McGregor Fund

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $8.65 million (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: $100,000-$300,000 typical (most common: $100,000)
• Geographic Focus: Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties, Michigan (Detroit metropolitan area)

Contact Details

• Location: 100 Talon Centre Drive, Suite 100, Detroit, MI 48207
• Website: www.mcgregorfund.org
• Phone: 313-963-3495
• Email: heidi@mcgregorfund.org

Overview

The McGregor Fund is a private grantmaking foundation established in 1925 and based in Detroit, Michigan. With total assets of approximately $209.7 million and annual charitable disbursements of $8.65 million (2023), the foundation's mission is to "relieve the misfortunes and promote the well being of humankind." The foundation dedicates 94.8% of its expenses to charitable purposes, demonstrating a strong commitment to maximising its philanthropic impact. Under the leadership of President Kate Levin Markel, the foundation focuses on addressing critical needs in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties, with particular emphasis on Detroit.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

The McGregor Fund supports several primary programme areas:

• Basic Needs & Housing: Grants towards food, shelter and day-to-day living necessities. The foundation follows a housing-first approach, with funding helping to sustain partners who offer permanent and supportive housing opportunities, as well as critical interventions to youth, individuals and families in crisis.
• Recovery and Restoration: Grants assisting people who live with addiction, interpersonal violence, gang life, human trafficking and other crisis conditions
• Skills Building & Employment: Programmes training adults or disconnected youth (age 16-29) facing high barriers to entering the workforce, equipping them with necessary soft and entry-level hard skills, and basic reading and math competencies
• Education: Grant requests from independent schools, including ISACS-accredited schools, religious schools and charter schools located in Detroit or Wayne, Oakland or Macomb counties. The fund also supports private liberal arts colleges in Michigan and Ohio, as well as local institutions of higher education.
• Arts and Culture: Supporting organisations that contribute to southeastern Michigan's cultural well-being
• Matching Gifts Programme: Dollar-for-dollar matching of trustee and employee nonprofit contributions

Priority Areas

• Addressing basic human needs in the Detroit metropolitan area
• Educational opportunities at all levels
• Workforce development and employment skills
• Recovery from addiction and crisis conditions
• Cultural enrichment of southeastern Michigan
• Support for high-quality, cost-effective nonprofit initiatives

What They Don't Fund

Organisations must be located or provide services in Wayne, Oakland, or Macomb counties. Organisations holding an active grant with the Fund are not eligible to apply.

Governance and Leadership

President & Secretary: Kate Levin Markel

Board of Trustees:

• Joyce E. Jenereaux, Chair
• Sheilah P. Clay, Vice Chair
• Dr. Felix M. Valbuena, Jr., Treasurer
• Byna Elliott
• Michelle Johnson Tidjani
• Kelly Major Green
• Donna Murray-Brown
• Philip B. Phillips
• Kristi D. Plain

The foundation maintains a professional staff to manage its grantmaking operations and ensure effective distribution of charitable funds.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The McGregor Fund operates a rolling application process. Organisations must submit a General Inquiry Form (GIF) through the McGregor Fund website. Eligible applicants will be invited to begin grant development, with specific instructions on required application materials, submission method, and deadlines provided in the invitation email. Applicants are encouraged to engage Fund staff during grant application development to maximise their application's chances of success.

To be eligible, organisations must be a non-profit with 501(c)(3) status, possess audited financial statements, have demonstrated programmatic and financial track records, be located or provide services in Wayne, Oakland, or Macomb counties, and not hold an active grant with the Fund.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available

Success Rates

Not publicly available

Reapplication Policy

Organisations holding an active grant with the Fund are not eligible to apply.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's mission and programme areas, successful applications likely:

• Align closely with one of the core programme areas
• Demonstrate direct impact on Wayne, Oakland, or Macomb county communities, particularly Detroit
• Show cost-effectiveness and sustainability
• Address critical community needs with measurable outcomes
• Come from organisations with proven track records and audited financial statements

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The McGregor Fund is a substantial funder with over $8.6 million in annual grantmaking focused on the Detroit metropolitan area (Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties)
• Strong emphasis on basic human needs, housing, workforce development, recovery services, education, and cultural programmes in Detroit
• The foundation has been operating since 1925, indicating stable, long-term commitment to the region
• With 94.8% of expenses going to charitable purposes, the foundation prioritises direct impact
• Rolling application process through online General Inquiry Form
• Typical grants range from $100,000-$300,000, with $100,000 being most common
• Matching gifts programme suggests the foundation values trustee and employee engagement in philanthropy
• Applicants are encouraged to engage with Fund staff during the application development process

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - McGregor Fund Profile (https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/380808800) - Accessed December 2024
• GuideStar Organisation Profile - McGregor Fund (https://www.guidestar.org/profile/38-0808800) - Accessed December 2024
• McGregor Fund Official Website (www.mcgregorfund.org) - Referenced