Community Foundation of Monroe County
The Community Foundation of Monroe County is a public charity based in Monroe, Michigan. It connects donors with local causes and supports community initiatives through grants and scholarships, with work described by the foundation in areas including education, health, poverty, and community development.
Community Foundation of Monroe County at a glance
In short: Community Foundation of Monroe County gave $649K across 13 grants in 2026 (avg $50K), mostly in Michigan. Source: 2026 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2026)
- $649,473
- -48.2% vs 2025
- Grants made (2026)
- 13
- -7.1% vs 2025
- Average grant
- $49,959
- -44.3% vs 2025
- Median grant
- $10,715
- Total assets
- $18,365,973
- +3.4% vs 2025
- Primary geography
- Michigan (100% of itemized 2026 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2026 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2026; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Community Foundation of Monroe County
- How to Apply
-
The website says applicants use the online grant portal and create an organizational profile. For Greater Milan Area grants, eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits or community organizations, government entities, and educational institutions. The website lists no current application deadline.
- Contact
Mailing address: 9 Washington Street, Monroe, MI 48161
Phone: (734) 242-1976
Website: https://cfmonroe.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Community Foundation of Monroe County funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2026
The largest 2026 recipient was County of Monroe ($508K). Together the top 10 received $614K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($23,125), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
62 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 57 grants of 62 (92%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation is based in Monroe, Michigan. Its website describes CFMC Community Grants as supporting projects in Monroe County and its Greater Milan Area affiliate as funding projects within the Greater Milan Area. All 13 grants listed for filing year 2026 went to recipients in Michigan.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2026 grant dollars across all 13 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Community Foundation of Monroe County gives
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2026). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2026, annual grant giving ranged from $32K (2023) to $1.3M (2025). In 2026 it made 13 grants totaling $649K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| County of Monroe Monroe, MI | Completion of the Loop Trail | $508,200 |
| 1 individual scholarship Recipients not named | — | $23,125 |
| Milan Area Historical Society Milan, MI | Enrichment | $22,238 |
| Milan Area Schools Milan, MI | CHOIR | $15,000 |
| Milan Area Schools PTO Milan, MI | Enrichment | $13,000 |
| One Sheep Ministries Monroe, MI | Emergency Assistance | $12,000 |
| River Raisin Center for the Arts Monroe, MI | Technology Upgrades | $10,715 |
| The Monroe Trojan Academy Monroe, MI | Vitual Learning Program - Computers | $10,000 |
| The Foundation at Monroe County Community College Monroe, MI | A Countywide Reading Initiative Offering | $8,200 |
| Milan Middle School Milan, MI | Robotics | $8,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $18,365,973 | $3,378,627 | $2,129,526 | $649,473 | 13 | $1,244,985 |
| 2025 | $17,768,086 | $2,856,449 | $2,197,311 | $1,254,721 | 14 | $494,697 |
| 2024 | $16,158,559 | $2,465,179 | $1,054,972 | $220,478 | 17 | $1,979,772 |
| 2023 | $13,941,620 | $-259,235 | $1,070,771 | $32,350 | 2 | $-955,575 |
| 2022 | $14,742,947 | $4,539,547 | $1,215,167 | $478,534 | 16 | $402,067 |
| 2021 | $11,524,248 | $3,728,646 | $800,756 | $311,434 | 12 | $2,971,046 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated values are stewardship, local impact, community partnership, inclusion, and legacy. Its 2025 filing describes programs providing scholarships for individuals pursuing education, as well as support for arts, education, youth programs, the environment, culture, and public activities in Monroe County.
The foundation’s 2026 grants included support for a county trail, K–8 scholarships, historical enrichment, school choir and robotics, emergency assistance, arts technology upgrades, and a mobile food pantry. One recipient, Monroe County Opportunity Program, describes its own mission as serving low-income individuals and families in Monroe County and promoting quality of life and self-sufficiency through community action.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2026, the foundation reported 13 grants totaling $649,473. Individual grants ranged from $5,495 to $508,200, with a median grant of $10,715.
Notable 2026 grants included $508,200 to the County of Monroe for completion of the Loop Trail; $23,125 to an individual recipient Borromeo Catholic Academy for K–8 scholarships; $22,238 to Milan Area Historical Society for enrichment; and $15,000 to Milan Area Schools for choir. Other reported awards included $12,000 to One Sheep Ministries for emergency assistance, $10,715 to River Raisin Center for the Arts for technology upgrades, and $7,000 to Monroe County Opportunity Program for emergency funds for a mobile food pantry.
