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The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation

Annual Giving
$45.0M
Grant Range
$10K - $4.0M

The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $45 million (2023)
  • Total Assets: $621 million
  • Grant Range: $10,000 - $4,000,000
  • Geographic Focus: Michigan only (emphasis on Midland)
  • Application Type: Rolling, two-stage process
  • Grant Disbursement: December annually

Contact Details

Website: https://hhgadowfdn.org/ Location: Midland, MI Application Portal: Online Letter of Intent system available on website

Overview

Founded in 1936 by Mrs. Grace A. Dow to honor her husband Dr. Herbert H. Dow (founder of The Dow Chemical Company), the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation is Michigan's oldest charitable funding organization based in Midland and the state's eighth-largest foundation. With assets exceeding $621 million and annual giving surpassing $45 million, the foundation has disbursed $682.9 million over its 88-year history. The foundation's charter restricts grants to Michigan organizations, with particular emphasis on Midland County, for "religious, charitable, scientific, literary, or educational purposes for the public benefaction of the inhabitants of the said City of Midland and of the people of the State of Michigan." The foundation's signature program is Dow Gardens, a 110-acre horticultural garden featuring one of the nation's longest canopy walks.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through a unified grantmaking program with rolling applications and December disbursements. Grants range from approximately $10,000 to $4 million, with the foundation emphasizing seed money and matching grants that stimulate broad public participation and lead to self-sustaining programs.

Recent Major Awards (2024):

  • Education: Michigan Technological University ($2M for Chemical Sciences building), Northwood University ($1M for academic center), Inland Seas Education Association ($1M for campus expansion)
  • Health & Human Services: MyMichigan Health Foundation ($1.3M for Pardee Cancer Wellness Center), West Midland Family Center ($750K for modernization)
  • Arts & Culture: Midland Center for the Arts ($2.5M for facility renovations)
  • Civic & Community: Midland Soccer Club ($3M pledge for indoor athletic facility - matching grant), Discovery Center Great Lakes ($2.5M pledge for Freshwater Research Center)

Priority Areas

Education (41% of historical grants): The foundation's largest program area, supporting Michigan academic institutions "particularly in those specific areas where a given institution already is establishing preeminence." Focus areas include higher education infrastructure, educational programming, and research facilities.

Community Improvement (23% of historical grants): Economic development, job creation programs, civic infrastructure, housing (e.g., Habitat for Humanity projects), and facilities serving community needs.

Arts & Culture (14% of historical grants): "Tasteful, creative, and innovative programs that expand the general public's art and cultural horizons," with special interest in programs exploring the intersection of science and art. Support for cultural centers, libraries, museums, and arts organizations.

Science & Technology: Advanced research and new applications of science and technology, primarily at research universities and institutions.

Health & Human Services (15% of historical grants): Healthcare facilities, wellness centers, human service organizations, and programs addressing community health needs.

Religious Support: Church support exclusively in Midland County, MI.

Special Interests: Programs benefiting children and the elderly are of particular interest to this family foundation.

What They Don't Fund

  • Direct grants to individuals
  • Non-tax-deductible organizations
  • Organizations that discriminate
  • Political organizations or lobbying groups
  • Organizations located or incorporated outside Michigan

Governance and Leadership

Current Board of Trustees

Officers:

  • Ruth A. Doan, President
  • Michael L. Dow, Vice President
  • Willard A. Mott, Treasurer
  • Diane Hullet, Secretary

Trustees:

  • Stephen C. Carras
  • Ruth A. Doan
  • Michael L. Dow
  • Bonnie Buchanan Matheson
  • Willard A. Mott
  • Stephanie R. Scheets
  • Macauley Whiting, Jr. (Former President, served 2014-2019)

Members:

  • Alden Lee Hanson
  • Diane Hullet
  • Suzanna McCuan
  • Lilla Y. M. Ohrstrom
  • Sarah Opperman

Associate Members:

  • David Inglish
  • Kharissa Jacobsen
  • Sydney Noah

Ruth A. Doan became the foundation's president in 2019, succeeding Macauley Whiting, Jr., who had led the foundation since 2014. The board represents a mix of Dow family members and community leaders with deep ties to the Midland area.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation uses a two-stage application process with no submission deadlines:

