Butzel Long Charitable Trust
The Butzel Long Charitable Trust is a private foundation established in April 1984 and based in Detroit, Michigan. The trust is affiliated with Butzel Long, a law firm with a presence in Detroit for more than 160 years. The foundation operates as a company-sponsored foundation with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$54K
+718.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$63K
-4.5% YoY
Grant Count
41
-22.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$2K
+23.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Butzel Long Charitable Trust reported a distributable amount of $1K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation identifies its official purpose as community chest and united way activities. Grant-making priorities focus on Education, Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, and Human Services, with particular emphasis on supporting organizations in Michigan, Florida, and New York.
Grantmaking
The foundation distributes grants with typical award amounts ranging from $100 to $10,825. In 2024, the trust reported total giving of $62,880. The foundation accepts applications with a submission deadline of December 31 each year.
Review Cycle
of December 31 each year.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily supports organizations in Michigan, Florida, and New York, with particular emphasis on the metro Detroit community.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $53,643
- Total Revenue: $109,966
- Total Expenses: $62,880
- Net Income: $47,086
- Total Liabilities: $0
As of 2023:
- Assets: $6,557 (ledger value)
- Income: $55,840
The foundation's revenue is primarily derived from contributions received ($109,904 in 2024).
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $53,643 | $6,557 | $17,047 |
| Revenue | $109,966 | $55,840 | $47,617 |
| Expenses | $62,880 | $66,330 | $57,283 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $62,880 | $66,330 | $57,283 |
| Net Investment Income | $62 | $63 | $14 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,051 | $977 | $1,062 |
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
201 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Kids in Need Foundation ($10,825), Detroit Symphony Orchestra Inc ($7,000), Focus Hope ($4,696).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ABC SEMI BUILD THE FUTURE FUND MADISON HEIGHTS, MI | A 501 (C) (3) ORGANIZATION DESIGNED TO PROVIDE FULL OR PARTIAL SCHOLARSHIPS TO STUDENTS WHO HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME GETTING INTO TRADE SCHOOLS BECAUSE THEY DO NOT HAVE THE FUNDS TO GET STARTED. | $1,000 |
| ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION SOUTHFIELD, MI | A 501 (C) (3) ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO PROVIDING COMPREHENSIVE, COMPASIONATE, CARE FOR INDIVIDUALS SUFFERING WITH ALZHEIMER'S. | $250 |
| AVA MARIA SCHOOL OF LAW SERVICE PROJECT NAPLES, FL | A 501 (C) (3) EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATION THAT SPONSORS COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS FOR ITS STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN. | $518 |
| AVA'S HEART HOLT, MI | AVA'S HEART IS A 501 (C) 3 NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDES ASSISTANCE THAT INSURANCE DOES NOT COVER TO PATIENT'S SUFFERING FROM HEART DISEASE. | $1,000 |
| BIRTH DETROIT DETROIT, MI | A BLACK-LED 501 (C)(3) NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO PROVIDING SAFE, QUALITY, LOVING, MIDWIFERY-LED PRENATAL CARE TO THE PEOPLE OF DETROIT. | $1,000 |
| BRILLANT DETROIT DETROIT, MI | A 501 (C) (3) OGANIZATION DEDICATED TO BUILDING KID SUCCESS FAMILIES AND NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN 0-8 HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO BE SCHOOL READY. | $1,000 |
| CATHOLIC FOUNDATION OF MICHIGAN BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI | THE CATHOLIC FOUNDATION OF MICHIGAN IS A 501 (C) (3) ORGANIZATION WHICH INSPIRES CHARITABLE GIVING AND ASSISTS DONORS IN PROVIDING FOR THE LONG-TERM NEEDS OF THE CATHOLIC PARISHES AND SCHOOLS. | $4,250 |
| CITY YEAR INC OKEMOS, MI | A FOREIGN NONPROFIT CORPORATION QUALIFIED IN MICHIGAN THAT SPONSORS COLLEGE GRADS WHO SPEND A YEAR IN INNER CITY SCHOOLS HELPING TEACHERS AND STUDENTS | $1,000 |
| CLARK PARK COALITION DETROIT, MI | A 501 (C) (3) ORGANIZATION PROVIDING AN ARRAY OF DIVERSE, HIGH QUALITY RECREATIONAL, EDUCATIONAL, SOCIAL AND MENTORING PROGRAMS FOR SOUTHWEST DETROIT | $1,000 |
| DETROIT BAR ASSOCIATION FOUNDATION DETROIT, MI | A 501 (C) (3) ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO IMPROVE AND FACILITATE THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE IN DETROIT AND THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF MICHIGAN | $1,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Paul Mersino, an attorney and shareholder at Butzel Long, serves as Trustee of the Charitable Trust.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| RICHARD E RASSEL | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JAMES E WYNNE | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| PAUL M MERSINO | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In 2020, the Butzel Long Charitable Trust expanded its community support in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The trust provided funding to multiple organizations including a $2,500 grant to the Pope Francis Warming Center and continued sponsorship of cultural events. The foundation has maintained consistent year-round giving to metro Detroit community organizations, charities, and local activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Butzel Long Charitable Trust fund?
The foundation identifies its official purpose as community chest and united way activities. Grant-making priorities focus on Education, Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, and Human Services, with particular emphasis on supporting organizations in Michigan, Florida, and New York.
How do I apply for a grant from Butzel Long Charitable Trust?
The foundation distributes grants with typical award amounts ranging from $100 to $10,825. In 2024, the trust reported total giving of $62,880. The foundation accepts applications with a submission deadline of December 31 each year. Recent grantmaking activity has included support for: • Arts organizations, including multi-year sponsorship of the Detroit Chamber Winds and Strings' Holiday Concert • Community support services, such as the Pope Francis Center's Annual Gala • Educational initiativ…
Where does Butzel Long Charitable Trust make grants?
The foundation primarily supports organizations in Michigan, Florida, and New York, with particular emphasis on the metro Detroit community.
What size grants does Butzel Long Charitable Trust award?
In 2024, Butzel Long Charitable Trust awarded 41 grants totaling $63K — an average of about $2K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Butzel Long Charitable Trust required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Butzel Long Charitable Trust reported a distributable amount of $1K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Butzel Long Charitable Trust's EIN?
Butzel Long Charitable Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-2510263. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Butzel Long Charitable Trust'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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