Charles Stewart Mott Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $173.4 million (2023)
• Total Assets: $3.7 billion (2023)
• Grant Range: $15,000 - $300,000+ (typical range; larger grants available)
• Geographic Focus: U.S. national and international (with special focus on Flint, MI)
• Founded: 1926
• Total Giving Since Inception: Over $4.2 billion to organisations in 73 countries

Contact Details

Main Office (Flint, Michigan)

• Address: 503 S. Saginaw St., Suite 1200, Flint, MI 48502-1851
• Website: https://www.mott.org
• Contact Form: https://www.mott.org/contact/

Additional Office (Troy, Michigan)

• Address: Columbia Centre, 201 W. Big Beaver Rd., Suite 900, Troy, MI 48084

International Offices

• London, UK: Gable House, 18-24 Turnham Green Terrace, London W4 1QP
• Johannesburg, South Africa: EISA Building, Ground Floor, 14 Park Rd., Richmond, Johannesburg, 2092

Overview

The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation was established in 1926 by automotive pioneer Charles Stewart Mott, a co-founder of General Motors Corporation, with an initial endowment of $320,000. The foundation has grown to become one of America's largest private foundations with $3.7 billion in assets as of 2023, awarding approximately $173.4 million annually. The foundation's mission is to "promote a just, equitable and sustainable society," with a strategic focus on long-term partnerships rather than short-term projects. Initially focused solely on Flint, Michigan, the foundation expanded nationally in the 1970s and internationally beginning in the 1980s, now operating in 73 countries. The foundation pioneered the "community schools" model in 1935, partnering schools with neighbourhoods to meet community needs—an innovation that became a national model. As of January 2025, the foundation has transitioned to an invitation-only grantmaking model, reflecting their commitment to sustained, multi-year relationships with existing grantees.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

The foundation operates through four primary programme areas:

Civil Society Programme

• Focus: Foster engaged, empowered and equitable communities worldwide
• Key Areas:
  • Strengthening Civic Space: Promoting and protecting space for civic engagement
  • Enhancing Community Philanthropy: Supporting development of community foundations
  • Increasing Access to Justice: Promoting social equity and legal empowerment
• Geographic Scope: U.S. and international

Education Programme

• Focus: Expand learning opportunities for children from low- and moderate-income communities
• Key Areas: Advancing afterschool programmes to increase access to quality educational opportunities
• Geographic Scope: U.S. national

Environment Programme

• Focus: Protect communities and the ecosystems upon which they depend
• Geographic Scope: Global

Flint Area Programme

• Focus: Community development and revitalisation in Flint, Michigan
• Key Areas:
  • Supporting local arts and cultural organisations
  • Stimulating job growth and downtown revitalisation
  • Strengthening capacity of programmes serving children and families
• Recent Large Grants:
  • $25 million to Michigan State University College of Human Medicine for public health initiatives
  • $10 million for Beecher High School renovations
  • $5.3 million to Flint Community Schools for new high school planning
  • $3.5 million to Communities First Inc. for historic building renovation
• Grant Range: $50,000 - $5+ million

Exploratory and Special Projects

• Focus: Addressing significant national and international problems outside regular programme areas
• Application: By invitation only
• Includes: Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) programme

Priority Areas

The foundation emphasises:

• Core organisational support rather than project-specific funding
• Long-term, multi-year grants to established nonprofits
• Capacity building and organisational strengthening
• Innovation within established organisations
• U.S. national initiatives in Education programme
• International work in Civil Society and Environment programmes
• Comprehensive community development in Flint, Michigan

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals: No grants or loans to individuals
• Capital Projects: Generally no funding for capital development, research, project replication, or endowments (except in Flint area or when growing out of existing Mott-funded work)
• Religious Activities: No funding for religious activities or programmes serving specific religious groups (faith-based organisations may apply if project serves broad population segment)
• Local Projects: No funding for local projects outside Flint unless part of Mott-planned national demonstration or network
• Government Duplication: No funding for projects that duplicate work of federal, state, or local government agencies
• Media Projects: Film and video projects, books rarely funded
• Education Support: Scholarships and fellowships rarely funded
• Unsolicited Proposals: As of January 2025, no unsolicited letters of inquiry or proposals accepted

