The Tyler-Little Family Foundation concentrates its giving on local arts and cultural institutions in the Kalamazoo area, funding capital and infrastructure needs rather than general operating support. Grants are sizable and targeted to physical projects that strengthen community cultural assets, such as performance venues and museum facilities.
A $100,000 capital-campaign grant to the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra stands out in the Tyler-little Family Foundation’s recent giving, and it fits a broader pattern: the foundation backs physical improvements, operating support, and event sponsorships for organizations rooted in Kalamazoo and nearby Portage. Its grants often help local cultural and community institutions build or sustain facilities, from performance spaces and exhibit areas to children’s centers and visitor facilities. The largest recent awards also show a clear preference for targeted support. In 2025, the foundation gave $80,000 to the Air Zoo Legacy Foundation for mezzanine storage units, and it backed the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra again with $20,000 for general operating support. Other grants supported the Kalamazoo Nature Center’s visitor center renovation, Farmers Alley Theatre’s season sponsorship, and several community-serving organizations in the city. The foundation’s approach is local and project-oriented, with repeated support for the same institutions across years and different purposes. That mix of capital, annual gifts, and sponsorships suggests a funder that favors concrete needs over broad program portfolios.
Arts and culture are central to the Tyler-little Family Foundation’s grantmaking. It gave $100,000 to the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra for a capital campaign, then later provided $20,000 for general operating support. It also funded $25,000 to Farmers Alley Theatre for a season equity sponsorship and $30,000 to the Kalamazoo Nature Center for a visitor center renovation. The foundation also supports youth-serving and family programs. Grants include $50,000 to Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Kalamazoo for the annual fund and $40,000 to YWCA of Kalamazoo for Edison Children’s Center. In higher education, Kalamazoo College received both annual gift and general operating support, while Wmu Homer Stryker Md School of Medicine received an annual fund grant. Health and community stabilization appear in the portfolio as well, with support for Bronson Health Foundation’s cancer care campaign, Gryphon Place, and Housing Resources Inc’s Walk for Homeless sponsorship.
Typical grant size is modest to mid-sized: the p25 is $1,000, the median is $2,500, and the p75 is $5,000. Recent grants show that the foundation also makes larger targeted awards, especially for capital projects and named campaigns. The same recipients can appear across multiple years and with different purposes, which points to recurring relationships rather than one-off gifts. The foundation is not a private operating foundation that funds individuals, and it does not make program-related investments. The grant mix includes annual gifts, general operating support, sponsorships, and project-specific support.
$684K
$3.5M
$599K
$849K
Most grants fall between $1K and $5K, with a median of $3K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$3K
75th Percentile
$5K
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Highly concentrated: very few, relatively large one-off grants directed to local arts/culture capital projects rather than many small or unrestricted awards; repeat giving not evident from this dataset.
Notable grantees: Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, Air Zoo Legacy Foundation
Grantmaking is highly concentrated in Michigan. The top state by grant count is MI, and 78% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Recent recipient cities cluster around Kalamazoo and Portage, including Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Kalamazoo, YWCA of Kalamazoo, and Air Zoo Legacy Foundation in Portage. Outside Michigan, the recent list includes Denver, Colorado, and Hagerstown, Maryland, but the portfolio is overwhelmingly local.
The foundation supports arts and culture, youth programs, higher education, health services, homelessness response, and local community amenities. Recent examples include arts institutions, youth clubs, a children’s center, a cancer care campaign, and a homeless sponsorship.
The typical grant size is small to mid-sized: p25 is $1,000, median is $2,500, and p75 is $5,000. Recent grants also include larger targeted awards such as $100,000 and $80,000 for specific projects.
Yes. Michigan is the top state by grant count, and 78% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Recent grants are concentrated in Kalamazoo and nearby Portage.
Yes. Several recipients appear multiple times across the recent grants list, including the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, Air Zoo Legacy Foundation, Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo College, and Bronson Health Foundation, sometimes for different purposes in different years.
