, with 189 grants and 100.0% of listed recipient-country activity in the US. Michigan recipients appear frequently, including Ann Arbor, Bloomfield Hills, Southfield, Detroit, West Bloomfield, and Interlochen. Outside Michigan, New York City-area organizations also receive major support, with New York, NY serving as the location for several Israel-related grantees. The top state by grant count is California, even though the largest share of grants in the recent list goes to recipients in Michigan.
The foundation supports Jewish communal organizations, Israel-related humanitarian and medical relief groups, and select health, education, and cultural institutions. Recent grantees include Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, American Friends of Magen David Adom, Kids Kicking Cancer, University of Michigan, Wayne State University, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and Detroit Institute of Arts.
Yes. The recent grants list repeatedly labels awards as "unrestricted charitable gift," including gifts to University of Michigan, American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, and Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit. That suggests the foundation often funds general operations or broad organizational needs rather than narrow projects.
Yes. Several organizations appear in multiple years: University of Michigan, Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, American Friends of Magen David Adom, Kids Kicking Cancer, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Institute of Arts, The Friendship Circle, and Hebrew Free Loan.
The stated grant-size distribution is p25 $10,000, median $20,000, and p75 $50,000. The recent grants list also shows much larger unrestricted gifts, including several six-figure awards.
Michigan recipients appear frequently across the recent grants, including organizations in Ann Arbor, Bloomfield Hills, Southfield, Detroit, West Bloomfield, and Interlochen. The top state by grant count is California, while 70% of grants in the data go 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN JEWISH JOINT DISTRIBUTION COMMITTEE | NEW YORK, NY | $385,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF METROPOLITAN DETROIT | BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI | $275,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT |
| UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN | ANN ARBOR, MI | $262,500 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT |
| DETROIT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | DETROIT, MI | $232,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT |
| FRIENDS OF THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES | WALLED LAKE, MI | $170,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT |
| THE FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE | WEST BLOOMFIELD, MI | $160,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT |
| DETROIT INSTITUTE OF ARTS | DETROIT, MI | $151,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT |
| JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE OF METROPOLITAN DETROIT | WEST BLOOMFIELD, MI | $110,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF MAGEN DAVID ADOM | NEW YORK, NY | $110,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT |
| AMERICAN TECHNION SOCIETY | NEW YORK, NY | $87,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT |
| KIDS KICKING CANCER | SOUTHFIELD, MI | $60,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT |
| INSIGHT THROUGH EDUCATION INC | PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL | $55,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT |
| AMERICAN ISRAEL EDUCATION FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT |
| OAKLAND UNIVERSITY | ROCHESTER, MI | $50,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT |
| HILLEL DAY SCHOOL | FARMINGTON HILLS, MI | $50,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT |
| JARC | BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI | $50,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT |
| TAMARACK CAMPS | BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI | $45,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT |
| GESHER HUMAN SERVICES | SOUTHFIELD, MI | $43,500 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT |
| NETWORK OF JEWISH HUMAN SERVICE AGENCIES | PARAMUS, NJ | $40,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT |
| CHABAD OF GREATER DOWNTOWN DETROIT | DETROIT, MI | $40,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT |
| GARY BURNSTEIN COMMUNITY HEALTH CLINIC | PONTIAC, MI | $30,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD | ANN ARBOR, MI | $30,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT |
| HILLEL CAMPUS ALLIANCE OF MICHIGAN | EAST LANSING, MI | $30,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT |
| HENRY FORD HEALTH SYSTEM | DETROIT, MI | $30,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT |
| HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL CENTER | FARMINGTON HILLS, MI | $25,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT |
| WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY | DETROIT, MI | $23,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT |
| SOLDIER ON | PITTSFIELD, MA | $20,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF YAHAD IN UNUM | NEW YORK, NY | $20,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT |
| SIX RIVERS LAND CONSERVANCY | ROCHESTER, MI | $20,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT |
| THE UCLA FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $20,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT |
| FISHER HOUSE FOUNDATION INC | ROCKVILLE, MD | $20,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT |
| COREWELL HEALTH | SOUTHFIELD, MI | $20,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT |
| THE JEWISH HOSPICE AND CHAPLAINCY NETWORK | WEST BLOOMFIELD, MI | $20,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT |
| AISH DETROIT | OAK PARK, MI | $20,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | RIVIERA BEACH, FL | $15,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT |
| FORGOTTEN HARVEST | OAK PARK, MI | $15,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT |
| MICHIGAN SCIENCE CENTER | DETROIT, MI | $12,500 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT |
| REPORT INC | SPRING HOUSE, PA | $12,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT |
| MAZON | SHERMAN OAKS, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT |
| CHARLES H WRIGHT MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY | DETROIT, MI | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT |
| BIRTHRIGHT ISRAEL FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT |
| BRILLIANT DETROIT | DETROIT, MI | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT |
| DETROIT PUBLIC TV | WIXOM, MI | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT |
| HILLEL OF METRO DETROIT | DETROIT, MI | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT |
| JUPITER MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION | JUPITER, FL | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT |
| PROJECT HEALTHY COMMUNITY | WEST BLOOMFIELD, MI | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT |
| DETROIT ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY | ROYAL OAK, MI | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT |
| MOTOWN MUSEUM | DETROIT, MI | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT |
| FRANKEL JEWISH ACADEMY | WEST BLOOMFIELD, MI | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT |
| BALLENISLES CHARITIES | PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT |
UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
$262,500UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT
DETROIT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
$232,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT
THE FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE
$160,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT
DETROIT INSTITUTE OF ARTS
$151,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT
UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT
INSIGHT THROUGH EDUCATION INC
$55,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT
AMERICAN ISRAEL EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$50,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT
OAKLAND UNIVERSITY
$50,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT
TAMARACK CAMPS
$45,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT
CHABAD OF GREATER DOWNTOWN DETROIT
$40,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT
HILLEL CAMPUS ALLIANCE OF MICHIGAN
$30,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT
WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY
$23,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT
SOLDIER ON
$20,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT
SIX RIVERS LAND CONSERVANCY
$20,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT
COREWELL HEALTH
$20,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT
AISH DETROIT
$20,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
$15,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT
REPORT INC
$12,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT
MAZON
$10,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT
CHARLES H WRIGHT MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY
$10,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT
DETROIT PUBLIC TV
$10,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT
HILLEL OF METRO DETROIT
$10,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT
PROJECT HEALTHY COMMUNITY
$10,000UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE GIFT