Van Elslander Family Foundation
At a glance
Key takeaways
- The foundation's stated focus is Michigan, with a special interest in metro Detroit, and its work centres on family crisis stability and vulnerable youth, so a programme in those areas is the closest fit.
- Most of its grants to organisations fall between $25,000 and $100,000, with a median of $65,000 and a largest of $125,000, so a request in that range is typical, though it is not a fixed limit.
- In its latest filing, 58% of its grant dollars to organisations went to groups it had also funded in the previous filing, which suggests relationships matter, and it says it prioritises smaller organisations seeking to make a big impact.
- Call the foundation first to discuss its requirements and process, then send your application by email, as it accepts applications on a rolling basis.
- Do not apply if you are a K-12 school, a political activity, a private foundation, an organisation not recognised as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3), or an organisation that discriminates based on age, creed, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or sexual orientation.
Overview
Van Elslander Family Foundation is a US private foundation based in Birmingham, MI.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The foundation was established to encourage future generations of the family to give back to the community and to advance its founders’ philanthropic legacy. Its grantmaking focuses on Michigan, helping families in crisis achieve stability and empowering vulnerable youth for future success. It awards grants through charities recognised as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3), for public benefit. The foundation prioritises smaller organisations seeking to make a big impact and programmes that give people the tools to be successful. It has a special interest in metro Detroit, while its legacy statement describes support for local nonprofits and charities.
Themes
- Family crisis stability
- Vulnerable youth
Geographic Focus
Michigan. Priority: Metro Detroit.
What They Don't Fund
- K-12 schools or political activities
- A private foundation
- Organisations not recognised as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3)
- Organisations that discriminate based on age, creed, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or sexual orientation
How to apply
Applicants submit applications by email.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 58% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 11 grants to organisations were $65,000 or less.
What the foundation says:
- The foundation prioritises smaller organisations seeking to make a big impact and programmes that give people the tools to be successful.
- Applicants should call to discuss the application requirements and process before applying directly.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
- The largest single recipient received 26% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 58% of grant dollars went to organisations Van Elslander Family Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 5 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $100k (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Gianna House · Operations$125,0002024 tax year
- Empowerment Plan · Operations$100,0002024 tax year
- Experience Camps · Operations$100,0002024 tax year
- Boldli · Operations$40,0002024 tax year
- Angel's Place · Operations$25,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Beth Wood — Director
- Cydney Webb — Secretary
- Stephen Campau — Director
- Brianne Allen — Second Vice President
- Katherine Cali Van Elslander — Director
- Jennifer Goodman — Director
- Olivia Van Elslander — Director
- Heather Greenwald — Director
- Grace Scarfone — First Vice President
- Lia Mansfield — Treasurer
- Gary Van Elslander — President
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $21,780 | $0 | $3,594,249 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $435,187 | $350,000 | $6,832,703 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $504,449 | $390,000 | $8,085,353 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
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At a glance
Applying to Van Elslander Family Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (248) 590-2700
- info@vanelslanderfamilyfoundation.org
- INFO@VANELSLANDERFAMILYFOUNDATION.ORG
- Birmingham, MI
- vanelslanderfamilyfoundation.org
Applying to Van Elslander Family Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (248) 590-2700
- info@vanelslanderfamilyfoundation.org
- INFO@VANELSLANDERFAMILYFOUNDATION.ORG
- Birmingham, MI
- vanelslanderfamilyfoundation.org