J F Ervin Foundation - Funder Overview

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Approximately $281,000
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: Approximately $281,000 (based on recent single grant)
• Geographic Focus: Ann Arbor area, Michigan

Contact Details

Address: Ann Arbor, MI

Website: No public website identified

Email: Not publicly available

Phone: Not publicly available

Overview

The J F Ervin Foundation is a small private family foundation based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with assets totaling approximately $3.46 million. With annual expenses around $284,000, the foundation operates as a classic small family foundation making very limited grants—reportedly one grant per year of approximately $281,000. The foundation focuses its grant-making on local Ann Arbor area initiatives, with particular emphasis on agriculture, community and economic development, housing development, human services, and youth development. The foundation operates through trustee discretion rather than a public application process, suggesting a highly selective, relationship-based approach to philanthropy.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with published application cycles. Recent data indicates:

• Single large grant annually: approximately $281,000 (based on most recent reported activity)
• No evidence of multiple grant tiers or structured funding streams

Priority Areas

• Agriculture initiatives in the Ann Arbor region
• Community and Economic Development
• Housing Development
• Human Services
• Youth Development

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. As a small private foundation with limited grant-making activity, the foundation likely does not fund organizations outside the Ann Arbor area or initiatives not aligned with family interests.

Governance and Leadership

John E. Pearson - President/Trustee

Debra A. Pearson - Vice President/Treasurer/Trustee

James Trent Pearson - Trustee

The foundation operates with minimal trustee hours reported, consistent with a small private foundation making limited grants through trustee discretion.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process.

The J F Ervin Foundation operates as a private family foundation that makes grants through trustee discretion. There is no evidence of published application guidelines, open application periods, online portals, or formal grant cycles.

The foundation's pattern of making one large grant per year suggests that grants are awarded to organizations known to the trustees through pre-existing relationships, personal involvement, or invitation-only grant-making.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable due to the absence of a formal application process.

Success Rates

Not applicable as the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to the absence of a formal application process.

Application Success Factors

Given the foundation's private nature and lack of public application process, traditional application success factors do not apply. The foundation appears to operate primarily through trustee-identified opportunities rather than responding to external requests. Success would depend on:

• Personal connections to the Pearson family or other trustees
• Alignment with causes the family has historically supported
• Operating in the Ann Arbor area where the family has deep roots
• Demonstrating impact in the foundation's stated priority areas

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Application Process: This foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications
• Very Limited Grant-Making: With only one grant reported annually, this is an extremely selective funder
• Relationship-Driven: Success requires pre-existing connections to the Pearson family or foundation trustees
• Local Focus: Strongly committed to the Ann Arbor, Michigan area
• Family Foundation Model: Operates as a classic small family foundation with full trustee discretion
• Large Single Grant: When the foundation does make a grant, it tends to be substantial (approximately $281,000)

References

1. Cause IQ - The JF Ervin Foundation Profile. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/j-f-ervin-foundation,386053755/ (Accessed February 24, 2026)
2. Grantable - The JF Ervin Foundation Profile & Grants. https://www.grantable.co/search/funders/profile/the-jf-ervin-foundation-us-foundation-386053755 (Accessed February 24, 2026)
3. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - J F Ervin Foundation (EIN 38-6053755). https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/386053755 (Accessed February 24, 2026)
4. Charity Navigator - J F Ervin Foundation Profile. https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/386053755 (Accessed February 24, 2026)