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
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Americana Foundation reported a distributable amount of $970K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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.
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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
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Michigan State University ($130,000), Colonial Williamsburg Foundation ($32,000), Asbury Community Development Corporation ($30,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ASBURY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION FLINT, MI | ASBURY FARM INCUBATOR PROJECT | $30,000 |
| ASHEVILLE ART MUSEUM ASHVILLE, NC | DISASTER RELIEF - ASHEVILLE STRONG: CELEBRATING ART AND COMMUNITY AFTER HURRICANE HELENE | $10,000 |
| CITIZENS FOR A SAFE AND CLEAN LAKE SUPERIOR MARQUETTE, MI | EDUCATING AND ADVOCATING FOR WETLAND PROTECTIONS IN MARQUETTE COUNTY | $25,000 |
| CLINTON RIVER WATERSHED COUNCIL ROCHESTER, MI | ASSESSING HIGH PRIORITY RESTORATION, GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE, AND IMPACTFUL WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS IN THE CLINTON RIVER WATERSHED | $25,000 |
| COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG FOUNDATION WILLIAMSBURG, VA | WORLDS COLLIDE: ARCHAEOLOGY AND GLOBAL TRADE IN 18TH-CENTURY WILLIAMSBURG | $32,000 |
| CONCORD ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY CONCORD, MA | WHOSE REVOLUTION | $25,000 |
| EASTERN MARKET CORPORATION DETROIT, MI | EASTERN MARKET MICROLOAN REVOLVING FUND | $25,000 |
| ENVIRONMENTAL LAW AND POLICY CENTER CHICAGO, IL | MICHIGAN ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION & PROTECTION PROJECT | $15,000 |
| EXPONENT PHILANTHROPY WASHINGTON, DC | OPERATING SUPPORT FOR PHILANTHROPY | $1,000 |
| FAIR FOOD NETWORK ANN ARBOR, MI | MICHIGAN GOOD FOOD FUND SEED AWARDS | $25,000 |
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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Americana Foundation fund?
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 n…
How do I apply for a grant from Americana Foundation?
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. Recent grantees include: • Michigan State University ($130,000 for programming and operations) • Colonial Williamsburg Foundation ($32,000 for "Worlds Collide: Archaeology and Global Trade in 18th-century Williamsburg") • Asbury Community Development Corporation ($30,000 for Asbury Farm Incub…
Where does Americana Foundation make 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.
What size grants does Americana Foundation award?
In 2024, Americana Foundation awarded 31 grants totaling $647K — an average of about $21K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Americana Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Americana Foundation reported a distributable amount of $970K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Americana Foundation's EIN?
Americana Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-2269431. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Americana Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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