To improve the quality of life in Saginaw County by linking donor interests with the community’s most pressing needs and promising opportunities through grantmaking and partnerships with local nonprofits.
Saginaw Community Foundation’s recent grantmaking is anchored by repeated support for local institutions that shape daily life in Saginaw County, including a $590,742 general-support grant to United Way of Saginaw County in both 2024 and 2025. The foundation also makes sizable awards to education partners: Saginaw Intermediate School District received multiple grants in 2025 tied to programs, college access, reading support, early childhood, and a college and career advisor initiative. That mix points to a funder working across human services, schooling, and community-building rather than a single issue area. The foundation’s portfolio shows both recurring institutional support and project-specific investments. Saginaw Valley State University Foundation received multiple awards for distribution, program, and fellowship activity, while local nonprofits such as Hidden Harvest and the Children’s Zoo at Celebration Square appear with support for operations, capital work, and program needs. Grants also reach arts and recreation groups, neighborhood-serving organizations, and school-linked initiatives. With annual grants above $10.4 million and assets over $105.6 million, the foundation operates at a meaningful local scale while keeping giving concentrated in the Saginaw area.
Education is a major thread in the foundation’s recent grants. Saginaw Intermediate School District received $307,559 in 2025 for the Mridha Foundation Teacher of the Year Award, reading support, early childhood, and support funding of a college and career advisor program, showing attention to school readiness and postsecondary pathways. Saginaw Public Schools also received $83,819 in 2025 for a technology lab. Food security appears through support for Hidden Harvest, which received $119,548 in 2025 for general support, a capital campaign, and Hunger Solution Center expansion, plus another $97,285 that year for support. The foundation also funds arts, culture, and recreation. The Children’s Zoo at Celebration Square received $106,339 in 2025 for general and program support, ultrasound equipment, and a carousel, while the Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra received $64,054 in 2025 for general support and an agency distribution. Community assets are another recurring theme, including $78,423 to Friends of Hoyt Park in 2025 for baseball-related support.
$6.4M
$105.7M
$12.3M
$7.4M
Most grants fall between $9K and $30K, with a median of $14K.
25th Percentile
$9K
Median
$14K
75th Percentile
$30K
RENEE JOHNSTON
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Typical awards cluster in the low five figures: p25 is $9,216, median grant size is $14,084, and p75 is $30,000. That distribution sits alongside a smaller number of larger institutional grants, including seven-figure annual support to major county partners. The pattern is recurring rather than one-off: United Way of Saginaw County, Saginaw Intermediate School District, Saginaw Valley State University Foundation, Hidden Harvest, and others appear in multiple years. The foundation also uses competitive and scholarship programs, including unsolicited applications through its scholarship portal and community grant programs. It is a community foundation, not a DAF or operating foundation, and it does not fund individuals.
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly local: 97% of grants go to recipients in Michigan, and the country distribution is entirely U.S.-based. Saginaw is the main recipient city, with repeated awards to organizations there such as United Way of Saginaw County, Hidden Harvest, the Children’s Zoo at Celebration Square, and Saginaw Public Schools. University Center also appears frequently through Saginaw Valley State University Foundation and Delta College Foundation. Other in-county recipient locations include Saginaw County institutions and neighborhood-serving groups, reflecting a county-centered pattern rather than a statewide or national one.
The foundation supports community development, education and scholarships, nonprofit capacity building, youth programs, health, and arts and cultural development. Recent grants also show emphasis on early childhood education, college and career advising, workforce and CTE pathways, food security, parks and recreation, and neighborhood revitalization.
Typical grant sizes are $9,216 at the 25th percentile, $14,084 at the median, and $30,000 at the 75th percentile. The same grantmaker also makes much larger institutional awards, including repeated $590,742 grants and other six-figure grants to local partners.
Yes. Its scholarship programs use a single application through a scholarship portal, with applications opening November 1 and due by the second Friday in February. It also lists competitive grant programs, including the Community Improvement Initiative and SCF Competitive Grants, as accepting unsolicited applications.
Several organizations appear in multiple years, including United Way of Saginaw County, Saginaw Intermediate School District, Saginaw Valley State University Foundation, Hidden Harvest, Children’s Zoo at Celebration Square, and YMCA of Saginaw. That pattern suggests ongoing relationships rather than isolated awards.
It administers a centralized scholarship program with 255+ donor-funded scholarships for college or career and technical education, plus other donor-established scholarship funds such as CTE scholarships and regional awards. The scholarship programs are aimed at students in Saginaw County.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Saginaw Community Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Organizations interested in applying for a grant through SCF can learn more at the grants page. Competitive grant deadlines are Feb. 1, June 1, and Oct. 1 each year.
Deadline: Competitive grant deadlines are Feb. 1, June 1, and Oct. 1 each year.
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNITED WAY OF SAGINAW COUNTY | SAGINAW, MI | $590,742 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SAGINAW INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRIC | SAGINAW, MI | $315,007 | 2025 | PROGRAMS |
| SAGINAW INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRIC | SAGINAW, MI | $307,590 | 2025 | COLLEGE PROGRAM |
| Saginaw Intermediate School District | Saginaw, MI | $307,559 | 2025 | Mridha Foundation Teacher of the Year Award, Reading support, Early Childhood, and Support funding of college & career advisor program |
| SAGINAW VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | UNIVERSITY CENTER, MI | $242,428 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION/PROGRAM |
| Saginaw Valley State University Foundation | University Center, MI | $180,316 | 2025 | WATROUS/STARK ENDOWMENT, DR. BENJAMIN STARK BIOLOGY SCHOLARSHIP, AL WATROUS GOLF INVITATIONAL, Waheed & Raana Akbar Scholarship, Scholarships, SVSU Musical Artist in Residence, and Ruth and Ted Braun Fellowship Program |
| SAGINAW VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | UNIVERSITY CENTER, MI | $165,477 | 2025 | FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM |
| SAGINAW COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | SAGINAW, MI | $132,500 | 2025 | PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM |
| Hidden Harvest | Saginaw, MI | $119,548 | 2025 | General support, Hidden Harvest - Capital Campaign, and Hunger Solution Center Expansion |
| Children's Zoo at Celebration Square | Saginaw, MI | $106,339 | 2025 | General/Program support, Ultrasound equipment, children's zoon carousel |
| GREAT LAKES BAY QUALITY OF LIFE COUNCIL | SAGINAW, MI | $105,870 | 2025 | PROGRAMS |
| HIDDEN HARVEST | SAGINAW, MI | $97,285 | 2025 | SUPPORT |
| MID-MICHIGAN CHILDREN'S MUSEUM | SAGINAW, MI | $96,898 | 2025 | GENERAL/DISTRIBUTION |
| SAGINAW PUBLIC SCHOOLS | SAGINAW, MI | $83,819 | 2025 | TECHNOLOGY LAB |
| FRIENDS OF HOYT PARK | SAGINAW, MI | $78,423 | 2025 | PRGRM/SUPPO/BASEBALL |
| CHILDREN'S ZOO AT CELEBRATION SQUAR | SAGINAW, MI | $65,517 | 2025 | DISTRIBUTION/PROGRAM |
| Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra | Saginaw, MI | $64,054 | 2025 | General Support and 2024 Agency Distribution |
| YMCA OF SAGINAW | SAGINAW, MI | $59,459 | 2025 | GROW WITH US CAMPAIG |
| SAGINAW ARTS & ENRICHMENT COMMISSIO | SAGINAW, MI | $53,394 | 2025 | ARTREACH CITY |
