Alden and Vada Dow Fund
The Alden and Vada Dow Fund is a private foundation based in Midland, Michigan. It is one of two grantmaking entities within the Alden and Vada Dow Family Foundations, which were established in 1960 to benefit Midland and surrounding communities.
Alden and Vada Dow Fund at a glance
In short: Alden and Vada Dow Fund gave $770K across 38 grants in 2025 (avg $20K), mostly in Michigan. 29% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $770,000
- +4.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 38
- +72.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $20,263
- -39.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $21,500
- Total assets
- $10,840,426
- -1.8% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 29% first-time grantees (11 of 38, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Michigan (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Alden and Vada Dow Fund
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
The Fund’s 2024 filing states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
The Fund’s 2024 filing states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and **does not accept unsolicited requests**. The Foundations’ website also describes an application process for eligible organizations: applicants must be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) and not classified as private foundations under Section 509(a). Applications through a fiscal sponsor are permitted if the sponsor meets those requirements and provides written authorization; grants are not made to individuals. The website’s FAQ calls for a Letter of Inquiry followed, if selected, by a full proposal, and says the application cover sheet and required attachments must be included. It also describes a transition to a new applicant experience beginning January 1, 2026.
- Review Cycle
- The website’s FAQ lists April 1 for Letters of Inquiry and May 31 for full proposals.
- Deadline
- The website’s FAQ lists April 1 for Letters of Inquiry and May 31 for full proposals.
- Contact
Mailing address: 315 Post Street, Midland, MI 48640
Phone: (989) 839-7441
Website: https://www.avdowfamilyfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Alden and Vada Dow Fund funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Interlochen Arts Academy ($45K). Together the top 10 received $320K.
Grant Size Distribution
150 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 141 grants of 150 (94%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundations state that they make grants in Central and Northern Michigan, with particular focus on Midland, Bay, and Saginaw Counties. The Fund’s 2025 filing shows that all reported grant dollars went to recipients in Michigan.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 38 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Alden and Vada Dow Fund open to new grantees?
29%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 11 of 38 grantees (29%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $16K; repeat grants $22K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $23K repeat.
- 39% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+15%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 101% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $590K (2020) to $840K (2021). In 2025 it made 38 grants totaling $770K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Interlochen Arts Academy Interlochen, MI | Operating | $45,000 |
| Family and Children's Services Saginaw, MI | Operating | $36,000 |
| Planned Parenthood of MI Ann Arbor, MI | Operating | $35,000 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Great Lakes Bay Region Midland, MI | Operating | $30,000 |
| CAN Council Great Lakes Bay Region Saginaw, MI | Operating | $30,000 |
| West Midland Family Center Shepherd, MI | Operating | $30,000 |
| MyMichigan Health Foundation Midland, MI | Operating | $30,000 |
| Greater Midland Coleman Family Center Coleman, MI | Operating | $28,000 |
| Greater Midland North Family Center Midland, MI | Operating | $28,000 |
| Shelterhouse - Council of Domestic Violence Midland, MI | Operating | $28,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $10,840,426 | $812,473 | $1,009,087 | $770,000 | 38 | $870,679 | $661,186 | $860,465 |
| 2024 | $11,037,040 | $1,340,298 | $988,838 | $740,000 | 22 | $839,265 | $1,221,621 | $824,263 |
| 2023 | $10,685,580 | $600,196 | $1,017,767 | $805,334 | 33 | $896,606 | $424,617 | $757,072 |
| 2022 | $11,110,159 | $605,725 | $820,919 | $668,000 | 28 | $724,771 | $532,453 | $758,377 |
| 2021 | $11,318,345 | $1,456,106 | $979,947 | $840,000 | 29 | $904,474 | $1,380,633 | $853,924 |
| 2020 | $10,842,186 | $536,566 | $748,265 | $590,000 | 25 | — | $314,045 | $704,227 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Alden and Vada Dow Fund reported a distributable amount of $860K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Family Foundations prioritize programs in health and human services, the arts, education, the environment, and civic and community activities. They focus on nonprofit organizations located in Michigan, particularly in the Midland, Bay, and Saginaw area and areas north, and emphasize operating support.
Examples of the kinds of organizations supported include CAN Council Great Lakes Bay Region, whose mission is to build communities where children are free from abuse and neglect through prevention, intervention, and advocacy; West Midland Family Center, which describes its mission as enhancing quality of life across generations through growth and achievement opportunities; and Little Forks Conservancy, which works to protect and improve Mid-Michigan’s natural environments. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not the Fund’s.
Grantmaking
The Fund reported 38 grants totaling $770,000 in 2025. Grant amounts ranged from $3,300 to $45,000, with a median of $21,500. The Fund reported 22 grants totaling $740,000 in 2024 and 33 grants totaling $805,334 in 2023.
Among the 2025 grants listed were $45,000 to Interlochen Arts Academy; $36,000 to Family and Children’s Services; $35,000 to Planned Parenthood of MI; and $30,000 each to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Great Lakes Bay Region, CAN Council Great Lakes Bay Region, West Midland Family Center, and MyMichigan Health Foundation. These grants were listed for operating support.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Michael Lorence Dow as President/Trustee; Bonnie Kendall Mills as Treasurer/Trustee; Christopher B Mills as Secretary; and Michael Lloyd Dow, Barbara Dow Carras, and John Carras as trustees.
Alden and Vada Dow Fund is led by Michael Lorence Dow, Trustee, President & Trustee on every filing since 2020; none of the 5 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Michael Lorence Dow
Trustee, President & Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Barbara Dow Carras
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bonnie Kendall Mills
Treasurer & Trustee
Treasurer & Trustee → Treasurer, 2023
Treasurer → Treasurer & Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Carras
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christopher B Mills
Secretary
Trustee → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Elizabeth Dow Lewis (2020–2022) — Secretary & Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Alden and Vada Dow Fund
How much does Alden and Vada Dow Fund give each year?
Alden and Vada Dow Fund gave $770K across 38 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $740K across 22 grants.
What is Alden and Vada Dow Fund's typical grant size?
Alden and Vada Dow Fund's median grant in 2025 was $21,500, and its average grant was $20,263, across 38 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Alden and Vada Dow Fund that year got $16K on average.
Where does Alden and Vada Dow Fund give grants?
Alden and Vada Dow Fund gives mostly in Michigan: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Midland, MI (14 grants), Saginaw, MI (6 grants), Grayling, MI (2 grants) and Bay City, MI (2 grants).
Does Alden and Vada Dow Fund give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Alden and Vada Dow Fund's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (38 of 38) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Alden and Vada Dow Fund's largest grantees?
Alden and Vada Dow Fund's largest 2025 grantees include Interlochen Arts Academy ($45,000), Family and Children's Services ($36,000) and Planned Parenthood of MI ($35,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 15% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Alden and Vada Dow Fund?
Alden and Vada Dow Fund reported $10.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $871K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $860K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Alden and Vada Dow Fund fund?
The Family Foundations prioritize programs in health and human services, the arts, education, the environment, and civic and community activities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Alden and Vada Dow Fund?
The Fund’s 2024 filing states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Alden and Vada Dow Fund's EIN?
Alden and Vada Dow Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-6058512. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Alden and Vada Dow Fund accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS June 24, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 31, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 25, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 1, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 14, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 7, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Alden and Vada Dow Fund funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/alden-and-vada-dow-fund-morg_00a84e0f047b4ac8a488d6d2d90ad946
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_386058512_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Alden and Vada Dow Fund funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/alden-and-vada-dow-fund-morg_00a84e0f047b4ac8a488d6d2d90ad946},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Alden and Vada Dow Fund's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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