The Vaughan Foundation directs its philanthropy almost exclusively to a single beneficiary: UMRC Heritage Foundation. Its gifts appear to support a faith-affiliated senior living or retirement community (annual/capital needs), suggesting the foundation prioritizes local, faith-based elder care and institutional support over broad or diversified charitable giving.
Highly concentrated — two sizable grants totaling $400,000 almost entirely to one recurring grantee; appears to favor repeat, large gifts to a single institution rather than distributed giving.
Vaughan Foundation C/o Erik H Serr Miller Canfield directs almost all of its giving to a single organization: UMRC Heritage Foundation in Chelsea, Michigan. The pattern is clear across 2023, 2024, and 2025, with repeated annual-fund support at the top of the foundation’s grant list. That concentration makes the funder stand out as a highly focused local supporter rather than a broadly diversified grantmaker. Its recent grants also show a consistent interest in Michigan institutions serving seniors, health, housing, and community needs. Awards to The Heat & Warmth Fund in Detroit and Shelter Association of Washtenaw in Ann Arbor place basic-needs support alongside the long-running relationship with UMRC Heritage Foundation. Other recurring recipients include St Joseph Mercy Health System and Washtenaw Literacy, both funded in multiple years. The foundation’s giving is organizational and restricted to IRS 501(c)(3) public charities, with every recent recipient in Michigan. The grant list points to steady institutional support for nearby nonprofits, especially those connected to elder care, human services, and faith-linked community infrastructure.
A defining theme is support for elder-care institutions. The largest recent grant is the 2025 award of $200,000 to UMRC Heritage Foundation for annual fund support, following $200,000 in 2024 and $180,000 in 2023. Basic-needs and housing-related work also appears in the record. The Heat & Warmth Fund received $150,000 in both 2024 and 2025, and Shelter Association of Washtenaw received $125,000 in 2023, 2024, and 2025. The foundation also backs local human-service organizations beyond housing. Washtenaw Literacy received $80,000 in 2023, 2024, and 2025, while St Joseph Mercy Health System received $100,000 in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Other grants show support for animals and local community institutions, including Michigan Humane Society, Humane Society of Huron Valley, Horses Haven, Ann Arbor Hands On Museum, and YMCA of Ann Arbor.
Typical grant sizes cluster in the $35,000 to $70,000 range, with a median of $50,000 and a 75th percentile of $70,000. The actual recent awards include several larger repeat grants above that band, including $100,000, $125,000, $150,000, $180,000, and $200,000. The grant history is recurring rather than one-off. Multiple recipients appear across three years, including UMRC Heritage Foundation, The Heat & Warmth Fund, Shelter Association of Washtenaw, St Joseph Mercy Health System, and Washtenaw Literacy. The foundation’s recipients are IRS 501(c)(3) organizations, and the pattern suggests organizational support rather than individual giving or program-related investments.
$69.8M
$6.3M
$57.6M
$70M
Most grants fall between $35K and $70K, with a median of $50K.
25th Percentile
$35K
Median
$50K
75th Percentile
$70K
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Notable grantees: UMRC Heritage Foundation (annual fund)
Giving is overwhelmingly local and concentrated in Michigan. Ninety-six percent of grants go to recipients in the foundation’s headquarters state, and the recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based. Ann Arbor is the most visible hub in the recent grant list, with grants to Shelter Association of Washtenaw, Peace Neighborhood Center, Fisher House Michigan, YMCA of Ann Arbor, St Joseph Mercy Health System, Ann Arbor Hands On Museum, and Humane Society of Huron Valley. Other Michigan recipient cities and towns include Chelsea, Detroit, Ypsilanti, Ypsilanti Charter Twp, Bingham Farms, Howell, and Commerce Township.
It funds IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, with recent gifts going to groups such as UMRC Heritage Foundation, St Joseph Mercy Health System, and Washtenaw Literacy. The grant record points to organizational support rather than gifts to individuals.
The typical grant size is $35,000 at the 25th percentile, $50,000 at the median, and $70,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent awards also include larger grants of $100,000, $125,000, $150,000, $180,000, and $200,000.
Yes. UMRC Heritage Foundation appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025; The Heat & Warmth Fund appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Shelter Association of Washtenaw appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025; and St Joseph Mercy Health System appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
The foundation gives most often in Michigan. Ninety-six percent of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and the recent grant list includes many Michigan cities, especially Ann Arbor, plus Chelsea, Detroit, Ypsilanti, Bingham Farms, Howell, and Commerce Township.
