Deroy Testamentary Foundation
The DeRoy Testamentary Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization established in 1979 and based in Southfield, Michigan. The foundation was created through a testamentary gift from donor Helen L. DeRoy and operates as a private foundation focused on improving quality of life and well-being for individuals in the metropolitan Detroit area.
Key facts about Deroy Testamentary Foundation
- EIN
- 38-2208833
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $16,446,938
- Grants made (2024)
- 18
- Average grant
- $913,719
- Median grant
- $60,750
- New grantees (estimate)
- 33% first-time grantees (6 of 18, 2024)
- Total assets
- $24,765,016
- Primary geography
- Florida (91% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Who Deroy Testamentary Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Deroy Testamentary Foundation's 18 itemized 2024 grants were Florida (91%) and Michigan (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Detroit, MI (5 grants), Bloomfield Hills, MI (3 grants) and Southfield, MI (2 grants). None of its 18 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charitable" (18 grants).
Is Deroy Testamentary Foundation open to new grantees?
33%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 6 of 18 grantees (33%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $2.5M; repeat grants $98K. How we count
Medians: $75K first-time, $48K repeat.
- 67% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 622% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with Deroy Testamentary Foundation
- How to evaluate Deroy Testamentary Foundation as a funder
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Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$24.8M
-39.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$16.4M
+597.0% YoY
Grant Count
18
-58.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$914K
+1565.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Deroy Testamentary Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.6M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation primarily supports programs that improve quality of life and well-being for individuals in the metropolitan Detroit area, with a particular emphasis on:
- Youth development and services
- Education
- Human services
- Health care
- Arts and culture
- Religion
- Social services
Recent grant distribution patterns show 40% of giving directed to education, 21% to social and human services, and 13% to arts and culture.
Grantmaking
Review Cycle
. Applicants must contact the foundation directly to inquire about the application process.
How to Apply
.
Ready to take the next step with Deroy Testamentary Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Approximately 95% of grants remain within Michigan, with a strong emphasis on the metropolitan Detroit area.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 18 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $24,765,016
- Total Liabilities: $81,700
- Revenue: $1,288,593
- Expenses: $17,338,055
- Net Income: -$16,049,462
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $24,765,016 | $40,960,231 | $40,332,268 |
| Revenue | $1,288,593 | $3,916,541 | $2,450,654 |
| Expenses | $17,338,055 | $3,382,346 | $17,904,470 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $16,816,688 | $2,777,720 | $17,337,628 |
| Net Investment Income | $870,573 | $3,330,416 | $1,889,813 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,624,104 | $2,085,311 | $2,459,170 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
259 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Inspirational Futures Foundation Inc ($15,000,000), Deroy Education Partners ($500,000), Zekelman Holocaust Center ($180,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| INSPIRATIONAL FUTURES FOUNDATION INC N Palm Beach, FL | CHARITABLE | $15,000,000 |
| DEROY EDUCATION PARTNERS West Bloomfield, MI | CHARITABLE | $500,000 |
| ZEKELMAN HOLOCAUST CENTER Farmington Hills, MI | CHARITABLE | $180,000 |
| GESHER HUMAN SERVICES Southfield, MI | CHARITABLE | $125,000 |
| CRANBROOK EDUCATIONAL COMMUNITY Bloomfield Hills, MI | CHARITABLE | $116,680 |
| MICHIGAN HUMANE SOCIETY Detroit, MI | CHARITABLE | $100,000 |
| SHAW FESTIVAL FOUNDATION Buffalo, NY | CHARITABLE | $75,000 |
| FRESH AIR SOCIETY Bloomfield Hills, MI | CHARITABLE | $75,000 |
| BARBARA ANN KARMANOS CANCER INSTITUTE Detroit, MI | CHARITABLE | $71,500 |
| COLLEGE FOR CREATIVE STUDIES Detroit, MI | CHARITABLE | $50,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Chairperson: Ryan Smith
- President: Julie Rodecker, Treasurer
- Vice President: Gregg Watkins, Director
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Julie Rodecker | President/Chairperson | 40 | $218,052 |
| Gregg Watkins | Vice President/Treasurer | 35 | $137,676 |
| Ryan Smith | Secretary/Program Director | 12 | $31,704 |
Contact Information
Address: Deroy Testamentary Foundation 26999 Central Park Boulevard, Suite 160 Southfield, Michigan 48076
Phone: 248-827-0920
Tax ID (EIN): 38-2208833
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Deroy Testamentary Foundation fund?
The foundation primarily supports programs that improve quality of life and well-being for individuals in the metropolitan Detroit area, with a particular emphasis on: • Youth development and services • Education • Human services • Health care • Arts and culture • Religion • Social services Recent grant distribution patterns show 40% of giving directed to education, 21% to social and human services, and 13% to arts and culture.
How do I apply for a grant from Deroy Testamentary Foundation?
The foundation makes grants without published deadlines. Applicants must contact the foundation directly to inquire about the application process. **Recent grants include:** • $250,000 to Zekelman Holocaust Center • $56,021 to Walsh College • $50,000 to Loyola High School • $40,000 to Jarc • $35,000 to Care House of Oakland County **Total annual giving:** $2,334,576 (based on recent activity)
Where does Deroy Testamentary Foundation make grants?
Approximately 95% of grants remain within Michigan, with a strong emphasis on the metropolitan Detroit area.
What size grants does Deroy Testamentary Foundation award?
In 2024, Deroy Testamentary Foundation awarded 18 grants totaling $16.4M — an average of about $914K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Deroy Testamentary Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Deroy Testamentary Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.6M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Deroy Testamentary Foundation's EIN?
Deroy Testamentary Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-2208833. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.