Edsel & Eleanor Ford House
Edsel & Eleanor Ford House is a private foundation based in Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan. Its 2024 filing describes work caring for and restoring the historic estate and collection, opening the estate to the public for tours and education, and presenting educational programming and special functions.
Edsel & Eleanor Ford House at a glance
In short: Edsel & Eleanor Ford House gave $45K across 19 grants in 2024 (avg $2K), mostly in Michigan. 53% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $45,116
- -4.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 19
- +11.8% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $2,375
- -14.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $1,500
- Total assets
- $317,994,446
- +6.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 53% first-time grantees (10 of 19, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Michigan (96% 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 Edsel & Eleanor Ford House
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Contact
Mailing address: 1100 Lake Shore Road, Grosse Pointe Shores, MI 48236
Phone: (313) 884-4222
Website: https://www.fordhouse.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Edsel & Eleanor Ford House funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Village of Grosse Pointe Shores ($16K). Together the top 10 received $39K.
Grant Size Distribution
81 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 81 grants of 81 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In filing year 2024, 96% of grant dollars went to recipients in Michigan and 4% to recipients in Ohio. The listed 2024 recipients are concentrated in Michigan communities, including Grosse Pointe Shores, St. Clair Shores, Grosse Pointe Farms, Grosse Pointe Woods, Lansing, and Mount Clemens.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 19 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Edsel & Eleanor Ford House open to new grantees?
53%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 10 of 19 grantees (53%) were first-time recipients. With only 19 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $1K; repeat grants $4K. How we count
Medians: $1K first-time, $3K repeat.
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 $8K (2020) to $47K (2023). In 2024 it made 19 grants totaling $45K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Village of Grosse Pointe Shores Grosse Pointe Shores, MI | Donation | $15,500 |
| City of St Clair Shores St Clair Shores, MI | Donation | $5,000 |
| Grosse Pointe Chamber Foundation Grosse Pointe Farms, MI | Sponsorship | $4,600 |
| City of Grosse Pointe Woods Grosse Pointe Woods, MI | Donation | $2,500 |
| Grosse Pointe Chamber of Commerce Grosse Pointe Farms, MI | Sponsorship | $2,500 |
| Historical Society of Michigan Lansing, MI | Sponsorship | $2,266 |
| Ase HR Management Group Inc Cincinnati, OH | Sponsorship | $2,000 |
| Grosse Pointe Historical Society Grosse Pointe Farms, MI | Donation | $1,990 |
| Azabache Waterford TWP, MI | Sponsorship | $1,500 |
| Services for Older Citizens Inc Grosse Pointe Farms, MI | Sponsorship | $1,500 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $317,994,446 | $19,454,895 | $16,969,224 | $45,116 | 19 | $13,335,598 | $15,584,236 |
| 2023 | $299,373,072 | $5,787,873 | $16,013,787 | $47,457 | 17 | $12,080,514 | $5,871,279 |
| 2022 | $272,648,066 | $1,069,629 | $12,191,456 | $21,394 | 13 | $9,733,506 | $1,708,145 |
| 2021 | $328,038,802 | $12,445,182 | $9,717,838 | $36,781 | 22 | $11,728,769 | $10,468,441 |
| 2020 | $299,959,092 | $42,559,657 | $6,361,627 | $8,138 | 10 | — | $42,623,609 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The funder’s 2024 filing describes activities including maintenance of the building and grounds, equipment, acquisitions, and conservation of art. It also describes care, restoration, and maintenance of the historic estate, house, furnishings, and grounds; public access for tours and education; youth and adult programming about the Ford family’s lives at the estate; and special functions benefiting nonprofit organizations and other special groups.