The recent record centers on elder-care support, basic-needs and housing assistance, and local human services. Examples include UMRC Heritage Foundation for annual fund support, The Heat & Warmth Fund, Shelter Association of Washtenaw, and Washtenaw Literacy.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANN ARBOR AREA COMMUNITY FDN ANN ARBOR AREA COMMUNITY FDN | ANN ARBOR, MI | $69,709,616 | 2026 | USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS |
| TRAIL'S END WILDLIFE REFUGE TRAIL'S END WILDLIFE REFUGE | MARTINSVILLE, IN | $30,000 | 2026 | USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS |
| STREET LIFE TO THE SWEET LIFE STREET LIFE TO THE SWEET LIFE | SPLENDORA, TX | $20,000 | 2026 | USED CONSISTENT W/ 501(C)(3) STATUS |
| UMRC HERITAGE FOUND ANNUAL FUND UMRC HERITAGE FOUND ANNUAL FUND | CHELSEA, MI | $200,000 | 2025 | USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS |
| THE HEAT & WARMTH FUND THE HEAT & WARMTH FUND | DETROIT, MI | $150,000 | 2025 | USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS |
| SHELTER ASSOCIATION OF WASHTENAW SHELTER ASSOCIATION OF WASHTENAW | ANN ARBOR, MI | $125,000 | 2025 | USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS |
| ST JOSEPH MERCY HEALTH SYSTEM ST JOSEPH MERCY HEALTH SYSTEM | ANN ARBOR, MI | $100,000 | 2025 | USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS |
| WASHTENAW LITERACY WASHTENAW LITERACY | YPSILANTI, MI | $80,000 | 2025 | USED CONSISTENT W/ 501(C)(3) STATUS |
| ANN ARBOR HANDS ON MUSEUM ANN ARBOR HANDS ON MUSEUM | ANN ARBOR, MI | $70,000 | 2025 | USED CONSISTENT W/ 501(C)(3) STATUS |
| HUMANE SOCIETY OF HURON VALLEY HUMANE SOCIETY OF HURON VALLEY | ANN ARBOR, MI | $70,000 | 2025 | USED CONSISTENT W/ 501(C)(3) STATUS |
| HORSES HAVEN HORSE HAVEN | HOWELL, MI | $70,000 | 2025 | USED CONSISTENT W/ 501(C)(3) STATUS |
| MICHIGAN HUMANE SOCIETY MICHIGAN HUMANE SOCIETY | BINGHAM FARMS, MI | $70,000 | 2025 | USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS |
| ANN ARBOR TEEN CENTER ANN ARBOR TEEN CENTER | ANN ARBOR, MI | $65,000 | 2025 | USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS |
| MICHIGAN THEATRE FOUNDATI MICHIGAN THEATRE FOUNDATION INC | ANN ARBOR, MI | $60,000 | 2025 | USED CONSISTENT W/ 501(C)(3) STATUS |
| PACKARD HEALTH CENTER PACKARD HEALTH CENTER | ANN ARBOR, MI | $60,000 | 2025 | USED CONSISTENT W/ 501(C)(3) STATUS |
| FISHER HOUSE MICHIGAN FISHER HOUSE MICHIGAN | ANN ARBOR, MI | $60,000 | 2025 | USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS |
| LEADER DOGS FOR THE BLIND LEADER DOGS FOR THE BLIND | ROCHESTER, MI | $60,000 | 2025 | USED CONSISTENT W/ 501(C)(3) STATUS |
| PEACE NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER PEACE NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER | ANN ARBOR, MI | $60,000 | 2025 | USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS |
| ST LOUIS CENTER ST LOUIS CENTER FOR EXCEPTION | CHELSEA, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | USED CONSISTENT W/ 501(C)(3) STATUS |
| THERAPEUTIC RIDING INC THERAPEUTIC RIDING INC | ANN ARBOR, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | USED CONSISTENT W/ 501(C)(3) STATUS |
| CASCADES HUMANE SOCIETY CASCADES HUMANE SOCIETY | JACKSON, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | USED CONSISTENT W/ 501(C)(3) STATUS |
| CHEBOYGAN COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY CHEBOYGAN COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY | CHEBOYGAN, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS |
| UNIVERSITY MUSICAL SOCIETY UNIVERSITY MUSCIAL SOCIETY | ANN ARBOR, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS |
| DAWN FARMS DAWN FARMS | YPSILANTI CHARTER TWP, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS |
| DETROIT ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY DETROIT ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY | ROYAL OAK, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS |
| FOOD GATHERERS FOOD GATHERERS | ANN ARBOR, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | USED CONSISTENT W/ 501(C)(3) STATUS |
| PAWS WITH A CAUSE PAWS WITH A CAUSE | AUBURN HILLS, MI | $45,000 | 2025 | USED CONSISTENT W/ 501(C)(3) STATUS |
| DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROJECT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROJECT | CANTON, MI | $45,000 | 2025 | USED CONSISTENT W/ 501(C)(3) STATUS |
| GREAT LAKES RABBITS SANCT GREAT LAKES RABBITS SANCTUARY | WHITTAKER, MI | $40,000 | 2025 | USED CONSISTENT W/ 501(C)(3) STATUS |
| ANN ARBOR SUMMER FESTIVAL ANN ARBOR SUMMER FESTIVAL | ANN ARBOR, MI | $40,000 | 2025 | USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS |
| BIRD CENTER OF WASHTENAW COUNTY' BIRD CENTER OF WASHTENAW COUNTY | ANN ARBOR, MI | $40,000 | 2025 | USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS |
| PURPLE ROSE THEATER CO PURPLE ROSE THEATRE CO | CHELSEA, MI | $40,000 | 2025 | USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE | ANN ARBOR, MI | $40,000 | 2025 | USED CONSISTENT W/ 501(C)(3) STATUS |
| ALATHEIA RIDING CENTER ALATHEIA RIDING CENTER | WENATCHEE, WA | $40,000 | 2025 | USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS |
| CANTER CANTER | COMMERCE TOWNSHIP, MI | $40,000 | 2025 | USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS |
| ELES PLACE ELES PLACE | LANSING, MI | $35,000 | 2025 | USED CONSISTENT W/ 501(C)(3) STATUS |
| GIRLS GRP GIRLS GRP | ANN ARBOR, MI | $30,000 | 2025 | USED CONSISTENT W/ 501(C)(3) STATUS |
| REGENTS OF UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN REGENETS OF UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN | ANN ARBOR, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | USED CONSISTENT W/ 501(C)(3) STATUS |
| TRAIL'S END WILDLIFE REFUGE TRAIL'S END WILDLIFE REFUGE | MARTINSVILLE, IN | $20,000 | 2025 | USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS |
| FAIR FOOD NETWORK FAIR FOOD NETWORK | DETROIT, MI | $20,000 | 2025 | USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS |
| LEGACY LAND CONSERVANCY LEGACY LAND CONSERVANCY | ANN ARBOR, MI | $20,000 | 2025 | USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS |
| BARN SANCTUARY BARN SANCTUARY | CHELSEA, MI | $15,000 | 2025 | USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS |
| RECYCLE ANN ARBOR RECYCLE ANN ARBOR | ANN ARBOR, MI | $15,000 | 2025 | USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS |
| WASHTENAW COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY WASHTENAW COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY | ANN ARBOR, MI | $5,000 | 2025 | USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS |
| UMRC HERITAGE FOUND ANNUAL FUND UMRC HERITAGE FOUND ANNUAL FUND | CHELSEA, MI | $200,000 | 2024 | USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS |
| THE HEAT & WARMTH FUND THE HEAT & WARMTH FUND | DETROIT, MI | $150,000 | 2024 | USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS |
| SHELTER ASSOCIATION OF WASHTENAW SHELTER ASSOCIATION OF WASHTENAW | ANN ARBOR, MI | $125,000 | 2024 | USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS |
| ST JOSEPH MERCY HEALTH SYSTEM ST JOSEPH MERCY HEALTH SYSTEM | ANN ARBOR, MI | $100,000 | 2024 | USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS |
| WASHTENAW LITERACY WASHTENAW LITERACY | YPSILANTI, MI | $80,000 | 2024 | USED CONSISTENT W/ 501(C)(3) STATUS |
| MICHIGAN HUMANE SOCIETY MICHIGAN HUMANE SOCIETY | BINGHAM FARMS, MI | $70,000 | 2024 | USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS |
ANN ARBOR AREA COMMUNITY FDN ANN ARBOR AREA COMMUNITY FDN
$69,709,616USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS
TRAIL'S END WILDLIFE REFUGE TRAIL'S END WILDLIFE REFUGE
$30,000USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS
STREET LIFE TO THE SWEET LIFE STREET LIFE TO THE SWEET LIFE
$20,000USED CONSISTENT W/ 501(C)(3) STATUS
UMRC HERITAGE FOUND ANNUAL FUND UMRC HERITAGE FOUND ANNUAL FUND
$200,000USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS
THE HEAT & WARMTH FUND THE HEAT & WARMTH FUND
$150,000USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS
SHELTER ASSOCIATION OF WASHTENAW SHELTER ASSOCIATION OF WASHTENAW
$125,000USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS
ST JOSEPH MERCY HEALTH SYSTEM ST JOSEPH MERCY HEALTH SYSTEM
$100,000USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS
WASHTENAW LITERACY WASHTENAW LITERACY
$80,000USED CONSISTENT W/ 501(C)(3) STATUS
ANN ARBOR HANDS ON MUSEUM ANN ARBOR HANDS ON MUSEUM
$70,000USED CONSISTENT W/ 501(C)(3) STATUS
HUMANE SOCIETY OF HURON VALLEY HUMANE SOCIETY OF HURON VALLEY
$70,000USED CONSISTENT W/ 501(C)(3) STATUS
HORSES HAVEN HORSE HAVEN
$70,000USED CONSISTENT W/ 501(C)(3) STATUS
MICHIGAN HUMANE SOCIETY MICHIGAN HUMANE SOCIETY
$70,000USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS
ANN ARBOR TEEN CENTER ANN ARBOR TEEN CENTER
$65,000USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS
MICHIGAN THEATRE FOUNDATI MICHIGAN THEATRE FOUNDATION INC
$60,000USED CONSISTENT W/ 501(C)(3) STATUS
PACKARD HEALTH CENTER PACKARD HEALTH CENTER
$60,000USED CONSISTENT W/ 501(C)(3) STATUS
FISHER HOUSE MICHIGAN FISHER HOUSE MICHIGAN
$60,000USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS
LEADER DOGS FOR THE BLIND LEADER DOGS FOR THE BLIND
$60,000USED CONSISTENT W/ 501(C)(3) STATUS
PEACE NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER PEACE NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER
$60,000USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS
ST LOUIS CENTER ST LOUIS CENTER FOR EXCEPTION
$50,000USED CONSISTENT W/ 501(C)(3) STATUS
THERAPEUTIC RIDING INC THERAPEUTIC RIDING INC
$50,000USED CONSISTENT W/ 501(C)(3) STATUS
CASCADES HUMANE SOCIETY CASCADES HUMANE SOCIETY
$50,000USED CONSISTENT W/ 501(C)(3) STATUS
CHEBOYGAN COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY CHEBOYGAN COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY
$50,000USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS
UNIVERSITY MUSICAL SOCIETY UNIVERSITY MUSCIAL SOCIETY
$50,000USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS
DAWN FARMS DAWN FARMS
$50,000USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS
DETROIT ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY DETROIT ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY
$50,000USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS
FOOD GATHERERS FOOD GATHERERS
$50,000USED CONSISTENT W/ 501(C)(3) STATUS
PAWS WITH A CAUSE PAWS WITH A CAUSE
$45,000USED CONSISTENT W/ 501(C)(3) STATUS
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROJECT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROJECT
$45,000USED CONSISTENT W/ 501(C)(3) STATUS
GREAT LAKES RABBITS SANCT GREAT LAKES RABBITS SANCTUARY
$40,000USED CONSISTENT W/ 501(C)(3) STATUS
ANN ARBOR SUMMER FESTIVAL ANN ARBOR SUMMER FESTIVAL
$40,000USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS
BIRD CENTER OF WASHTENAW COUNTY' BIRD CENTER OF WASHTENAW COUNTY
$40,000USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS
PURPLE ROSE THEATER CO PURPLE ROSE THEATRE CO
$40,000USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE
$40,000USED CONSISTENT W/ 501(C)(3) STATUS
ALATHEIA RIDING CENTER ALATHEIA RIDING CENTER
$40,000USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS
CANTER CANTER
$40,000USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS
ELES PLACE ELES PLACE
$35,000USED CONSISTENT W/ 501(C)(3) STATUS
GIRLS GRP GIRLS GRP
$30,000USED CONSISTENT W/ 501(C)(3) STATUS
REGENTS OF UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN REGENETS OF UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
$25,000USED CONSISTENT W/ 501(C)(3) STATUS
TRAIL'S END WILDLIFE REFUGE TRAIL'S END WILDLIFE REFUGE
$20,000USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS
FAIR FOOD NETWORK FAIR FOOD NETWORK
$20,000USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS
LEGACY LAND CONSERVANCY LEGACY LAND CONSERVANCY
$20,000USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS
BARN SANCTUARY BARN SANCTUARY
$15,000USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS
RECYCLE ANN ARBOR RECYCLE ANN ARBOR
$15,000USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS
WASHTENAW COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY WASHTENAW COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$5,000USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS
UMRC HERITAGE FOUND ANNUAL FUND UMRC HERITAGE FOUND ANNUAL FUND
$200,000USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS
THE HEAT & WARMTH FUND THE HEAT & WARMTH FUND
$150,000USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS
SHELTER ASSOCIATION OF WASHTENAW SHELTER ASSOCIATION OF WASHTENAW
$125,000USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS
ST JOSEPH MERCY HEALTH SYSTEM ST JOSEPH MERCY HEALTH SYSTEM
$100,000USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS
WASHTENAW LITERACY WASHTENAW LITERACY
$80,000USED CONSISTENT W/ 501(C)(3) STATUS
MICHIGAN HUMANE SOCIETY MICHIGAN HUMANE SOCIETY
$70,000USED CONSISTENT W/501(C)(3) STATUS