Stage 1: Letter of Intent (LOI)

  • Submit online through the foundation's website portal
  • Available to qualified 501(c)(3) or governmental organizations incorporated and located in Michigan
  • Rolling submissions accepted throughout the year
  • The Board of Trustees meets periodically throughout the year to review LOIs

Stage 2: Full Application (By Invitation Only)

  • Organizations whose requests best align with the foundation's mission and current priorities will be invited to submit a full application
  • Invitation to submit does not guarantee funding

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Must be a 501(c)(3) or governmental organization
  • Must be incorporated AND located in Michigan
  • Must be tax-deductible per IRS regulations

Decision Timeline

  • Application Schedule: Rolling basis, no deadlines
  • Board Meetings: Periodically throughout the year
  • Grant Disbursement: December annually
  • Review Duration: Not publicly specified; varies based on board meeting schedule and application complexity

Reapplication Policy

The foundation explicitly states: "An applicant should never view a declination by the foundation as a judgment on the merits of the project, the capability of the organization, the credentials of the persons associated with it or any other aspect of the proposal." This indicates that reapplication is acceptable, with the foundation acknowledging that limited annual funds require declining many worthy proposals.

Application Success Factors

Foundation's Stated Priorities

The foundation looks for proposals where:

  1. Leverage is Possible: "The trustees carefully consider proposals submitted, and look for programs where their contribution can be leveraged"
  2. Long-term Sustainability: "Organizations requesting funding for a new program should be sure that they have planned for that program's future self-sufficiency"
  3. Catalytic Impact: Preference for seed money or matching grants that "stimulate broad public participation in an artistic, recreational, educational or cultural project so that the project can become self-sustaining"
  4. Strong Management: Organizations with "clear objectives and strong management"
  5. Innovation: Organizations demonstrating "innovation and original ideas"
  6. Collaboration: Programs featuring collaborative approaches
  7. Free Enterprise: Focus on advancing free enterprise principles
  8. Gap Filling: Needs in areas lacking government or public funding

Strategic Considerations

Geographic Emphasis: While the foundation serves all of Michigan, Midland County receives concentrated attention. Both Midland-specific and statewide projects are supported.

Institutional Excellence: In education, the foundation explicitly supports institutions "already establishing preeminence" in specific areas, suggesting preference for building on existing strengths rather than starting from scratch.

Capital vs. Operating: Recent awards show strong support for capital projects (facility renovations, building projects, equipment) alongside programmatic funding.

Matching Grants: The foundation frequently offers matching grants (e.g., $3M to Midland Soccer Club), requiring applicants to demonstrate community support and fundraising capacity.

Multi-Year Relationships: Evidence of ongoing relationships with organizations like Midland Center for the Arts (receiving major grants over multiple years) suggests the foundation values sustained partnerships.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Emphasize sustainability and leverage: Demonstrate how foundation support will catalyze broader community participation, attract additional funding, or lead to program self-sufficiency. The foundation explicitly seeks opportunities where their contribution can be leveraged.

  • Match the charter language: The foundation's 1936 charter language remains operative. Frame proposals using terms like "religious, charitable, scientific, literary, or educational purposes" and emphasize benefits to "inhabitants of Midland and the people of Michigan."

  • Target areas of institutional strength: For educational institutions, highlight how funding will advance areas where your institution "already is establishing preeminence" rather than starting entirely new initiatives.

  • Start with Letter of Intent: The two-stage process means your LOI is critical. It must compellingly align with current priorities to secure a full application invitation.

  • Plan for December funding: Structure your project timeline knowing grants disburse in December. This may influence when you submit your LOI relative to your funding needs.

  • Rejection is not personal: The foundation explicitly notes that declinations should not be viewed as judgments on merit, given limited resources. Reapplication is appropriate if your project remains aligned with their mission.

  • Consider matching grant opportunities: If your project can demonstrate community support through matching fundraising, this aligns with the foundation's preference for catalytic funding approaches.

References

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