The 2024 grants included support for organizations with a range of missions. The Grosse Pointe Chamber Foundation says it receives and distributes charitable contributions to promote commerce, education, economic growth, events, and activities for the five Grosse Pointe communities. The Historical Society of Michigan says it works to deepen public understanding and appreciation of Michigan history through programs, publications, preservation, and related activities. The Grosse Pointe Historical Society says it encourages education and interest in the area’s history, customs, architecture, and government. The Grosse Pointe War Memorial Association describes its work as providing educational, cultural, civic, and patriotic activities. The Macomb County Chamber of Commerce says it promotes a healthy business climate for its members and Macomb County businesses. The Michigan Science Center says it inspires people of all ages to explore and appreciate science, technology, engineering, and math.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the funder reported 19 grants totaling $45,116. Grant amounts ranged from $150 to $15,500, with a median of $1,500. Notable grants included $15,500 to the Village of Grosse Pointe Shores, $5,000 to the City of St. Clair Shores, $4,600 to the Grosse Pointe Chamber Foundation, $2,500 each to the City of Grosse Pointe Woods and the Grosse Pointe Chamber of Commerce, and $2,266 to the Historical Society of Michigan.
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Separately, Ford House’s website describes a community donation process for admission passes—not financial sponsorships. Michigan-registered 501(c)(3) nonprofits may request passes for fundraising programs; priority is given to organizations in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb Counties. Requests must be submitted online at least 30 days before the event. If approved, an organization receives four passes, and Ford House limits donations to one item per nonprofit per year. Requests are not guaranteed.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Lynn F. Alandt as chairman; David P. Larsen as secretary; David M. Hempstead as treasurer; Benson Ford Jr., Martha Firestone Ford, Lindsey Ford Buhl, Eleanor Bourke Ford, Sheila Ford Hamp, and Alessandro Uzielli as trustees; and Mark J. Heppner as president and CEO.
Edsel & Eleanor Ford House is led by Mark J. Heppner, President & CEO on every filing since 2020; 1 of 10 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Mark J. Heppner
President & CEO
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$195K (2020) → $287K (2024)
Lynn F. Alandt
Chairman
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alessandro Uzielli
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Benson Ford Jr.
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Eleanor Bourke Ford
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lindsey Ford Buhl
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Martha Firestone Ford
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sheila Ford Hamp
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David M. Hempstead
Treasurer
Secretary → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David P. Larsen
Secretary
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Chris Dine (2020–2022) — Treasurer
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $287K, to Mark J Heppner (President & CEO).
Frequently asked questions about Edsel & Eleanor Ford House
How much does Edsel & Eleanor Ford House give each year?
Edsel & Eleanor Ford House gave $45K across 19 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $47K across 17 grants.
What is Edsel & Eleanor Ford House's typical grant size?
Edsel & Eleanor Ford House's median grant in 2024 was $1,500, and its average grant was $2,375, across 19 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Edsel & Eleanor Ford House that year got $1K on average.
Where does Edsel & Eleanor Ford House give grants?
Edsel & Eleanor Ford House gives mostly in Michigan: 96% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Grosse Pointe Farms, MI (8 grants), Lansing, MI (2 grants) and Detroit, MI (2 grants).
Does Edsel & Eleanor Ford House give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 19 grants with a stated purpose on Edsel & Eleanor Ford House's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Sponsorship" (11 grants) and "Donation" (8 grants).
Who are Edsel & Eleanor Ford House's largest grantees?
Edsel & Eleanor Ford House's largest 2024 grantees include Village of Grosse Pointe Shores ($15,500), City of St Clair Shores ($5,000) and Grosse Pointe Chamber Foundation ($4,600), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 56% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Edsel & Eleanor Ford House?
Edsel & Eleanor Ford House reported $318.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $19.5M.
What does Edsel & Eleanor Ford House fund?
The funder’s 2024 filing describes activities including maintenance of the building and grounds, equipment, acquisitions, and conservation of art. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Edsel & Eleanor Ford House?
Edsel & Eleanor Ford House does not accept unsolicited proposals, according to Grantable's research on its published guidelines. Check fordhouse.org for any change to that policy.
What is Edsel & Eleanor Ford House's EIN?
Edsel & Eleanor Ford House's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-2218274. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Edsel & Eleanor Ford House 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
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