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William Davidson Foundation

Annual Giving
$67.0M
Grant Range
$5K - $5.0M

William Davidson Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $67 million (2023)
  • Total Assets: $1.11 billion
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed (invitation-only process)
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $5,000,000+ (typical grant: $5,000)
  • Geographic Focus: Southeast Michigan, State of Israel, and Jewish communities nationally

Contact Details

William Davidson Foundation

  • Address: P.O. Box 1688, Birmingham, MI 48012
  • Phone: +1.248.788.6500
  • Fax: +1.248.788.6501
  • Website: https://williamdavidson.org
  • LinkedIn: Available through their company profile

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funding.

Overview

Established in 2006 as a private independent foundation, the William Davidson Foundation honors the legacy of its founder, entrepreneur and philanthropist William Davidson (1922-2009), who built Guardian Industries and owned the Detroit Pistons. With assets of $1.11 billion and annual grantmaking of approximately $67 million (2023), the foundation focuses on three primary areas: the economic, cultural, and civic vitality of Southeast Michigan; Jewish life and learning; and the security, prosperity, and vibrancy of the State of Israel. The foundation employs a proactive, relationship-driven approach to grantmaking, described as "an active and transparent funder" that discovers opportunities through networking, online research, and referrals rather than open application processes.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation organizes its grantmaking around three core focus areas:

Southeast Michigan (Good Jobs and Great Places)

  • Economic development initiatives expanding employment opportunities
  • Cultural institutions and gathering spaces in Detroit and Southeast Michigan
  • Community development and civic infrastructure
  • Grant range: $5,000 to multi-million dollar investments

Jewish Life

  • Detroit Jewish community strengthening initiatives
  • Davidson Scholars Program: Supporting 100+ leading Jewish educators nationally
  • Wexner Davidson Fellowship: Leadership development for emerging Jewish professionals (ages 26-36)
  • Entrepreneurial Jewish education ventures and innovation
  • Grant examples: $30 million to Detroit Jewish community initiatives; Innovation Fund awards typically $10,000-$35,000

Israel

  • Security initiatives and policy analysis
  • Economic prosperity programs connecting Israeli entrepreneurs to international networks
  • Cultural institutions and gathering spaces, particularly in Jerusalem
  • Scientific education for young Israelis
  • Example: $1.2 million three-year grant to The Washington Institute for Distinguished Fellowship

Priority Areas

Cross-Cutting Themes:

  1. Entrepreneurship and Creativity: Venture-style investments supporting visionaries and risk-takers who respond creatively to community challenges, including science education and innovation incubators
  2. Gathering Spaces: Deep partnerships with thoughtfully designed communal institutions that strengthen civic bonds and cultural anchors
  3. Leaders Who Educate: Investment in individuals who educate future generations, promote cross-cultural understanding, and combat anti-Zionism through scholarship and policy analysis

Southeast Michigan Priorities:

  • Workforce development and good jobs expansion
  • Cultural destinations enhancing community vitality
  • Economic and civic infrastructure

Jewish Life Priorities:

  • Building deeply engaged Jewish communities
  • Professional development for Jewish educators and communal leaders
  • Innovative early-stage Jewish education programs with scale potential
  • Fostering meaningful lives infused with Jewish values and commitment to Jewish peoplehood and Israel

Israel Priorities:

  • Knowledge and understanding among policymakers and opinion leaders
  • Entrepreneur networking and business development
  • Modern gathering spaces and cultural institutions
  • Cross-population understanding between diverse Israeli groups and diaspora

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not explicitly documented, the foundation's approach indicates:

  • Geographic limitations: Focus is on Southeast Michigan, Israel, and Jewish communities (national reach for Jewish education)
  • Organizations outside the three stated focus areas are unlikely to receive funding
  • Unsolicited applications from organizations without connections to the foundation's network

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Darin McKeever, President & CEO McKeever brings nearly three decades of philanthropic leadership experience, including previous work at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. He founded Heads Up, an AmeriCorps program. Educated at Harvard College with an M.P.A. from Harvard Kennedy School. He serves on boards of Leading Edge, Jewish Funders Network, and Midtown Detroit, Inc.

Danielle Stewart Hanson, Vice President & Chief Operating Officer The foundation's first professional hire in 2014, Hanson is a certified public accountant who previously served as VP and CFO at the Skillman Foundation. She oversees accounting, finance, IT, and administration.

Program Leadership

George Jacobsen, Program Director, Southeast Michigan Focuses on economic and cultural vitality. Previously led arts and culture initiatives at the Kresge Foundation with expertise in Detroit's creative economy.

Shana Kantor, Senior Program Officer, Jewish Life Joined in 2022 with extensive background in the Hillel campus movement and Jewish education. Holds dual master's degrees from NYU.

Suzanne Perreault, Program Officer, Southeast Michigan Economic & Cultural Vitality Leads the Good Jobs portfolio, bringing extensive economic development experience. Previously directed Small Business Services at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, managing an $80 million portfolio.

Finance & Operations Staff

Erica Miller, Director of Accounting - CPA with nine years in public accounting at firms including Deloitte and Plante Moran

Suzanne Moran, Grants Manager - First grants manager hired in 2015, responsible for formalizing grantmaking processes

Key Quote from Founder William Davidson: "I look for organizations with a clear mission and a capable team who will use the tools we give them to build something of lasting value and substance."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The William Davidson Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funding. The foundation explicitly states on its website: "Please note: We do not accept unsolicited requests."

