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Joel Landy Foundation

Annual Giving
$2.0M
Grant Range
$1000K - $1.0M
00

Joel Landy Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Founded: 2021 (tax-exempt since April 2022)
  • Total Assets: $11.4 million (as of 2024)
  • Annual Giving: $2 million (2024 fiscal year)
  • Grant Range: $1 million documented
  • Geographic Focus: Detroit, Michigan
  • Application Process: No public application process - trustee discretion
  • EIN: 87-1085087

Contact Details

Mailing Address: 333 W Fort St, Suite 1350, Detroit, MI 48226-3149

Note: The foundation does not maintain a public website or published contact information for grant inquiries. As a private foundation operating through trustee discretion, grants are awarded based on board decision-making rather than through a formal application process.

Overview

The Joel Landy Foundation was established in 2021 following the death of Detroit developer and former mechanic Joel Landy, who passed away in 2020 at age 68. The foundation is funded primarily through the sale of Landy's extensive real estate portfolio in Detroit's Cass Corridor/Midtown area, which was valued at over $17 million. With total assets of $11.4 million and $2 million in charitable disbursements in 2024, the foundation honors Landy's legacy by supporting two causes that were central to his life and work: automotive education and historic preservation in Detroit. The foundation made its inaugural grant of $1 million to the Detroit Public Schools Community District Foundation in December 2024, establishing the Joel Landy Automotive Training Lab at the Breithaupt Career and Technical Center. Operating as a private grantmaking foundation under Section 501(c)(3), the Joel Landy Foundation represents a continuation of Landy's decades-long commitment to Detroit's revitalization and community development.

Funding Priorities

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses exclusively on two interconnected causes that reflected Joel Landy's personal passions and professional legacy:

Automotive Education

  • Automotive training programs and career technical education
  • Work-based learning and paid internships for students
  • Equipment and facility upgrades for automotive programs
  • Student support in auto service and collision repair fields
  • Programs that bridge classroom learning with real-world automotive industry experience

Historic Preservation

  • Preservation of historic buildings and structures in Detroit
  • Restoration of Gilded Age and Victorian-era architecture
  • Projects that maintain Detroit's architectural heritage
  • Initiatives that honor Detroit's historic character while supporting community development

Known Grant Recipients

  • Detroit Public Schools Community District Foundation ($1 million, December 2024): Funding for the Joel Landy Automotive Training Lab at Breithaupt Career and Technical Center, including new equipment, field trips, paid internships, and the Joel Landy Automotive Work-Based Learning Program connecting students with local dealerships

Governance and Leadership

The Joel Landy Foundation is governed by a three-member board with lifetime appointments. The board has the authority to expand membership if they choose.

Board of Trustees:

  • Gary Torgow (Treasurer): Chairman of the Board of Directors at Huntington National Bank, founder of Sterling Group (Detroit real estate and development company), President of the Jewish Federation of Detroit, and trustee of The Skillman Foundation and Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan. Torgow has extensive philanthropic involvement in Detroit, including co-chairing fundraising for Detroit's Strategic Neighborhood Fund. He is a recipient of the NAACP's Lifetime Achievement Award and the Urban League's Distinguished Warrior Award.

  • Elie Torgow (President): Chief Executive Officer of Sterling Group, a Detroit-based real estate and development company. Son of Gary Torgow, Elie leads Sterling Group's operations including major Detroit projects such as the 500-unit Residences at Water Square and a 600-room JW Marriott convention center hotel.

  • Robert "Bob" Baldori (Secretary): Longtime friend and former personal attorney of Joel Landy. Partner at Baldori & Associates, a Michigan law firm specializing in business law, entertainment law, cannabis law, and hi-tech startups. Baldori was appointed by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel to her advisory board for marijuana policy.

Note: No compensation is paid to board members or officers.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Joel Landy Foundation does not have a public application process. As a private grantmaking foundation, grants are awarded at the discretion of the three-member board of trustees. The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications or proposals.

Grant decisions are made by the board based on alignment with the foundation's two core priorities: automotive education and historic preservation in Detroit. Organizations are not able to submit applications through a public portal or standard application process.

Getting on Their Radar

While the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, organizations working in automotive education or historic preservation in Detroit may consider:

Connect Through Board Networks: The foundation's trustees have deep connections in Detroit's business, real estate, philanthropic, and legal communities:

  • Gary Torgow's extensive network includes leadership roles at Huntington Bank, Jewish Federation of Detroit, The Skillman Foundation, and Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan
  • Elie Torgow's connections through Sterling Group's real estate development projects across Detroit
  • Bob Baldori's legal and business networks in Detroit

Detroit Public Schools and Automotive Education: Given the foundation's inaugural grant to Detroit Public Schools Community District Foundation, organizations working in partnership with Detroit schools or automotive training programs may align with the foundation's interests.

Historic Preservation Community: Organizations involved in preserving Detroit's historic architecture, particularly in the Cass Corridor/Midtown area where Joel Landy focused his real estate work, may align with the foundation's priorities.

Decision Timeline

As a private foundation operating through trustee discretion, the foundation does not publish decision timelines or grant cycles. The board makes grant decisions on its own schedule based on priorities identified by the trustees.

Understanding the Foundation's Legacy

To understand what might appeal to this foundation, it's valuable to understand Joel Landy's background and values:

Joel Landy's Story: Landy was an Oak Park native who attended Cass Technical High School but dropped out. He started as a mechanic, opening J&L Foreign Auto Center at Gratiot and Conner in 1972, which he ran for nearly 25 years. As his car repair business became successful, he ventured into real estate, beginning by purchasing a dilapidated Gilded Age mansion for $4,600. In 1977, he found his calling in Detroit's Cass Corridor neighborhood, where he spent decades acquiring and restoring Victorian-era buildings. His notable projects included the Burton School, Addison Apartments, Leland Lofts, and most famously the James Scott Mansion.

Foundation Values: The foundation's focus on automotive education honors Landy's roots as a mechanic, while the historic preservation priority reflects his decades-long commitment to restoring Detroit's architectural heritage. Both priorities demonstrate a commitment to creating opportunities for Detroit residents while preserving the city's unique character.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process: This is a private foundation operating through trustee discretion - you cannot submit a standard grant application
  • Highly focused mission: The foundation exclusively supports automotive education and historic preservation in Detroit - projects must align with one or both of these areas
  • Detroit-centric: All funding priorities center on Detroit, reflecting Joel Landy's lifelong commitment to the city
  • Connection to founder's legacy: Understanding Joel Landy's personal story as a mechanic-turned-developer who restored historic buildings provides insight into what the foundation values
  • Relationship-based: With a three-member board deeply embedded in Detroit's business, real estate, and philanthropic communities, relationships and networks matter
  • Significant grant size: The inaugural grant of $1 million suggests the foundation is capable of making substantial investments in aligned projects
  • New foundation: Established in 2021 and making its first grant in 2024, the foundation is still defining its grantmaking approach and may expand activities over time

References

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