Canaan Foundation
Canaan Foundation is a private foundation, based in Traverse City, MI. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2021. In 2021, it awarded 5 grants totaling $12K. Net investment income was $3K.
Canaan Foundation at a glance
In short: Canaan Foundation gave $12K across 5 grants in 2021 (avg $2K), mostly in Michigan. Source: 2021 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2021)
- $12,004
- +360.3% vs 2020
- Grants made (2021)
- 5
- +25.0% vs 2020
- Average grant
- $2,401
- +268.2% vs 2020
- Median grant
- $200
- Primary geography
- Michigan (97% of itemized 2021 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2021 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2021; updated September 2026.
Who Canaan Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2021
The largest 2021 recipient was New Hope Church ($11K). Together the top 5 received $12K.
Grant Size Distribution
9 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 9 grants of 9 (100%).
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2021, annual grant giving ranged from $3K (2020) to $12K (2021). In 2021 it made 5 grants totaling $12K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New Hope Church Williamsburg, MI | General Operating Fund | $11,000 |
| Living Hope Assembly of God Traverse City, MI | General Operating Fund | $498 |
| Mission Eurasia Wheaton, IL | General Operating Fund | $200 |
| Big Life Naples, FL | General Operating Fund | $168 |
| Traverse Life Center Traverse City, MI | General Operating Fund | $138 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | — | $14,832 | $12,004 | $12,004 | 5 | $12,004 | $2,646 | — |
| 2020 | $890,190 | $16,410 | $5,178 | $2,608 | 4 | — | $12,753 | $21,869 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Canaan Foundation is led by Keith M Nielson, President since 2021 (on filings since 2020); none of the 2 officers listed in 2021 report compensation.
Officers on the 2021 filing
Keith M Nielson
President
President & Director → President, 2021
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Dana A Crosby
Vice President
New on the 2021 filing
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Barbara A. Nielson (2020) — Vice President, Treasurer & D
- Former: Dale M. Nielson (2020) — Secretary & Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2021. "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 Canaan Foundation
How much does Canaan Foundation give each year?
Canaan Foundation gave $12K across 5 grants in 2021, according to its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2020 it gave $3K across 4 grants.
What is Canaan Foundation's typical grant size?
Canaan Foundation's median grant in 2021 was $200, and its average grant was $2,401, across 5 grants on its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Canaan Foundation give grants?
Canaan Foundation gives mostly in Michigan: 97% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Traverse City, MI (2 grants).
Does Canaan Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Canaan Foundation's 2021 grants with a stated purpose (5 of 5) were for general or operating support, per its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Canaan Foundation's largest grantees?
Canaan Foundation's largest 2021 grantees include New Hope Church ($11,000), Living Hope Assembly of God ($498) and Mission Eurasia ($200), according to its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 97% of its itemized 2021 grant dollars.
What is Canaan Foundation's EIN?
Canaan Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-3444062. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2021.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS February 17, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 25, 2022)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2021
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