Central Michigan University Research Corporation
Central Michigan University Research Corporation (CMURC) is a public charity based in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. Formed in 2001, it supports research, scholarship, creative activities, applied research, and technology at Central Michigan University, and works to foster local economic development through startup support, business incubation, and entrepreneur programs.
Central Michigan University Research Corporation at a glance
In short: Central Michigan University Research Corporation gave $797K across 31 grants in 2025 (avg $26K), mostly in Michigan. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $797,188
- +37.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 31
- +342.9% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $25,716
- -69.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $19,958
- Total assets
- $9,848,725
- -15.6% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Michigan (99% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Central Michigan University Research Corporation
- Contact
Mailing address: 2625 Denison Dr, Mt Pleasant, MI 48858
Phone: (989) 774-2424
Website: https://cmurc.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Central Michigan University Research Corporation
Lift ME - All-Black Business Accelerator (Saginaw County)
Central Michigan University Research Corporation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
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
Deadline not published
Who Central Michigan University Research Corporation funds
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%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
CMURC describes its entrepreneur and economic-development work as focused on the Great Lakes Bay Region. Its 2025 grant dollars went primarily to Michigan recipients, with 99% in Michigan and 1% in Washington.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 31 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving History
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.
Grants by year
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 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $9,848,725 | $3,459,491 | $3,188,127 | $797,188 | 31 | $23,700 |
| 2024 | $11,673,783 | $3,243,868 | $2,916,821 | $581,717 | 7 | $9,774 |
| 2023 | $12,713,736 | $1,672,662 | $1,871,322 | — | — | $3,680 |
| 2022 | $2,137,264 | $1,534,681 | $1,639,929 | — | — | $205 |
| 2021 | $2,118,644 | $1,390,643 | $1,437,134 | — | — | $315 |
| 2020 | $2,121,341 | $1,191,041 | $1,205,646 | — | — | $1,381 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
CMURC’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 Central Michigan University. Its filing also describes market research and startup support for companies, an incubator for startup companies, and efforts to further local economic development.
Its 2025 grants included businesses, colleges, a university, and a regional development organization. The Middle Michigan Development Corporation, one recipient, says its mission is to retain and attract business in Clare and Isabella counties. CMURC’s website also describes programs offering entrepreneurs coaching, strategy sessions, mentor connections, and coworking or accelerator support.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, CMURC reported 31 grants totaling $797,188. Grants ranged from $6,660 to $101,175, with a median of $19,958. The largest reported grants were $101,175 to Middle Michigan Development Corporation, $90,371 to Saginaw Valley State University, $89,492 to Mid-Michigan College, $31,500 to Central Michigan University, and $31,396 to Hierographx.
CMURC administers the Lift ME – All-Black Business Accelerator in Saginaw County as part of its Entrepreneur Like ME initiative, with PNC Foundation as a funding partner. The six-month program is designed for established, for-profit businesses seeking expansion or acceleration. Eligibility requires participants to identify as Black, have founded or currently conduct business in Saginaw County, and not be a franchise or affiliated with a national chain. Program activities include strategy sessions, individual meetings, peer workshops, skill development, mentoring, and professional networking. The first cohort’s application deadline was March 31, 2023, a past cycle.
CMURC’s website also describes Great Lakes Bay Business Hub direct-grant rounds for small businesses. Published announcements name awardees and describe uses including equipment purchases, business expansion, and job creation.
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. Directors listed are Paula Lancaster, Julie Messing, Shawna Patterson-Stephens, Patricia Franklin-Lindsey, Melissa Skalitzky, Darren Werner, and Dan Ward. The 2024 filing states that the Central Michigan University president serves as board chair and the university’s vice president of finance and administrative services serves as treasurer.
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).
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?
CMURC’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 Central Michigan University. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Central Michigan University Research Corporation?
Central Michigan University Research Corporation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check cmurc.com for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
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 October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(3)
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
Live grants for the work Central Michigan University Research Corporation funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Central Michigan University Research Corporation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Central Michigan University Research Corporation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/central-michigan-university-research-corporation-morg_bbf39f7cd56141f0a02b5e1ff8e72871
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_364500805_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Central Michigan University Research Corporation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/central-michigan-university-research-corporation-morg_bbf39f7cd56141f0a02b5e1ff8e72871},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-22. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Central Michigan University Research Corporation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Central Michigan University Research Corporation down — hundreds of funders to go?