| RESCUE MINISTRIES OF MID-MICHIGAN | SAGINAW, MI | $52,560 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| SAGINAW BAY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | SAGINAW, MI | $52,546 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SAGINAW BAY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | SAGINAW, MI | $51,861 | 2025 | SUPPORT/DISTRIBUTION |
| Heart of the City Development Center | Saginaw, MI | $51,000 | 2025 | Critical Thinking with Art program, STEAM Program (Stem and Arts), & Adult Day Support Program |
| VILLAGE OF ST CHARLES | ST CHARLES, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | PARK PLAY INITIATIVE |
| MISSION IN THE CITY | SAGINAW, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | PARK IMPROVEMENTS |
| WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE | ALBANY, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | PROJECTS/PROJECTS |
| BUSINESS EDUCATION COORDINATING COUNCIL | SAGINAW, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | CWSI |
| Region VII Area Agency on Aging | Bay City, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | Bay/Saginaw Health Plan |
| CAN COUNCIL | SAGINAW, MI | $46,630 | 2025 | SAFE BABY PROGRAM |
| FIRST WARD COMMUNITY SERVICE | SAGINAW, MI | $44,800 | 2025 | SUPPORT/PROGRAMS |
| Saginaw Arts & Enrichment Commission | Saginaw, MI | $41,026 | 2025 | General Support, Lucille E. Andersen Memorial Garden, Art for All, and Agency Distribution |
| MyMichigan Health Foundation | Midland, MI | $41,000 | 2025 | Improving Breast Feeding Rates in Midland and Gratiot Counties |
| Saginaw Public Schools | Saginaw, MI | $40,883 | 2025 | Saginaw United Bowling Team, SASA Teacher Mini-Grants, Jackson State University Trip and Library/media center materials |
| ROOTEDINHOPE | SAGINAW, MI | $40,500 | 2025 | LITERACY PROGRAM |
| SAGINAW COUNTY COMMUNITY ACTION COM | SAGINAW, MI | $39,100 | 2025 | PROGRAMS |
| PARTNERSHIFT NETWORK | SAGINAW, MI | $35,500 | 2025 | COMM. WORKFORCE |
| FRANKENMUTH HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION | FRANKENMUTH, MI | $35,208 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| Rescue Ministries of Mid-Michigan | Saginaw, MI | $35,098 | 2025 | General support, Higher Purpose, and Agency Distribution |
| SAGINAW HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | SAGINAW, MI | $35,040 | 2025 | HOUSING |
| Families and Children Together | Flint, MI | $35,000 | 2025 | FACT Community Based Care Project and Dinners & Parent Cafes |
| Saginaw County Youth Protection Council | Saginaw, MI | $34,853 | 2025 | Program support |
| SAGINAW CHORAL SOCIETY | SAGINAW, MI | $34,594 | 2025 | PROGRAM/DISTRIBUTION |
| SAGINAW BASIN LAND CONSERVANCY | BAY CITY, MI | $34,178 | 2025 | PROGRAM/DISTRIBUTION |
| Urban Racquet Sports Foundation | Saginaw, MI | $33,500 | 2025 | General support, Enhancing Youth Engagement through Pro Shop Expansion, Pro Shop Expansion for Urban Youth, and Illuminate, Engage, Thrive: Transforming Community Outreach with a Digital Sign at Garber Courts |
| BAY AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | BAY CITY, MI | $33,400 | 2025 | PROGRAMS/PROJECTS |
| SAGINAW ARTS & ENRICHMENT COMMISSIO | SAGINAW, MI | $33,067 | 2025 | SUPPORT/DISTRIBUTION |
| SAGINAW COOPERATIVE HOSPITALS INC | SAGINAW, MI | $32,717 | 2025 | PROGRAM |
| Saginaw-Shiawassee Habitat for Humanity | Saginaw, MI | $32,000 | 2025 | Neighborhood Revitalization with Covenant and General Support |
| CENTERAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY RESEARCH CORPORATION | SAGINAW, MI | $30,000 | 2025 | BUILDING RESILIENCE |
| The ROCK Center for Youth Development | Midland, MI | $30,000 | 2025 | Impacting Youth in the Great Lakes Bay Region |
SAGINAW INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRIC
$315,007PROGRAMS
SAGINAW INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRIC
$307,590COLLEGE PROGRAM
Saginaw Intermediate School District
$307,559Mridha Foundation Teacher of the Year Award, Reading support, Early Childhood, and Support funding of college & career advisor program
WATROUS/STARK ENDOWMENT, DR. BENJAMIN STARK BIOLOGY SCHOLARSHIP, AL WATROUS GOLF INVITATIONAL, Waheed & Raana Akbar Scholarship, Scholarships, SVSU Musical Artist in Residence, and Ruth and Ted Braun Fellowship Program
Hidden Harvest
$119,548General support, Hidden Harvest - Capital Campaign, and Hunger Solution Center Expansion
Children's Zoo at Celebration Square
$106,339General/Program support, Ultrasound equipment, children's zoon carousel
GREAT LAKES BAY QUALITY OF LIFE COUNCIL
$105,870PROGRAMS
MID-MICHIGAN CHILDREN'S MUSEUM
$96,898GENERAL/DISTRIBUTION
SAGINAW PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$83,819TECHNOLOGY LAB
FRIENDS OF HOYT PARK
$78,423PRGRM/SUPPO/BASEBALL
CHILDREN'S ZOO AT CELEBRATION SQUAR
$65,517DISTRIBUTION/PROGRAM
Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra
$64,054General Support and 2024 Agency Distribution
SAGINAW ARTS & ENRICHMENT COMMISSIO
$53,394ARTREACH CITY
SAGINAW BAY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
$52,546GENERAL SUPPORT
SAGINAW BAY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
$51,861SUPPORT/DISTRIBUTION
Heart of the City Development Center
$51,000Critical Thinking with Art program, STEAM Program (Stem and Arts), & Adult Day Support Program
VILLAGE OF ST CHARLES
$50,000PARK PLAY INITIATIVE
MISSION IN THE CITY
$50,000PARK IMPROVEMENTS
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE
$50,000PROJECTS/PROJECTS
BUSINESS EDUCATION COORDINATING COUNCIL
$50,000CWSI
CAN COUNCIL
$46,630SAFE BABY PROGRAM
FIRST WARD COMMUNITY SERVICE
$44,800SUPPORT/PROGRAMS
Saginaw Arts & Enrichment Commission
$41,026General Support, Lucille E. Andersen Memorial Garden, Art for All, and Agency Distribution
Improving Breast Feeding Rates in Midland and Gratiot Counties
Saginaw Public Schools
$40,883Saginaw United Bowling Team, SASA Teacher Mini-Grants, Jackson State University Trip and Library/media center materials
ROOTEDINHOPE
$40,500LITERACY PROGRAM
SAGINAW COUNTY COMMUNITY ACTION COM
$39,100PROGRAMS
PARTNERSHIFT NETWORK
$35,500COMM. WORKFORCE
FRANKENMUTH HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION
$35,208GENERAL SUPPORT
General support, Higher Purpose, and Agency Distribution
Families and Children Together
$35,000FACT Community Based Care Project and Dinners & Parent Cafes
Saginaw County Youth Protection Council
$34,853Program support
SAGINAW CHORAL SOCIETY
$34,594PROGRAM/DISTRIBUTION
SAGINAW BASIN LAND CONSERVANCY
$34,178PROGRAM/DISTRIBUTION
Urban Racquet Sports Foundation
$33,500General support, Enhancing Youth Engagement through Pro Shop Expansion, Pro Shop Expansion for Urban Youth, and Illuminate, Engage, Thrive: Transforming Community Outreach with a Digital Sign at Garber Courts
BAY AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$33,400PROGRAMS/PROJECTS
SAGINAW ARTS & ENRICHMENT COMMISSIO
$33,067SUPPORT/DISTRIBUTION
SAGINAW COOPERATIVE HOSPITALS INC
$32,717PROGRAM
Neighborhood Revitalization with Covenant and General Support
CENTERAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY RESEARCH CORPORATION
$30,000BUILDING RESILIENCE
Impacting Youth in the Great Lakes Bay Region