Ronda E Stryker & William D Johnston Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $53,232,995 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Quarterly board decisions
• Grant Range: Varies widely - from smaller community grants to multi-million dollar commitments
• Geographic Focus: Kalamazoo County, Michigan exclusively

Contact Details

Address: Kalamazoo, MI
Phone: 269.488.8484
Email: grants@strykerjohnstonfoundation.org (prospective partners)
Email: lwinther@strykerjohnstonfoundation.org (previous applicants - Laura Winther, Grants Manager)
Website: www.strykerjohnstonfoundation.org

Overview

Founded in 1995 by billionaire couple Ronda Stryker (granddaughter of Stryker Corporation founder Homer Stryker) and William D. Johnston (chairman of Greenleaf Companies), the Stryker Johnston Foundation has emerged as one of the most significant philanthropic forces in southwest Michigan. With recent annual grantmaking of approximately $53.2 million and over $678 million awarded since 2015, the foundation operates as an "open-door," place-based institutional grantmaker exclusively focused on Kalamazoo County. The foundation's strategic approach includes making large capital contributions that fund multi-year grantmaking cycles and an increasing emphasis on general operating support (which grew from 31% of grants in 2019 to 61% in 2021). In 2024, the foundation transitioned from traditional responsive grantmaking to a more strategic, proactive, relationship-based funding model that emphasizes trust-based grantmaking and long-term partnerships with community organizations.

Funding Priorities

Core Mission

The foundation partners "with organizations and groups to change the systems and structures that create intergenerational poverty, particularly among Black people, people of color, and other communities that have been left out or left behind."

Priority Areas

The foundation prioritizes organizations that:

• Work to change systems and root causes leading to intergenerational poverty
• Are led by and serve Black people, people of color, and other marginalized communities
• Demonstrate active commitment to being and becoming anti-racist and anti-oppressive
• Are led by and accountable to the people most impacted by their work
• Focus on diversity, inclusion, and equity efforts

Specific funding areas include:

• Economic security and social wellbeing of marginalized community members
• Education using anti-racist and anti-oppressive practices
• Community development and systems change
• Youth development
• Housing and homelessness services
• Immigration services
• Literacy and early education
• Public media

Grant Support Types

• General operating support (increasingly prioritized)
• Multi-year funding
• Specific projects or programs
• Collaborative/collective action efforts
• Capacity building
• Capital campaigns

What They Don't Fund

• Individual personal funding requests
• Political or lobbying campaigns
• Organizations that exist to influence legislation
• Event sponsorships
• 501(c)(3) Private Foundations
• 501(c)(7) Social Clubs
• Organizations primarily benefiting communities outside Kalamazoo County, Michigan

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

• Ronda Stryker – President (net worth approximately $7.4 billion; served on Stryker Corporation board for nearly 30 years)
• Bill Johnston – Treasurer and Secretary (chairman of Greenleaf Trust investment management company)
• Annie Henn
• Megan Johnston
• Michael Johnston
• Charlie Fullerton

Executive and Staff Leadership

Executive Leadership:

• William Buster – Executive Director (appointed 2024). Over two decades in philanthropy with transformative influence on community development and health equity. Former founding CEO of New Hanover Community Endowment; directed over $600 million in grants and investments.

Program & Grants Staff:

• Yolonda Lavender – Grant Program & Partnerships Director. Advocates for reimagining philanthropy through trust-based grantmaking.
• Leatrice Fullerton – Resource & Relationship Partner
• Hollywood Watkins – Program Associate

Operations:

• Lindsey Hemmerlein – Operations Director
• Laura Winther – Information Systems and Grants Manager (15 years experience in higher education and nonprofit work)
• Mary DeMoss – Executive Assistant

Leadership Quotes

Ronda Stryker on education and equity: "I have always recognized the transformative impact of women's higher education, particularly for women of color, non-traditional students, and those reentering education after raising families. It is a cause close to my heart, reflected in my dedication of time, talent, and resources."

