The Speckhard-Knight Charitable Foundation strives to provide individuals with resources to lead full, independent, and inspired lives by granting to nonprofit organizations. Geographic priority is given to Washtenaw County in Michigan and to areas with which the Board is familiar. The Foundation also underwrites the Faith Speckhard Scholarship through the Jackson Community Foundation.
The Speckhard-knight Charitable Foundation underwrites the Faith Speckhard Scholarship through the Jackson Community Foundation, while also making direct grants to nonprofits and, in some cases, individuals. That mix points to a funder that supports both organizational services and education support. In its recent grants, the foundation gave $20,000 to Hands Across the Water for foster care and adoption work and another $20,000 to Peace Neighborhood Center for social services for parents and families. It also supported scholarship administration through Jackson Community Foundation with multiple grants, including $20,000 in 2023 and $15,000 in 2025, showing that education funding is part of its ongoing pattern rather than a one-off award. The foundation’s stated purpose is to help individuals lead full, independent, and inspired lives by granting to nonprofit organizations, and its grant list reflects that through service-oriented support for children, youth, families, and older adults. Recent awards also reach domestic violence services, youth development, and land and animal conservation, giving the profile a broad community-services shape centered in Michigan.
Community and family services appear repeatedly in the foundation’s grant list. It gave $10,000 to Washtenaw Area Council for Children for children and families, and $20,000 to Peace Neighborhood Center for social services for parents and families. Foster care and adoption services are also part of the portfolio: Hands Across the Water received $20,000 for foster care and adoption work. In domestic violence support, Aware Inc received $10,000 for social services related to domestic violence, and Safe House Center received $8,000 for the same issue area. The foundation also supports youth development through Crystal Lake Teen Center, which received $8,000 for children and youth, and gave $10,000 to Girl's Group for general support. Its scholarship support is carried through the Faith Speckhard Scholarship administered by Jackson Community Foundation.
Typical grants cluster in a relatively narrow band: the 25th percentile is $7,500, the median is $10,000, and the 75th percentile is $15,000. Recent awards include several repeated recipients across years, such as Peace Neighborhood Center, Jackson Community Foundation, Hands Across the Water, Safe House Center, and Washtenaw Area Council for Children, which indicates recurring support rather than isolated gifts. The foundation uses both direct nonprofit grants and scholarship underwriting, and its general grant program requires organizations to contact the board before submitting a request. Applications are handled in three cycles each year: Winter, Spring, and Summer.
$200K
$4.3M
$395K
$298K
Most grants fall between $8K and $15K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$8K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$15K
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Grantmaking is overwhelmingly in Michigan: 97% of grants go to recipients in the foundation’s HQ state, and the recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based. Ann Arbor appears frequently among recipient cities, along with Jackson and Ypsilanti. The foundation also gives in Crystal Lake, Illinois, including support for Crystal Lake Teen Center. Geographic priority is given to Washtenaw County, Michigan, and to other areas familiar to the board.
Its recent grants show support for nonprofit organizations working in foster care and adoption, family services, domestic violence support, youth development, scholarship administration, and land and animal conservation. The foundation’s stated purpose is to help individuals lead full, independent, and inspired lives through nonprofit grants.
Typical grants are centered at $10,000, with a 25th percentile of $7,500 and a 75th percentile of $15,000. Recent awards also include $20,000 grants, showing that some gifts are above the typical range.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Peace Neighborhood Center, Jackson Community Foundation, Hands Across the Water, Safe House Center, and Washtenaw Area Council for Children. That pattern suggests ongoing relationships rather than one-time awards.
The Speckhard-Knight Grant Program accepts unsolicited applications for nonprofits located in Washtenaw County, Michigan, Canton, Michigan, Crystal Lake, Illinois, or Oak Park, Illinois. Organizations outside those areas may apply only if invited by the foundation, and applications are reviewed in Winter, Spring, and Summer cycles.
Yes. It underwrites the Faith Speckhard Scholarship through the Jackson Community Foundation. Recent grants to Jackson Community Foundation include $20,000 in 2023 and $15,000 in 2025, both identified as scholarship support.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Speckhard-Knight Charitable Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Nonprofits located in Washtenaw County, Canton, MI, Crystal Lake, IL, or Oak Park, IL. Organizations outside these areas must be invited to apply.
Deadline: Winter Cycle: March 31; Spring Cycle: June 30; Summer Cycle: September 30.
Who can apply: Applicants must be nonprofits located in Washtenaw County, Canton, MI, Crystal Lake, IL, or Oak Park, IL. Organizations outside these geographic areas must be invited to apply; unsolicited applications from outside the listed areas will not be considered.
Deadline: Winter Cycle: March 31; Spring Cycle: June 30; Summer Cycle: September 30. Funding decisions are expected by the end of April, July, and October, respectively.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PEACE NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER | ANN ARBOR, MI | $20,000 | 2025 | SOCIAL SERVICES - PARENTS AND FAMILIES |
| HANDS ACROSS THE WATER | ANN ARBOR, MI | $20,000 | 2025 | FOSTER CARE AND ADOPTION |
| JACKSON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | JACKSON, MI | $15,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| AWARE INC | JACKSON, MI | $10,000 | 2025 | SOCIAL SERVICES - DOMESTIC VIOLENCE |
| WASHTENAW AREA COUNCIL FOR CHILDREN | YPSILANTI, MI | $10,000 | 2025 | CHILDREN AND FAMILIES |
| DAHLEM CONSERVANCY | JACKSON, MI | $9,993 | 2025 | EDUCATION AND ANIMALS |
| WASHTENAW CAMP PLACEMENT | ANN ARBOR, MI | $8,000 | 2025 | CHILDREN AND FAMILIES |
| SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN LAND CONSERVANCY | SUPERIOR TOWNSHIP, MI | $8,000 | 2025 | ANIMALS AND LAND |
| SAFE HOUSE CENTER | ANN ARBOR, MI | $8,000 | 2025 | SOCIAL SERVICES - DOMESTIC VIOLENCE |
| CRYSTAL LAKE TEEN CENTER | CRYSTAL LAKE, IL | $8,000 | 2025 | CHILDREN AND YOUTH |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE | ANN ARBOR, MI | $8,000 | 2025 | CHILDREN AND FAMILIES |
| SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN LAND CONSERVANCY | SUPERIOR TOWNSHIP, MI | $8,000 | 2025 | ANIMALS AND LAND |
| CHILDRENS LITERACY NETWORK | ANN ARBOR, MI | $7,250 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| CHILDREN'S AID AND FAMILY SERVICES | JACKSON, MI | $6,000 | 2025 | FAMILY SERVICES |
| FRIENDS INDEED | YPSILANTI, MI | $5,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION AND FAMILIES |
| JACKSON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | JACKSON, MI | $5,000 | 2025 | YOUTH EDUCATION |
| LIFE CHALLENGE OF MICHIGAN | HILLSDALE, MI | $5,000 | 2025 | SOCIAL SERVICES - ADDICTION |
| LOST RAILWAY MUSEUM | GRASS LAKE, MI | $5,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| GARRETT'S SPACE | ANN ARBOR, MI | $5,000 | 2025 | YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS |
| LILY'S MISSIONS | JACKSON, MI | $5,000 | 2025 | CHILDREN AND FAMILIES |
| OUR NEIGHBOR'S KEEPER | JACKSON, MI | $5,000 | 2025 | CHILDREN AND FAMILIES |
| FOUNDATIONS PRESCHOOL | ANN ARBOR, MI | $5,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| THE STEWARDSHIP NETWORK | ANN ARBOR, MI | $5,000 | 2025 | ANIMALS AND LAND |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF WASHTENAW CTY | YPSILANTI, MI | $4,000 | 2025 | CHILDREN AND FAMILIES |
| THERAPEUTIC RIDING INC | ANN ARBOR, MI | $4,000 | 2025 | YOUTH AND ADULTS |
| EVANGELICAL HOMES OF MICHIGAN | SALINE, MI | $1,000 | 2025 | SOCIAL SERVICES - ELDERLY CARE |
| PEACE NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER | ANN ARBOR, MI | $20,000 | 2024 | PROGRAMS |
| JACKSON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | JACKSON, MI | $20,000 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| OUR HOUSE | YPSILANTI, MI | $15,000 | 2024 | OPERATIONS |
| HANDS ACROSS THE WATER | ANN ARBOR, MI | $15,000 | 2024 | OPERATIONS |
| AWARE INC | JACKSON, MI | $15,000 | 2024 | OPERATIONS |
| ELE'S PLACE | ANN ARBOR, MI | $15,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| WASHTENAW AREA COUNCIL FOR CHILDREN | YPSILANTI, MI | $15,000 | 2024 | OPERATIONS |
| SAVE OUR YOUTH HELP THEM PROSPER | JACKSON, MI | $12,000 | 2024 | PROGRAMS |
| OUR NEIGHBOR'S KEEPER | JACKSON, MI | $11,200 | 2024 | OPERATIONS AND PROGRAMS |
| ICNA RELIEF USA PROGRAMS | DETROIT, MI | $10,000 | 2024 | OPERATIONS |
| MY PLACE | JACKSON, MI | $10,000 | 2024 | OPERATIONS |
| VISTA MARIA | DEARBORN HEIGHTS, MI | $10,000 | 2024 | OPERATIONS |
| WASHTENAW CAMP PLACEMENT | ANN ARBOR, MI | $10,000 | 2024 | PROGRAMS |
| FRIENDS INDEED | YPSILANTI, MI | $10,000 | 2024 | OPERATIONS AND PROGRAMS |
| CHILDRENS LITERACY NETWORK | ANN ARBOR, MI | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CRYSTAL LAKE TEEN CENTER | CRYSTAL LAKE, IL | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| GARRETT'S SPACE | ANN ARBOR, MI | $10,000 | 2024 | OPERATIONS |
| FOUNDATIONS PRESCHOOL | ANN ARBOR, MI | $8,000 | 2024 | OPERATIONS |
| MICHIGAN ABILITY PARTNERS | ANN ARBOR, MI | $8,000 | 2024 | OPERATIONS |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF WASHTENAW CTY | YPSILANTI, MI | $5,000 | 2024 | OPERATIONS |
| JACKSON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | JACKSON, MI | $5,000 | 2024 | PROGRAMS |
| AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION | MERRIFIELD, VA | $5,000 | 2024 | PROGRAMS |
| GIRL'S GROUP | ANN ARBOR, MI | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| STUDENT ADVOCACY CENTER | YPSILANTI, MI | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
HANDS ACROSS THE WATER
$20,000FOSTER CARE AND ADOPTION
JACKSON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$15,000SCHOLARSHIP
AWARE INC
$10,000SOCIAL SERVICES - DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
WASHTENAW AREA COUNCIL FOR CHILDREN
$10,000CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
DAHLEM CONSERVANCY
$9,993EDUCATION AND ANIMALS
WASHTENAW CAMP PLACEMENT
$8,000CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN LAND CONSERVANCY
$8,000ANIMALS AND LAND
SAFE HOUSE CENTER
$8,000SOCIAL SERVICES - DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
CRYSTAL LAKE TEEN CENTER
$8,000CHILDREN AND YOUTH
SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN LAND CONSERVANCY
$8,000ANIMALS AND LAND
CHILDRENS LITERACY NETWORK
$7,250EDUCATION
CHILDREN'S AID AND FAMILY SERVICES
$6,000FAMILY SERVICES
FRIENDS INDEED
$5,000EDUCATION AND FAMILIES
JACKSON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
$5,000YOUTH EDUCATION
LIFE CHALLENGE OF MICHIGAN
$5,000SOCIAL SERVICES - ADDICTION
LOST RAILWAY MUSEUM
$5,000EDUCATION
LILY'S MISSIONS
$5,000CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
OUR NEIGHBOR'S KEEPER
$5,000CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
FOUNDATIONS PRESCHOOL
$5,000EDUCATION
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF WASHTENAW CTY
$4,000CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
THERAPEUTIC RIDING INC
$4,000YOUTH AND ADULTS
EVANGELICAL HOMES OF MICHIGAN
$1,000SOCIAL SERVICES - ELDERLY CARE
JACKSON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$20,000SCHOLARSHIP
OUR HOUSE
$15,000OPERATIONS
HANDS ACROSS THE WATER
$15,000OPERATIONS
AWARE INC
$15,000OPERATIONS
WASHTENAW AREA COUNCIL FOR CHILDREN
$15,000OPERATIONS
SAVE OUR YOUTH HELP THEM PROSPER
$12,000PROGRAMS
OUR NEIGHBOR'S KEEPER
$11,200OPERATIONS AND PROGRAMS
ICNA RELIEF USA PROGRAMS
$10,000OPERATIONS
MY PLACE
$10,000OPERATIONS
VISTA MARIA
$10,000OPERATIONS
WASHTENAW CAMP PLACEMENT
$10,000PROGRAMS
CHILDRENS LITERACY NETWORK
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CRYSTAL LAKE TEEN CENTER
$10,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
FOUNDATIONS PRESCHOOL
$8,000OPERATIONS
JACKSON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
$5,000PROGRAMS
STUDENT ADVOCACY CENTER
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT