To initiate, cultivate, and fund strategic nonpartisan efforts in Michigan to promote economic and educational opportunity; enhance the quality of life and social welfare; defend and improve government accountability, ethics, and transparency; and strengthen democracy and civic participation.
Michigan Civic Education Fund’s recent grantmaking is built around nonpartisan civic engagement in Michigan, with large program-support grants aimed at strengthening democracy and civic participation. In 2025, the fund gave $3,590,000 to The Voter Project Fund in Philadelphia and $2,315,000 to Michigan Voices in Detroit, alongside a $1,945,000 grant to Engage Michigan in Lansing. Those awards sit within a broader portfolio that also supports voter engagement, communications, organizing, research, and public-policy infrastructure tied to government accountability and transparency. The foundation’s stated purpose centers on strategic, nonpartisan efforts that promote economic and educational opportunity, improve social welfare, and defend government accountability, ethics, and transparency. That scope shows up in its mix of civic, education, and democracy work, including support for organizations such as Promote the Vote Fund in Lansing and Equality Michigan in Detroit. The grantmaking pattern suggests a funder that backs established organizations and intermediary funds, using program support and project-restricted funding to advance state-level priorities. With annual grants of $15.9 million and a Michigan-heavy portfolio, it operates as a local funder with a clear emphasis on Michigan civic life.
A major line of giving supports voter engagement and democracy work. Michigan Civic Education Fund awarded $825,000 to Promote the Vote Fund in Lansing in 2025 and had also granted the same group $100,000 in 2023, showing repeated support for the organization’s work. The foundation also funds media and information infrastructure connected to civic participation. Through its Michigan Independent Media Group program, it supports local news in Michigan; in the recent grants list, that theme appears in a $100,000 grant to Courier Newsroom Inc in New York for program support. Education and opportunity are another theme. The fund gave $150,000 to Committee to Protect Healthcare Education Fund in Chicago and $80,000 to Michigan Center for Civic Education in Lansing, pairing civic goals with education-related programming. BIPOC leadership and community power building also appear in the portfolio, including a $105,000 grant to Miigwech Inc in Harbor Springs and another $84,000 grant to the same organization in 2024.
$12.1M
$2.8M
$13.2M
$13.1M
Most grants fall between $24K and $100K, with a median of $49K.
25th Percentile
$24K
Median
$49K
75th Percentile
$100K
About 82% of grants go to recipients in MI.
AMY CHAPMAN
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Typical grants cluster around a mid-six-figure-to-five-figure range: the 25th percentile is $23,736, the median is $48,750, and the 75th percentile is $100,000. The recent list also shows a smaller number of very large awards, which indicates a layered strategy that combines anchor support with broader program funding. Recipients appear across multiple years in several cases, including Engage Michigan, Promote the Vote Fund, Equality Michigan, Michigan Voices, and Miigwech Inc. The foundation is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. Grant purposes are commonly listed as program support, with project-restricted and direct-service funding also reflected in its philosophy tags. Unsolicited applications are not accepted in its active grant programs.
Michigan is the center of gravity: 82% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and the top state by grant count is also Michigan. Detroit appears repeatedly, alongside Lansing, Grand Rapids, Dearborn, Flint, Ann Arbor, East Lansing, Harbor Springs, and Kalamazoo. Outside Michigan, grants in the recent list reached Philadelphia, Washington, DC, Columbus, Chicago, McFarland, Great Falls, New York, and Pennsylvania-based recipients, but the portfolio remains overwhelmingly Michigan-focused.
It supports nonpartisan civic engagement organizations and related efforts in Michigan, with stated focus areas including civic engagement, voter engagement, BIPOC leadership and power building, research and legal work, leadership development, media and communications, education and economic opportunity, and government accountability and ethics.
Typical grants are centered around $48,750 at the median. The 25th percentile is $23,736 and the 75th percentile is $100,000, so many awards fall in a broad five-figure range with some larger program-support grants.
Yes, but most giving stays in Michigan. The grant list includes recipients in Philadelphia, Washington, DC, Columbus, Chicago, McFarland, Great Falls, and New York, while 82% of grants go to recipients in Michigan.
No. Its active grant programs for nonpartisan civic engagement organizations and Michigan Independent Media Group both list unsolicited applications as not accepted.
