McFarlan Charitable Corporation

Quick Stats

• EIN: 38-1390531
• Assets: $29.9 million (2023)
• Annual Giving: $832,186 (2023)
• Grant Range: $1,000 - $835,000
• Typical Awards: 2 grants per year
• Geographic Focus: Michigan, primarily Flint area
• Application Process: No public application process - preselected organizations only
• Founded: 1925 (celebrating centennial in 2025)

Contact Details

Address: 700 East Kearsley Street, Flint, MI 48503

Phone: (810) 235-3077

Website: https://mcfarlanvillages.org

Tax Status: 501(c)(3) Private Foundation

Overview

The McFarlan Charitable Corporation was established in 1925 through the generosity of Mary McFarlan Whaley and the charitable trust she created in the 1920s. Originally known as "The McFarlan Home for Women," the organization was renamed McFarlan Charitable Corporation in 2013. With assets of approximately $29.9 million, the foundation gave $832,186 in grants in 2023. The organization has a dual mission: it operates housing facilities for seniors (including an assisted living home for women over 60 and independent living apartments for residents 55+) while also functioning as a private foundation making grants primarily for services for the aging and historic preservation. Their grant-making focuses on education, human services, and health care, primarily in Michigan. The organization is celebrating its centennial anniversary in 2025, marking 100 years of serving seniors in the Flint community. In recent years, McFarlan has partnered with Presbyterian Villages of Michigan (PVM) to manage and renovate their senior housing communities, including a $45+ million redevelopment project.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The McFarlan Charitable Corporation operates as a private foundation with trustee-directed grant-making. The foundation does not have formal grant programs with application cycles or deadlines. Instead, grants are awarded to preselected charitable organizations at the discretion of the Board of Trustees.

Grant Range: Awards typically range from $1,000 to $835,000, with considerable variation based on project needs and strategic priorities.

Grant Frequency: The foundation makes approximately 2 grants per year, suggesting highly selective and strategic grant-making focused on significant projects rather than numerous small grants.

Priority Areas

Based on their mission and grant-making history, the foundation prioritizes:

Services for the Aging: The foundation's primary focus, reflecting its origins as a home for elderly women. This includes:

• Affordable senior housing development and renovation
• Programs and services supporting quality of life for older adults
• Assisted living and independent living facilities
• Health and wellness services for seniors

Historic Preservation: Support for preserving historic buildings and cultural heritage, particularly in the Flint area.

Education: Grants supporting educational initiatives, particularly those serving the Flint community.

Human Services: Programs addressing community needs in health care and social services.

Health Care: Support for health-related services and programs, especially those serving seniors and the Flint community.

Geographic Focus: Primarily Michigan, with particular emphasis on the Flint and Genesee County area.

What They Don't Fund

As a foundation that only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations, they do not fund:

• Unsolicited grant requests
• Organizations outside their established relationships
• Organizations without 501(c)(3) status
• Individual requests or scholarships (based on available information)

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

The McFarlan Charitable Corporation is governed by a community-based Board of Trustees that retains ultimate governing authority for the nonprofit system:

• Chair: Kathy Boles
• Vice Chair: Charles Tommasulo
• Treasurer: Donna Fry
• Secretary: Lennetta Bradley Coney

Executive Leadership

Executive Director: Kahlia Harper (appointed August 2023)

Administrator: Lori Delongchamp

Notable Board History

Robert (Bob) Bessert joined the McFarlan Board of Directors in 1999, was elected board chair in 2001, and served until January 2019, providing nearly two decades of leadership during a transformative period for the organization.

Management Partnership

Since 2016, McFarlan has operated under a comprehensive Management Agreement with Presbyterian Villages of Michigan (PVM), under which PVM manages McFarlan's multiple entities while the McFarlan Board retains ultimate governing authority. This partnership has enabled significant capital improvements and expansion of services.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process.

The McFarlan Charitable Corporation has indicated that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds." Grants are awarded at the discretion of the Board of Trustees to organizations with which they have established relationships.

This approach is typical of family foundations and operating foundations that have specific strategic priorities and prefer to identify grant recipients through their own research, board connections, and established partnerships rather than through open solicitation.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Success Rates

Not applicable given the closed application process. The foundation makes approximately 2 grants annually, which are awarded to preselected organizations.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Understanding McFarlan's Grant-Making Approach

Strategic Partnerships Over Open Applications

While McFarlan Charitable Corporation doesn't accept unsolicited applications, understanding their grant-making approach can provide valuable context:

Large, Strategic Investments: The foundation's grant range ($1,000-$835,000) and small number of annual grants (approximately 2) indicate they prefer making significant investments in carefully selected projects rather than distributing many small grants.