Instead, the foundation operates through a proactive, invitation-only approach where it identifies potential grantees through:

  • Active networking within their focus sectors
  • Online research to discover organizations aligned with their priorities
  • Referrals from current grantees and partner organizations
  • Recommendations from other grantmakers in their network

Organizations are selected and invited to submit proposals based on the foundation's strategic priorities and relationship-building efforts.

Getting on Their Radar

While the foundation does not have a public application process, there are strategic approaches for organizations working in their focus areas:

Leveraging Network Connections: The foundation finds "most of its grantees through networking and referrals from other grantmakers." Organizations should:

  • Seek warm introductions from current Davidson Foundation grantees
  • Connect with other foundations and funders who may have relationships with Davidson staff
  • Engage with peer organizations in Detroit's philanthropic ecosystem who may have board or professional connections

Visibility in Priority Sectors: The foundation conducts online research to locate potential grantees. Organizations should:

  • Maintain strong online presence demonstrating work in Southeast Michigan economic/cultural development, Jewish education, or Israel-related initiatives
  • Publish impact reports and thought leadership in the foundation's areas of interest
  • Participate visibly in relevant conferences and convenings where Davidson staff may be present

Geographic and Sector Alignment: Organizations with the strongest prospects include:

  • Detroit-area community development organizations focused on jobs or cultural institutions
  • Detroit-area Jewish organizations and synagogues
  • Jewish education innovators with national reach
  • Israel-focused organizations working on security, prosperity, or cultural vitality

Decision Timeline

The foundation does not publicly disclose typical timeframes for decision-making. As an invitation-only funder operating through relationship-building, the timeline likely varies significantly based on:

  • Existing relationship with the foundation
  • Strategic alignment with current funding priorities
  • Complexity and scale of the proposed project

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. Given the invitation-only model and proactive approach, organizations invited to submit proposals likely have higher success rates than typical open-application foundations.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable given the invitation-only model. Organizations seeking funding should focus on relationship-building and maintaining visibility in the foundation's priority sectors rather than formal reapplication processes.

Application Success Factors

Foundation-Specific Insights

Alignment with Strategic Pillars: The foundation explicitly organizes grantmaking around three themes that appear across all focus areas:

  1. Entrepreneurship and Creativity - emphasizing visionaries and risk-takers
  2. Gathering Spaces - communal institutions that strengthen civic bonds
  3. Leaders Who Educate - individuals passing wisdom to future generations

Successful proposals should clearly demonstrate how projects embody one or more of these themes.

What the Foundation Values (Founder's Guidance): According to founder William Davidson, the foundation looks for:

  • "Organizations with a clear mission" - articulate your purpose concisely
  • "A capable team" - demonstrate leadership competence and relevant expertise
  • Those who will "build something of lasting value and substance" - emphasize sustainability and long-term impact over short-term projects

Relationship-Driven Approach: Inside Philanthropy describes Davidson as "an active and transparent funder" with a "proactive funding approach." This signals:

  • The foundation actively seeks out organizations rather than waiting for applications
  • Building authentic relationships with program officers is more important than formal proposals
  • Transparency and clear communication are valued in partnerships

Recent Funding Patterns:

The foundation has supported:

  • Multi-million dollar transformational gifts to major institutions (e.g., $30 million to Detroit Jewish community)
  • Innovation funds with smaller awards ($10,000-$35,000 range)
  • Three-year programmatic support ($1.2 million over three years to Washington Institute)
  • Both established institutions and entrepreneurial ventures

This range suggests the foundation is comfortable with various grant sizes tied to impact potential rather than organization size.

Geographic Priorities: Organizations working in Southeast Michigan (particularly Detroit) or serving Detroit's Jewish community appear to have the strongest positioning. For Jewish Life grants, the foundation has expanded to national reach for innovative education ventures and leadership development, but maintains special focus on Detroit's community.

Innovation and Entrepreneurship: The foundation explicitly values "entrepreneurship and creativity" and supports "incubators and accelerators." Language emphasizing innovation, creative approaches, measured risk-taking, and entrepreneurial spirit aligns with their stated values.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Network connections are essential: With no public application process, warm introductions from current grantees, board members, or peer funders are the primary pathway to funding consideration
  • Detroit connection provides advantage: Organizations working in Southeast Michigan economic development, cultural institutions, or Detroit's Jewish community are the foundation's core constituency
  • Demonstrate entrepreneurial approach: The foundation explicitly values "visionaries and risk-takers" who respond creatively to challenges - emphasize innovation and creative problem-solving
  • Show lasting impact: The founder's quote emphasizes "lasting value and substance" - sustainability and long-term community benefit matter more than short-term outputs
  • Articulate clear mission and team capability: The two explicit criteria from the founder are organizational clarity of purpose and leadership competence
  • Align with one of three strategic pillars: Frame proposals through the lens of Entrepreneurship/Creativity, Gathering Spaces, or Educational Leadership to match foundation strategy
  • Be prepared for significant variation in grant size: While $5,000 is most common, the foundation makes grants ranging to millions - the key is alignment with strategic priorities and demonstrated capacity

References

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