Central Michigan University is a public charity based in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. Its stated work includes administering funds for research, scholarship, creative activities, and applied research and technology at CMU, as well as providing startup support and contributing to local economic development.
Key facts about Central Michigan University Research Corporation
In short: Central Michigan University Research Corporation gave $797K across 31 grants in 2025 (avg $26K), mostly in Michigan. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 36-4500805
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $797,188
- Grants made (2025)
- 31
- Average grant
- $25,716
- Median grant
- $19,958
- Total assets
- $9,848,725
- Primary geography
- Michigan (99% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- The available program information identifies the Great Lakes Bay Business Hub as currently open and provides a deadline, but does not specify application materials or a submission process. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- May 13, 2026, for the Great Lakes Bay Business Hub direct-grants program.
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$9.8M
-15.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$797K
+37.0% YoY
Grant Count
31
+342.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$26K
-69.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is “to receive, administer, and distribute funds to promote and encourage research, scholarship, creative activities, and other applied research and technology at CMU.” Its filing also describes providing market research and startup support to companies.
Its reported grants include support for businesses, a development corporation, colleges, a university, and Central Michigan University. Middle Michigan Development Corporation describes its mission as retaining and attracting business in Clare and Isabella Counties. Saginaw Valley State University describes its mission as generating and cultivating a community of donors who contribute to the development of a premier university.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the organization reported 31 grants totaling **$797,188**. Grants ranged from **$6,660 to $101,175**, with a median of **$19,958**.
Review Cycle
is May 13, 2026.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Central Michigan University Research Corporation
Business Accelerator Fund (BAF)
Central Michigan University Research Corporation
Amount
$14,000 (example award)
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Lift ME - All-Black Business Accelerator (Saginaw County)
Central Michigan University Research Corporation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Small Business Support Hubs (SBSH) Program - Great Lakes Bay Small Business Hub
Central Michigan University Research Corporation
Amount
Approximately $2.7 million per grantee
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Ready to take the next step with Central Michigan University Research Corporation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 filing reports that 99% of grant dollars went to recipients in Michigan and 1% to recipients in Washington. The Great Lakes Bay Business Hub direct-grants program serves businesses in Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Isabella, Midland, and Saginaw Counties in Michigan.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 31 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2024 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $582K (2024) to $797K (2025). In 2025 it made 31 grants totaling $797K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Middle Michigan Development Corporation ($101K). Together the top 10 received $444K.
Grant Size Distribution
38 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 34 grants of 38 (89%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Michigan Development Corporation Mt Pleasant, MI | CSLFRF | $101,175 |
| Saginaw Valley State University Saginaw, MI | CSLFRF | $90,371 |
| Mid-Michigan College Harrison, MI | CSLFRF | $89,492 |
| Central Michigan University Mt Pleasant, MI | BAF | $31,500 |
| Hierographx Saginaw, MI | BAF | $31,396 |
| BreAna Allen Consulting Saginaw, MI | CSLFRF | $20,000 |
| Clare Family Fitness LLC Clare, MI | CSLFRF | $20,000 |
| New Beginnings Learning Center LLC Saginaw, MI | CSLFRF | $20,000 |
| Solutions Behavioral Health LLC Saginaw, MI | CSLFRF | $20,000 |
| Tarsha Works Consulting LLC Saginaw, MI | CSLFRF | $20,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $9,848,725 | $3,459,491 | $3,188,127 | $797,188 across 31 grants |
| 2024 | $11,673,783 | $3,243,868 | $2,916,821 | 0 grants |
| 2023 | $12,713,736 | $1,672,662 | $1,871,322 | 0 grants |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $9,848,725 | $11,673,783 | $12,713,736 |
| Revenue | $3,459,491 | $3,243,868 | $1,672,662 |
| Expenses | $3,188,127 | $2,916,821 | $1,871,322 |
| Net Investment Income | $23,700 | $9,774 | $3,680 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 8, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS October 13, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Neil MacKinnon as chair, Mary Hill as treasurer, and Toby Roth as secretary. Listed directors are Paula Lancaster, Julie Messing, Shawna Patterson-Stephens, Patricia Franklin-Lindsey, Melissa Skalitzky, Darren Werner, and Dan Ward.
Central Michigan University Research Corporation is led by Erin Strang, President & CEO since 2025 (on filings since 2020); 1 of 15 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Erin Strang
President & CEO
President → President & CEO, 2025
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$119K (2020) → $162K (2025)
Neil MacKinnon
Chair
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeff Stoutenburg
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dan Ward
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Felicia Harris
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Julie Messing
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shawna Patterson-Stephens
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bob Johnson
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kaleb Patrick
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Darren Werner
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Melissa Skalitzky
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Patricia Franklin-Lindsey
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Paula Lancaster
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Toby Roth
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary Hill
Treasurer
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (20)
- Former: Robert O. Davies (2020–2024) — Chair
- Former: David Ford (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: John Veilleux (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: Melinda Coffin (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: Raquel Ledesma-Perez (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: Mitchell Bal (2024) — Director
- Former: Raymond Gunn (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Dwayne Powell Jr. (2023) — Director
- Former: Todd Anson (2023) — Director
- Former: Chris Moberg (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Daniel Dralle (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: David Weindorf (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Kimberly Norris (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Nicholas Long (2020–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Ray Christie (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Richard K. Studley (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: William Kimbell Jr. (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Lawrence Herriman (2022) — Programs Director
- Former: Jane Davison (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Nancy Ridley (2020–2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $162K, to Erin Strang (President/CEO).
Contact
Mailing address: 2625 Denison Dr, Mt Pleasant, MI 48858
Phone: (989) 774-2424
Website: https://cmurc.com
Frequently asked questions about Central Michigan University Research Corporation
How much does Central Michigan University Research Corporation give each year?
Central Michigan University Research Corporation gave $797K across 31 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $582K across 7 grants.
What is Central Michigan University Research Corporation's typical grant size?
Central Michigan University Research Corporation's median grant in 2025 was $19,958, and its average grant was $25,716, across 31 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Central Michigan University Research Corporation give grants?
Central Michigan University Research Corporation gives mostly in Michigan: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Saginaw, MI (11 grants), Mt Pleasant, MI (4 grants), Bay City, MI (2 grants) and Midland, MI (2 grants).
Does Central Michigan University Research Corporation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 31 grants with a stated purpose on Central Michigan University Research Corporation's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "CSLFRF" (25 grants) and "BAF" (6 grants).
Who are Central Michigan University Research Corporation's largest grantees?
Central Michigan University Research Corporation's largest 2025 grantees include Middle Michigan Development Corporation ($101,175), Saginaw Valley State University ($90,371) and Mid-Michigan College ($89,492), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 35% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Central Michigan University Research Corporation?
Central Michigan University Research Corporation reported $9.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.5M.
What does Central Michigan University Research Corporation fund?
The organization’s stated mission is “to receive, administer, and distribute funds to promote and encourage research, scholarship, creative activities, and other applied research and technology at CMU.” Its filing also describes providing market research and startup support to companies. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Central Michigan University Research Corporation?
The available program information identifies the Great Lakes Bay Business Hub as currently open and provides a deadline, but does not specify application materials or a submission process. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Central Michigan University Research Corporation's EIN?
Central Michigan University Research Corporation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-4500805. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Central Michigan University Research Corporation by hand.
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