The Michael W Louis Private Foundation focuses its giving on general operating support for a small number of institutions, concentrating heavily on higher education and community health. The foundation makes sizeable, targeted gifts (two grants totaling $300,000) to a single university and a large unrestricted grant to a health foundation, indicating a preference for sustaining institutional capacity rather than funding many small projects. Grants appear unrestricted (general contribution) and the foundation favors repeat support for favored recipients.
Concentrated giving: a very small number of relatively large general-purpose grants, with repeat support to at least one core grantee rather than broad, distributed funding.
Michael W Louis Private Foundation’s recent giving is marked by repeated general-contribution support to a small set of institutions, with National Louis University receiving $200,000 in 2025 and another $100,000 in 2023. That pattern continues across health, education, and civic nonprofits, including Valleywise Health Foundation, Colorado College, and Park City Community Foundation. The grants are structured as general support rather than project-specific awards, which points to an interest in strengthening operating capacity. The foundation’s largest recent grants also show a willingness to make sizable commitments to organizations outside its immediate region. In 2025, it gave $100,000 to Valleywise Health Foundation and $70,000 to Colorado College, while Park City Community Foundation received multiple gifts across 2023, 2024, and 2025. Several recipients appear more than once in the recent grants list, suggesting the foundation often returns to organizations it has already supported. Its funding reaches higher education, health foundations, and community institutions, with awards commonly landing at institution level rather than for discrete programs. Across the list, the foundation favors general contributions that can be used flexibly by grantees.
Higher education is a consistent theme. The foundation gave $200,000 in 2025 and $100,000 in 2023 to National Louis University, both listed as general contributions. It also awarded $70,000 to Colorado College in 2025 and $40,000 in 2024, showing repeat support for postsecondary institutions. Health-related giving is another clear lane. Valleywise Health Foundation received $100,000 in 2025 and $65,000 in 2024, while Barrow Neurological Foundation was awarded $75,000 in 2024. Foundation Fighting Blindness also appears multiple times, with grants of $60,000 in 2024 and $50,000 in 2025. The foundation also supports community-serving organizations and local institutions. Desert Voices received $50,000 in 2024, $50,000 in 2023, and $50,000 in 2025. The First Tee of Phoenix received $40,000 in 2025, $35,000 in 2024, and $35,000 in 2023, indicating recurring backing for a youth-oriented community program.
Typical grants cluster in the middle range: the 25th percentile is $10,000, the median is $20,000, and the 75th percentile is $47,500. The recent list also includes several larger awards, but the overall pattern leans toward flexible institutional support rather than many small awards. Recipients recur across years, including National Louis University, Valleywise Health Foundation, Park City Community Foundation, Desert Voices, and The First Tee of Phoenix. The foundation makes grants to organizations, not individuals, and the listed awards are general contributions rather than program-restricted grants. Its geographic scope is national.
$775K
$8.3M
$1.4M
$962K
Most grants fall between $10K and $48K, with a median of $20K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$20K
75th Percentile
$48K
About 11% of grants go to recipients in AZ.
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Notable grantees: National Louis University, Valleywise Health Foundation, Other unnamed institutional general-contribution recipients
Grants are national, and every recent recipient in the dataset is in the United States. Arizona is the top state by grant count, with Phoenix appearing repeatedly through Valleywise Health Foundation, Barrow Neurological Foundation, Desert Voices, and The First Tee of Phoenix. Chicago also shows up through National Louis University and Adler Planetarium. Other repeated recipient locations include Park City, Utah; La Jolla, California; and Colorado Springs, Colorado. Wisconsin recipients appear as well, including New Richmond and Superior.
The foundation gives general contributions to institutions in higher education, health, and community-serving nonprofits. Recent examples include National Louis University, Valleywise Health Foundation, Colorado College, and community organizations such as Park City Community Foundation and The First Tee of Phoenix.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including National Louis University in 2023 and 2025, Valleywise Health Foundation in 2024 and 2025, and Park City Community Foundation, Desert Voices, and The First Tee of Phoenix across multiple years.
The grant-size distribution centers on $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $20,000 at the median, and $47,500 at the 75th percentile. The recent grants list also includes larger awards such as $200,000 and $100,000, but the middle of the distribution is much lower.
Arizona is the top state by grant count. Phoenix appears frequently among recipient cities, with grants to Valleywise Health Foundation, Barrow Neurological Foundation, Desert Voices, and The First Tee of Phoenix.
The recent grants are listed as general contributions. That pattern appears across the recent grants list, including awards to higher-education institutions, health foundations, and community nonprofits.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NATIONAL LOUIS UNVERSITY | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION |
| COLORADO COLLEGE | COLORADO SPRINGS, CO | $90,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION |
| VALLEYWISE HEALTH FOUNDATION | PHOENIX, AZ | $88,500 | 2026 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION |
| PARK CITY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | PARK CITY, UT | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION |
| DESERT VOICES | PHOENIX, AZ | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION |
| HONOR HEALTH FOUNDATION | SCOTTSDALE, AZ | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION |
| THE FIRST TEE OF PHOENIX | PHOENIX, AZ | $45,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION |
| FOUNDATION FIGHTING BLINDNESS | COLUMBIA, MD | $40,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION |
| UC SAN DIEGO FOUNDATION | LA JOLLA, CA | $30,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION |
| LAKE OWEN ASSOCIATION | CABLE, WI | $29,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION |
| PHOENIX COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL | PARADISE VALLEY, AZ | $22,500 | 2026 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION |
| WINTER SPORTS SCHOOL | PARK CITY, UT | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION |
| RYE NATURE CENTER | RYE, NY | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION |
| UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO | DENVER, CO | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION |
| NEW CANAAN LIBRARY | NEW CANAAN, CT | $11,250 | 2026 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION |
| NEW CANAAN COMMUNITY FUND | NEW CANAAN, CT | $11,250 | 2026 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTIONS |
| CHRIST CHURCH SCHOOL | PARADISE VALLEY, AZ | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION |
| CHEQUAMEGON AREA MOUNTAIN BIKE ASSOCIATION | CABLE, WI | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION |
| DESERT BOTANICAL GARDENS | PHOENIX, AZ | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION |
| TRANSLATION GENOMICS | PHOENIX, AZ | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION |
| UTAH OUTDOOR PARTNERS | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION |
| DENVER ZOOLOGICAL FOUNDATION | DENVER, CO | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTIONS |
| GRALAND COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL | DENVER, CO | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTIONS |
| BARROW NEUROLOGICAL FOUNDATION | PHOENIX, AZ | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION |
| WASHINGTON & LEE UNIVERSITY | LEXINGTON, VA | $7,500 | 2026 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION |
| PARK CITY SKI TEAM | PARK CITY, UT | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION |
| US SKI & SNOWBOARD TEAM | PARK CITY, UT | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION |
| FOOD BANK OF THE ROCKIES | DENVER, CO | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION |
| STEP - STUDENT EXPEDITION PROGRAM | PHOENIX, AZ | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION |
| THERE WITH CARE | DENVER, CO | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION |
| NATIONAL LOUIS UNVERSITY | CHICAGO, IL | $200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION |
| VALLEYWISE HEALTH FOUNDATION | PHOENIX, AZ | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION |
| COLORADO COLLEGE | COLORADO SPRINGS, CO | $70,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION |
| PANDA - UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA FOUNDATION | TUCSON, AZ | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION |
| DESERT VOICES | PHOENIX, AZ | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION |
| FOUNDATION FIGHTING BLINDNESS | COLUMBIA, MD | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION |
| PARK CITY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | PARK CITY, UT | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION |
| THE FIRST TEE OF PHOENIX | PHOENIX, AZ | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION |
| LAKE OWEN ASSOCIATION | NEW RICHMOND, WI | $38,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION |
| PARK CITY EDUCATION FOUNDATION | PARK CITY, UT | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION |
| RYE NATURE CENTER | RYE, NY | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION |
| CHEQUAMEGON BAY UNITED IMPACT LAND TRUST | SUPERIOR, WI | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION |
| PHOENIX COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL | PARADISE VALLEY, AZ | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION |
| UC SAN DIEGO FOUNDATION | LA JOLLA, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION |
| WINTER SPORTS SCHOOL | PARK CITY, UT | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION |
| MAMAS KITCHEN | SAN DIEGO, CA | $12,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION |
| BARROW NEUROLOGICAL FOUNDATION | PHOENIX, AZ | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTION |
| NEW CANAAN COMMUNITY FUND | NEW CANAAN, CT | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTIONS |
| GRALAND COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL | DENVER, CO | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTIONS |
| DENVER ZOOLOGICAL FOUNDATION | DENVER, CO | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CONTRIBUTIONS |
NATIONAL LOUIS UNVERSITY
$100,000GENERAL CONTRIBUTION
COLORADO COLLEGE
$90,000GENERAL CONTRIBUTION
VALLEYWISE HEALTH FOUNDATION
$88,500GENERAL CONTRIBUTION
DESERT VOICES
$50,000GENERAL CONTRIBUTION
GENERAL CONTRIBUTION
THE FIRST TEE OF PHOENIX
$45,000GENERAL CONTRIBUTION
FOUNDATION FIGHTING BLINDNESS
$40,000GENERAL CONTRIBUTION
LAKE OWEN ASSOCIATION
$29,000GENERAL CONTRIBUTION
WINTER SPORTS SCHOOL
$15,000GENERAL CONTRIBUTION
RYE NATURE CENTER
$15,000GENERAL CONTRIBUTION
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO
$15,000GENERAL CONTRIBUTION
NEW CANAAN LIBRARY
$11,250GENERAL CONTRIBUTION
NEW CANAAN COMMUNITY FUND
$11,250GENERAL CONTRIBUTIONS
CHRIST CHURCH SCHOOL
$10,000GENERAL CONTRIBUTION
CHEQUAMEGON AREA MOUNTAIN BIKE ASSOCIATION
$10,000GENERAL CONTRIBUTION
TRANSLATION GENOMICS
$10,000GENERAL CONTRIBUTION
UTAH OUTDOOR PARTNERS
$10,000GENERAL CONTRIBUTION
GRALAND COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL
$10,000GENERAL CONTRIBUTIONS
PARK CITY SKI TEAM
$5,000GENERAL CONTRIBUTION
US SKI & SNOWBOARD TEAM
$5,000GENERAL CONTRIBUTION
STEP - STUDENT EXPEDITION PROGRAM
$5,000GENERAL CONTRIBUTION
NATIONAL LOUIS UNVERSITY
$200,000GENERAL CONTRIBUTION
COLORADO COLLEGE
$70,000GENERAL CONTRIBUTION
PANDA - UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA FOUNDATION
$50,000GENERAL CONTRIBUTION
DESERT VOICES
$50,000GENERAL CONTRIBUTION
THE FIRST TEE OF PHOENIX
$40,000GENERAL CONTRIBUTION
LAKE OWEN ASSOCIATION
$38,000GENERAL CONTRIBUTION
RYE NATURE CENTER
$20,000GENERAL CONTRIBUTION
CHEQUAMEGON BAY UNITED IMPACT LAND TRUST
$20,000GENERAL CONTRIBUTION
UC SAN DIEGO FOUNDATION
$20,000GENERAL CONTRIBUTION
WINTER SPORTS SCHOOL
$15,000GENERAL CONTRIBUTION
NEW CANAAN COMMUNITY FUND
$10,000GENERAL CONTRIBUTIONS
GRALAND COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL
$10,000GENERAL CONTRIBUTIONS