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Annabelle Foundation

Annual Giving
$12.2M
Grant Range
$0K - $0.1M

Annabelle Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $12,203,500 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $64.2 million (2024)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $100 - $50,000
  • Geographic Focus: National (multi-state)
  • Number of Awards: 72 grants (2023)

Contact Details

Address: 3000 Town Center, Suite 100, Southfield, MI 48075-1120

Phone: 330-867-7350

Website: No public website identified

EIN: 20-5184989

Overview

The Annabelle Foundation was established in August 2006 as a private grantmaking foundation based in Southfield, Michigan. With total assets of $64.2 million as of 2024, the foundation has demonstrated substantial growth, particularly following a major contribution of $74.8 million in 2023. The foundation distributed $12,203,500 in grants during 2023 across 72 awards, representing 98.1% of its total expenses. The foundation's mission centers on supporting nonprofit organizations that address child hunger, homelessness, education, and healthcare. The foundation's grantmaking activity has varied significantly over the years, with 2 awards in 2020, 43 awards in 2021, 3 awards in 2022, and 72 awards in 2023, suggesting discretionary grantmaking patterns.

Funding Priorities

Priority Areas

The Annabelle Foundation focuses on four primary areas:

  • Education: Support for institutions of higher education, including colleges with specific missions and values
  • Healthcare: Organizations improving healthcare access and services, including medical institutions, children's hospitals, and international medical charities
  • Homelessness & Basic Needs: Organizations providing shelter, clothing, and food to indigent populations
  • Child Hunger: Programs addressing food insecurity among children

Grant Programs

The foundation operates as a private grantmaking foundation without formally structured grant programs. Grants are awarded through trustee discretion across various charitable purposes.

Grant Range: Based on 2021 data, grants ranged from $100 to $50,000, with larger grants ($35,000-$50,000) typically going to educational institutions and major healthcare organizations.

Sample Grant Recipients (2021)

Higher Education:

  • Hillsdale College: $50,000
  • Berea College: $50,000
  • Alice Lloyd College: $5,000
  • Moody Bible Institute: $1,000

Healthcare:

  • National Foundation for Transplants: $50,000
  • Haven of Rest: $35,000
  • Shriners Hospitals for Children: $10,000
  • Operation Smile: $5,000
  • Doctors Without Borders: $2,000
  • Akron Children's Hospital Foundation: $1,000
  • American Kidney Fund: $500
  • International Eye Foundation: $200

Historical & Cultural:

  • AFS Intercultural Programs: $10,000
  • Mount Vernon Ladies' Association: $5,000
  • Colonial Williamsburg Foundation: $5,000
  • Bath Township Historical Society: $500
  • National Geographic Society: $100

Geographic Reach

While based in Michigan, the foundation has awarded grants to organizations across multiple states including Michigan, Ohio, Alabama, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by three officers who serve without compensation:

  • Susan Dudas, President
  • Dave Dudas, Secretary
  • Sandra Kirtley Vanover, Treasurer

The foundation operates with minimal administrative overhead, directing 98.1% of its expenses toward charitable disbursements.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Annabelle Foundation does not have a public application process. As a private foundation operating on trustee discretion, grants are awarded based on decisions made by the foundation's leadership rather than through an open competitive application process.

The foundation does not maintain a public website or published application guidelines. Organizations interested in funding would need to contact the foundation directly via phone (330-867-7350) to inquire about potential funding opportunities, though there is no guarantee that unsolicited requests will be considered.

Decision Timeline

The foundation does not publish information about decision timelines or grant cycles. Based on the variation in annual grant counts (ranging from 3 to 72 awards across recent years), grantmaking appears to occur on an irregular, discretionary basis rather than following a predictable schedule.

Application Success Factors

Given the private nature of this foundation and lack of public application process, the following factors appear relevant based on the foundation's grantmaking patterns:

Mission Alignment: Organizations addressing the foundation's four core areas (child hunger, homelessness, education, and healthcare) are most likely to receive consideration. Educational institutions and healthcare organizations represent the largest grant recipients.

Institutional Reputation: The foundation has supported well-established, nationally recognized organizations such as Hillsdale College, Berea College, Shriners Hospitals for Children, and Doctors Without Borders, suggesting a preference for organizations with proven track records.

Values-Based Giving: The foundation's support for institutions like Hillsdale College and Moody Bible Institute suggests potential alignment with conservative educational and faith-based values.

Service to Vulnerable Populations: Organizations serving indigent populations, children, veterans, and law enforcement families have received funding, indicating interest in programs supporting vulnerable and underserved communities.

Range of Grant Sizes: The foundation awards grants across a wide spectrum ($100-$50,000), suggesting they consider both major institutional partnerships and smaller community-based organizations.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This is a private foundation without a public application process—unsolicited applications are unlikely to succeed without an established relationship
  • The foundation focuses on education, healthcare, homelessness, and child hunger, with particular emphasis on higher education and medical institutions
  • Grant amounts vary significantly from $100 to $50,000, with larger grants concentrated among educational institutions and major healthcare organizations
  • The foundation's grantmaking is irregular, with award counts varying dramatically year-to-year (3 to 72 grants), suggesting discretionary rather than programmatic giving
  • Geographic reach is national, despite Michigan headquarters, with grants awarded across at least 18 states
  • Organizations with established reputations and proven track records appear more likely to receive funding
  • The foundation operates with minimal overhead, directing 98% of expenses to charitable purposes
  • Contact via phone (330-867-7350) is the only publicly available method to reach the foundation

References

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