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Gilbert Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$94.3M
Grant Range
$200K - $375.0M

Gilbert Family Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $94,266,226 (2023)
  • Average Grant Size: $805,694
  • Number of Grants: 117 (2023)
  • Grant Range: $200,000 - $375,000,000
  • Geographic Focus: Detroit, Michigan (for community development); National/International (for NF research)
  • Total Assets: Approximately $37 million

Contact Details

Address: 1074 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48226

Website: https://gilbertfamilyfoundation.org

Contact: Available through online contact form at gilbertfamilyfoundation.org/contact/

Overview

The Gilbert Family Foundation was established in 2015 by Dan Gilbert (Founder & Chairman of Rocket Companies) and Jennifer Gilbert (Founder & CEO of Amber Engine). The foundation addresses two primary missions: accelerating a cure for neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and building economic opportunity and equity in Detroit, Michigan. The foundation's commitment to NF research was sparked when their oldest son, Nick, was born with NF1. Nick passed away in May 2023. In 2021, the foundation partnered with Rocket Community Fund to announce a historic $500 million, 10-year commitment to Detroit neighborhoods, with the Gilbert Family Foundation contributing $350 million. The foundation's approach is characterized by making "transformative investments focused on solving complex problems" and taking risks on programs "nobody else has tried before."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates two distinct funding streams:

Curing Neurofibromatosis (NF)

  • Brain Tumor Initiative
  • Vision Restoration Initiative
  • Gene Therapy Research
  • Next-Generation Research Models
  • Grant range: $10 million - $23 million for major research institutions

Building Opportunity in Detroit

  • Housing Stability Programs (property tax debt relief, eviction defense)
  • Economic Mobility (small business support, job training, entrepreneurship)
  • Arts & Culture (artist support, BIPOC-led organizations, creative economy)
  • Public Spaces (green spaces, park improvements, universal access within half-mile radius)
  • Grant range: $200,000 - $15 million for community initiatives

Recent Grant Examples (2023-2024)

  • Henry Ford Health System: $375 million for new medical and rehabilitation center
  • Children's Hospital of Philadelphia: $10 million for Neurofibromatosis Program
  • City of Detroit Strategic Neighborhood Fund: $15 million
  • Black Leaders Detroit: $2.1 million for no-interest lending programs
  • Michigan Black Business Alliance: $2 million for scaling Black-owned businesses
  • College for Creative Studies: $2 million endowed scholarship fund for Detroit students
  • Black Tech Saturdays: $1.2 million (two-year grant) for tech entrepreneur support
  • United States Artists (Seed and Bloom Detroit): $1.5 million for 10 BIPOC-led arts organizations
  • The Greening of Detroit: $1.8 million for workforce development and green spaces
  • BUILD Institute: $615,000 for Detroit microentrepreneurs

Priority Areas

Detroit Community Development:

  • Organizations serving Detroit residents facing systemic barriers to economic and social mobility
  • Programs providing safe and stable housing to Detroit families
  • Small business support, particularly for Black-owned businesses
  • Workforce development connecting Detroiters to in-demand careers
  • BIPOC-led arts organizations and Detroit artists
  • Green space development and park improvements
  • Neighborhood revitalization initiatives

Neurofibromatosis Research:

  • Vision restoration research and clinical trials
  • Brain tumor research and therapeutic development
  • Gene therapy innovations
  • Next-generation research models
  • Organizations advancing NF1 treatment and cure

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation's focus areas suggest they do not fund:

  • Organizations outside Detroit (except for NF research institutions)
  • General operating support unrelated to their two mission areas
  • Projects not aligned with housing stability, economic mobility, arts/culture, public spaces, or NF research

Governance and Leadership

Founders

  • Dan Gilbert: Founder & Chairman, Rocket Companies
  • Jennifer Gilbert: Founder & CEO, Amber Engine; Founder & Creative Director, POPHOUSE

Executive Leadership

  • Laura Grannemann: Executive Director of Gilbert Family Foundation and Rocket Community Fund (joined 2014)
  • Dr. Kalyan Vinnakota: Director, Curing NF initiatives

Program Directors

  • Darnell Adams: Vice President, Detroit Community Initiatives
  • Andrea Benson: Director, Housing Stability
  • Linda Nosegbe: Director, Economic Mobility
  • Akua Hill: Director, Arts & Culture
  • JJ Velez: Director, Public Spaces
  • Kayleigh Roy: Director, Grants & Operations

Key Board Members

  • Jennifer Gilbert: President
  • Jeffrey Morganroth: Secretary
  • Matthew Rizik: Treasurer

Leadership Philosophy

Dan Gilbert on healthcare access: "Nearly every family will encounter unexpected health challenges at some point. While our family has faced severe health crises, we have been fortunate to receive some of the best medical and rehabilitative care in the country. Through these investments, we aim to enhance access to that same top-notch care for all Detroiters in times of need."