The foundation’s website describes CFMC Community Grants of up to $5,000 for projects improving quality of life in Monroe County, including work related to youth and seniors, history and landmarks, the environment, and community well-being. It also describes a Greater Milan Area Community Foundation grant program offering up to $10,000 for eligible projects taking place in the Greater Milan Area. Applications for 2026 were to be submitted through the online grant portal. The listed 2026 application dates have passed; the website does not identify a current deadline for a new cycle.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2026 filing lists the following trustees: Barry Buschmann, Sr Paula Cooney, Stephanie Blatt, Dave Snyder, Julie Everly, Joan Branham, Barry Kinsey, Stacey McCoy, Cassie Prior, and Kim Diven.
Community Foundation of Monroe County is led by Valerie Orr, Executive Director since 2026 (on filings since 2025); 1 of 19 officers listed in 2026 is compensated.
Officers on the 2026 filing
Valerie Orr
Executive Director
Executive Di → Executive Director, 2026
On filings since 2025
40 hrs/week
$55K (2025) → $98K (2026)
Susan Vanisacker
President
Trustee → Vice President, 2024
Vice President → President, 2026
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Barry Buschmann
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Barry Kinsey
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Julie Everly
Trustee
Vice President → President, 2022
President → Trustee, 2026
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stacey McCoy
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cynthia Stump
Trustee
On filings since 2025
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cassie Prior
Trustee
New on the 2026 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dave Snyder
Trustee
New on the 2026 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joan Branham
Trustee
New on the 2026 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kim Diven
Trustee
New on the 2026 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Matthew Vanisacker
Trustee
New on the 2026 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sr Paula Cooney
Trustee
New on the 2026 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephanie Blatt
Trustee
New on the 2026 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Woody Hoffer
Trustee
New on the 2026 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Zayla Brown
Trustee
New on the 2026 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Maria Zagorski
Secretary
Trustee → Secretary, 2026
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amy Zangara
Vice President
Trustee → Vice President, 2026
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ryan Thompson
Treasurer
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (16)
- Former: David Uhl (2021–2025) — Trustee
- Former: Deb Dushane (2021–2025) — Secretary
- Former: Eddie Harwood (2021–2025) — Trustee
- Former: Keith Masserant (2021–2025) — President
- Former: Richard Kenny (2021–2025) — Trustee
- Former: Sr Margaret Gaffney (2021–2025) — Trustee
- Former: Eric Peacock (2022–2025) — Trustee
- Former: Todd Schultz (2022–2025) — Trustee
- Former: Carl Schultz (2023–2025) — Trustee
- Former: Adelaide Pascaris (2022–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Amanda Phebus (2021–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Garrett Keeton (2021–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Molly Luempert-Coy (2021–2022) — Trustee & Past
- Former: Stacey Goans (2022) — Trustee
- Former: Jonathan Pasko (2021) — Trustee
- Former: Mark Cochran (2021) — President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2026. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2026 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2026 filing was $98K, to Valerie Orr (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Community Foundation of Monroe County
How much does Community Foundation of Monroe County give each year?
Community Foundation of Monroe County gave $649K across 13 grants in 2026, according to its 2026 IRS Form 990. In 2025 it gave $1.3M across 14 grants.
What is Community Foundation of Monroe County's typical grant size?
Community Foundation of Monroe County's median grant in 2026 was $10,715, and its average grant was $49,959, across 13 grants on its 2026 IRS Form 990.
Where does Community Foundation of Monroe County give grants?
Community Foundation of Monroe County gives mostly in Michigan: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2026 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Monroe, MI (6 grants) and Milan, MI (5 grants).
Does Community Foundation of Monroe County give general operating support?
Not in 2026: none of the 13 grants with a stated purpose on Community Foundation of Monroe County's 2026 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are Community Foundation of Monroe County's largest grantees?
Community Foundation of Monroe County's largest 2026 grantees include County of Monroe ($508,200), Milan Area Historical Society ($22,238) and Milan Area Schools ($15,000), according to its 2026 IRS Form 990. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($23,125), which are not listed by name. Together they received 84% of its itemized 2026 grant dollars.
How large is Community Foundation of Monroe County?
Community Foundation of Monroe County reported $18.4M in total assets on its 2026 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.4M.
What does Community Foundation of Monroe County fund?
The organization’s stated values are stewardship, local impact, community partnership, inclusion, and legacy. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Community Foundation of Monroe County?
The website says applicants use the online grant portal and create an organizational profile. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Community Foundation of Monroe County's EIN?
Community Foundation of Monroe County's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-2236628. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2026.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 2, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 21, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 13, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 21, 2023)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2026 (received by the IRS August 13, 2026)
Live grants for the work Community Foundation of Monroe County funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Community Foundation of Monroe County funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/community-foundation-of-monroe-county-morg_56ea31b4861c4185adec47f10a71faa0
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_382236628_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Community Foundation of Monroe County funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/community-foundation-of-monroe-county-morg_56ea31b4861c4185adec47f10a71faa0},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-20. 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 Community Foundation of Monroe County'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.
Community Foundation of Monroe County down — hundreds of funders to go?