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Joe and Pamela Kay Foundation

Annual Giving
$0.4M
Grant Range
$10K - $0.1M

Joe and Pamela Kay Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $404,000 (2023); $1,000,000 (2022)
  • Grant Range: Approximately $10,000 - $50,000 (estimated based on median grant of $15,000)
  • Number of Grants: 10 awards (2023); 14 awards (2022)
  • Foundation Assets: $6.9 million
  • Geographic Focus: Michigan (Rochester area)
  • Founded: 2019
  • Type: Private Family Foundation

Contact Details

Address: 5585 Orchard Ridge Dr, Rochester, MI 48306

EIN: 84-2302048

Note: The foundation does not maintain a public website or publicize contact information. For inquiries, organizations may need to access contact details through the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings available through the IRS, ProPublica's Nonprofit Explorer, or other nonprofit databases.

Overview

The Joe and Pamela Kay Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2019 in Rochester, Michigan. Founded by Joseph Kowalczyk and Pamela Pitchford, the foundation has demonstrated consistent growth in its grantmaking activities since inception, distributing $1 million in grants to 14 organizations in 2022 and $404,000 to 10 organizations in 2023. With assets of approximately $6.9 million, the foundation represents a modest but active player in Michigan philanthropy. The founders have shown a broader commitment to community benefit beyond traditional grantmaking, notably donating 14.11 acres of property valued at $675,000 to Macomb Township in 2021 to create Pitchford Park, a community recreational space honoring Pamela's parents Bill and Joyce Pitchford and her brother Todd, "for their love of nature, art and community."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates as a traditional private family foundation without formally designated grant programs. Based on available data:

  • Median Grant Size: $15,000
  • Grant Range: Estimated $10,000 - $50,000 (based on available financial data)
  • Annual Awards: Varies between 7-14 grants per year

Priority Areas

Specific funding priorities are not publicly documented. The foundation's dedication statement for Pitchford Park—honoring individuals "for their love of nature, art and community"—suggests potential interest in:

  • Environmental and conservation causes
  • Arts and culture
  • Community development and recreation

However, without access to detailed grant recipient information, these priorities remain speculative and should not be assumed.

What They Don't Fund

Information about explicit exclusions is not publicly available.

Governance and Leadership

Key Personnel:

  • Joseph Kowalczyk - President/Director

    • Background includes leadership role at Kay Automotive Graphics, a long-established automotive trim products company in the Lake Orion/Rochester area

  • Pamela Pitchford - Trustee/Director

    • Co-founder alongside Joseph Kowalczyk

The foundation operates with no employees, typical of small private family foundations where trustees manage grantmaking directly.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Joe and Pamela Kay Foundation operates as a private family foundation and does not advertise open grant opportunities or accept unsolicited applications through public channels. TheShareWay and other grant databases confirm "no active grants" are currently available for public application.

As with many small private family foundations, grants are likely awarded through:

  • Trustee discretion and personal knowledge of organizations
  • Direct solicitation by the foundation
  • Relationships within the Rochester/Macomb County community
  • Board member connections and interests

Decision Timeline

Not applicable due to the lack of a public application process.

Success Rates

Not applicable. The foundation made 10 awards in 2023 and 14 awards in 2022 from what appears to be a closed pool of pre-identified organizations rather than competitive applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable given the absence of a public application process.

Application Success Factors

For organizations seeking to connect with this foundation:

Given the private nature of this foundation, traditional application strategies do not apply. However, understanding the foundation can help organizations positioned within their likely sphere of interest:

  1. Geographic Proximity: The foundation is based in Rochester, MI, and the founders demonstrated local commitment through the Pitchford Park donation to Macomb Township. Michigan-based organizations, particularly those in Oakland and Macomb counties, appear most likely to be within their funding radius.

  2. Community Values: The park dedication emphasized "love of nature, art and community," suggesting the founders value:

    • Environmental stewardship and conservation
    • Arts and cultural enrichment
    • Community spaces and quality of life improvements
    • Causes that honor family and legacy

  3. Foundation Size and Scope: With a median grant of $15,000 and 10-14 annual awards, this foundation supports a focused portfolio rather than broad grantmaking. They likely favor organizations they can impact meaningfully rather than providing token support to many causes.

  4. Professional Background: Joseph Kowalczyk's connection to Kay Automotive Graphics, a manufacturing company in the automotive industry, may indicate interest in workforce development, manufacturing education, or economic development in the region.

  5. Relationship-Based Grantmaking: Without public guidelines, grants likely flow from personal connections, board member knowledge, and trusted referrals rather than cold applications.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Applications: This foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications. Do not invest time in formal proposal preparation unless directly invited.

  • Private Family Foundation Model: The Joe and Pamela Kay Foundation operates under the private family foundation structure where trustees exercise full discretion in grantmaking without public accountability for selection criteria.

  • Local Focus: Rochester, MI location and Macomb Township park donation suggest strong commitment to Oakland and Macomb County communities.

  • Modest But Consistent: Annual giving ranging from $404,000 to $1,000,000 represents steady, sustainable philanthropy rather than one-time or sporadic giving.

  • Values-Driven Leadership: The dedication of Pitchford Park demonstrates that the founders' philanthropy is guided by personal values of family, nature, art, and community—organizations aligned with these values may resonate if connection opportunities arise.

  • Limited Public Information: The foundation maintains minimal public presence with no website or published guidelines. Information about specific grant recipients and focus areas would require review of Form 990-PF filings.

  • Monitor for Changes: While currently operating without public applications, foundations sometimes shift to more open processes as they mature or transition leadership. Monitoring the foundation's IRS filings and any public announcements may reveal future opportunities.

References

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