Dragonfly Fund concentrates its giving on community philanthropy and land conservation, making very large, targeted awards rather than many small grants. The foundation provided a single transformational gift to a major community foundation and multi-million-dollar support to a regional land trust, indicating interest in strengthening local civic infrastructure and conserving natural lands in Michigan and the broader Midwest.
Highly concentrated giving: very few, large awards (one transformational gift to a community foundation and multi-million project/support funding to a regional conservancy), with repeat support to a single conservancy rather than many small grantees.
The Chicago Community Foundation, Little Traverse Conservancy Inc
A single $10,000,000 grant to The Chicago Community Foundation stands out in Dragonfly Fund’s recent record and shows how the funder uses very large awards to shape civic infrastructure. The foundation also backed Little Traverse Conservancy Inc with $1,000,000 for project and program support, extending that same scale into land conservation. Across its recent grants, Dragonfly Fund combines major unrestricted gifts, capital campaign support, and project funding for community institutions, schools, cultural organizations, and conservation groups. Its portfolio points to two strong lines of work: strengthening community philanthropy and protecting natural lands, especially in Michigan. The 2025 grant to Chicago was paired with repeated support for organizations in Harbor Springs, Petoskey, and Grand Rapids, including Childrens Healing Center, Northern Michigan Regional Health System Foundation, Grand Rapids Ballet Co, and Grand Valley State University. The pattern suggests a funder that makes concentrated, high-dollar grants to organizations with established local roles rather than spreading small gifts broadly. In addition to Michigan recipients, the foundation has supported selected institutions in Chicago, Philadelphia, Arlington, and Washington, DC, reflecting a regional footprint with a few wider national allocations.
Community philanthropy appears as a core theme. Dragonfly Fund gave $10,000,000 to The Chicago Community Foundation for general operating support, a gift that aligns with its emphasis on endowments and unrestricted support for community foundations. That same orientation shows up in a $50,000 grant to Petoskey-harbor Springs Area Community Foundation for program support. Land conservation is another clear area of support. The foundation awarded $1,000,000 to Little Traverse Conservancy Inc for project and program support, followed by additional grants of $135,000 in 2023 and $100,000 in 2024 for the same organization. Beyond those anchor areas, Dragonfly Fund has supported capital and program work at Childrens Healing Center, Grand Rapids Ballet Co, and Northwest Michigan Habitat for Humanity, showing an interest in facilities, service delivery, and community infrastructure.
Dragonfly Fund’s recent grant sizes cluster at the high end: p25 is $5,000, the median is $10,000, and p75 is $32,500. The distribution is shaped by a small number of very large awards, including one $10,000,000 grant and one $1,000,000 grant. The funder is a Pure DAF Provider and does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. The recent record also shows repeat support over multiple years, especially for Little Traverse Conservancy Inc, Grand Valley State University, Writers Series of Traverse City, Northwest Michigan Habitat for Humanity, and National Constitution Center. That pattern suggests ongoing relationships rather than one-off gifts. Grant types include general operating support, program support, project/program support, and capital campaign support.
$11.4M
$39.8M
$12.2M
$11.6M
Most grants fall between $5K and $33K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$33K
About 73% of grants go to recipients in MI.
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Dragonfly Fund gives most often in Michigan, which accounts for 73% of grants to recipients in the HQ state, while the foundation itself is headquartered in Grand Rapids. Recent Michigan recipients include Harbor Springs, Petoskey, Boyne City, Traverse City, Allendale, Lansing, Ann Arbor, and Grand Rapids. Outside Michigan, the foundation has made grants to organizations in Chicago, Philadelphia, Arlington, and Washington, DC. All recent grants in the dataset went to US recipients.
The recent grants point to community foundations, land conservation groups, arts and cultural organizations, education institutions, health-related nonprofits, and housing organizations. Named recipients include The Chicago Community Foundation, Little Traverse Conservancy Inc, Childrens Healing Center, Grand Valley State University, and Northwest Michigan Habitat for Humanity.
Yes. The typical grant size is $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $10,000 at the median, and $32,500 at the 75th percentile, but the recent record also includes a $10,000,000 grant and a $1,000,000 grant.
Yes. Michigan receives 73% of grants to recipients in the HQ state, and Michigan is also the top state by grant count. Recent Michigan recipients are spread across Grand Rapids, Harbor Springs, Petoskey, Traverse City, Allendale, Boyne City, Lansing, and Ann Arbor.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Little Traverse Conservancy Inc, Grand Valley State University, Writers Series of Traverse City, Northwest Michigan Habitat for Humanity, and National Constitution Center.