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

The foundation has 17 trustees led by:

• Ridgway H. White - Chairman (also serves as President and CEO)
• Frederick S. Kirkpatrick - Vice Chairman

Notable Trustees:

• George E. Ross - President of Central Michigan University, trustee elected 2024. Quote: "Being a kid from Flint, it is an extraordinary honour to help lead a foundation that makes a difference locally and around the world."
• Dr. Bobby Mukkamala
• Charlie Nelms
• Jeremy R. M. Piper

Leadership

Ridgway H. White - President and CEO (since 2015 as President, 2017 as CEO)

• Great-grandson of founder Charles Stewart Mott
• Led foundation's response during Flint water crisis, securing $4 million emergency grant to reconnect city to Detroit water system
• Quote: "I'm honoured to have the opportunity to continue the foundation's legacy of service to the people and communities we support."

Previous Leadership

• William S. White - President (1971-2015), CEO and Chairman (d. October 2019)
• Grandson-in-law of Charles Stewart Mott
• One of the longest-serving leaders of a major U.S. philanthropy
• Quote on leadership transition: "It's the right time and the right approach for the evolution of the organisation. The Foundation is in excellent shape. Our people, our programmes and our assets are all strong, and we're poised to continue our work to promote an equitable and sustainable society."

Note: Foundation policy states "all applicants need to follow the Foundation's standard application procedures; please do not contact trustees directly."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process.

As of January 2025, the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation no longer accepts unsolicited letters of inquiry or proposals. This represents a significant policy change from their previous open application system.

According to the foundation: "Because we focus on grantmaking that aligns with the goals and objectives of our programme teams, and because we stick with issues and organisations for the long haul, there are limited funds to support new work in any given year."

Current Grantmaking Approach:

• Proposals for Exploratory and Special Projects grants are by invitation only
• Foundation works primarily with existing grantees through long-term partnerships
• Grants support core organisational activities rather than requiring organisations to shape projects around shifting priorities
• Foundation emphasises multi-year funding relationships that provide stability

Who Receives Grants: The foundation mainly works with well-established nonprofits and NGOs in its areas of interest. Their funding philosophy emphasises "long-term funding that offers grantees stability, which allows them to focus on important work and pursue innovation."

Decision Timeline

When the foundation did accept applications (prior to January 2025):

• Review and decision processes typically took several months
• Specific timelines varied by programme area

Current process for invited proposals: Timeline not publicly disclosed

Success Rates

In 2023, the foundation made grants totalling $173.4 million. Specific acceptance rates for applications are not publicly available. The shift to invitation-only proposals indicates highly competitive grantmaking with limited opportunities for new applicants.

Application Success Factors

For Organisations Invited to Apply:

Foundation's Stated Priorities: The foundation values organisations that align with their programme goals and demonstrate capacity for long-term impact. They fund "core activities of our grantees, rather than requiring them to shape projects around shifting priorities," indicating preference for organisations with strong core missions aligned with foundation interests.

Recent Grant Examples Showing Funding Patterns:

Flint Area Programme:

• Genesee County Habitat for Humanity: $500,000 for "Restoring Community Vitality" (2025-2026)
• University of Michigan-Flint: $227,000 for "Economic and Entrepreneurial Outreach" (2025-2026)
• Mott Community College: $300,000 for "Adult Career Pathway Programme" (2026)
• Food Bank of Eastern Michigan: $50,000 for "Increasing Food Distribution" (2025-2026)
• United Way of Genesee County: $300,000 for "Flint National Service Accelerator" (2026)

Education Programme:

• Indiana University: $200,000 for Global Philanthropy Environment Index (2025-2026)
• Flint Freedom Schools Collaborative: $30,000 (2024-2026)

Key Success Factors:

