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Stanley And Judith Frankel Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$1.3M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.5M
00

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,280,150 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Not applicable (invitation only)
  • Grant Range: Varies widely; median $36,000; up to $454,000
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Michigan, with secondary focus on New York and Pennsylvania

Contact Details

Address: Troy, MI

Note: The foundation has indicated it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Overview

The Stanley and Judith Frankel Family Foundation was established in May 2000 as a private independent foundation. With assets of approximately $32.4 million, the foundation distributed $1.28 million in grants in 2024 across 24 awards. Stanley Frankel (President) and Judith Frankel (Vice President) lead the foundation, with Arthur Weiss serving as Secretary. For the past 30 years, the Frankels have been significant philanthropists supporting institutions throughout Michigan and beyond, with a particular focus on education, Jewish organizations, cultural institutions, and healthcare research. Their giving reflects a deep commitment to the Detroit and Ann Arbor communities, building on a family heritage of philanthropy that has sustained major institutions including the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Jewish schools in metro Detroit and Jerusalem, and the University of Michigan. Stanley Frankel (BA '63, MBA '64) and Judy (who attended U-M from 1962-1964) were recommended for an honorary Doctor of Laws degree at U-M's 2024 Spring Commencement in recognition of their transformative philanthropy.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, supporting preselected charitable organizations. There are no formal grant programs with published application processes.

Priority Areas

Based on their documented giving patterns, the foundation prioritizes:

  • Higher Education: Major support for University of Michigan programs across multiple schools, including the Stanley and Judith Frankel Institute for Heart and Brain Health (created 2023), LSA's Michigan Institute for Teaching and Research in Economics, STAR Program, School of Music, Theatre & Dance, Life Sciences Institute, Jean and Samuel Frankel Center for Judaic Studies, and Michigan Hillel

  • Jewish Education and Religious Institutions: Significant support for Jewish schools, yeshivas, and synagogues in metro Detroit, Jerusalem, and New York, including Yeshivah Staten Island and the Jean and Samuel Frankel Jewish Academy of Metropolitan Detroit

  • Arts and Culture: Ongoing support for major cultural institutions, particularly the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (where Stanley served as board chair 2009-2012) and the Detroit Institute of Arts

  • Healthcare Research: Support for medical research and cancer treatment facilities, including the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute and the Samuel and Jean Frankel Cardiovascular Center at U-M

  • Community and Social Services: Support for Children's Hospital of Detroit and the Jewish Welfare Federation of Metro Detroit

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and only supports preselected organizations. While specific exclusions are not documented, the foundation's giving is concentrated in their established areas of interest.

Governance and Leadership

Stanley Frankel (President): University of Michigan graduate (BA '63, MBA '64) with a distinguished record of civic leadership. Served as Chairman of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra Board (2009-2012), guiding the organization through the Great Recession and subsequent labor negotiations. His leadership extends across educational, cultural, and healthcare institutions in Michigan.

Judith Frankel (Vice President): Attended University of Michigan (1962-1964). Along with Stanley, she has been described as seeding innovation and offering institutional leadership for the benefit of U-M, its students, scholars, and the greater community for over three decades.

Arthur Weiss (Secretary): Serves in governance capacity.

All officers serve without compensation, reflecting the foundation's focus on maximizing charitable impact.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation has explicitly indicated it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Grants are awarded through trustee discretion based on the founders' long-standing relationships with institutions and their strategic philanthropic priorities.

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation's giving patterns reveal they support organizations where the Frankels have developed deep, long-term relationships over many years. Their major grants typically go to institutions where they have personal connections (Stanley's U-M alumni status), board service (Detroit Symphony Orchestra), or family ties (Samuel and Jean Frankel Center, named for Stanley's parents).

Key characteristics of organizations they support:

  • Established institutions in Michigan, particularly Detroit and Ann Arbor
  • Jewish educational and religious organizations serving the metro Detroit community and beyond
  • Organizations where the Frankels can support transformative initiatives (e.g., creating the Stanley and Judith Frankel Institute for Heart and Brain Health)
  • Cultural institutions central to Detroit's civic life

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made at the discretion of the foundation trustees to preselected organizations.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Organizations receiving support typically maintain ongoing relationships with the foundation over many years.

Application Success Factors

While the foundation does not accept applications, their documented giving patterns reveal key priorities:

Transformational Impact: The Frankels support initiatives that can be transformative, such as creating the Stanley and Judith Frankel Institute for Heart and Brain Health in 2023. They seek opportunities to seed innovation and advance institutional capacity.

Long-term Institutional Relationships: Their giving reflects sustained multi-decade commitments to core institutions. The University of Michigan has received their support across numerous programs over 30 years. The Detroit Symphony Orchestra has been a consistent beneficiary through multiple decades.

Educational Excellence: Education is central to their mission, with grants supporting everything from Jewish day schools to major university research institutes. Recent grants include $100,000 to University of Michigan and $90,000 to Yeshivah Staten Island.

Jewish Heritage and Community: Support for Jewish education, religious institutions, and community organizations is a consistent priority, spanning from local synagogues to Israeli institutions.

Cultural Vitality: Their support for arts organizations, particularly the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (which received $454,000 in 2023) and Detroit Institute of Arts, demonstrates commitment to cultural institutions that serve the broader community.

Healthcare Innovation: Recent focus on medical research, particularly cardiovascular health and brain health, building on the Samuel and Jean Frankel Cardiovascular Center named for Stanley's parents.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications - they only support preselected organizations
  • Grant amounts vary significantly, from smaller gifts to six-figure grants ($454,000 to Detroit Symphony Orchestra)
  • The foundation makes approximately 20-24 grants annually totaling around $1.3 million
  • Geographic focus is primarily Michigan (Detroit and Ann Arbor areas), with secondary giving in New York and Pennsylvania
  • Support typically reflects long-term relationships and board connections rather than one-time project funding
  • The Frankels prioritize transformational gifts that can advance institutional missions and create lasting impact
  • Educational institutions, Jewish organizations, cultural institutions, and healthcare research are core priorities
  • Personal connection and institutional relationships are essential - the Frankels support organizations where they have deep involvement

References

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