Focus on Aging Services: Given the foundation's history and mission, organizations working on innovative programs or capital projects serving older adults in the Flint area align most closely with their interests.

Historic Preservation Connection: The foundation's interest in historic preservation, combined with their own significant historic property renovations, suggests they value projects that preserve community heritage while serving practical needs.

Community Impact: Their recent $45+ million partnership with Presbyterian Villages of Michigan for comprehensive renovation of senior housing demonstrates a commitment to transformative community projects.

Collaborative Approach: The foundation's willingness to partner with other organizations (like PVM) and to leverage funding from multiple sources (Mott Foundation, government grants, banks) indicates they value collaborative, well-capitalized projects.

Recent Grant Activity Example

In recent years, the McFarlan Charitable Corporation received a grant from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation for capital improvements at Court Street Village, demonstrating that they also receive grants for their own operating projects. This suggests the foundation may support similar capital improvement projects for other organizations serving seniors.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Application Process: McFarlan only funds preselected organizations through trustee discretion - do not submit unsolicited proposals
• Strategic Focus on Aging: Organizations serving older adults, particularly in affordable housing and quality of life programs, align with their mission
• Flint Community Priority: The foundation has deep roots in Flint and prioritizes local impact in Genesee County
• Large Grant Capacity: With grants up to $835,000, they can support substantial capital projects and major initiatives
• Historic Preservation Interest: Projects combining historic preservation with community service may be of particular interest
• Partnership-Oriented: Recent major projects show preference for collaborative efforts involving multiple funders and partners
• Centennial Moment: 2025 marks their 100th anniversary, which may influence strategic priorities and funding decisions

References

1. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - McFarlan Charitable Corporation (EIN 38-1390531). https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/381390531 (Accessed February 24, 2026)

2. GuideStar Profile - McFarlan Charitable Corporation. https://www.guidestar.org/profile/38-1390531 (Accessed February 24, 2026)

3. Grantmakers.io Profile - McFarlan Charitable Corporation. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/381390531-mcfarlan-charitable-corporation/ (Accessed February 24, 2026)

4. Instrumentl 990 Report - McFarlan Charitable Corporation. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/mcfarlan-charitable-corporation (Accessed February 24, 2026)

5. Presbyterian Villages of Michigan. "Community Grand Opening, Ribbon Cutting, and 100th Anniversary Celebration at McFarlan Villages in Flint, Michigan." https://www.pvm.org/news/community-grand-opening-ribbon-cutting-and-100th-anniversary-celebration-at-mcfarlan-villages-in-flint-michigan/ (Accessed February 24, 2026)

6. Presbyterian Villages of Michigan. "Kahlia Harper Appointed as Executive Director for McFarlan Charitable Corporation - Flint, Michigan." https://www.pvm.org/news/kahlia-harper-appointed-as-executive-director-for-mcfarlan-charitable-corporation-flint-michigan/ (Accessed February 24, 2026)

7. Presbyterian Villages of Michigan. "McFarlan and PVM Announce Management Agreement and Executive Director Selection." https://www.pvm.org/news/mcfarlan-and-pvm-announce-management-agreement-and-executive-director-selection/ (Accessed February 24, 2026)

8. McFarlan Villages - About Us. https://mcfarlanvillages.org/about-us/ (Accessed February 24, 2026)

9. McFarlan Villages - McFarlan Home. https://mcfarlanvillages.org/mcfarlan-home/ (Accessed February 24, 2026)

10. Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. "McFarlan Charitable Corporation, McFarlan Home Capital Improvements, 2022-10745." https://www.mott.org/grants/2022-10745/ (Accessed February 24, 2026)

11. Flint & Genesee Chamber Member Directory - McFarlan Charitable Corporation. https://members.flintandgeneseechamber.org/list/member/mcfarlan-charitable-corporation-25445 (Accessed February 24, 2026)

12. Tax Exempt World - McFarlan Charitable Corporation. https://www.taxexemptworld.com/organization.asp?tn=749197 (Accessed February 24, 2026)