Called to Serve
Called to Serve is a private foundation focused on Food, Agriculture & Nutrition, based in Troy, MI. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2023. In 2023, it awarded 9 grants totaling $12K.
Called to Serve at a glance
In short: Called to Serve gave $12K across 9 grants in 2023 (avg $1K), mostly in Michigan. Source: 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2023)
- $12,037
- -3.9% vs 2022
- Grants made (2023)
- 9
- -80.0% vs 2022
- Average grant
- $1,337
- +380.5% vs 2022
- Median grant
- $300
- Primary geography
- Michigan (56% of itemized 2023 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2023 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2023; updated September 2026.
Who Called to Serve funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2023
The largest 2023 recipient was Doctors Without Borders ($5K). Together the top 8 received $12K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($500), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
229 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 229 grants of 229 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2023 grant dollars across all 9 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Called to Serve gives
- Giving fell 21% from 2020 to 2023. Method
- In 2023 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $12K (2023) to $17K (2021). In 2023 it made 9 grants totaling $12K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Doctors Without Borders New York, NY | Medical Care for Fragile Areas | $5,000 |
| Manna Meals Detroit, MI | Detroit Soup Kitchen | $5,000 |
| Gleaners Community Food Bank Detroit, MI | Emergency Food Distributions | $587 |
| 1 grant to individuals Recipients not named | — | $500 |
| Tunnel to Towers Foundation Staten Island, NY | General Fund | $300 |
| St Patrick Senior Center Detroit, MI | Serving the Elderly | $225 |
| Detroit Justice Center Detroit, MI | Provides Bail Bond for Poor | $200 |
| Corner Shower and Laundry Detroit, MI | General Fund | $150 |
| Mackinaw Area Historical Mackinaw City, MI | General Fund | $75 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | — | $1,100 | $13,707 | $12,037 | 9 | $12,037 | $439 |
| 2022 | $10,857 | $11,400 | $13,345 | $12,525 | 45 | $12,525 | $651 |
| 2021 | $12,802 | $13,700 | $17,615 | $16,600 | 56 | $16,600 | $1,285 |
| 2020 | $16,717 | $14,400 | $16,824 | $15,295 | 57 | — | $881 |
| 2019 | $19,141 | $15,080 | $16,760 | $15,175 | 62 | — | $1,031 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Called to Serve reported a distributable amount of $439 for 2023 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Called to Serve is led by John P. Lawler, President on every filing since 2019; none of the 5 officers listed in 2023 report compensation.
Officers on the 2023 filing
John P. Lawler
President
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Karen A. Lawler
Board Chairman
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Heather Morse
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kim Tetmeyer
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephanie Asmus
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2023. "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 Called to Serve
How much does Called to Serve give each year?
Called to Serve gave $12K across 9 grants in 2023, according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2022 it gave $13K across 45 grants.
What is Called to Serve's typical grant size?
Called to Serve's median grant in 2023 was $300, and its average grant was $1,337, across 9 grants on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Called to Serve give grants?
Called to Serve gives mostly in Michigan: 56% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was New York (44%). The most frequent recipient cities were Detroit, MI (5 grants).
Does Called to Serve give general operating support?
Yes: 33% of Called to Serve's 2023 grants with a stated purpose (3 of 9) were for general or operating support, per its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Called to Serve's largest grantees?
Called to Serve's largest 2023 grantees include Doctors Without Borders ($5,000), Manna Meals ($5,000) and Gleaners Community Food Bank ($587), according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($500), which are not listed by name. Together they received 88% of its itemized 2023 grant dollars.
What is Called to Serve?
Called to Serve is a private foundation focused on Food, Agriculture & Nutrition, based in Troy, MI.
How much is Called to Serve required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2023, Called to Serve reported a distributable amount of $439 on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Called to Serve's EIN?
Called to Serve's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-3621927. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2023.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS September 3, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 18, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS September 12, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS September 21, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 20, 2024)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2023
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