Americana Foundation
The Americana Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) grantmaking foundation established in 1978 and headquartered in Novi, Michigan. The foundation operates from offices located on Tollgate Farm, a 160-acre historic farmstead originally owned by the foundation's founders, Adolph H. and Ginger Meyer. The foundation supports sustainable agriculture, natural resource protection, and the preservation of early American art and history.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$20.9M
+4.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$647K
+8.1% YoY
Grant Count
31
-11.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$21K
+22.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Americana Foundation supports the sustainable development of agriculture and community food systems, the protection of natural resources, and an inclusive narrative of early American art and history. The foundation aims to preserve, protect, and promote expressions of America's heritage, focusing on American furniture and decorative arts. It seeks to ensure continuity with the past for future generations, promoting the values of freedom and the creative pioneer spirit that have shaped the nation.
The foundation's primary funding areas include:
- American Heritage: Preservation of America's heritage and history, including American furniture and decorative arts
- Agriculture and Food Systems: Sustainable development of agriculture and community food systems
- Natural Resources: Protection of Michigan's land and water resources
Grantmaking
The foundation made 39 grants in recent years with a total giving of $788,400. Grant sizes typically range from $10,000 to $30,000, with a median grant size of $15,000 and an average grant size of $20,200.
Grant Range
s typically range from $10,000 to $30,000, with a median grant size of $15,000 and an average grant size of $20,200.
Average Grant
of $20,200.
Ready to take the next step with Americana Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily focuses on Michigan, with particular emphasis on the state's agricultural landscape and natural resources. However, the foundation also supports national heritage preservation initiatives, as evidenced by grants to organizations such as Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and Thomas Jefferson's Monticello.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $20.8 million (2024)
Annual Revenue: $1.27 million (2024)
Annual Expenses: $1.14 million (2024)
Total Liabilities: $104,000 (2023)
The foundation maintains substantial assets relative to its annual giving, indicating a long-term commitment to grantmaking.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $20,881,120 | $19,977,582 | $18,304,650 |
| Revenue | $1,267,381 | $489,065 | $214,070 |
| Expenses | $1,144,797 | $1,069,417 | $1,217,426 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,029,678 | $976,114 | $1,094,378 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,174,453 | $397,886 | $144,239 |
| Distributable Amount | $970,484 | $892,331 | $920,523 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
164 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Americana Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Kathryn A. Buckner serves as President and CEO/Executive Director of the foundation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KATHRYN UNDERWOOD | TRUSTEE | 3 | $3,000 |
| JONATHAN THOMAS | TRUSTEE | 3 | $9,800 |
| LIZ KIRKWOOD | TRUSTEE | 3 | $2,400 |
| DENENE DE QUINTAL | TRUSTEE | 3 | $3,000 |
| KATHRYN HARPER | TRUSTEE/ VICE PRESIDENT | 3 | $6,600 |
| MATTHEW WAWRO | TREASURER | 3 | $6,600 |
| RICK FOSTER | VICE PRESIDENT/ PRESIDENT | 2 | $8,600 |
| ROBERT JANSON | PRESIDENT (ENDED 5/24) | 4 | $6,600 |
| KATHRYN BUCKNER | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 50 | $177,443 |
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Kadant Johnson Inc Scholarship Foun
THREE RIVERS, MI
Assets
—
Grants
3
Total Given
$5K
Thomas W Itin Charitable Trust
KEEGO HARBOR, MI
Assets
—
Grants
11
Total Given
$4K
Robert a Leonard Jr Charitable Trus
SOUTHFIELD, MI
Assets
—
Grants
2
Total Given
$11K
Homer Youth Athletic Association
TEKONSHA, MI
Assets
—
Grants
1
Total Given
$4K
Dr Shanti Swarup & Mrs Chawla Devi
TROY, MI
Assets
—
Grants
9
Total Given
$3K
Bojrab Family Foundation
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI
Assets
$185K
Grants
9
Total Given
$27K
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Americana Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities