Benson & Edith Ford Fund
The Benson & Edith Ford Fund is an independent private foundation based in Detroit, Michigan. Established in 1943 (originally incorporated as the Hotchkiss Fund), the foundation was named for Benson Ford (1919-1978), the second son of Edsel and Eleanor Ford, and his wife Edith. The foundation continues the Ford family's philanthropic legacy in Detroit and represents a significant commitment to community development through strategic grantmaking.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$1.3M
-17.3% YoY
Grant Count
24
-11.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$56K
-6.9% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation focuses its giving on health, human services, education, arts, and culture. Based on recent grantmaking patterns, priority areas include:
- Youth Development: Teen programs and skill-building initiatives
- Human Services: Community programs and support services
- Education: Including scholarships and educational institutions
- Arts and Culture: Support for cultural institutions and creative endeavors
Grantmaking
The foundation made 39 grants in 2024, including:
Grant Range
s and Amounts:**
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grantmaking is primarily focused on Michigan, with particular emphasis on the Detroit area.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets and Annual Giving (2024):
- Total assets: $16,412,281
- Annual giving: $1,400,000 (approximately)
- Total revenues: $1,450,414
- Total expenses: $1,440,163
Historical Financial Data (2023):
- Total assets: $16,412,281
- Total giving: $1,333,000
- Revenue: $1,070,000
- Expenses: $1,690,000
Grant Distribution: The foundation distributed 39 grants in 2024 with a giving rate of approximately 5.6% of assets.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
163 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include College for Creative Studies ($700,000), Teen Street Skills ($300,000), Detroit Institute of Arts ($100,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION SOUTHFIELD, MI | JUBILEE DONATION | $25,000 |
| BAPTIST HEALTH SOUTH FLORIDA FOUNDATION TAVERNIER, FL | MARINERS HOSPITAL WELLNESS CENTER | $15,000 |
| CAPUCHIN SOUP KITCHEN DETROIT, MI | PROGRAM SERVICES | $15,000 |
| CHRIST CHURCH GROSSE POINTE GROSSE POINTE FARMS, MI | PROGRAM SERVICES | $3,000 |
| COLLEGE FOR CREATIVE STUDIES DETROIT, MI | BENSON & EDITH FORD SCHOLARSHIP | $700,000 |
| DETROIT ARTISTS MARKET DETROIT, MI | DAM ANNUAL FUND | $3,000 |
| DETROIT GOODFELLOWS DETROIT, MI | PROGRAM SERVICES | $2,000 |
| DETROIT HISTORICAL SOCIETY DETROIT, MI | PROGRAM SERVICES | $2,000 |
| DETROIT INSTITUTE OF ARTS DETROIT, MI | OPEN FOREVER | $100,000 |
| DETROIT PBS WIXOM, MI | PROGRAM SERVICES | $3,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Lynn Ford Alandt: President (daughter of Benson and Edith Ford)
- Benson Ford Jr.: Vice President
- David P. Larsen: Secretary
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LYNN F ALANDT | PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| BENSON FORD JR | VICE-PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
| DAVID P LARSEN | SECRETARY | 0.25 | — |
| DAVID M HEMPSTEAD | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
Contact Information
Address: 1901 St Antoine Street, 6th Floor, Detroit, MI 48226
Phone: (313) 259-7777
EIN: 38-6066333
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Benson & Edith Ford Fund fund?
The foundation focuses its giving on health, human services, education, arts, and culture. Based on recent grantmaking patterns, priority areas include: • Youth Development: Teen programs and skill-building initiatives • Human Services: Community programs and support services • Education: Including scholarships and educational institutions • Arts and Culture: Support for cultural institutions and creative endeavors
How do I apply for a grant from Benson & Edith Ford Fund?
**Grant Ranges and Amounts:** • Grant range: $1,000 - $700,000 • Median grant: $7,800 • Typical grants vary significantly based on project nature **Recent Grant Activity:** The foundation made 39 grants in 2024, including: • College for Creative Studies: $700,000 (Benson & Edith Ford Scholarship) • Teen Street Skills: $300,000 (Program Services) • The Detroit Institute of Arts: $100,000 (Open Forever) **Application Process:** The foundation operates through trustee-discretion grantmaking withou…
Where does Benson & Edith Ford Fund make grants?
The foundation's grantmaking is primarily focused on Michigan, with particular emphasis on the Detroit area.
What size grants does Benson & Edith Ford Fund award?
In 2024, Benson & Edith Ford Fund awarded 24 grants totaling $1.3M — an average of about $56K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Benson & Edith Ford Fund's EIN?
Benson & Edith Ford Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-6066333. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Benson & Edith Ford Fund'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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