Recent awards support voter engagement, civic participation, local media, education, and community power-building. Examples in the grant list include work tied to democracy and civic participation, local news and countering disinformation, and education-related programming.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE VOTER PROJECT FUND | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $3,590,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MICHIGAN VOICES | DETROIT, MI | $2,315,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ENGAGE MICHIGAN | LANSING, MI | $1,945,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| PROMOTE THE VOTE FUND | LANSING, MI | $825,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| NEW VENTURE FUND | WASHINGTON, DC | $610,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| PA ALLIANCE FOUNDATION | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $415,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ORGANIZING EMPOWERMENT FUND | MCFARLAND, WI | $230,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| 482 FORWARD | DETROIT, MI | $185,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MICHIGAN DISABILITY RIGHTS COALITION | EAST LANSING, MI | $150,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| COMMITTEE TO PROTECT HEALTHCARE EDUCATION FUND | CHICAGO, IL | $150,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MICHIGAN UNITED | DETROIT, MI | $142,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| EQUALITY MICHIGAN | DETROIT, MI | $140,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| JCG MICHIGAN INC | ANN ARBOR, MI | $135,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| GREATER FLINT HEALTH COALITION | FLINT, MI | $115,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MIIGWECH INC | HARBOR SPRINGS, MI | $105,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| PUBLIC DEMOCRACY AMERICA | GREAT FALLS, VA | $100,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| FREEDOM INSTITUTE DETROIT BRANCH NAACP | DETROIT, MI | $100,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| COURIER NEWSROOM INC | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MICHIGAN CENTER FOR CIVIC EDUCATION | LANSING, MI | $80,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| DETROIT CHANGE INITIATIVE | DETROIT, MI | $75,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| VOTERS NOT POLITICIANS EDUCATION FUND | LANSING, MI | $75,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| BERRIEN CONNECTION | BENTON HARBOR, MI | $55,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN | ANN ARBOR, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| DETROIT HISPANIC DEVELOPMENT CORP | DETROIT, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| LGBT MICHIGAN | DETROIT, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ACCESS | DEARBORN, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CARES | KALAMAZOO, MI | $35,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| RED WINE & BLUE EDUCATION FUND | SHAKER HEIGHTS, OH | $35,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY PARTNERS MI CIVICS CENTER | LOS ANGELES, CA | $35,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| METROPOLITAN KALAMAZOO BRANCH NAACP | KALAMAZOO, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MICHIGAN LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS EDUCATION FUND | ANN ARBOR, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| APIA VOTE MI | STERLING HEIGHTS, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| SOCIAL GOOD FUND HEALTH CARE VOICES | RICHMOND, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| HISPANIC AMERICAN COUNCIL INC | KALAMAZOO, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ISSAC | KALAMAZOO, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| OUT FRONT KALAMAZOO | KALAMAZOO, MI | $20,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CLEAN WATER FUND | MT CLEMENS, MI | $15,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| PROGRESS MICHIGAN EDUCATION DBA/ ENGAGE MICHIGAN | LANSING, MI | $11,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| GLPA-LEAD EDUCATION FUND | BRIGHTON, MI | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| OHIO PROGRESSIVE COLLABORATIVE EDUCATION FUND | COLUMBUS, OH | $415,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MIIGWECH INC | HARBOR SPRINGS, MI | $84,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MICHIGAN UNITED | DETROIT, MI | $54,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| LOCAL FIRST EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $50,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MICHIGAN VOICES | DETROIT, MI | $39,500 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| MICHIGAN LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS EDUCATION FUND | ANN ARBOR, MI | $25,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| EQUALITY MICHIGAN | DETROIT, MI | $25,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| WE THE PEOPLE-MI | DETROIT, MI | $25,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| VOTERS NOT POLITICIANS EDUCATION FUND | LANSING, MI | $25,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| DETROIT CHANGE INITIATIVE | DETROIT, MI | $15,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| GLPA-LEAD | BRIGHTON, MI | $15,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
THE VOTER PROJECT FUND
$3,590,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
MICHIGAN VOICES
$2,315,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
ENGAGE MICHIGAN
$1,945,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
PROMOTE THE VOTE FUND
$825,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
NEW VENTURE FUND
$610,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
PA ALLIANCE FOUNDATION
$415,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
ORGANIZING EMPOWERMENT FUND
PROGRAM SUPPORT
482 FORWARD
$185,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
MICHIGAN DISABILITY RIGHTS COALITION
$150,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
COMMITTEE TO PROTECT HEALTHCARE EDUCATION FUND
$150,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
MICHIGAN UNITED
$142,500PROGRAM SUPPORT
EQUALITY MICHIGAN
$140,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
JCG MICHIGAN INC
$135,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
GREATER FLINT HEALTH COALITION
$115,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
MIIGWECH INC
$105,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
PUBLIC DEMOCRACY AMERICA
$100,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
FREEDOM INSTITUTE DETROIT BRANCH NAACP
$100,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
COURIER NEWSROOM INC
$100,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
MICHIGAN CENTER FOR CIVIC EDUCATION
$80,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
DETROIT CHANGE INITIATIVE
$75,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
VOTERS NOT POLITICIANS EDUCATION FUND
$75,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
BERRIEN CONNECTION
$55,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
$50,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
DETROIT HISPANIC DEVELOPMENT CORP
$50,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
LGBT MICHIGAN
$50,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
ACCESS
$50,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
CARES
$35,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
RED WINE & BLUE EDUCATION FUND
$35,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
COMMUNITY PARTNERS MI CIVICS CENTER
$35,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
METROPOLITAN KALAMAZOO BRANCH NAACP
$25,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
MICHIGAN LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS EDUCATION FUND
$25,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
APIA VOTE MI
$25,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
SOCIAL GOOD FUND HEALTH CARE VOICES
$25,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
HISPANIC AMERICAN COUNCIL INC
$25,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
ISSAC
$25,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
OUT FRONT KALAMAZOO
$20,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
CLEAN WATER FUND
$15,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
PROGRESS MICHIGAN EDUCATION DBA/ ENGAGE MICHIGAN
$11,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
GLPA-LEAD EDUCATION FUND
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
OHIO PROGRESSIVE COLLABORATIVE EDUCATION FUND
$415,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
MIIGWECH INC
$84,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
MICHIGAN UNITED
$54,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
LOCAL FIRST EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION
$50,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
MICHIGAN VOICES
$39,500PROGRAM SUPPORT
MICHIGAN LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS EDUCATION FUND
$25,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
EQUALITY MICHIGAN
$25,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
WE THE PEOPLE-MI
$25,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
VOTERS NOT POLITICIANS EDUCATION FUND
$25,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
DETROIT CHANGE INITIATIVE
$15,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
GLPA-LEAD
$15,000PROGRAM SUPPORT