The Carls Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $8,196,634 (2023)
Total Assets: $129,019,032 (2023)
Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
Decision Time: 2-4 months (depending on trustee meeting schedule)
Grant Range: $2,950 - $600,000
Typical Grant: $50,000 (median)
Geographic Focus: Primarily Michigan (statewide, from Southeast Michigan to Upper Peninsula)

Contact Details

The Carls Foundation
6001 North Adams Road, Suite 215
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304-1576

Phone: (248) 385-5517
Website: https://carlsfdn.org

Key Staff:

Elizabeth A. Stieg, Executive Director & President
Kathy A. Stenman, Program Director

Phone inquiries are welcomed and encouraged before submitting proposals.

Overview

The Carls Foundation was established in 1961 (originally as the William and Marie Carls Foundation, shortened to The Carls Foundation in 1992) by Bill Carls, a German immigrant who founded Numatics, Inc., an industrial air valve manufacturing company, and his wife Marie Carls. The foundation was granted charitable status in January 1965. With total assets of $129 million and annual grant distributions exceeding $8 million, The Carls Foundation is a significant Michigan-based private independent foundation. The foundation's mission, as outlined by its donor-founder and trustees, focuses on two core areas: children's welfare and preservation of natural areas. Recent grantmaking has emphasized capital support for healthcare facilities, children's advocacy centers, programs addressing hearing impairment, and land conservancy partnerships across Michigan. The foundation prides itself on transparency, direct communication with applicants, and collaborative grantmaking practices.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Carls Foundation awards approximately 61 grants annually totaling $8.2 million, with most grants falling in the $5,000 to $50,000 range. Larger capital grants can reach $600,000 for significant projects.

Application Method: Rolling basis with deadlines tied to three annual trustee meetings. No formal application form required (though Council of Michigan Foundations Common Grant Application is accepted).

Priority Areas

1. Children's Welfare (primarily in Michigan)

Health care facilities and programs, with special emphasis on prevention and treatment of hearing impairment
Recreational programs for children
Educational programs
Welfare programs especially for children who are disadvantaged for economic and/or health reasons
Children's advocacy centers
Programs addressing family needs

2. Preservation of Natural Areas

Assistance to land trusts and land conservancies
Preservation of open space
Protection of historic buildings and areas having special natural beauty or significance in maintaining America's heritage and historic ideals
Directly related environmental educational programs

Recent Grant Examples:

$600,000 to Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy for the Love the Land Preservation Campaign (2022)
$500,000 to The Nature Conservancy for purchase and preservation of Wilderness Lakes Preserve (2022)
$450,000 to Huron Pines for preservation of Lake Huron shoreline (2022)
$300,000 to Walloon Lake Association and Trust for the Critical Lands Campaign (2022)
$250,000 to Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy for LaGrange Valley Wetlands property protection (matching grant)

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not provide grants for:

Individuals
Endowments
Publications
Conferences or seminars
Film projects
Fellowships
Loans
Travel expenses
Research projects (generally)
Playground or athletic facilities
Events or event underwriting

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees and Officers

Elizabeth A. Stieg – Executive Director & President
Henry Fleischer – Vice President
Donald A. DeLong – Secretary
Brian Derisley – Trustee
Bruce M. Fleischer, PhD – Trustee
Teresa Krieger-Burke, PhD, DVM – Trustee
Homer Nye – Trustee
Robert A. Sajdak – Trustee
Edward C. Stieg – Trustee

Leadership Philosophy

Elizabeth Stieg emphasizes direct communication and relationship-building: "I enjoy talking to people on the phone to discuss their proposals." She notes that conversations allow the foundation to suggest modifications to strengthen submissions.

Program Director Kathy Stenman highlighted that capital support—addressing residential facilities, shelters, and nonprofit infrastructure needs like kitchens and building repairs—forms the foundation's core work. She emphasized: "We encourage all foundations to consider talking to those doing the work on the ground."

The foundation has implemented "healthy early dialogue" as essential practice, particularly post-pandemic when grantmaking became highly competitive. Stenman noted they aim to "be very intentional in our conversations, be transparent with people, and discuss the best timeline for their submission." Stieg described their approach as collaborative: "It's a dance trying to meet everyone's needs...transparency and early discussions help."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Carls Foundation has no formal application form required. The foundation welcomes flexibility and encourages phone conversations before submission.

Minimum Requirements:

Cover letter signed by the chief executive officer briefly stating the reason and the amount requested
Project description with budget details
Organization history and relevant financial information
Copy of IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exemption letter

Alternative: Organizations may use the Council of Michigan Foundations Common Grant Application form if preferred.

Important: The foundation strongly encourages organizations to submit proposals well in advance of trustee meetings rather than waiting until deadlines. Early submission and phone conversations are welcomed.

Decision Timeline

Trustee Meetings: At least three times annually on this typical schedule:

January meeting: Requests due by November 1st (approximately 2-month review period)
May meeting: Requests due by March 1st (approximately 2-month review period)
September meeting: Requests due by July 1st (approximately 2-month review period)

Total Timeline: Approximately 2-4 months from submission deadline to decision, depending on the meeting cycle.

Notification: The foundation contacts applicants directly with decisions. Phone inquiries about proposal status are welcomed.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, the foundation notes that while trustees aim to approve qualifying requests, resource commitments extend years ahead, requiring many worthy proposals to be declined—not reflective of proposal merit. With approximately 61 grants awarded annually from their $8.2 million budget, competition is significant.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation does not explicitly state restrictions on reapplication. Given their emphasis on relationship-building and open communication, organizations are encouraged to discuss timing for resubmission with program staff if unsuccessful.

Application Success Factors

Funder-Specific Insights

1. Make Early Contact
The foundation strongly encourages phone conversations before submission. Elizabeth Stieg stated: "I enjoy talking to people on the phone to discuss their proposals." These conversations allow staff to suggest modifications that can strengthen submissions. This is not pro forma—they genuinely want to help shape strong proposals.

2. Focus on Capital Projects
Kathy Stenman emphasized that capital support is the core of the foundation's work. This includes residential facilities, shelters, building repairs, kitchen facilities, and infrastructure needs. Recent grants show significant funding for land acquisition and capital campaigns. Budget support is "limited," so capital requests are prioritized.

3. Emphasize the Two Core Mission Areas
Proposals must clearly align with either:

Children's welfare (especially healthcare, hearing impairment programs, services for disadvantaged children)
Natural area preservation (especially through land trusts and conservancies)

The foundation has "broadly defined charitable purposes," but these two areas are the principal focus established by the donor-founder.

4. Demonstrate Ground-Level Impact
Stenman noted: "We encourage all foundations to consider talking to those doing the work on the ground." Show direct service delivery and tangible outcomes. The foundation values practical, on-the-ground work over abstract or research-focused proposals.

5. Submit Early and Be Strategic About Timing
Don't wait until deadlines. The foundation encourages early submission and conversation about the best timeline for your proposal. Stieg noted: "It's a dance trying to meet everyone's needs...transparency and early discussions help." Being proactive about timing can significantly improve your chances.

6. Understand Multi-Year Commitments
The foundation makes multi-year grants and their resources are committed years ahead. If declined, it may reflect timing and portfolio balance rather than proposal quality. Understanding this can help frame conversations about future resubmission.

7. Consider Matching Grant Opportunities
Recent examples show the foundation has provided matching grants (e.g., Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy received a $125,000 challenge grant that unlocked an additional $250,000). If your organization is running a capital campaign, a matching structure may be particularly appealing.

8. Geographic Scope
While primarily focused on Michigan, the foundation supports projects statewide—from Southeast Michigan to the Upper Peninsula. Don't assume geographic limitations within Michigan.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Pick up the phone first: This foundation genuinely values pre-application conversations and will work with you to strengthen proposals. This is not optional—it's their preferred approach.
Capital projects are king: Limited operating support; focus proposals on capital needs, infrastructure, facilities, or land acquisition. This is explicitly stated as their core work.
Two lanes only: Ensure crystal-clear alignment with either children's welfare (especially healthcare/hearing impairment) or natural area preservation. These are the donor-founder's designated priorities.
Submit early in the cycle: Don't wait for deadlines. Early submission and strategic timing discussions are encouraged and may improve competitiveness.
Multi-year commitments matter: Understanding that resources are committed years ahead can help you time proposals strategically and interpret declinations appropriately.
Matching grants work: If running a capital campaign, consider proposing a challenge/matching grant structure based on recent examples.
Michigan-wide reach: Don't self-limit geographically within Michigan—they fund from Southeast Michigan to the Upper Peninsula.

References

The Carls Foundation official website - Application Procedure. https://carlsfdn.org/application-procedure (Accessed December 2024)
The Carls Foundation official website - Trustees and Officers. https://carlsfdn.org/trustees-and-officers (Accessed December 2024)
The Carls Foundation official website - Homepage. https://carlsfdn.org/ (Accessed December 2024)
Council of Michigan Foundations. "Prioritizing Transparency and Connections with Nonprofit Partners." https://www.michiganfoundations.org/news/prioritizing-transparency-and-connections-nonprofit-partners (Accessed December 2024)
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Carls Foundation (EIN 38-6099935). Form 990 data (2023). https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/386099935 (Accessed December 2024)
GrantExec - The Carls Foundation. https://grantexec.com/foundations/386099935 (Accessed December 2024)
The Grantsmanship Center - The Carls Foundation profile. https://www.tgci.com/funder/carls-foundation (Accessed December 2024)
Instrumentl - Grants for Land Conservation in Michigan. https://www.instrumentl.com/browse-grants/michigan/grants-for-land-conservation (Accessed December 2024)