← Back to US Funders Directory

Alro Steel Foundation

Annual Giving
$2.5M
Grant Range
$100K - $5.0M

Alro Steel Foundation - Funder Overview

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $2,537,485 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $80.8 million (2024)
  • Decision Time: Not applicable (no public application process)
  • Grant Range: $100,000 - $5,000,000+
  • Geographic Focus: National (USA), with strong focus on Jackson, Michigan and manufacturing communities
  • Number of Grants: 76 awards (2023)

Contact Details

Address: Jackson, MI 48933
Phone: Not publicly available
Email: Not publicly available
Website: No dedicated foundation website; connected to Alro Steel Corporation (www.alro.com)

Note: This foundation does not respond to unsolicited applications for funding.

Overview

The Alro Steel Foundation was established in July 2005 as the philanthropic arm of Alro Steel Corporation, founded in 1948 by brothers Al Glick and Robert Glick. With assets exceeding $80 million, the foundation distributed $2,537,485 in grants during 2023 across 76 awards. The foundation focuses on supporting and enhancing youth programs, helping the underprivileged, improving children's health, and assisting with manufacturing education and training. Governed by the Glick family, the foundation has made transformational gifts in recent years, including an $8 million healthcare workforce initiative in Jackson, Michigan, and $100,000 to State Fair Community College's workforce training center. The foundation is closely aligned with the Alvin L. Glick Foundation and shares similar philanthropic priorities rooted in the communities where Alro Steel operates.

Funding Priorities

Focus Areas

The foundation supports organizations involved with:

  • Healthcare & Medical Research: Major support for healthcare workforce development, pediatric brain cancer research (ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation), and hospital endowments
  • Education: Particularly manufacturing education, welding and precision machining programs, healthcare training programs, and college scholarship funds
  • Youth Programs: Programs that enhance opportunities for young people
  • Human Services: Organizations serving the underprivileged
  • Arts & Culture: Support for orchestras and cultural organizations

Recent Major Grants

  • Henry Ford Jackson Hospital: $5 million endowment for healthcare workforce development scholarships (2024)
  • Jackson College: $1.5 million for healthcare education programs (2024)
  • Spring Arbor University: $1.5 million for new ABSN program (2024)
  • West Michigan Sports Commission: $1.5 million for Meijer Sports Complex expansion, naming rights for Alro Steel Championship Field (2024)
  • University of Michigan: Part of $30 million in gifts to establish Chad Carr Pediatric Brain Tumor Center
  • State Fair Community College (Missouri): $100,000 for welding grinding room in workforce innovation center (2022)

What They Fund

  • Healthcare workforce development and medical research
  • Manufacturing education and skilled trades training
  • Capital campaigns for educational facilities
  • Youth development programs
  • Pediatric health initiatives
  • Community infrastructure projects

What They Don't Fund

  • The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, suggesting they identify grant opportunities through existing relationships and trustee discretion
  • No specific exclusions are publicly documented

Governance and Leadership

Officers and Trustees (as of 2024):

  • Randal (Randy) L. Glick - President/Treasurer; CEO and Chairman of Alro Steel Corporation
  • Carlton L. Glick - Vice President
  • Brian T. Glick - Secretary

The foundation is family-controlled by the Glick family, founders of Alro Steel Corporation. Al Glick, co-founder of Alro Steel, passed away in February 2022 at age 95. His son Randy Glick currently leads both the corporation and foundation.

On Philanthropic Vision: Randy Glick stated regarding the State Fair Community College donation: "Alro Steel is proud to support the Olen Howard Workforce Innovation Center which will help State Fair Community College students prepare for a future in manufacturing, welding and precision machining."

The foundation's giving philosophy is rooted in making meaningful impact in communities where Alro Steel operates, with particular emphasis on workforce development in manufacturing and healthcare.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation does not respond to unsolicited applications for funding.

