Ethel and James Flinn Foundation
The Ethel and James Flinn Foundation is a Detroit, Michigan–based private foundation that supports mental health services in Michigan. Its stated vision is to improve the quality, scope, and delivery of those services, and its website describes partnerships with organizations developing, evaluating, and implementing best-practice treatment programs.
Ethel and James Flinn Foundation at a glance
In short: Ethel and James Flinn Foundation gave $2.9M across 83 grants in 2024 (avg $35K), mostly in Michigan. 30% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,886,200
- +1.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 83
- -4.6% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $34,773
- +6.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $59,873,735
- +1.6% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 30% first-time grantees (20 of 67, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Michigan (100% 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 Ethel and James Flinn Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s stated process is to review the relevant RFP and submit an application through its online grant application system. The 2026 RFP categories were evidence-based practices for adults; evidence-based practices for children and young people; capacity-building opportunities; and mental health awareness, education, and outreach mini-grants.
- Review Cycle
- For the 2026 cycle, applications were due July 16, 2026, before 4 p.m. The foundation’s typical annual timeline is to announce RFPs in mid-May, accept applications through mid-July, notify applicants in late September, and award funds in early December.
- Deadline
- For the 2026 cycle, applications were due July 16, 2026, before 4 p.m.
- Contact
Application contact: Andrea M Cole Executive Director An
Mailing address: 333 W Ford Street Suite 1950, Detroit, MI 48266
Phone: (313) 309-3436
Email: acole@flinnfoundation.org
Website: https://flinnfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from Ethel and James Flinn Foundation
Capacity Building & Advocacy Grants
Ethel and James Flinn Foundation
Amount
Up to US $50,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Evidence-Based Practices - Adult Mental Health Grant
Ethel and James Flinn Foundation
Amount
US $50,000 - US $100,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Evidence-Based Practices - Children and Youth Mental Health RFP Grant
Ethel and James Flinn Foundation
Amount
US $50,000 - US $75,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Ethel and James Flinn Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Henry Ford Health System ($375K across 4 grants). Together the top 10 received $1.6M.
Grant Size Distribution
424 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 253 grants of 424 (60%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The website identifies Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, and Washtenaw counties as the service area for eligible applicants. All 2024 grant dollars were reported as going to recipients in Michigan.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 83 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Ethel and James Flinn Foundation open to new grantees?
30%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 20 of 67 grantees (30%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $41K; repeat grants $44K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $25K repeat.
- 48% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−1%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 109% 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 $2.2M (2020) to $2.9M (2021). In 2024 it made 83 grants totaling $2.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Board of Governors Wayne State University Detroit, MI | Second year and final grant award to continue to support system change reforms within michigans juvenile justice system. This important diversion work will build on existing relationships. The key objectives of this two-year project are to update the sequential intercept model mapping to include juvenile justice diversion (intercept 0), establish priorities, and facilitate groups to move the work forward. The sequential intercept mapping will provide critical data and a roadmap to inform a broader funder collaborative (kellogg, kresge, skillman, ballmer group, mcgregor, hudson webber). | $200,000 |
| Henry Ford Health System Detroit, MI | To train physicians to treat alcohol use disorders by implementing screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT). | $100,000 |
| Henry Ford Health System Detroit, MI | To identify veterans at risk of suicide and connect them with services by implementing zero suicide program. | $100,000 |
| Henry Ford Health System Detroit, MI | To support the metro detroit trauma recovery initiative (TRI) to provide trauma-informed and evidence-based behavioral health services and resources to survivors of traumatic injuries. | $100,000 |
| Metro Solutions Southfield, MI | One year grant to support collaborative to address disparities and inequities in accessing physical and mental health among bipoc michiganders. Funders partnered with trusted, black-led community-based organizations to develop or further develop sustainable partnerships between the organizations and safety net health care providers to increase access to high quality, mental health care offered in primary care settings. (kresge, kellogg, Michigan health endowment fund, blue cross blue shield of Michigan foundation, blue cross blue shield social mission and community foundation of southeast Michigan). | $100,000 |
| Oakland Community Health Network Troy, MI | To divert at-risk youth and assist adjudicated youth through interactive journaling. | $100,000 |
| Southwest Detroit Community Justice Center Detroit, MI | To provide trauma-informed wraparound case management services for individuals and families. | $100,000 |
| The Board of Governors Wayne State University Detroit, MI | Additional 12-month support to aid in the launch of michigans behavioral health emergency response (BHER). | $100,000 |
| Zaman International Inkster, MI | To provide culturally competent mental health program adapted to meet the needs of immigrant and refugee women. | $100,000 |
| Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan Detroit, MI | To offer a range of trauma informed mental health services through the mentally fit program, which includes 1:1 and group therapy, assessments, and academic and tutoring enrichment. | $75,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Ethel and James Flinn Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists 83 grants; the 2023 and 2022 filings list 87 and 88 grants, respectively.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $59,873,735 | $4,506,762 | $4,151,730 | $2,886,200 | 83 | $3,790,569 | $4,718,205 | $3,464,281 |
| 2023 | $58,941,116 | $2,273,605 | $4,060,440 | $2,855,200 | 87 | $3,713,576 | $2,149,291 | $2,875,990 |
| 2022 | $60,418,076 | $3,184,913 | $4,006,667 | $2,754,002 | 88 | $3,590,289 | $3,412,712 | $3,510,973 |
| 2021 | $60,556,693 | $4,592,274 | $3,806,522 | $2,911,553 | 91 | $3,541,791 | $5,949,037 | $3,707,556 |
| 2020 | $56,735,518 | $2,780,165 | $3,211,985 | $2,176,290 | 75 | — | $3,239,980 | $3,252,607 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Ethel and James Flinn Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.5M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to advance effective, well-researched best-practice mental health treatment and programs that meet the needs of people in Michigan. Its stated priorities include improving services through best-practice treatment, early intervention, expanded access, and provider capacity; fostering cross-system collaboration; measuring and sharing outcomes; reducing stigma through education and awareness; and informing mental health policy.
