Young Family Foundation

Plymouth, Michigan | EIN: 30-0003762

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $988,136 (2024); $1,529,084 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
• Grant Range: $2,500 – $296,636
• Geographic Focus: Michigan (primary), Minnesota, Illinois; occasional grants to Ohio, Maryland, DC, Florida, Tennessee

Contact Details

• Address: PO Box 5430, Plymouth, MI 48170-5430
• Phone: 734-455-3600
• EIN: 30-0003762
• No public website or email available

Overview

The Young Family Foundation is a private independent family foundation established in 2001, incorporated in Michigan and headquartered in Plymouth, MI. Tax-exempt since October 2002, this foundation is controlled entirely by the Young family, with five unpaid directors managing all operations.

With total assets of $9.4 million as of 2024, the foundation distributed $988,136 in charitable grants that year, representing 96.8% of total expenses. Annual giving has ranged from approximately $523,000 to $1.53 million in recent years, with 12-17 grants awarded annually. The foundation operates with complete privacy—no public website, application process, or media presence exists. All grants appear to be made through trustee discretion to pre-identified organizations within the family's network.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not publish named grant programs. Based on IRS filings, grants are made across:

• Education Grants: $2,500 – $296,636 (primary focus on higher education)
• Human Services Grants: Variable amounts (significant secondary area)
• Community & Charitable Support: Support for other philanthropic organizations

Priority Areas

• Higher education and educational institutions
• Human services organizations
• Community development initiatives
• Youth activities and programs

What They Don't Fund

No published exclusions available. As a private family foundation operating without public applications, exclusions are not documented.

Governance and Leadership

All board members serve without compensation:

• William C. Young – Director & President
• William Patrick Young – Director & Vice President
• Amy L. Morgan – Director & Treasurer
• Tracey L. Deal – Director & Secretary
• Brittany Mg Young – Director

The foundation has no paid employees. No public statements or quotes from leadership are available.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. There is no website, grant portal, or published guidelines. Grants are made at the discretion of the board to organizations identified through personal and professional networks.

Organizations seeking support should:

1. Send introductory letters to: PO Box 5430, Plymouth, MI 48170-5430
2. Call for initial inquiries: 734-455-3600
3. Seek warm introductions through mutual connections to the Young family

Getting on Their Radar

• Geographic alignment is crucial: Organizations in Michigan (especially Plymouth/Wayne County area), Minnesota, and Illinois have the strongest positioning
• Connections through Michigan-based family foundations or Wayne County philanthropic networks may provide introduction pathways
• Past grantees (identifiable through 990-PF filings) could potentially provide referrals

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. Grant decisions appear to be made on an ongoing basis at board discretion.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. The foundation makes 12-17 grants annually from an unknown pool of candidates.

Reapplication Policy

Not documented.

Application Success Factors

Since no formal application process exists, success factors are inferred from giving patterns:

• Established relationships are essential: This is entirely relationship-driven philanthropy with no competitive grant cycles
• Clear education or human services mission: Organizations must demonstrate strong alignment with these two primary focus areas
• Michigan presence preferred: Michigan-based organizations, particularly those in the Plymouth area, have the strongest advantage
• Flexible funding requests: With grants ranging from $2,500 to nearly $300,000, initial relationship-building requests should be modest
• Demonstrated community impact: The foundation's classification suggests preference for organizations with tangible, measurable community outcomes
• Strong organizational health: Private foundations typically evaluate whether applicants have diverse funding sources and internal fundraising capacity

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is an invitation-only funder: No open applications exist—all grants are made through trustee discretion
• Focus on education and human services: Lead with alignment in these areas, particularly higher education initiatives
• Michigan organizations have the advantage: Out-of-state organizations face a significantly higher bar
• Extreme privacy is intentional: No website, press, or social media indicates deliberate low-profile operations
• Grant sizes are highly variable: Initial asks should be modest until relationships are established
• Family connections are the gateway: Warm introductions through the Young family's network are essential
• Long-term relationship building required: Success with family foundations requires patience and persistent, gentle presence-building over time

References

1. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer – Young Family Foundation
   https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/300003762
   Accessed: December 2024
   Source of financial data, board members, and filing history

2. Candid Foundation Directory – Young Family Foundation
   https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=YOUN152
   Accessed: December 2024
   Source of foundation purpose statement and contact information

3. Instrumentl 990 Report – Young Family Foundation
   https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/young-family-foundation
   Accessed: December 2024
   Source of grant ranges, geographic focus, and annual grant counts

4. Cause IQ – Young Family Foundation
   https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/young-family-foundation,300003762/
   Accessed: December 2024
   Corroborating financial data and organizational classification

5. IRS Tax-Exempt Organization Database
   Tax-exempt status confirmed as 501(c)(3) Private Independent Foundation, October 2002