Grants are awarded through trustee discretion and existing relationships. The foundation identifies funding opportunities through:

  • Board members' connections in manufacturing, healthcare, and education sectors
  • Alro Steel Corporation's community relationships across its operating locations
  • Strategic initiatives aligned with family philanthropic interests
  • Invitations to participate in capital campaigns and major initiatives

Getting on Their Radar

The Glick family's philanthropic involvement stems from deep community connections and personal relationships. Specific pathways include:

Manufacturing Education Sector: The foundation has demonstrated consistent interest in workforce development for manufacturing, welding, and precision machining. Organizations offering programs in these areas, particularly community colleges and technical training centers in states where Alro Steel operates, may attract attention through excellence in these programs.

Healthcare Initiatives: The $8 million healthcare workforce initiative was inspired by Al Glick's care at Henry Ford Jackson Hospital in his final weeks. This suggests the foundation responds to demonstrated community needs where family members have personal connections or experiences.

ChadTough Connection: Randy Glick serves on the board of directors for the ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation, established in 2015. This relationship stemmed from Al Glick's earlier naming of the Coach Carr Pediatric Cancer Unit at C.S. Mott Children's Hospital in honor of Coach Lloyd Carr in 2011. These deep, long-term relationships have led to substantial funding commitments.

Geographic Connections: Alro Steel operates metal service centers across multiple states. Organizations in communities where Alro has facilities may have better opportunities to connect through local business relationships.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are awarded through trustee discretion on an ongoing basis rather than through application cycles.

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation operates through invitation and trustee discretion rather than open applications, success factors differ from typical grantmakers:

Alignment with Core Interests: The foundation has shown consistent commitment to:

  • Manufacturing workforce development and skilled trades training
  • Healthcare workforce pipelines and medical education
  • Pediatric health, particularly brain cancer research
  • Youth programs in their operating communities

Transformational Impact Potential: Recent grants demonstrate preference for projects with lasting impact - endowments, capital projects, and program infrastructure rather than operating support. The $5 million Henry Ford Hospital endowment will generate approximately $250,000 annually in perpetuity.

Geographic Relevance: Jackson, Michigan represents the foundation's home base and receives significant attention. However, grants extend nationally to communities where Alro Steel operates or where the Glick family has established relationships.

Capital Campaigns: The foundation has participated in major capital campaigns ($100,000 to State Fair Community College, $1.5 million to West Michigan Sports Complex), suggesting openness to supporting facility development and infrastructure projects.

Personal Connection: Al Glick's experience receiving care at Henry Ford Jackson Hospital directly inspired the $8 million healthcare workforce initiative. Personal experiences and long-standing relationships appear to drive major giving decisions.

Manufacturing Education Excellence: Randy Glick's statement about supporting workforce development in "manufacturing, welding and precision machining" reflects the foundation's roots in the steel and metals industry. Programs demonstrating excellence in these fields align with foundation values.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No unsolicited applications accepted - This is not a foundation you can apply to through traditional means. Focus energy on funders with open application processes.

  • Relationship-driven philanthropy - Major grants stem from deep, long-term relationships (ChadTough Foundation, Henry Ford Hospital, educational institutions). These relationships often develop over years or decades.

  • Significant giving capacity - With over $80 million in assets and $2.5+ million in annual giving across 76 grants, the foundation has substantial resources. Recent grants range from $100,000 to $5 million.

  • Manufacturing workforce development sweet spot - The foundation consistently supports welding, precision machining, and manufacturing education programs, reflecting Alro Steel's business interests.

  • Healthcare workforce emerging priority - The $8 million healthcare initiative represents a major strategic commitment inspired by personal experience.

  • Multi-generational family foundation - Three Glick family members serve as officers, suggesting continued family involvement and philanthropic commitment for the foreseeable future.

  • Capital and endowment preference - Recent major grants support lasting infrastructure (facilities, endowments) rather than annual operating support.

References

← Back to US Funders Directory