Its grant opportunities include evidence-based practices for adults and for children and young people, capacity building, and mental health awareness, education, and outreach mini-grants. The foundation’s website says eligible applicants must be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3), deliver mental health care and services in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, or Washtenaw County, and have a current audited financial statement or be in the process of obtaining one.
The 2024 grants illustrate support for a range of mental health services and systems work, including juvenile justice diversion, suicide prevention, trauma recovery, culturally competent services for immigrant and refugee women, and behavioral health care for children and youth. Grantees describe their own work in varied terms: Metro Solutions says it serves as a fiscal intermediary for community service providers; Zaman International says it works to advance the lives of marginalized women and children; and the Children’s Center of Wayne County says its mission is to help children and families shape their futures.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 83 grants totaling $2,886,200. Individual grants ranged from $50 to $200,000, with a median award of $15,000. The largest listed award was $200,000 to the Board of Governors of Wayne State University for a second-year and final grant supporting juvenile justice system reforms and diversion work. Other notable awards included three $100,000 grants to Henry Ford Health System for physician training in alcohol use disorder treatment, suicide prevention, and trauma recovery; $100,000 to Metro Solutions for a collaborative addressing disparities in access to physical and mental health care; and $100,000 each to Oakland Community Health Network, Southwest Detroit Community Justice Center, Wayne State University, and Zaman International.
The foundation’s website describes an annual competitive proposal process and says applications are submitted online. The 2026 application period ran from May 13 through July 16, 2026, before 4 p.m.; that deadline has passed. The website says organizations may submit one application per RFP, except that larger organizations with multiple departments and divisions may submit multiple applications per RFP. The foundation’s filing says it awards grants to nonprofits delivering mental health care and services in Michigan.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Andrea Cole as chief executive officer and Julie Ermler as chief financial officer. Trustees listed are the Honorable Freddie G. Burton Jr., board chair; Victor H. Hicks II; Jack Kresnak; Sue Perlin; Duane Tarnacki; Linda L. Hryhorczk; and Dana Lasenby.
Ethel and James Flinn Foundation is led by Andrea M. Cole, Chief Executive Officer on every filing since 2020; 2 of 9 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Andrea M. Cole
Chief Executive Officer
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$248K (2020) → $295K (2024)
Duane Tarnacki
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jack Kresnak
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sue Perlin
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Victor H. Hicks II
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Honorable Freddie G. Burton Jr.
Trustee - Boardchair
Trustee → Trustee - Boardchair, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dana Lasenby
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Linda L. Hryhorczk
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Julie Ermler
Chief Financial Officer
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$166K (2022) → $183K (2024)
Former officers (5)
- Former: Leonard W. Smith (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Thomas Zelnik (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Freddie G. Burton Jr. (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Cheryl Coleman (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Lynn Schneider (2020) — Trustee
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 $295K, to Andrea Cole (Chief Executive Officer). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Ethel and James Flinn Foundation
How much does Ethel and James Flinn Foundation give each year?
Ethel and James Flinn Foundation gave $2.9M across 83 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $2.9M across 87 grants.
What is Ethel and James Flinn Foundation's typical grant size?
Ethel and James Flinn Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $15,000, and its average grant was $34,773, across 83 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Ethel and James Flinn Foundation that year got $41K on average.
Where does Ethel and James Flinn Foundation give grants?
Ethel and James Flinn Foundation gives mostly in Michigan: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Detroit, MI (35 grants), Ann Arbor, MI (6 grants), Lansing, MI (4 grants) and Ypsilanti, MI (4 grants).
Does Ethel and James Flinn Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 10% of Ethel and James Flinn Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (8 of 83) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Trustee Recognition Program" (9 grants), "Matching Gifts" (6 grants) and "Matching Gift" (6 grants).
Who are Ethel and James Flinn Foundation's largest grantees?
Ethel and James Flinn Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Henry Ford Health System ($375,000 across 4 grants), The Board of Governors Wayne State University ($350,000 across 3 grants) and Oakland Community Health Network ($175,000 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 31% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Ethel and James Flinn Foundation?
Ethel and James Flinn Foundation reported $59.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $3.8M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.5M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Ethel and James Flinn Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to advance effective, well-researched best-practice mental health treatment and programs that meet the needs of people in Michigan. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Ethel and James Flinn Foundation?
The foundation’s stated process is to review the relevant RFP and submit an application through its online grant application system. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Ethel and James Flinn Foundation's EIN?
Ethel and James Flinn Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-2143122. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 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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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Ethel and James Flinn Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/ethel-and-james-flinn-foundation-morg_2c01bb5333384bf599fb5fd63960c61d
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_382143122_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Ethel and James Flinn Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/ethel-and-james-flinn-foundation-morg_2c01bb5333384bf599fb5fd63960c61d},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-22. 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 Ethel and James Flinn 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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