Timothy And Sheila Patton Family Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1.5 - $4.8 million (varies by year)
• Assets: $28.6 - $31.4 million
• Grant Range: $500 - $1,000,000
• Number of Grants: 40-62 annually
• Geographic Focus: Michigan, Ohio, and Texas (primarily)
• Application Process: Invitation only - does not accept unsolicited applications

Contact Details

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 455
Ann Arbor, MI 48106-0455

Phone: 734-213-5528

EIN: 46-6453265

Note: The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. No public application process available.

Overview

The Timothy And Sheila Patton Family Charitable Trust is a private family foundation established in June 2013 by Timothy J. Patton and Sheila A. Patton of Ann Arbor, Michigan. With assets of approximately $28.6-$31.4 million, the foundation has grown into a significant supporter of Catholic education, pro-life causes, human services, and youth development programs. Annual grantmaking has varied considerably, ranging from $1.1 million to $4.8 million in recent years, with the foundation making between 40 and 62 grants annually. Timothy J. Patton is CEO of Patton Holdings, an Ann Arbor-based holding company that owns Jordan Reses Supply Company (a distributor of respiratory and healthcare products) and Flagship Private Air. He is also the founder and board member of the Ann Arbor chapter of Legatus International, an organization of Catholic business leaders, and serves on the board of Father Gabriel Richard High School. Both Timothy and Sheila Patton serve as unpaid trustees of the foundation.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis with no formal application programs. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees to preselected organizations.

Grant Size Range: $500 - $1,000,000

• Most grants fall in the $5,000 - $100,000 range
• Major grants of $100,000+ reserved for key strategic partners
• Small grants of $500 - $5,000 for local initiatives

Priority Areas

Catholic Education

• Catholic high schools and universities
• Parochial schools and religious education programs
• Catholic educational institutions across Michigan, Ohio, and Texas

Pro-Life Causes

• Pro-life advocacy organizations
• Pregnancy resource centers
• Organizations promoting life-affirming alternatives

Religious Organizations

• Catholic parishes and diocesan programs
• Catholic ministry and evangelization efforts
• Faith-based community initiatives

Human Services

• Children and family services
• Youth development programs
• Healthcare and social service providers
• Organizations serving vulnerable populations

Catholic Leadership and Formation

• Catholic business leader organizations (like Legatus)
• Catholic conferences and educational institutes
• Faith and culture initiatives

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly documented, the foundation's giving pattern suggests they do not fund:

• Secular educational institutions
• Non-religious social service programs
• Environmental or animal welfare causes
• Arts and cultural programs
• Political organizations
• International development (outside religious missions)

Governance and Leadership

Trustees

Timothy J. Patton (Co-Trustee, unpaid)

• CEO of Patton Holdings, an Ann Arbor holding company
• Founder and board member of the Ann Arbor chapter of Legatus International
• Board member of Father Gabriel Richard High School
• Reported board affiliations with Holy Cross Children's Services, Renewal Ministries, and Arbor Vitae
• Three decades of business experience in commercial aviation and healthcare products distribution

Sheila A. Patton (Co-Trustee, unpaid)

• Co-founder of the family foundation
• Active in the Ann Arbor Catholic community
• Recognized alongside Timothy with the Heart of Service Award from Father Gabriel Richard High School's Class of 2018 for dedication to the school and the greater Catholic community in Southeastern Michigan

The foundation has no paid staff or employees. All grantmaking decisions are made by the trustees.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Timothy And Sheila Patton Family Charitable Trust operates on an invitation-only basis and explicitly states that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

Organizations seeking funding from this foundation cannot submit applications through a public portal or standard application process. Grants are awarded at the sole discretion of the trustees, Timothy and Sheila Patton.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - no public application process exists. Grantmaking decisions are made throughout the year based on trustee discretion.

Success Rates

Not applicable given the invitation-only nature of the foundation. Organizations are selected by the trustees rather than through a competitive application process.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications.

Application Success Factors

Given the invitation-only nature of this foundation, the following factors appear to influence grant awards based on analysis of their documented grantmaking:

Strong Catholic Identity

• Organizations with clear Catholic mission and leadership
• Institutions affiliated with the Catholic Church or dioceses
• Programs that advance Catholic education and formation

Alignment with Pro-Life Values

• Organizations promoting life-affirming alternatives and advocacy
• Clear commitment to protecting human life at all stages

Geographic Connection

• Preference for Michigan-based organizations, particularly in the Ann Arbor area
• Secondary focus on Ohio and Texas
• Local Catholic parishes and schools receive consistent support

Personal Connection to Trustees

• Organizations where Timothy or Sheila Patton have board involvement
• Institutions within the Pattons' network through Legatus, Catholic education, and business communities
• Catholic educational institutions their family has connections to

Track Record and Sustainability

• Established organizations with proven programs
• Repeat grantees receive continued support year after year
• Major universities and national organizations with strong reputations

Specific Examples of Funded Work:

• Live Action received $250,000 for general operating support (pro-life advocacy)
• Ave Maria University received $200,000 for general operating support (Catholic higher education)
• Napa Institute received $100,000 for general operating support (Catholic leadership formation)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Invitation-only foundation: This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Organizations cannot apply for funding through any public process.

• Catholic focus is paramount: Nearly all documented grants support Catholic institutions, pro-life causes, or organizations led by Catholics and aligned with Catholic values.

• Relationship-driven grantmaking: The foundation supports organizations where the Pattons have personal connections, board involvement, or community ties.

• Geographic priorities: Michigan organizations, especially those in the Ann Arbor area, receive the most consistent support, followed by institutions in Ohio and Texas.

• Wide grant range with strategic partnerships: While grants range from $500 to $1,000,000, the foundation makes strategic investments of $100,000+ in key organizations while also supporting smaller local initiatives.

• Multi-year relationships: Review of grantmaking patterns suggests the foundation maintains ongoing relationships with core grantees rather than seeking new beneficiaries.

• No staff infrastructure: With no employees and only two trustees, the foundation operates efficiently but with limited capacity to review new organizations or proposals.

References

1. Cause IQ - Timothy and Sheila Patton Family Charitable Trust Profile. Accessed February 2026. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/timothy-and-sheila-patton-family-charitable-trust,466453265/

2. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Timothy And Sheila Patton Family Charitable Trust (EIN 46-6453265). Accessed February 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/466453265

3. Charity Navigator - Timothy and Sheila Patton Family Charitable Trust Profile. Accessed February 2026. https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/466453265

4. LocalWiki Ann Arbor - "Patton Holdings." Accessed February 2026. https://localwiki.org/ann-arbor/Patton_Holdings

5. LocalWiki Ann Arbor - "Timothy J. Patton." Accessed February 2026. https://localwiki.org/ann-arbor/Timothy_J._Patton

6. The WOW Factor Podcast - "Tim Patton, CEO at Patton Holdings, Episode 205." Accessed February 2026. https://www.thewowfactorpodcast.com/show-notes/tim-patton-ceo-at-patton-holdings-episode-205

7. Father Gabriel Richard High School - "Congratulations Class of 2018!" (Heart of Service Award recipients Tim and Sheila Patton). June 2018. https://fgrhs.org/2018/06/18/congratulations-class-of-2018/

8. IRS Form 990-PF filings for Timothy And Sheila Patton Family Charitable Trust, years 2013-2024, available through ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer and GuideStar.