The Frankel Family Foundation concentrates large, targeted gifts to a small set of institutions in Michigan, with a clear emphasis on higher education, classical performing arts, and Orthodox Jewish communal institutions. They make multi-year or repeat annual-support grants rather than many small awards, favoring established organizations that provide ongoing institutional capacity. Their giving is geographically focused in southeast Michigan (Ann Arbor/Detroit/Troy) and mixes secular civic/cultural investments with faith-based community support.
A $2.425 million grant to the University of Michigan for the Detroit Observatory renovation shows the Stanley and Judith Frankel Family Foundation’s defining pattern: large, targeted gifts that support enduring institutions and long-lived projects. The foundation backs a mix of higher education, classical performing arts, and Orthodox Jewish communal organizations, with a strong preference for established recipients that appear repeatedly over multiple years. Its grant list includes sizeable annual-program support for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, along with recurring support for Jewish educational and religious institutions in Brooklyn, Staten Island, and Philadelphia. In Michigan, the foundation’s giving connects Ann Arbor, Detroit, Troy, Southfield, Oak Park, and Farmington Hills through a combination of university, arts, and community grants. The result is a portfolio that looks less like broad opportunistic philanthropy and more like sustained institutional support. Across the recent grants on file, the foundation’s work reflects both secular civic investment and faith-based community funding, with a clear emphasis on organizations that can absorb multi-year support and use it for ongoing operations, education, or capital needs.
Higher education and campus infrastructure are a clear priority. The foundation gave $2.425 million to the University of Michigan for the Detroit Observatory renovation, linking its university support to a specific historic science facility upgrade. It also made follow-on support grants to the university in later years. Classical performing arts is another recurring area: the Detroit Symphony Orchestra received $1.454 million in 2025, $454,000 in 2024, and $831,000 in 2023, all for annual program support. On the Jewish communal side, the foundation funded Bais Brocho D'stolin Karlin with $500,000 for annual support and backed institutions such as Project Legacy and Yeshivah Staten Island. Its Michigan-based community giving also includes Hillel Day School of Metro Detroit and Lasher Road Mikva.
Typical grant size is $8,812 at the 25th percentile, $30,000 at the median, and $72,000 at the 75th percentile, indicating a portfolio centered on modest institutional awards with a smaller set of very large grants. The recent record also shows repeat support across multiple years, especially for operating-style annual grants to the same organizations. The foundation is a private family foundation, not an individual-giving vehicle, and it does not make program-related investments. Grants are generally structured as annual support or program support, with some capital support for specific projects such as the Detroit Observatory renovation.
$2.2M
$32.1M
$2.1M
$2.3M
Most grants fall between $9K and $72K, with a median of $30K.
25th Percentile
$9K
Median
$30K
75th Percentile
$72K
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Concentrated, high-dollar grants to a very small number of repeat grantees; primarily annual or core operating support rather than project-specific giving.
Notable grantees: University of Michigan, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Bais Brocho D'Stolin Karlin
Grantmaking is concentrated in Michigan, with 70% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. The strongest cluster is in southeast Michigan, including Detroit, Ann Arbor, Troy, Southfield, Oak Park, and Farmington Hills. Outside Michigan, the foundation also supports recipients in Brooklyn, Staten Island, and Philadelphia, while the country distribution in the recent file is entirely U.S.-based. New York has the highest grant count by state because of multiple awards to Brooklyn and Staten Island recipients.
The recent grants show support for higher education, classical performing arts, and Orthodox Jewish communal and religious institutions. Examples include the University of Michigan for the Detroit Observatory renovation, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra for annual program support, and Bais Brocho D'stolin Karlin for annual support.
Yes. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in 2023, 2024, and 2025; the University of Michigan in 2023, 2024, and 2025; and Gvul Yaabetz Synagoguge and Misivtha Tifereth across multiple years as well.
The typical grant size is $8,812 at the 25th percentile, $30,000 at the median, and $72,000 at the 75th percentile. That spread shows a core pattern of mid-sized support, with a smaller number of larger awards pushing the average upward.
New York is the top state by grant count, while Michigan still receives 70% of grants. The recent grants include multiple recipients in Brooklyn, Staten Island, and Philadelphia, alongside a strong concentration of awards in southeast Michigan.
The recent grants are mostly annual support or annual program support, with some project-specific funding. For example, the University of Michigan received $2.425 million for the Detroit Observatory renovation, while the Detroit Symphony Orchestra received annual program grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DETROIT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | DETROIT, MI | $1,454,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL PROGRAM |
| PROJECT LEGACY | BROOKLYN, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| BAIS BROCHO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | BROOKLYN, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| HILLEL DAY SCHOOL OF METRO DETROIT | FARMINGTON HILLS, MI | $80,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| KOLLEL BNAI YESHIVAH | BROOKLYN, NY | $72,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| MISIVTHA TIFERETH | NEW YORK, NY | $72,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| GVUL YAABETZ SYNAGOGUGE | BROOKLYN, NY | $72,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| YESHIVAH STATEN ISLAND | STATEN ISLAND, NY | $72,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| CHABAD JEWISH CENTER OF TROY | TROY, MI | $36,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| HEBREW BENEVOLENT SOCIETY | OAK PARK, MI | $36,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| TALMUDICAL YESHIVAH OF PHILADELPHIA | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $36,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| NEW MUSIC DETROIT | BIRMINGHAM, MI | $20,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| CONGRGATION BETH AHM | WEST BLOOMFIELD, MI | $18,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| MISSION OAKLAND - POLICE WEEK | PONTIAC, MI | $5,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| BONEI OLAM INC | BROOKLYN, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| YOUNG ISRAEL OF SOUTHFIELD | SOUTHFIELD, MI | $3,600 | 2025 | ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| FRANKEL JEWISH ACADEMY | WEST BLOOMFIELD, MI | $3,600 | 2025 | ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| BEAR HUG FOUNDATION | BIRMINGHAM, MI | $2,500 | 2025 | ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| PROJECT HEALTHY SCHOOLS | ANN ARBOR, MI | $1,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| THE JEWISH DENTAL CLINIC | SOUTHFIELD, MI | $1,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| MICHIGAN PSYCHOANALYTIC FOUNDATION | FARMINGTON HILLS, MI | $700 | 2025 | ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| DETROIT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | DETROIT, MI | $454,000 | 2024 | ANNUAL PROGRAM |
| UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN | ANN ARBOR, MI | $100,000 | 2024 | ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| YESHIVAH STATEN ISLAND | STATEN ISLAND, NY | $90,000 | 2024 | 170 (C) |
| PROJECT LEGACY | BROOKLYN, NY | $75,000 | 2024 | ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| MISIVTHA TIFERETH | NEW YORK, NY | $72,000 | 2024 | ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| GVUL YAABETZ SYNAGOGUGE | BROOKLYN, NY | $72,000 | 2024 | ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| TALMUDICAL YESHIVAH OF PHILADELPHIA | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $72,000 | 2024 | ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| LASHER ROAD MIKVA | SOUTHFIELD, MI | $50,000 | 2024 | ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| DETROIT INSTITUTE OF ARTS | DETROIT, MI | $50,000 | 2024 | ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| HEBREW BENEVOLENT SOCIETY | OAK PARK, MI | $36,000 | 2024 | ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| MBP MEMORIAL FUND | BROOKLYN, NY | $36,000 | 2024 | ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| KOLLEL BNAI YESHIVAH | BROOKLYN, NY | $36,000 | 2024 | ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| CRANBROOK EDUCATIONAL COMMUNITY | BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI | $35,000 | 2024 | ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN HILLEL | ANN ARBOR, MI | $25,000 | 2024 | 2024 STUDENT DEVELOPMENT |