• Long-term vision: Foundation seeks partners committed to sustained work, not one-off projects
• Core mission alignment: Organisations should have core missions naturally aligned with foundation priorities
• Organisational capacity: Well-established nonprofits with proven track records
• Innovation within stability: Ability to innovate while maintaining organisational core
• Community engagement: Particularly for Flint Area grants, demonstrable community ties and impact
• Geographic relevance: Either based in/serving Flint, working nationally in Education, or internationally in Civil Society/Environment

Leadership Insights: Ridgway White's leadership during the Flint water crisis demonstrates the foundation's commitment to responsive, significant grantmaking during community emergencies. The foundation's willingness to quickly mobilise $4 million for immediate crisis response indicates they value agility and community responsiveness in their grantmaking.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Invitation-only since January 2025: The foundation no longer accepts unsolicited proposals, making relationship-building prior to this policy change critical for future opportunities
• Long-term partnership model: Foundation emphasises multi-year relationships over project-based funding; they "stick with issues and organisations for the long haul"
• Core support philosophy: Mott funds core organisational activities rather than requiring project-specific proposals, seeking organisations whose missions naturally align with their programme goals
• Four distinct programme areas: Civil Society, Education, Environment, and Flint Area each have specific geographic scopes—understand which programme area fits your work
• Flint remains central: Despite global reach, the foundation maintains deep commitment to its hometown with substantial grants ranging from $50,000 to $25 million
• Established organisations preferred: Foundation works "mainly with well-established nonprofits and NGOs," indicating preference for organisations with proven track records
• Limited new grantee opportunities: Foundation explicitly states "there are limited funds to support new work in any given year," making new partnerships rare

References

1. Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. (n.d.). Home. Retrieved December 16, 2024, from https://www.mott.org/
2. Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. (n.d.). What We Fund. Retrieved December 16, 2024, from https://www.mott.org/what-we-fund/
3. Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. (n.d.). History and Founder. Retrieved December 16, 2024, from https://www.mott.org/about/history/
4. Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. (n.d.). Trustees and Staff. Retrieved December 16, 2024, from https://www.mott.org/about/staff/
5. Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. (n.d.). Financial Information. Retrieved December 16, 2024, from https://www.mott.org/about/financials/
6. Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. (n.d.). Grants Database. Retrieved December 16, 2024, from https://www.mott.org/grants/
7. Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. (n.d.). Contact Us. Retrieved December 16, 2024, from https://www.mott.org/contact/
8. Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. Leadership transition at the Mott Foundation. Retrieved December 16, 2024, from https://www.mott.org/news/articles/leadership-transition-at-the-mott-foundation/
9. Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. Ridgway H. White named president of Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. Retrieved December 16, 2024, from https://www.mott.org/news/releases/ridgway-h-white-named-president-charles-stewart-mott-foundation/
10. Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. George E. Ross elected to Mott Foundation Board. Retrieved December 16, 2024, from https://www.mott.org/news/releases/cmu-president-george-e-ross-elected-to-mott-foundation-board/
11. GuideStar. CHARLES STEWART MOTT FOUNDATION - GuideStar Profile. Retrieved December 16, 2024, from https://www.guidestar.org/profile/38-1211227
12. Candid. CHARLES STEWART MOTT FOUNDATION | Foundation Directory. Retrieved December 16, 2024, from https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=MOTT001
13. ProPublica. Charles Stewart Mott Foundation - Nonprofit Explorer. Retrieved December 16, 2024, from https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/381211227
14. Mizzen. How do I apply for a grant from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation? Retrieved December 16, 2024, from https://www.mizzen.org/knowledge/how-do-i-apply-for-a-grant-from-the-charles-stewart-mott-foundation
15. Inside Philanthropy. Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. Retrieved December 16, 2024, from https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant/grants-m/charles-stewart-mott-foundation
16. Groundworks. Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. Retrieved December 16, 2024, from https://www.groundworksnm.org/grantmakers-directory/charles-stewart-mott-foundation
17. Wikipedia. Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. Retrieved December 16, 2024, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Stewart_Mott_Foundation
18. WNEM. Mott Foundation provides grant for new Flint high school. Retrieved December 16, 2024, from https://www.wnem.com/2025/12/04/mott-foundation-provides-grant-new-flint-high-school/