The Miller Foundation
At a glance
Key takeaways
- The Miller Foundation's stated focus is Battle Creek, Michigan, and its themes centre on arts and creativity, so a Battle Creek arts or creative-learning project is the clearest fit.
- Most of its grants are small: half of its grants to organisations were $1,000 or less and the median was $1,000, so a modest request fits best, although its typical range runs from $275 to $25,000 and its largest grant was $70,000.
- Begin with a letter of intent, which the foundation answers by email within seven days, and only if it invites you should you complete the online application, which is due on 5 February, 5 June or 5 October.
- Most of its grant dollars to organisations went to groups it had funded before, so newcomers should make their case on fit rather than assume a relationship.
- Do not apply if you are an individual or a non-governmental organisation that is not exempt under Section 501(c)(3), and note that an approved grantee must have at least 60% of its board complete a two-hour training within six months of approval and that the foundation will not typically fund more than 10% of a project.
Overview
The Miller Foundation is a US private foundation based in Battle Creek, MI.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website and other web pages about the foundation (bcreativearts.com), with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The Miller Foundation welcomes proposals from non-profit organisations serving Battle Creek, Michigan, and describes its wider purpose as supporting the growth of its hometown and enhancing local quality of life. Through BCreative, it funds field-trip grants for teachers and scholarships for K–12 students to attend creative programmes and camps in the Battle Creek area. Its interests include painting, writing, singing, computer design, programming and architecture, among other creative pursuits. Eligible organisations must meet the Foundation’s board-training requirement, and non-governmental grantees must be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3).
Themes
- Arts and creativity
Geographic Focus
Battle Creek, Michigan.
What They Don't Fund
- Individuals
- Non-governmental organizations that are not exempt from income tax under Section 501(c) (3)
- BCreative only: food costs; wages (as reported in other published sources)
How to apply
Organisations begin with a letter of intent. If the request is within the Foundation’s mission, the applicant receives an email within seven days either declining the request or inviting them to proceed to the second-stage Online Grant Application.
Deadlines: Grant applications have recurring due dates of 5 February, 5 June and 5 October.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 85% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 241 grants to organisations were $1,000 or less.
What the foundation says:
- An organisation with an approved grant must have at least 60% of its board complete a minimum two-hour board training within six months before or after approval.
- The Foundation will not typically award more than 10% of a project or programme.
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 11% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 85% of grant dollars went to organisations The Miller Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- 11% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 84 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $950 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Legal Services of South Central Michigan · Board grants$70,0002024 tax year
- Charitable Union · Board grants$65,0002024 tax year
- BC Habitat For Humanity · Board grants$50,0002024 tax year
- Safe Place · Board grants$35,0002024 tax year
- Music Center Of SC Mi · Student scholarships$26,3522024 tax year
- Sprout Urban Farms · Board grants$25,0002024 tax year
- Neighborhoods Incorporated · Board grants$25,0002024 tax year
- The Barn Theatre School For Advanced TT · Board grants$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
- Sara Wallace — President & CEO
- Kate Segal — Trustee
- Ken Tsuchiyama — Trustee
- Paul Ohm — Trustee
- Jim Lance — Treasurer
- Greg Dotson — Vice Chairman
- John Gallagher — Chairman
- Deborah Dingwall — Secretary
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $1,312,962 | $709,210 | $20,857,443 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $1,173,992 | $546,820 | $22,433,038 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $1,200,086 | $587,590 | $23,343,809 | 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 The Miller Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (269) 964-3542
- Battle Creek, MI
- themillerfoundation.com
Applying to The Miller Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (269) 964-3542
- Battle Creek, MI
- themillerfoundation.com