The grants include general operating support, program support, project/program support, and capital campaign support. Recent examples show all four forms across community philanthropy, conservation, education, arts, health, and housing organizations.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE CHICAGO COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| LITTLE TRAVERSE CONSERVANCY INC | HARBOR SPRINGS, MI | $1,000,000 | 2025 | PROJECT/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CHILDRENS HEALING CENTER | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $100,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| NORTHERN MICHIGAN REGIONAL HEALTH SYSTEM FOUNDATION | PETOSKEY, MI | $80,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY | ALLENDALE, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | PROJECT/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| WRITERS SERIES OF TRAVERSE CITY | TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | PROJECT/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| NORTHWEST MICHIGAN HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | PETOSKEY, MI | $40,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| LITERACY CENTER OF WEST MICHIGAN | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | PROJECT/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL CONSTITUTION CENTER | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HARBOR SPRINGS GARDEN CLUB INC | HARBOR SPRINGS, MI | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PLAINSONG FARM & MINISTRY | ROCKFORD, MI | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE CENTER FOR US GLOBAL LEADERSHIP | WASHINGTON, DC | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE HENRY FORD | DEARBORN, MI | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| GERALD R FORD FOUNDATION | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BIOGRAPHERS INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOUNDATION | SANTA FE, NM | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FRIENDS OF THE BOYNE DISTRICT LIBRARY | BOYNE CITY, MI | $3,000 | 2025 | PROJECT/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| LITTLE TRAVERSE CONSERVANCY INC | HARBOR SPRINGS, MI | $100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| LYRIC THEATRE | HARBOR SPRINGS, MI | $100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHILDRENS HEALING CENTER | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $100,000 | 2024 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| NATIONAL CONSTITUTION CENTER | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $75,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BOYNE HERITAGE CENTER | BOYNE CITY, MI | $60,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| GRAND RAPIDS BALLET CO | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $50,000 | 2024 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| PETOSKEY-HARBOR SPRINGS AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | PETOSKEY, MI | $50,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY | ALLENDALE, MI | $50,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| NATURE CONSERVANCY - MICHIGAN CHAPTER | ARLINGTON, VA | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| VANDENBERG COALITION | WASHINGTON, DC | $40,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NORTHWEST MICHIGAN HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | PETOSKEY, MI | $35,000 | 2024 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| SCHOOLS FOR SIERRA LEONE | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $30,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| GRAND RAPIDS CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| LITERACY CENTER OF WEST MICHIGAN | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $25,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| BRODYS BE CAFE LLC | ADA, MI | $20,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NORTHERN MICHIGAN REGIONAL HEALTH SYSTEM FOUNDATION | PETOSKEY, MI | $20,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE CENTER FOR US GLOBAL LEADERSHIP | WASHINGTON, DC | $15,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SAN JUAN DIEGO ACADEMY | WYOMING, MI | $10,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL ARCHIVES FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE HENRY FORD | DEARBORN, MI | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BLANDFORD NATURE CENTER | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FANS OF VALLEY FIELD | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| DIATRIBE INC | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CALVIN COOLIDGE PRESIDENTIAL FOUNDATION | PLYMUTH, VT | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BOYNE CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS | BOYNE CITY, MI | $8,500 | 2024 | PROJECT PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| HARBOR BEACH UNITED COMMUNITY FUND | HARBOR BEACH, MI | $6,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| US SUPREME COURT HISTORICAL SOCIETY | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| GERALD R FORD FOUNDATION | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BIOGRAPHERS INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOUNDATION | SANTA FE, NM | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HARVARD KENNEDY SCHOOL | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $5,000 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| ACTON INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF RELIGION AND LIBERTY | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| DIATRIBE INC | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $5,000 | 2024 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| LAND CONSERVANCY OF WEST MICHIGAN | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
THE CHICAGO COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$10,000,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
LITTLE TRAVERSE CONSERVANCY INC
$1,000,000PROJECT/PROGRAM SUPPORT
CHILDRENS HEALING CENTER
$100,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
NORTHERN MICHIGAN REGIONAL HEALTH SYSTEM FOUNDATION
$80,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
$50,000PROJECT/PROGRAM SUPPORT
WRITERS SERIES OF TRAVERSE CITY
$50,000PROJECT/PROGRAM SUPPORT
NORTHWEST MICHIGAN HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
$40,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
LITERACY CENTER OF WEST MICHIGAN
$25,000PROJECT/PROGRAM SUPPORT
NATIONAL CONSTITUTION CENTER
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
HARBOR SPRINGS GARDEN CLUB INC
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
PLAINSONG FARM & MINISTRY
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
THE CENTER FOR US GLOBAL LEADERSHIP
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
THE HENRY FORD
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
GERALD R FORD FOUNDATION
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
BIOGRAPHERS INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOUNDATION
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
FRIENDS OF THE BOYNE DISTRICT LIBRARY
$3,000PROJECT/PROGRAM SUPPORT
LITTLE TRAVERSE CONSERVANCY INC
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
LYRIC THEATRE
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CHILDRENS HEALING CENTER
$100,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
NATIONAL CONSTITUTION CENTER
$75,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
BOYNE HERITAGE CENTER
$60,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
GRAND RAPIDS BALLET CO
$50,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
PETOSKEY-HARBOR SPRINGS AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$50,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
$50,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
NATURE CONSERVANCY - MICHIGAN CHAPTER
$50,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
VANDENBERG COALITION
$40,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
NORTHWEST MICHIGAN HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
$35,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
SCHOOLS FOR SIERRA LEONE
$30,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM FOUNDATION
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
GRAND RAPIDS CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
LITERACY CENTER OF WEST MICHIGAN
$25,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
BRODYS BE CAFE LLC
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
NORTHERN MICHIGAN REGIONAL HEALTH SYSTEM FOUNDATION
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
THE CENTER FOR US GLOBAL LEADERSHIP
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
SAN JUAN DIEGO ACADEMY
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
NATIONAL ARCHIVES FOUNDATION
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
THE HENRY FORD
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
BLANDFORD NATURE CENTER
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
FANS OF VALLEY FIELD
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
DIATRIBE INC
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CALVIN COOLIDGE PRESIDENTIAL FOUNDATION
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
BOYNE CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$8,500PROJECT PROGRAM SUPPORT
HARBOR BEACH UNITED COMMUNITY FUND
$6,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
US SUPREME COURT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
GERALD R FORD FOUNDATION
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
BIOGRAPHERS INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOUNDATION
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
HARVARD KENNEDY SCHOOL
$5,000SCHOLARSHIPS
ACTON INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF RELIGION AND LIBERTY
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
DIATRIBE INC
$5,000PROGRAM SUPPORT
LAND CONSERVANCY OF WEST MICHIGAN
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT