Charles Stewart Mott Foundation logo

Charles Stewart Mott Foundation

FLINT, MI EIN: 38-1211227 Website

The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation is a private foundation based in Flint, Michigan, established in 1933. The foundation supports nonprofit organizations working to strengthen Flint and communities around the world through strategic grantmaking across multiple program areas.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$3.8B

+1.6% YoY

Annual Giving

$166.4M

-0.3% YoY

Grant Count

834

-16.3% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$200K

+19.2% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation reported a distributable amount of $184.3M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation envisions a world in which each individual's quality of life is connected to the well-being of the community, both locally and globally.

The foundation operates four primary program teams:

  • Civil Society
  • Environment
  • Flint Area
  • Youth Engagement

Additional funding is available through Exploratory and Special Projects grants, which are by invitation only.

The foundation also provides support in the following areas:

  • Social & Human Services
  • Community Development
  • Arts & Culture
  • Education
  • Emergency Funds
  • Program Funding

Grantmaking

The foundation emphasizes long-term funding relationships, providing grantees stability to focus on important work and pursue innovation. The foundation funds core activities of grantees rather than requiring project-specific proposals. The foundation recognizes grantees as experts in their fields.

Grant Range

$150 to $25,000,000

Average Grant

$165,000

How to Apply

**

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation primarily supports organizations in:

  • Michigan (particularly Flint)
  • District of Columbia
  • California

These three states account for 53% of all grants. Grantmaking reaches organizations across 52 states and operates globally.

Grant Distribution by State

52states
+44 more states

Cities

AccordAcmeAdrianAftonAlamoAlbanyAlbert LeaAlbionAlbuquerqueAlexandriaAllendaleAlmaAmericusAmesburyAmherstAnchorageAnn ArborAnnaAppletonArcadia

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Assets:

  • 2023: $3.71 billion
  • 2024: $3.8 billion
  • Growth from $2.2 billion in 2011 to $3.8 billion in 2024

Annual Income & Expenses:

  • 2023 Revenue: $137 million
  • 2023 Expenses: $208 million
  • 2024 Annual Income: $862 million
  • 2024 Total Giving: $166.4 million

Liabilities:

  • 2023: $81.2 million

Tax Status:

  • EIN: 38-1211227
  • Tax-exempt since May 1933
  • Designated as 501(c)(3)
  • Contributions are tax-deductible
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$136M$272M$408M$544M20202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$3,769,795,383$3,710,874,863$3,663,290,955
Revenue$228,318,921$136,688,464$109,597,876
Expenses$201,775,388$208,041,517$221,687,834
Qualifying Distributions$188,236,701$188,891,283$202,204,628
Net Investment Income$217,960,264$217,459,003$65,776,216
Distributable Amount$184,310,209$178,049,483$195,422,168

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$46M$91M$137M$183M1,100 grants20201,052 grants20211,020 grants2022997 grants2023834 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

Afterschool Alliance$2.4MAmerican Online Giving F…$1.5MAlianza FC Mxico Asociac…$310KActionAid$280KAlaska Children's Trust$210KAccountability Lab Inc$200KAlianza Americas$200KAmerican Association of …$200KAccountability Counsel$190KAlliance for the Great L…$190K

Grant Size Distribution

250 grants across all recorded years

118<$50K51$50–100K49$100–250K22$250–500K2$500K–1M7$1–5M1$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Afterschool Alliance ($2,400,000), American Online Giving Foundation Inc ($1,542,417), Alianza FC Mxico Asociacin Civil ($310,000).

RecipientPurposeAmount
350org Boston, MATo support equipping communities and climate leaders with the skills needed to participate in energy transition discussions.$80,000
4 Ranges Community Recreation Foundation Livingston, MTFor the general purposes or other charitable purposes of the organization.$18,750
Academy for the Development of Philanthropy in Poland To support the development of community foundations in Europe and increase their contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.$100,000
Access Now Inc New York, NYTo increase the awareness, understanding, and engagement of the nonprofit and philanthropic sector with respect to digital policies and practices that impact the space for civic engagement.$60,000
Accountability Counsel San Francisco, CATo support program development and organizational strengthening to globally protect human rights and the environment.$190,000
Accountability Lab Inc Washington, DCTo support active and organized civil society participation in efforts to increase access to justice globally.$200,000
ActionAid To address the reform of the operational policies and governance of international financial institutions.$280,000
Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty Grand Rapids, MIFor the general purposes or other charitable purposes of the organization.$6,000
Adopt-A-Pet Fenton, MIFor the general purposes or other charitable purposes of the organization.$180
Adrian College Adrian, MIFor the general purposes or other charitable purposes of the organization.$3,000

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

Board members and trustees include:

  • A Marshall Acuff Jr. (Trustee)
  • Lizabeth Ardisana (Trustee)
  • Frederick S Kirkpatrick (Trustee - Vice Chairman)
  • Tiffany W Lovett (Trustee)
  • Webb F Martin (Trustee)
  • Olivia P Maynard (Trustee Emeritus)
  • John Butler (Trustee)
  • Maryanne Mott (Trustee)
  • Dr Charlie Nelms (Trustee)
  • William H Piper (Trustee Emeritus)
  • Marise M M Sheehan (Trustee)
  • Jeremy R M Piper (Trustee)
  • Helen J Taylor (Trustee)

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

No officer/director data available.

Recent News & Activity

Recent developments and announcements

2033

The foundation announced plans to grant up to $2 billion over the next decade, with 60% of funding focused on Flint. The foundation is funding 100 grants, each worth $1,926, as part of community engagement efforts. The foundation invited Flint residents to apply for grants to beautify neighborhoods and activate public spaces. The foundation celebrated 100 years of giving for good in 2033.

Here\u2019s why the Mott Foundation is funding 100 grants, each worth $1,926

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Charles Stewart Mott Foundation fund?

The foundation envisions a world in which each individual's quality of life is connected to the well-being of the community, both locally and globally. The foundation operates four primary program teams: • Civil Society • Environment • Flint Area • Youth Engagement Additional funding is available through Exploratory and Special Projects grants, which are by invitation only. The foundation also provides support in the following areas: • Social & Human Services • Community Development • Arts & Cu…

How do I apply for a grant from Charles Stewart Mott Foundation?

**Grant Activity:** • Total grants made: 6,024 grants totaling $994.7M (historical) • Median grant: $30,000 • Average grant: $165,000 • Grant range: $150 to $25,000,000 • Supported organizations: 1,595 unique organizations **Recent Annual Giving:** • 2020: $135.3M • 2022: $365.3M across 2,040 grants (highest activity year) • 2023: $208M in expenses • 2024: $166.4M **Funding Philosophy:** The foundation emphasizes long-term funding relationships, providing grantees stability to focus on importan…

Where does Charles Stewart Mott Foundation make grants?

The foundation primarily supports organizations in: • Michigan (particularly Flint) • District of Columbia • California These three states account for 53% of all grants. Grantmaking reaches organizations across 52 states and operates globally.

What size grants does Charles Stewart Mott Foundation award?

In 2024, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation awarded 834 grants totaling $166.4M — an average of about $200K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is Charles Stewart Mott Foundation required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation reported a distributable amount of $184.3M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

What is Charles Stewart Mott Foundation's EIN?

Charles Stewart Mott Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-1211227. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in Charles Stewart Mott Foundation'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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