Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: $3,516,014 (2023)
- Total Assets: $148,378,898 (2023)
- Number of Awards: 69 grants in 2023
- Decision Time: 4-6 weeks for initial review; board meetings quarterly
- Grant Range: $12,000 - $500,000
- Geographic Focus: Southeast Michigan, Metropolitan Denver (CO), Aspen-Parachute Corridor (CO); MDS research nationwide
Contact Details
Address: 7066 McGraw Street, Detroit, MI 48210
Phone: (313) 285-8618
Website: https://www.dresnerfoundation.org
Application Contact: Contact form available on website; foundation recommends initial contact to determine fit before submitting Letter of Inquiry
Important Note: The foundation has temporarily suspended its grant inquiry process, introductory conversations, and the development of relationships/partnerships with potential grantees. Check website for updates.
Overview
The Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation was established to carry on the legacy of Joseph and Vera Dresner by supporting organizations working in health, youth and family programs, and animal welfare. With assets of approximately $148 million and annual giving of about $3.5 million, it ranks among the 20 largest foundations in Southeast Michigan. The foundation is led by President Lori Dresner, daughter of the founders, and CEO Virginia Romano. In recent years, the foundation has adopted an innovative strategy that moves beyond traditional grant-making by embedding itself in the communities it serves, including opening the Dresner Community Center in Southwest Detroit in 2023. The foundation received the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Greater Detroit Chapter's 2022 Outstanding Foundation Award.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
General Grantmaking (Currently Suspended):
-
Youth and Family: $12,000 - $75,000 typical range
- Programs for disadvantaged, underserved, and special needs children
- Life skills development and educational programming
- Application method: Online portal (when open); rolling basis with quarterly board meetings
-
Health Access: $50,000 - $250,000 typical range
- Healthcare access and health outcomes improvement
- Food security and hunger relief programs
- Application method: Online portal (when open); rolling basis with quarterly board meetings
-
Animal Welfare: $50,000 - $150,000 typical range
- Animal care organizations ensuring best care and shelter
- Public education initiatives
- Veterinary care for underserved communities
- Application method: Online portal (when open); rolling basis with quarterly board meetings
MDS Research Fund:
- Early Career Awards: Up to $125,000 per year for two years
- Established Investigator Awards: Up to $250,000 per year for two years
- Focus: Myelodysplastic Syndromes clinical trials and medical research
- Application method: Separate application process; nationwide eligibility
Priority Areas
Youth and Family:
- Educational programming and arts-connected curricula
- Paid apprenticeships and career development for young adults
- College transition support and university tours
- Equine-assisted learning and alternative educational approaches
- Programs serving disadvantaged and special needs youth
Health:
- Food security initiatives and mobile food pantries
- Healthcare access for underserved populations
- Medical research specifically related to Myelodysplastic Syndromes
- Survivor support services
Animal Welfare:
- Direct care and veterinary services for animals
- Shelter and animal care organizations
- Programs serving low-income families' pets
- Public education about animal welfare
What They Don't Fund
- Direct support to individuals
- Units of government
- Religious activities or organizations that restrict services based on religious belief
- Fundraising events
- Conferences or symposiums
- Debt or deficit relief
- Programs operated to benefit for-profit organizations
- Previously incurred obligations
- Acquisition, construction, and/or renovation of facilities
Governance and Leadership
Board of Directors:
- Lori Dresner, President - Daughter of foundation founders; spent majority of career producing commercials for international companies in Paris, France; resides in Denver area
- Gary Weisman, Vice President - Co-owner of General Development Co.
- Kevin P. Furlong, CPA, Treasurer and CFO
- Mark Cohn, Secretary and General Counsel
Staff:
- Virginia Romano, Chief Executive Officer - Manages overall administration and strategic grantmaking program
- Sonja Krolik, Executive Assistant
- Eric Hill, Accountant
- Ivory Smaw, Administrative Assistant
MDS Research Fund Scientific Advisory Board:
- Daniel Starczynowski, PhD, SAB Chair - Professor at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
- Hetty Carraway, MD, MBA - Director, Leukemia Program at Cleveland Clinic
- Stephen S. Chung, MD - Assistant Professor at University of Texas Southwestern
- Luisa Cimmino, PhD - Assistant Professor at University of Miami
- Michael R. Savona, MD - Professor at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
- Ulrich Steidl, MD, PhD - Professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Quote from CEO Virginia Romano on Foundation Strategy: "In creating this community center, we sought to move beyond traditional philanthropy and embed ourselves within the neighborhoods we serve."
"It's a very strategic move … that really underscores our commitment to investing in the city and supporting local communities in an innovative way beyond traditional philanthropy."
Application Process & Timeline
How to Apply
Current Status: The foundation has temporarily suspended its grant inquiry process, introductory conversations, and the development of relationships/partnerships with potential grantees. Potential applicants should check the foundation website periodically for updates on when applications will reopen.
When Applications Are Open:
- Initial Contact: Foundation strongly encourages potential applicants to contact them before submitting to determine potential fit
- Letter of Inquiry: Can be submitted at any time through online portal
- Full Proposal: By invitation only after LOI review
- Required Documentation:
- Current financial audit or review
- Support from organization's President/CEO
- Documentation of non-discriminatory policies
Eligibility Requirements:
- 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
- Located in Southeast Michigan, Metropolitan Denver, or Aspen-Parachute Corridor (MDS research applications accepted nationwide)
- Organization must welcome and serve all community members regardless of religious belief
Application Portal: Online application system available at dresnerfoundation.org (when open)
Decision Timeline
- Initial Review: 4-6 weeks notification whether invited to submit Full Proposal
- Board Meetings: Grants approved quarterly in March, June, September, and December
- Total Timeline: Approximately 2-4 months from Letter of Inquiry to final decision
Success Rates
- 2023: 69 grants awarded from $3.5 million in total giving
- 2022: 88 grants awarded
- 2021: 82 grants awarded
- 2020: 86 grants awarded
Specific success rate percentage (applications received vs. approved) not publicly available.
Reapplication Policy
No specific reapplication policy information is publicly available. Applicants should contact the foundation directly regarding resubmission guidelines for unsuccessful applications.
Application Success Factors
Based on the foundation's funding patterns and documented priorities:
Strategic Alignment:
- Organizations serving disadvantaged, underserved, and special needs populations have strong success rates
- Projects demonstrating measurable community impact in health, youth development, or animal welfare
- Programs operating in foundation's core geographic areas (Southeast Michigan, Metro Denver, Aspen-Parachute Corridor)
Types of Projects Funded:
- Direct service delivery to vulnerable populations (e.g., Forgotten Harvest's $250,000 mobile food pantry program)
- Youth development and educational programming (e.g., Detroit Public Theatre's $25,000 for student programming)
- Innovative approaches to community challenges (e.g., Detroit Horse Power's $50,000 for equine-assisted learning)
- Healthcare access for underserved communities (e.g., Dumb Friends League's $150,000 for veterinary care)
- Career development and transition programs (e.g., College Career & Beyond's $75,000 for university tours)
Foundation's Stated Approach: The foundation seeks to "test innovative approaches, determine lessons from current commendable activities, and promote the adoption of creative thinking" through strategic grantmaking. They emphasize partnering with organizations "committed to creating opportunities for the underserved in our communities."
Application Tips:
- Make initial contact before submitting to ensure alignment with priorities
- Demonstrate how your organization serves underserved populations
- Show measurable outcomes and community impact
- Emphasize innovative or creative approaches to addressing community needs
- Provide strong financial documentation including current audit/review
- Ensure CEO/President support is documented
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- Temporarily Closed: Grant inquiry process is currently suspended; monitor website for reopening announcements
- Initial Contact Critical: When open, foundation strongly recommends contacting them before submitting to determine fit
- Quarterly Decisions: Board meets four times annually (March, June, September, December); plan submissions accordingly
- Geographic Limits: Must be in Southeast Michigan, Metro Denver, or Aspen-Parachute Corridor (except MDS research)
- No Capital Projects: Foundation explicitly does not fund facility acquisition, construction, or renovation
- Community-Embedded Approach: Foundation values direct community engagement beyond traditional philanthropy, as evidenced by their Detroit community center
- Innovation Valued: Foundation seeks organizations testing innovative approaches and creative solutions to community challenges
- Strong Due Diligence: Requires financial audit/review, CEO support, and non-discriminatory policy documentation
References
- Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation official website - https://www.dresnerfoundation.org (Accessed January 2026)
- Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation Grant Process page - https://www.dresnerfoundation.org/grant-process/ (Accessed January 2026)
- Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation Application Guidelines - https://www.dresnerfoundation.org/application-guidelines/ (Accessed January 2026)
- Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation Overview page - https://www.dresnerfoundation.org/overview/ (Accessed January 2026)
- Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation Board and Staff - https://www.dresnerfoundation.org/about/board-and-staff/ (Accessed January 2026)
- Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation Grant Highlights - https://www.dresnerfoundation.org/grant_highlights/ (Accessed January 2026)
- Instrumentl 990 Report for Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation - https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/vera-and-joseph-dresner-foundation (Accessed January 2026)
- Cause IQ Profile - https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/vera-and-joseph-dresner-foundation,205838578/ (Accessed January 2026)
- GuideStar Profile - https://www.guidestar.org/profile/20-5838578 (Accessed January 2026)
- ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/205838578 (Accessed January 2026)