| AISH HATORAH DETROIT | OAK PARK, MI | $25,000 | 2024 | ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| CONGRGATION BETH AHM | WEST BLOOMFIELD, MI | $18,000 | 2024 | ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| MIDNIGHT GOLF PROGRAM | BINGHAM FARMS, MI | $10,000 | 2024 | ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| THE AFIKIM FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $5,250 | 2024 | ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| FOCUS HOPE | DETROIT, MI | $5,000 | 2024 | ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| BONEI OLAM INC | BROOKLYN, NY | $5,000 | 2024 | ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| YOUNG ISRAEL OF SOUTHFIELD | SOUTHFIELD, MI | $3,600 | 2024 | ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| BEAR HUG FOUNDATION | BIRMINGHAM, MI | $2,500 | 2024 | ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| FRANKEL JEWISH ACADEMY | WEST BLOOMFIELD, MI | $1,800 | 2024 | ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| THE JEWISH DENTAL CLINIC | SOUTHFIELD, MI | $1,000 | 2024 | ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN | ANN ARBOR, MI | $2,425,000 | 2023 | THE DETROIT OBSERVATORY RENOVATION |
| DETROIT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | DETROIT, MI | $831,000 | 2023 | ANNUAL PROGRAM |
| BAIS BROCHO D'STOLIN KARLIN | BROOKLYN, NY | $500,000 | 2023 | ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN | ANN ARBOR, MI | $125,000 | 2023 | ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| TALMUDICAL YESHIVAH OF PHILADELPHIA | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $72,000 | 2023 | ANNUAL SUPPORT |
DETROIT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
$1,454,000ANNUAL PROGRAM
PROJECT LEGACY
$100,000ANNUAL SUPPORT
BAIS BROCHO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
$100,000ANNUAL SUPPORT
HILLEL DAY SCHOOL OF METRO DETROIT
$80,000ANNUAL SUPPORT
KOLLEL BNAI YESHIVAH
$72,000ANNUAL SUPPORT
MISIVTHA TIFERETH
$72,000ANNUAL SUPPORT
GVUL YAABETZ SYNAGOGUGE
ANNUAL SUPPORT
YESHIVAH STATEN ISLAND
$72,000ANNUAL SUPPORT
CHABAD JEWISH CENTER OF TROY
$36,000ANNUAL SUPPORT
HEBREW BENEVOLENT SOCIETY
$36,000ANNUAL SUPPORT
TALMUDICAL YESHIVAH OF PHILADELPHIA
$36,000ANNUAL SUPPORT
NEW MUSIC DETROIT
$20,000ANNUAL SUPPORT
CONGRGATION BETH AHM
$18,000ANNUAL SUPPORT
MISSION OAKLAND - POLICE WEEK
$5,000ANNUAL SUPPORT
YOUNG ISRAEL OF SOUTHFIELD
$3,600ANNUAL SUPPORT
FRANKEL JEWISH ACADEMY
$3,600ANNUAL SUPPORT
BEAR HUG FOUNDATION
$2,500ANNUAL SUPPORT
PROJECT HEALTHY SCHOOLS
$1,000ANNUAL SUPPORT
THE JEWISH DENTAL CLINIC
$1,000ANNUAL SUPPORT
MICHIGAN PSYCHOANALYTIC FOUNDATION
$700ANNUAL SUPPORT
DETROIT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
$454,000ANNUAL PROGRAM
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
$100,000ANNUAL SUPPORT
YESHIVAH STATEN ISLAND
$90,000170 (C)
PROJECT LEGACY
$75,000ANNUAL SUPPORT
MISIVTHA TIFERETH
$72,000ANNUAL SUPPORT
GVUL YAABETZ SYNAGOGUGE
$72,000ANNUAL SUPPORT
TALMUDICAL YESHIVAH OF PHILADELPHIA
$72,000ANNUAL SUPPORT
LASHER ROAD MIKVA
$50,000ANNUAL SUPPORT
DETROIT INSTITUTE OF ARTS
$50,000ANNUAL SUPPORT
HEBREW BENEVOLENT SOCIETY
$36,000ANNUAL SUPPORT
MBP MEMORIAL FUND
$36,000ANNUAL SUPPORT
KOLLEL BNAI YESHIVAH
$36,000ANNUAL SUPPORT
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN HILLEL
$25,0002024 STUDENT DEVELOPMENT
AISH HATORAH DETROIT
$25,000ANNUAL SUPPORT
CONGRGATION BETH AHM
$18,000ANNUAL SUPPORT
MIDNIGHT GOLF PROGRAM
$10,000ANNUAL SUPPORT
YOUNG ISRAEL OF SOUTHFIELD
$3,600ANNUAL SUPPORT
BEAR HUG FOUNDATION
$2,500ANNUAL SUPPORT
THE JEWISH DENTAL CLINIC
$1,000ANNUAL SUPPORT
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
$2,425,000THE DETROIT OBSERVATORY RENOVATION
DETROIT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
$831,000ANNUAL PROGRAM
BAIS BROCHO D'STOLIN KARLIN
$500,000ANNUAL SUPPORT
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
$125,000ANNUAL SUPPORT
TALMUDICAL YESHIVAH OF PHILADELPHIA
$72,000ANNUAL SUPPORT