The Milner Hotels Foundation concentrates its giving on metro-Detroit institutions that strengthen local education, youth athletics, and cultural infrastructure. Its support is heavy on capital projects and scholarships (both K–12 and collegiate living/households), often delivered as multi-grant commitments to a small set of recurring recipients. Grants emphasize facility-building (performing arts center, athletic and racquet facilities) and programs that benefit young people and students tied to the region.
Milner Hotels Foundation’s recent giving is anchored by repeated six-figure commitments to a small group of regional projects, especially the Center for Performing Arts, the University of Michigan Scholarship House, and scholarship support tied to University Liggett School. Those grants show a pattern of combining capital support with student aid rather than spreading resources broadly across many causes. The foundation also backs Detroit-area cultural and civic institutions through operating support and targeted project grants, including Music Hall, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Detroit Zoological Society, and the Grosse Pointe War Memorial. A recurring thread is support for education-linked spaces and programs. The Evans Scholar Foundation received both scholarship-house funding and general operating support, while the Detroit Athletic Club Foundation was funded for employee scholarship and Chief’s Table needs in separate years. RacquetUp Detroit also appears with multiple building-project awards, matching the foundation’s emphasis on facilities and youth-oriented infrastructure. The result is a grantmaking profile centered on regional institutions, with sizable awards often tied to named projects rather than unrestricted giving alone.
In higher education and student housing, the foundation gave $250,000 in 2024 and again in 2025 to Evans Scholar Foundation for the University of Michigan Scholarship House, alongside a $50,000 general operating grant in 2024 and another in 2023. That pairing suggests interest in both the physical space and the organization behind it. For arts and cultural infrastructure, Urban Renewal Initiative Foundation received $250,000 in 2023, 2024, and 2025 for the Center for Performing Arts. Music Hall also received $50,000 operating grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025, showing a separate recurring relationship with a Detroit venue. Youth and community facilities are another thread. RacquetUp Detroit received $180,000 in 2023 and $151,000 in 2024 for a building project, aligning with the foundation’s support for construction and renovation work tied to local recreation.
Typical awards cluster at $25,000 to $50,000, with a median grant size of $50,000 and a 75th percentile also at $50,000. Larger commitments are reserved for a smaller set of project-based grants, including multiple $250,000 awards and a $300,000 scholarship gift. The recent record shows recurring support across multiple years to the same recipients, especially for capital and operating needs. The foundation is a private grantmaker with annual grants of $4,617,000, and it also funds individuals, which fits its scholarship-oriented pattern.
$1.7M
$31.1M
$1.7M
$2M
Most grants fall between $25K and $50K, with a median of $50K.
25th Percentile
$25K
Median
$50K
75th Percentile
$50K
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Concentrated, large gifts to a small number of repeat grantees — frequently multi-grant support for capital campaigns, facility building, and scholarship endowments within the metro-Detroit area.
Notable grantees: Urban Renewal Initiative Foundation, Evans Scholars Foundation, RacquetUp Detroit, The Detroit Athletic Club Foundation, University Liggett School
Grantmaking is regional and heavily concentrated in Michigan, with 73% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Detroit appears often, including awards to the Detroit Athletic Club Foundation, Music Hall, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and the Detroit Historical Society. Other Michigan recipients include Grosse Pointe Park, Grosse Pointe Farms, Grosse Pointe Woods, and Royal Oak. Outside Michigan, the foundation also gave to recipients in Golf, Illinois, and Cincinnati, Ohio.
Its recent grants frequently support scholarships, building projects, and operating support for regional institutions. Examples include a $300,000 scholarship award to University Liggett School, $250,000 awards for the Center for Performing Arts and the University of Michigan Scholarship House, and building-project grants to RacquetUp Detroit.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years. Urban Renewal Initiative Foundation received $250,000 in 2023, 2024, and 2025 for the Center for Performing Arts, while Evans Scholar Foundation received scholarship-house support in 2024 and 2025 plus operating grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
The median grant size is $50,000, with the 25th percentile at $25,000 and the 75th percentile also at $50,000. That distribution shows a large share of awards clustering around $50,000, with a smaller number of larger project grants.
The top state by grant count is Ohio, while 73% of grants go to recipients in Michigan. Recent recipients are concentrated around Detroit and nearby communities such as Grosse Pointe Park, Grosse Pointe Farms, Grosse Pointe Woods, and Royal Oak.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EVANS SCHOLAR FOUNDATION | GOLF, IL | $250,000 | 2026 | UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN SCHOLARSHIP HOUSE |
| URBAN RENEWAL INITIATIVE FOUNDATION | GROSSE POINTE PARK, MI | $250,000 | 2026 | CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS |
| THE DETROIT ATHLETIC CLUB FOUNDATION | DETROIT, MI | $150,000 | 2026 | EMPLOYEE SCHOLARSHIP |
| THE DETROIT ATHLETIC CLUB FOUNDATION | DETROIT, MI | $110,000 | 2026 | CHIEF'S TABLE |
| DETROIT HISTORICAL SOCIETY | DETROIT, MI | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FIDELITY CHARITABLE | CINCINNATI, OH | $75,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MCLAREN MACOMB FOUNDATION | MOUNT CLEMENS, MI | $75,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| DETROIT OPERA THEATRE | DETROIT, MI | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| DETROIT INSTITUTE OF ARTS | DETROIT, MI | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| EVANS SCHOLAR FOUNDATION | GOLF, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MUSIC HALL | DETROIT, MI | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| RACQUET UP DETROIT | DETROIT, MI | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| DETROIT POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE | DETROIT, MI | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| DETROIT ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY | ROYAL OAK, MI | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| OLD NEWSBOYS' GOODFELLOW FUND DETROIT | DETROIT, MI | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE GROSSE POINTE WAR MEMORIAL | GROSSE POINTE FARMS, MI | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| DETROIT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | DETROIT, MI | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| TUNNELS TO TOWERS FOUNDATION | STATEN ISLAND, NY | $30,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| DETROIT PUBLIC THEATRE | DETROIT, MI | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE HUNDRED CLUB OF DETROIT | FENTON, MI | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WAYNE LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | WAYNESVILLE, OH | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| MICHIGAN ARMED FORCES | DETROIT, MI | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT | TOPEKA, KS | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| VFW POST 4650 | SHELBY TOWNSHIP, MI | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| EVANS SCHOLAR FOUNDATION | GOLF, IL | $250,000 | 2025 | UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN SCHOLARSHIP HOUSE |
| URBAN RENEWAL INITIATIVE FOUNDATION | GROSSE POINTE PARK, MI | $250,000 | 2025 | CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS |
| THE DETROIT ATHLETIC CLUB FOUNDATION | DETROIT, MI | $200,000 | 2025 | CHIEF'S TABLE |
| THE DETROIT ATHLETIC CLUB FOUNDATION | DETROIT, MI | $100,000 | 2025 | EMPLOYEE SCHOLARSHIP |
| DETROIT POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE | DETROIT, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| DETROIT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | DETROIT, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| DETROIT ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY | ROYAL OAK, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE GROSSE POINTE WAR MEMORIAL | GROSSE POINTE FARMS, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| OLD NEWSBOYS' GOODFELLOW FUND DETROIT | DETROIT, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MUSIC HALL | DETROIT, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| DETROIT INSTITUTE OF ARTS | DETROIT, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FIDELITY CHARITABLE | CINCINNATI, OH | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| DETROIT OPERA THEATRE | DETROIT, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| DETROIT HISTORICAL SOCIETY | DETROIT, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| EVANS SCHOLAR FOUNDATION | GOLF, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HOPE SHELTERS | PONTIAC, MI | $30,000 | 2025 | ISREAL EMERGENCY CAMPAIGN |
| HILLSDALE COLLEGE | HILLSDALE, MI | $26,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| VOLUNTEER FLORIDA FOUNDATION | TALLAHASSEE, FL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE HUNDRED CLUB OF DETROIT | FENTON, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| TUNNELS TO TOWERS FOUNDATION | STATEN ISLAND, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SAMARITANS PURSE | BOONE, NC | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MI FREEDOM CENTER | STERLING HEIGHTS, MI | $12,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT | TOPEKA, KS | $12,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| URBAN RENEWAL INITIATIVE FOUNDATION | GROSSE POINTE PARK, MI | $250,000 | 2024 | CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS |
| EVANS SCHOLAR FOUNDATION | GOLF, IL | $250,000 | 2024 | UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN SCHOLARSHIP HOUSE |
| RACQUETUP DETROIT | DETROIT, MI | $151,000 | 2024 | BUILDING PROJECT |
EVANS SCHOLAR FOUNDATION
$250,000UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN SCHOLARSHIP HOUSE
URBAN RENEWAL INITIATIVE FOUNDATION
$250,000CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS
GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
MCLAREN MACOMB FOUNDATION
$75,000GENERAL OPERATING
DETROIT OPERA THEATRE
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
DETROIT INSTITUTE OF ARTS
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
EVANS SCHOLAR FOUNDATION
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
MUSIC HALL
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
DETROIT POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
THE GROSSE POINTE WAR MEMORIAL
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
DETROIT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
TUNNELS TO TOWERS FOUNDATION
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
THE HUNDRED CLUB OF DETROIT
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
WAYNE LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING
MICHIGAN ARMED FORCES
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
VFW POST 4650
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING
EVANS SCHOLAR FOUNDATION
$250,000UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN SCHOLARSHIP HOUSE
URBAN RENEWAL INITIATIVE FOUNDATION
$250,000CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS
DETROIT POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
DETROIT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
THE GROSSE POINTE WAR MEMORIAL
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
MUSIC HALL
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
DETROIT INSTITUTE OF ARTS
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
DETROIT OPERA THEATRE
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
EVANS SCHOLAR FOUNDATION
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
HOPE SHELTERS
$30,000ISREAL EMERGENCY CAMPAIGN
THE HUNDRED CLUB OF DETROIT
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
MI FREEDOM CENTER
$12,500GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
URBAN RENEWAL INITIATIVE FOUNDATION
$250,000CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS
EVANS SCHOLAR FOUNDATION
$250,000UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN SCHOLARSHIP HOUSE