Jennifer Gilbert on entrepreneurship: "Venture 313 is a year-round, catalytic initiative that will provide Detroit-based entrepreneurs with access to capital, mentorship and other support they need to build their business and achieve greater economic mobility for themselves and their community."

Jennifer Gilbert on NF research: "NF1 is a complex and unpredictable disease that affects 1 in 3,000 people around the world. Since our son Nick's diagnosis, we've witnessed first-hand how this disease impacts the lives of NF1 patients and their families. By launching the Brain Tumor Initiative and expanding the Vision Restoration Initiative, we hope to accelerate the discovery of therapeutic options for NF1 patients and ultimately eradicate brain and optic pathway tumors for good."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Gilbert Family Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications. The foundation operates through strategic partnerships and occasionally issues Requests for Proposal (RFP).

Organizations cannot apply directly for funding. Instead, the foundation:

  • Identifies and approaches potential partners aligned with their mission
  • Issues occasional RFPs posted at gilbertfamilyfoundation.org/requests-for-proposal/
  • Works collaboratively with partners on transformative investments

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation has specific documented approaches to identifying beneficiaries:

For Detroit Community Development: The foundation collaborates deeply with partners through their program directors who specialize in specific areas (Housing Stability, Economic Mobility, Arts & Culture, Public Spaces). They identify projects through:

  • Existing networks within Detroit's community development sector
  • Partnerships with city government and established Detroit nonprofits
  • Program directors' direct engagement with Detroit communities

For NF Research: The foundation works with established research institutions with proven expertise in neurofibromatology, gene therapy, vision restoration, and brain tumor research.

Contact for Inquiries: Organizations interested in potential partnerships can reach out through the contact form at gilbertfamilyfoundation.org/contact/ or mail inquiries to 1074 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48226. Note that this does not constitute a grant application, but may open dialogue for future opportunities.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. The foundation makes grants on a rolling basis as strategic opportunities arise rather than following fixed cycles.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. Given the invitation-only nature of the foundation's grantmaking, traditional success rates do not apply.

Reapplication Policy

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

Application Success Factors

Since the Gilbert Family Foundation operates through strategic partnerships rather than open applications, success factors are based on documented examples of funded organizations:

Alignment with Core Mission: Every funded organization demonstrates clear alignment with either curing NF or building opportunity for Detroiters. The foundation's leadership emphasizes that they seek to solve "complex problems" with "transformative investments."

Serving Detroit Residents: For community development grants, successful partners specifically serve Detroit residents (not suburban or metro area populations) who face systemic barriers to economic and social mobility. The foundation's stated goal is "universal access" within Detroit proper.

Scale and Impact Potential: The foundation favors bold, large-scale initiatives. As stated on their website, "We are not afraid to take risks and invest in programs that nobody else has tried before." Recent grants show preference for:

  • Multi-year commitments rather than one-time funding
  • Programs that can scale (e.g., Black Tech Saturdays expansion, BUILD Institute growth)
  • Strategic infrastructure investments (e.g., $375M health center)

Focus on Equity: Particularly for Detroit grants, the foundation prioritizes programs serving Black Detroiters and BIPOC communities. Major recent grants have gone to Black Leaders Detroit, Michigan Black Business Alliance, Black Tech Saturdays, and BIPOC-led arts organizations.

Deep Collaboration: Laura Grannemann, Executive Director, emphasizes the foundation's approach of "figuring it out together with partners." Successful organizations appear to be those willing to work collaboratively on complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives like the Strategic Neighborhood Fund partnership with the City of Detroit.

Innovation and Risk-Taking: The foundation explicitly states they invest in "programs that nobody else has tried before," suggesting they value innovative approaches over proven models.

Community-Informed Decision Making: The foundation emphasizes investments that reflect community needs and input, particularly in their Detroit work.

Proven Institutional Capacity: For NF research, grants go to established research institutions with demonstrated expertise (Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Henry Ford Health System).

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This is an invitation-only funder: Do not attempt to submit unsolicited proposals. Monitor their RFP page and focus on relationship-building within Detroit's nonprofit ecosystem.
  • Geographic specificity matters: Detroit grants serve Detroit city residents only, not the broader metro area. Be precise about your service area.
  • Think big and bold: The foundation favors transformative, large-scale investments over modest programs. Their average grant is over $800,000.
  • Equity is central: Recent funding patterns show strong preference for organizations serving Black Detroiters and BIPOC communities.
  • Multi-year relationships: The foundation appears to make multi-year commitments to partners rather than one-off grants.
  • Strategic alignment with city initiatives: Several major grants partner with City of Detroit programs (Strategic Neighborhood Fund, property tax relief, estate planning services).
  • Innovation over replication: The foundation explicitly seeks programs "nobody else has tried before" - highlight innovative approaches rather than proven models.

References

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