"I have seen first-hand the enormous impact financial investment has generated for Spelman's highly talented students. It's important to me that all women be provided an opportunity to explore their talents, challenge their self-doubts and realize the power of achieving individual success."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Important Note: As of 2025, the foundation has transitioned from a traditional open application process to a strategic, proactive, relationship-based funding model.

For Prospective Partners (New Applicants):

1. Submit an inquiry email to grants@strykerjohnstonfoundation.org
2. The Grant Program Team will engage with your organization to assess alignment with funding priorities
3. If strong and direct alignment is confirmed, the foundation will invite you to submit a strategic application via their grant platform (Fluxx)

For Current Grant Partners:

• Foundation staff conduct regular check-ins with existing partners
• Teams track grant renewal periods and invite applications through Fluxx
• Organizations submit strategic applications rather than traditional formal grant proposals

Key Eligibility Requirements:

Organizations must meet ALL of the following:

1. Legal Status: Legally registered 501(c)(3) Public Charity (NOT a Private Foundation), OR a governmental agency, OR an educational institution (school, college, university). Organizations may alternatively have a confirmed fiscal sponsor that is a legally registered 501(c)(3) Public Charity.

2. Geographic Focus: Organization, program, or project must mainly serve the community of Kalamazoo County, Michigan

3. Nondiscrimination Policy: Board-approved non-discrimination policy that demonstrates commitment to equal opportunity, is inclusive of all legally protected statuses, and covers staff, board, volunteers, and clients. Organizations lacking a compliant policy are ineligible unless the board updates it during the application process.

4. Mission Alignment: Work must address systems and root causes of intergenerational poverty with focus on serving Black people, people of color, and other marginalized communities

Decision Timeline

• Grant Program Team confirms alignment using established criteria
• Operations Team collects necessary compliance documents via Fluxx
• Recommendations presented to board quarterly or via special approval meetings
• Board approves funding requests
• Under the previous model, funding decisions were made biannually

Success Rates

Success rate statistics are not publicly disclosed. The foundation's shift to a proactive, invitation-based model means that organizations invited to submit full applications likely have higher success rates than under traditional open application processes.

Reapplication Policy

Given the new relationship-based funding model, reapplication policies are not explicitly stated. Organizations are encouraged to maintain contact with foundation staff and may inquire about future funding opportunities by contacting the Grant Program Team.

Application Success Factors

Understanding the Foundation's Approach:

The foundation explicitly values trust-based grantmaking, which means they prioritize:

• Building long-term relationships with grantees
• Providing flexible, general operating support rather than restricted project funding
• Reducing administrative burden on nonprofit partners
• Centering the voices and leadership of those most impacted by poverty

Critical Alignment Factors:

1. Geographic Restriction is Absolute: 89% of grants (2019-2021) flowed to Kalamazoo-based organizations. Your work must primarily serve Kalamazoo County, Michigan.

2. Systems Change Focus: The foundation explicitly seeks to fund organizations working to "change the systems and structures" that create poverty, not just provide direct services. Your proposal should articulate how your work addresses root causes.

3. Equity and Anti-Racism: Organizations must demonstrate they are "actively being and becoming anti-racist and anti-oppressive." This is not optional language—it's a core requirement.

4. Community Leadership: The foundation prioritizes organizations "led by and accountable to the people most impacted." If your leadership and governance don't reflect the communities you serve, this will be a barrier.

5. Nondiscrimination Policy: Your board-approved nondiscrimination policy must be inclusive of ALL legally protected statuses. This is verified during the application process.

What the Foundation Looks For:

Based on their grantmaking patterns:

• General Operating Support Requests: The foundation increased general operating support from 31% to 61% of grants between 2019 and 2021, signaling a preference for flexible funding.
• Multi-Year Partnerships: The foundation's funding model supports long-term relationships rather than one-time grants.
• Collaborative Efforts: They fund collective action and partnership initiatives.

Major Recipients as Examples:

• City of Kalamazoo: Received over $85 million (2016-2021) for the Kalamazoo Foundation for Public Excellence—demonstrating willingness to make large, sustained investments in systems-level infrastructure
• Family and Children Services: Grantee supporting social services
• Edison Neighborhood Association: Community development work
• Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Michigan: Workforce development
• Kalamazoo Convent Academy: Education initiative

Process Tips:

1. Start with Relationship Building: Given the shift to proactive grantmaking, contact the Grant Program Team early to introduce your organization and explore alignment.

2. Be Patient and Strategic: The foundation paused responsive grantmaking in 2024 to reflect on their strategic direction. They are being intentional about partnerships.

3. Emphasize Systems Change: Don't just describe your programs—articulate how your work changes structures, policies, or systems that perpetuate poverty.

4. Demonstrate Community Accountability: Show how those most impacted by your work are involved in leadership, governance, and decision-making.

5. Prepare Your Governance Documents: Have your board-approved nondiscrimination policy ready, as this is required with your initial inquiry.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic restriction is non-negotiable: Only organizations primarily serving Kalamazoo County, Michigan are eligible—no exceptions.
• Relationship-based funding model: The foundation has moved away from open applications to invitation-based grants, so building relationships with program staff is essential.
• Systems change over direct services: Articulate how your work addresses root causes and structural barriers, not just symptoms of poverty.
• Equity is central, not peripheral: Anti-racist and anti-oppressive commitments must be demonstrated in organizational practice, not just stated in proposals.
• Trust-based grantmaking philosophy: The foundation increasingly provides flexible, general operating support and values long-term partnerships over transactional grants.
• Major grants possible: While specific grant ranges aren't published, the foundation has made multi-million dollar commitments to organizations aligned with their mission (over $85M to the City of Kalamazoo).
• Contact early: Reach out to grants@strykerjohnstonfoundation.org to introduce your organization and explore alignment before formal application opportunities arise.

References

1. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Ronda E Stryker & William D Johnston Foundation. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/383224966 (Accessed December 2024)

2. Cause IQ - Ronda E. Stryker and William D. Johnston Foundation. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/ronda-e-stryker-and-william-d-johnston-foundation,383224966/ (Accessed December 2024)

3. Inside Philanthropy - Stryker Johnston Foundation. https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant-places/michigan-grants/stryker-johnston-foundation (Accessed December 2024)

4. Inside Philanthropy - "This Billionaire Heiress and Her Husband Have a Huge Philanthropic Footprint in Their Hometown." https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/2023-7-14-this-billionaire-heiress-and-her-husband-have-a-huge-philanthropic-footprint-in-their-hometown (Accessed December 2024)

5. Stryker Johnston Foundation Official Website - Applying for Grants. https://www.strykerjohnstonfoundation.org/apply (Accessed December 2024)

6. Stryker Johnston Foundation Official Website - Eligibility Guidelines. https://www.strykerjohnstonfoundation.org/eligibility-guidelines (Accessed December 2024)

7. Stryker Johnston Foundation Official Website - Our Team & Board. https://www.strykerjohnstonfoundation.org/team (Accessed December 2024)

8. Stryker Johnston Foundation Official Website - Home. https://www.strykerjohnstonfoundation.org/ (Accessed December 2024)

9. Crain's Detroit Business - "Ronda Stryker, William Johnston give $100M to Spelman College." https://www.crainsdetroit.com/nonprofits-philanthropy/ronda-stryker-william-johnston-give-100m-spelman-college (Accessed December 2024)

10. Western Michigan University News - "WMU School of Medicine will be named for medical device pioneer." https://wmich.edu/news/2014/03/14100 (Accessed December 2024)

11. Foundation Directory Online (Candid) - The Ronda E Stryker and William D Johnston Foundation. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=STRY003 (Accessed December 2024)

12. Stryker Johnston Foundation 990-PF Tax Return (2023). https://strykerjohnstonfoundation.squarespace.com/s/Stryker-Johnston-Foundation-990-PF-2023.pdf (Accessed December 2024)