Its recent grants include capital campaign funding, general operating support, annual gifts, sponsorships, and project-specific support. Examples in the data include a capital campaign grant, annual fund gifts, an exhibit sponsor award, and a visitor center renovation grant.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIR ZOO LEGACY FOUNDATION | PORTAGE, MI | $80,000 | 2025 | MEZZANINE STORAGE UNITS |
| BRONSON HEALTH FOUNDATION | KALAMAZOO, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | CANCER CARE CAMPAIGN |
| KALAMAZOO CULTURAL CENTER | KALAMAZOO, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | KALAMAZOO, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FARMERS ALLEY THEATRE | KALAMAZOO, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | SEASON EQUITY SPONSOR |
| KALAMAZOO COLLEGE | KALAMAZOO, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HERITAGE COMMUNITY OF KALAMAZOO FOUNDATION | KALAMAZOO, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | THE ARK |
| GRYPHON PLACE | KALAMAZOO, MI | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| KALAMAZOO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | KALAMAZOO, MI | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| UNITED WAY OF SOUTH CENTRAL MICHIGAN | KALAMAZOO, MI | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FIRST TEE OF WEST MICHIGAN | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $10,000 | 2025 | MITCH WILSON MARATHON SPONSORSHIP |
| WMU HOMER STRYKER MD SCHOOL OF MEDICINE | KALAMAZOO, MI | $10,000 | 2025 | KALAMAZOO COLLABORATIVE CARE PROGRAM |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF KALAMAZOO | KALAMAZOO, MI | $10,000 | 2025 | BENEFIT DINNER |
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY | HAGERSTOWN, MD | $10,000 | 2025 | SEELYE-TYLER MEMORIAL GOLF CLASSIC |
| HOSPITAL HOSPITALITY HOUSE OF SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN | KALAMAZOO, MI | $7,500 | 2025 | GALA SPONSOR |
| ST JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL | MEMPHIS, TN | $7,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| TISCH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS RESEARCH CENTER OF NEW YORK | NEW YORK, NY | $7,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HERITAGE COMMUNITY OF KALAMAZOO FOUNDATION | KALAMAZOO, MI | $7,500 | 2025 | EDUCATION AND LEARNING FUND |
| MINISTRY WITH COMMUNITY | KALAMAZOO, MI | $6,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| KALAMAZOO LOAVES & FISHES | KALAMAZOO, MI | $6,000 | 2025 | SUMMER READING PROGRAM |
| DRIVE FOR LIFE FOUNDATION | KALAMAZOO, MI | $6,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| GRYPHON PLACE | KALAMAZOO, MI | $5,000 | 2025 | BUILDING CONNECTION CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| COMSTOCK COMMUNITY CENTER | KALAMAZOO, MI | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WMU HOMER STRYKER MD SCHOOL OF MEDICINE | KALAMAZOO, MI | $5,000 | 2025 | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND APPLIED SCIENCE |
| BRONSON HEALTH FOUNDATION | KALAMAZOO, MI | $5,000 | 2025 | GOOD NEIGHBOR FUND |
| GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN | KALAMAZOO, MI | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY HOMEWORKS | KALAMAZOO, MI | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ASCENSION BORGESS FOUNDATION | KALAMAZOO, MI | $5,000 | 2025 | TREE OF LOVE CAMPAIGN SPONSOR |
| FAMILY & CHILDREN SERVICES | KALAMAZOO, MI | $5,000 | 2025 | SUMMER CAMP INITIATIVE |
| FIRST DAY SHOE FUND | PORTAGE, MI | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| KALAMAZOO VALLEY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | KALAMAZOO, MI | $5,000 | 2025 | YOUTH CONCERTS SPONSOR |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS OF SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN | KALAMAZOO, MI | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF THE MICHIGAN GREAT LAKES | BATTLE CREEK, MI | $5,000 | 2025 | JUDGE SPONSORSHIP |
| OPEN DOORS | KALAMAZOO, MI | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FAMILY HEALTH CENTER | KALAMAZOO, MI | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HUNTINGTON'S DISEASE SOCIETY OF AMERICA | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | GALA SPONSOR |
| COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | FORT COLLINS, CO | $5,000 | 2025 | MEN'S GOLF PROGRAM |
| WARM KIDS PROJECT | PORTAGE, MI | $5,000 | 2025 | LIBRARY DEAN'S ENDOWMENT |
| COMMUNITY HEALING CENTERS | KALAMAZOO, MI | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SALVATION ARMY KALAMAZOO | KALAMAZOO, MI | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MUSKINGUM UNIVERSITY | NEW CONCORD, OH | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BREAKTHROUGH PUBLIC SCHOOLS | CLEVELAND, OH | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HEIFER INTERNATIONAL | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| KESEM | COVINA, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | KALAMAZOO AREA |
| WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | KALAMAZOO, MI | $5,000 | 2025 | SEITA SCHOLARS PROGRAM |
| WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | KALAMAZOO, MI | $5,000 | 2025 | COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS SCHOLARSHIPS |
| ROSE HILL FOUNDATION | HOLLY, MI | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO FOUNDATION | DENVER, CO | $5,000 | 2025 | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND APPLIED SCIENCE |
| PRETTY LAKE VACATION CAMP | MATTAWAN, MI | $5,000 | 2025 | PARKS AND TRAILS |
| COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS OF KALAMAZOO | KALAMAZOO, MI | $4,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
AIR ZOO LEGACY FOUNDATION
$80,000MEZZANINE STORAGE UNITS
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
HERITAGE COMMUNITY OF KALAMAZOO FOUNDATION
$25,000THE ARK
KALAMAZOO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
FIRST TEE OF WEST MICHIGAN
$10,000MITCH WILSON MARATHON SPONSORSHIP
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
$10,000SEELYE-TYLER MEMORIAL GOLF CLASSIC
HOSPITAL HOSPITALITY HOUSE OF SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN
$7,500GALA SPONSOR
HERITAGE COMMUNITY OF KALAMAZOO FOUNDATION
$7,500EDUCATION AND LEARNING FUND
DRIVE FOR LIFE FOUNDATION
$6,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
COMSTOCK COMMUNITY CENTER
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND APPLIED SCIENCE
BRONSON HEALTH FOUNDATION
$5,000GOOD NEIGHBOR FUND
GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
ASCENSION BORGESS FOUNDATION
$5,000TREE OF LOVE CAMPAIGN SPONSOR
KALAMAZOO VALLEY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
$5,000YOUTH CONCERTS SPONSOR
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF THE MICHIGAN GREAT LAKES
$5,000JUDGE SPONSORSHIP
FAMILY HEALTH CENTER
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
HUNTINGTON'S DISEASE SOCIETY OF AMERICA
$5,000GALA SPONSOR
WARM KIDS PROJECT
$5,000LIBRARY DEAN'S ENDOWMENT
SALVATION ARMY KALAMAZOO
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
BREAKTHROUGH PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
HEIFER INTERNATIONAL
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
KESEM
$5,000KALAMAZOO AREA
ROSE HILL FOUNDATION
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT