The Broad Family Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $150,000 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: $1,000 - $20,000 (estimated based on 15 grants)
• Geographic Focus: Northern Michigan/Traverse City region

Contact Details

Address: 1492 Dracka Rd, Traverse City, MI 49685-8816
Alternate Address: 3600 Rennie School Rd, Traverse City, MI 49685
Phone: 231-943-3443
EIN: 30-0841409
Classification: Private Family Foundation

Note: This foundation does not appear to maintain a public website or email for grant inquiries.

Overview

The Broad Family Foundation Inc is a private family foundation based in Traverse City, Michigan, established by the Broad family, who are known locally for their ownership of Team Elmer's, one of northern Michigan's largest contractors. Founded by Russell "Butch" Broad, who purchased Team Elmer's in 1977 and built it into a regional construction powerhouse before retiring in 2009, the foundation represents the family's commitment to giving back to the community that supported their business success. In 2023, the foundation distributed $150,000 through 15 grants, down from 22 grants in 2022. As a private family foundation, it operates under trustee discretion, focusing its charitable giving on organizations and causes within the northern Michigan region. The foundation is classified as a 501(c)(3) organization supporting religious, educational, charitable, scientific, literary, and other philanthropic purposes.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Broad Family Foundation operates as a discretionary grantmaker without formal grant programs or published funding cycles. Based on available data:

• 2023 Grant Activity: 15 awards totaling $150,000 (average grant size: $10,000)
• 2022 Grant Activity: 22 awards (total amount not specified)
• Grant Application Method: No public application process; grants awarded at trustee discretion

Priority Areas

As a private family foundation operating without published guidelines, specific priority areas are not publicly documented. However, as is typical for family foundations with ties to the Traverse City business community, the foundation likely supports:

• Local nonprofit organizations in the Grand Traverse region
• Community development initiatives
• Educational institutions
• Health and human services organizations
• Arts and cultural organizations
• Religious institutions

Note: Specific grant recipients and priority areas can be found in the foundation's Form 990-PF filings available through ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.

What They Don't Fund

Not publicly documented. As a private foundation, they are legally prohibited from making grants for:

• Prohibited political activities
• Non-charitable purposes
• Private benefit to foundation insiders (without proper expenditure responsibility)

Governance and Leadership

The Broad Family Foundation is governed by family trustees. While specific current trustee names are not publicly confirmed in recent sources, the foundation is connected to the Broad family of Traverse City, including:

• Russell "Butch" Broad (founder): Purchased Team Elmer's in 1977, built it into one of northern Michigan's largest contractors, and retired in 2009 after selling to his children
• Broad Children (likely current trustees): Troy Broad (President of Team Elmer's), Todd Broad (Vice President of Team Elmer's), and Tonya Wildfong (co-owner)

The foundation shares contact information with Team Elmer's operations, suggesting close family management typical of private family foundations.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Broad Family Foundation does not have a public application process. As a private family foundation, grants are awarded at the discretion of the foundation's trustees, typically to organizations they know or with which they have existing relationships.

This is typical of small family foundations, where approximately 77% of family foundations do not accept unsolicited grant proposals and instead pre-select organizations they wish to support.

Getting on Their Radar

While the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, organizations seeking support might consider:

• Building relationships within the northern Michigan philanthropic community, as family foundation trustees often learn about worthy causes through networks and peer foundations
• Connecting through the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation, which works with many local donors and may have relationships with family foundation trustees
• Demonstrating clear impact in the Traverse City/northern Michigan region, as family foundations typically support their local communities
• Engaging with the broader Team Elmer's corporate social responsibility initiatives, as the foundation trustees are also business leaders in the construction sector

Note: These are general strategies for engaging with private family foundations. There is no guarantee of consideration or funding.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available. Private family foundations typically make grant decisions on schedules convenient to their trustees, which may range from quarterly to annually.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. Without a public application process, success rates cannot be calculated.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable, as the foundation does not accept public applications.

Application Success Factors

As a private family foundation operating at trustee discretion, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, organizations that have historically received support from family foundations share certain characteristics:

• Strong local presence: Organizations deeply rooted in the Grand Traverse/northern Michigan community
• Demonstrated impact: Clear evidence of effective programs and community benefit
• Financial sustainability: Sound fiscal management and diversified funding sources
• Personal connection: Existing relationships with foundation trustees or their business/community networks
• Alignment with family values: Causes that resonate with the Broad family's interests and community commitments

Organizations should note that without a public application process, receiving funding typically requires an existing relationship or trustee-initiated interest.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. No Public Application Process: This is a private family foundation that makes grants at trustee discretion without accepting unsolicited applications. Traditional grant writing approaches will not be effective.

2. Local Focus: With both foundation addresses in Traverse City and family ties to the northern Michigan construction industry, this foundation likely prioritizes local organizations serving the Grand Traverse region.

3. Modest Grant Sizes: With $150,000 distributed across 15 grants in 2023, average grant size is approximately $10,000, suggesting the foundation supports smaller community organizations rather than major institutional grants.

4. Family Business Connection: The foundation is closely tied to Team Elmer's construction company, indicating potential interest in workforce development, community infrastructure, and causes important to the construction industry.

5. Relationship-Based Giving: As with most private family foundations, grants flow through personal networks and trustee relationships rather than competitive application processes.

6. Research Grant History: Organizations can review the foundation's Form 990-PF filings to see which organizations have received grants in the past, providing insight into trustee interests and funding patterns.

7. Network Strategically: Rather than applying directly, focus on building visibility in the northern Michigan philanthropic community where foundation trustees are likely active.

References

• Candid Foundation Directory. "The Broad Family Foundation." Profile last updated September 19, 2024. Accessed March 3, 2026.
• Cause IQ. "The Broad Family Foundation | Traverse City, MI." Organizational profile including 2023 grant data. Accessed March 3, 2026.
• Instrumentl. "The Broad Family Foundation | Traverse City, MI | 990 Report." Form 990 data and grant analysis. Accessed March 3, 2026.
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. "Broad Family Foundation Inc." IRS Form 990 filings 2014-2023. Accessed March 3, 2026.
• Team Elmer's. "Company History." Information about the Broad family and Team Elmer's. Accessed March 3, 2026.
• Traverse City Business News. "Traverse City Business Legends Hall of Fame-Meet the inductees." Information about Russell "Butch" Broad. Accessed March 3, 2026.
• Record Eagle. "Team Elmer's: People and Concrete." Information about the Broad family business. Accessed March 3, 2026.