Donald R and Esther Simon Foundation
The Donald R and Esther Simon Foundation is a private foundation based in Farmington Hills, Michigan. In 2024, it reported grants to charitable organizations including arts, community, and human-services organizations.
Donald R and Esther Simon Foundation at a glance
In short: Donald R and Esther Simon Foundation gave $613K across 41 grants in 2024 (avg $15K), mostly in Michigan. 29% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $613,000
- -1.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 41
- +20.6% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $14,951
- -18.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $11,223,000
- -2.8% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 29% first-time grantees (12 of 41, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Michigan (82% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Donald R and Esther Simon Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 30201 Orchard Lake Rd 150, Farmington Hills, MI 48334
Phone: (248) 538-5590
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Donald R and Esther Simon Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Detroit Symphony Orchestra ($55K). Together the top 10 received $350K.
Grant Size Distribution
152 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 123 grants of 152 (81%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 82% of grant dollars went to organizations in Michigan. Other listed recipient-state shares were New York (6%), Washington, DC (4%), Oregon (2%), and North Carolina (2%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 41 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Donald R and Esther Simon Foundation open to new grantees?
29%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 12 of 41 grantees (29%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $6K; repeat grants $19K. How we count
Medians: $2K first-time, $15K repeat.
- 56% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−9%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 105% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $613K (2024) to $672K (2021). In 2024 it made 41 grants totaling $613K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit Symphony Orchestra Detroit, MI | Unrestricted Grant to General Fund | $55,000 |
| Holocaust Memorial Center Farmington Hills, MI | Unrestricted Grant to General Fund | $50,000 |
| JSL Foundation West Bloomfield, MI | Unrestricted Grant to General Fund | $50,000 |
| Fresh Air Society Bloomfield Hills, MI | Unrestricted grant to general fundunrestricted grant to general fund | $40,000 |
| Hillel of Metro Detroit Detroit, MI | Unrestricted Grant to General Fund | $40,000 |
| Gilda's Club of Metro Detroit Royal Oak, MI | Unrestricted Grant to General Fund | $30,000 |
| Metro Food Rescue West Bloomfield, MI | Unrestricted Grant to General Fund | $25,000 |
| Detroit Employment Solutons Co - Project Clean Slate Detroit, MI | Unrestricted Grant to General Fund | $20,000 |
| Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance New York, NY | Unrestricted Grant to General Fund | $20,000 |
| The Pink Fund Southfield, MI | Unrestricted Grant to General Fund | $20,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $11,223,000 | $447,135 | $768,362 | $613,000 | 41 | $683,207 | $399,609 | $649,945 |
| 2023 | $11,544,227 | $440,773 | $766,438 | $620,000 | 34 | $691,337 | $496,748 | $625,993 |
| 2022 | $11,850,313 | $65,209 | $718,421 | $632,500 | 25 | $670,055 | $291,408 | $620,910 |
| 2021 | $12,496,229 | $742,421 | $779,027 | $672,000 | 25 | $672,000 | $701,862 | $711,136 |
| 2020 | $12,600,474 | $3,511,002 | $725,239 | $617,000 | 27 | — | $3,437,380 | $560,795 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Donald R and Esther Simon Foundation reported a distributable amount of $650K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No formal mission statement is provided. The 2024 grants show support for a range of organizations. For example, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra describes its mission as sustaining a world-class orchestra and impacting lives through musical experiences. The Holocaust Memorial Center says it aims to engage, educate, and empower by remembering the Holocaust. JSL Foundation describes its work as enriching the lives of older adults while embracing Jewish values.
Other 2024 grantees describe work that includes Jewish camping and community experiences (Fresh Air Society), food rescue for people in need (Metro Food Rescue), meals during humanitarian, climate, and community crises (World Central Kitchen), and support for people with disabilities (JARC). Gesher Human Services describes its work as including workforce development, behavioral health, and inclusion programming.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 41 grants totaling $613,000. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $55,000, with a median of $10,000. Among its largest grants were $55,000 to Detroit Symphony Orchestra; $50,000 each to Holocaust Memorial Center and JSL Foundation; $40,000 each to Fresh Air Society and Hillel of Metro Detroit; and $30,000 to Gilda’s Club of Metro Detroit. The listed grants were designated as unrestricted grants to recipients’ general funds.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Robert Simon is listed as a director on the 2024 filing.
Donald R and Esther Simon Foundation is led by Robert Simon, Director on the 2024 filing — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Robert Simon
Director
New on the 2024 filing
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Scott A. Pietras (2020–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Donald R. Simon (2020–2021) — President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Donald R and Esther Simon Foundation
How much does Donald R and Esther Simon Foundation give each year?
Donald R and Esther Simon Foundation gave $613K across 41 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $620K across 34 grants.
What is Donald R and Esther Simon Foundation's typical grant size?
Donald R and Esther Simon Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $14,951, across 41 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Donald R and Esther Simon Foundation that year got $6K on average.
Where does Donald R and Esther Simon Foundation give grants?
Donald R and Esther Simon Foundation gives mostly in Michigan: 82% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was New York (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Detroit, MI (5 grants), West Bloomfield, MI (5 grants), Bloomfield Hills, MI (4 grants) and New York, NY (4 grants).
Does Donald R and Esther Simon Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Donald R and Esther Simon Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (41 of 41) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Donald R and Esther Simon Foundation's largest grantees?
Donald R and Esther Simon Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Detroit Symphony Orchestra ($55,000), Holocaust Memorial Center ($50,000) and JSL Foundation ($50,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 25% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Donald R and Esther Simon Foundation?
Donald R and Esther Simon Foundation reported $11.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $683K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $650K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Donald R and Esther Simon Foundation fund?
No formal mission statement is provided. The 2024 grants show support for a range of organizations. For example, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra describes its mission as sustaining a world-class orchestra and impacting lives through musical experiences. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Donald R and Esther Simon Foundation?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Donald R and Esther Simon Foundation's EIN?
Donald R and Esther Simon Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-3651333. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Donald R and Esther Simon Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Donald R and Esther Simon Foundation funds
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Donald R and Esther Simon Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/donald-r-and-esther-simon-foundation-morg_57dcacd9c81e4be1b8c3614a0ed637ed
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_203651333_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Donald R and Esther Simon Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/donald-r-and-esther-simon-foundation-morg_57dcacd9c81e4be1b8c3614a0ed637ed},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-17. 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 Donald R and Esther Simon Foundation'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.
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