Harvey Randall Wickes Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2,179,300 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not available
• Decision Time: Not available
• Grant Range: Average ~$42,700 (based on 51 awards)
• Geographic Focus: Saginaw County, Michigan exclusively

Contact Details

Phone: (989) 799-1850
Address: 4800 Fashion Square Blvd, Suite 472, Saginaw, MI 48604
Website: None
Email: Not available

Overview

Established in 1945, the Harvey Randall Wickes Foundation is a private foundation with total assets of $40.4 million that exclusively supports organizations in Saginaw County, Michigan. Founded by Harvey Randall "Ran" Wickes, grandson of Wickes Corporation co-founder Henry D. Wickes, the foundation has been a cornerstone of Saginaw County philanthropy for nearly 80 years. With annual giving of approximately $2.2 million distributed across 51 organizations, the foundation focuses on civic improvement, cultural enrichment, and community welfare. The foundation operates from Saginaw with a board of eight trustees who direct grantmaking activities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate specific named grant programs but provides general operating and project support averaging $42,700 per grant based on their 51 awards in 2022.

Priority Areas

• Civic affairs groups and community improvement
• Parks and recreation agencies
• Libraries and information services
• Youth services and social services
• Hospitals and healthcare facilities
• Cultural programs and arts organizations
• Educational institutions (particularly Delta College and SVSU)

What They Don't Fund

• Organizations outside Saginaw County, Michigan
• Individual requests
• For-profit entities

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees (2024):

• Craig W. Horn - President
• Kosta Povich - Vice President
• Teresa Mielke - Secretary
• Ellen E. Crane - Treasurer
• Peter Ewend - Trustee
• Joann Crary - Trustee
• Jason Tunney - Trustee
• Richard Heuschele - Trustee

The foundation maintains a small professional staff with the President receiving $85,000 in compensation, reflecting a hands-on approach to grantmaking.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. Grants appear to be awarded through trustee discretion and invitation only. Organizations seeking support should contact the foundation directly at (989) 799-1850 to inquire about potential funding opportunities and the process for being considered.

Getting on Their Radar

To be considered for funding by the Harvey Randall Wickes Foundation:

• Contact the foundation directly at (989) 799-1850 to introduce your organization and inquire about their grantmaking process
• Build relationships with current board members who are active in the Saginaw community
• Partner with or seek introductions from established Saginaw County organizations that have received funding (such as SVSU, Delta College, Saginaw hospitals, YMCA, YWCA)
• Ensure your organization has a strong presence and demonstrated impact in Saginaw County

Decision Timeline

Information about meeting schedules and decision timelines is not publicly available. Contact the foundation directly for this information.

Success Rates

Not available - the foundation does not publish application statistics.

Reapplication Policy

Not documented - contact the foundation directly for guidance.

Application Success Factors

Given the foundation's trustee-discretion model and local focus:

• Geographic requirement is absolute - only Saginaw County organizations are eligible
• Established track record matters - the foundation has long-standing relationships with major community institutions
• Direct trustee connections are valuable - board members are active in the Saginaw community
• Historical recipients include major institutions like Saginaw Valley State University ($2 million total for various projects), Delta College, Saginaw hospitals, and established service organizations
• Focus on community-wide impact - projects that benefit broad segments of Saginaw County residents appear most aligned with funding priorities

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is an invitation-only funder with no public application process - direct contact is essential
• Geographic restriction to Saginaw County is non-negotiable
• The foundation has deep roots in the community dating to 1945 and values established organizations
• Average grants of approximately $42,700 suggest mid-range funding capacity
• With $40.4 million in assets and $2.2 million annual giving, the foundation is a stable, consistent funder
• Building relationships with trustees and already-funded organizations is likely the primary path to consideration
• The foundation's history shows preference for civic infrastructure, healthcare, education, and youth services

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Harvey Randall Wickes Foundation (EIN: 386061470), accessed February 2026
• Cause IQ - Harvey Randall Wickes Foundation Profile, accessed February 2026
• Saginaw County Hall of Fame - H. Randall Wickes Biography, accessed February 2026
• IRS Form 990-PF filing for 2024 (financial data and trustee information)
• Saginaw Future Economic Development Partners listing, accessed February 2026
• Charity Navigator Profile - Harvey Randall Wickes Foundation, accessed February 2026