Ethel and James Flinn Foundation
The Ethel and James Flinn Foundation is a Detroit-based private foundation established in 1976. The foundation uses its resources to improve the quality, scope, and delivery of mental health services in Michigan. It partners with organizations that deliver mental health care and services to develop, evaluate, and implement best practice treatment programs.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$59.9M
+1.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.9M
+1.1% YoY
Grant Count
83
-4.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$35K
+6.0% YoY
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.
Mission & Focus Areas
Vision: The Ethel and James Flinn Foundation is a private foundation that uses its resources to improve the quality, scope and delivery of mental health services in Michigan.
Mission: To advance effective, well-researched best practice mental health treatment and programs that meet the needs of people in Michigan.
Core Values:
- Impact: Continuously evaluating outcomes and impact of grantmaking
- Dignity: Working to reduce mental health stigma among individuals, families, providers, policymakers, and the public
- Equity: Prioritizing underserved and vulnerable populations to reduce health disparities and promote equity in mental health services
- Collaboration: Providing leadership and collaboration across sectors to increase access and resources for mental health services
Strategic Priorities:
- Inform mental health policy by educating the public and policymakers, and advocating for access to quality services
- Educate and build awareness to decrease stigma inside and outside the health care system
- Measure and share outcomes of efforts to improve quality of work
- Foster cross-system collaboration to address inequities in mental health access and outcomes
- Improve mental health services by advancing best practice treatment programs, promoting early intervention, expanding access to care, and building provider capacity
Primary Funding Categories:
- Adult Mental Health: Best practice treatment programs, psychotherapy, integrated care
- Children's Mental Health: Prevention, screening, early identification, psychosocial interventions, psychotherapy, trauma
- Capacity Building & Advocacy: Organizational capacity improvement, mental health awareness, advocacy
Grantmaking
Non-profit organizations that deliver mental health care and services in southeast Michigan may apply. Applications must be submitted through the foundation's Online Grant Application Process accessible from their website. A tutorial is available to help applicants familiarize themselves with the process.
Grant Types
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's geographic focus is primarily Southeast Michigan, defined as the counties of Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, and Washtenaw.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $59,873,735 (as of most recent filing)
Recent Annual Giving:
- 2025: $3.2 million
- 2024: $2.6 million
- 2023: $2.8 million
- 2022: $2.7 million
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $59,873,735 | $58,941,116 | $60,418,076 |
| Revenue | $4,506,762 | $2,273,605 | $3,184,913 |
| Expenses | $4,151,730 | $4,060,440 | $4,006,667 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $3,790,569 | $3,713,576 | $3,590,289 |
| Net Investment Income | $4,718,205 | $2,149,291 | $3,412,712 |
| Distributable Amount | $3,464,281 | $2,875,990 | $3,510,973 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
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
Rolling / Open
Evidence-Based Practices - Adult Mental Health Grant
ETHEL AND JAMES FLINN FOUNDATION
Amount
US $50,000 - US $100,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Evidence-Based Practices - Children and Youth Mental Health RFP Grant
ETHEL AND JAMES FLINN FOUNDATION
Amount
US $50,000 - US $75,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Henry Ford Health System ($100,000), Henry Ford Health System ($100,000), Henry Ford Health System ($100,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALLIANCE FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF INFANT MENTAL HEALTH SOUTHGATE, MI | TO SUPPORT EDUCATION AND TRAINING FOR INFANT AND EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH WORKFORCE. | $5,000 |
| ALTERNATIVES FOR GIRLS DETROIT, MI | TO HONOR COO, DR. CELIA THOMAS. DR. THOMAS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE ONE MONTH OFF TO RENEW, REFLECT AND REENERGIZE. THE ORGANIZATION WILL ALSO RECEIVE SUPPORT TO COVER HER TIME AWAY. | $25,000 |
| AMERICAN CITIZENS FOR JUSTICE INC WESTLAND, MI | TO PROVIDE RESOURCES/REFERRALS FOR VICTIMS OF HATE CRIMES/RACISM FOR HEALING FROM RESULTING TRAUMA AND DEPRESSION. | $5,000 |
| ARCHDIOCESE OF DETROIT DETROIT, MI | MATCHING GIFTS | $1,300 |
| ARCHDIOCESE OF DETROIT DETROIT, MI | MATCHING GIFTS | $500 |
| ASSOCIATION FOR CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH LANSING, MI | FOR GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT. ACMH PROVIDES ADVOCACY SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUAL CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES ACROSS MICHIGAN BY FOCUSING ON ACTIVITIES TO ENHANCE THE SYSTEM OF SERVICES WHICH ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN WITH SERIOUS EMOTIONAL DISORDERS. | $15,000 |
| AUTISM ALLIANCE OF MICHIGAN SOUTHFIELD, MI | FOR GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT. AAOM IS AN ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION FOCUSED ON ADDRESSING TREATMENT ACCESS AND SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES LIVING WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER. | $25,000 |
| BLACK FAMILY DEVELOPMENT INC DETROIT, MI | TO HONOR CEO, KENYATTA STEPHENS. MRS. STEPHENS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE ONE MONTH OFF TO RENEW, REFLECT AND RESTORE. THE ORGANIZATION WILL ALSO RECEIVE SUPPORT TO COVER HER TIME AWAY. | $25,000 |
| 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 |
| CHILDREN'S CENTER OF WAYNE COUNTY DETROIT, MI | TO IMPLEMENT DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENING, ASSESSMENT, AND MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT MODELS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD SETTINGS FOR CHILDREN (FOUR TO SIX). | $75,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Andrea Cole - President and CEO of the Ethel and James Flinn Foundation
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANDREA COLE | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | 40 | $295,060 |
| JULIE ERMLER | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 40 | $183,456 |
| HONORABLE FREDDIE G BURTON JR | TRUSTEE - BOARDCHAIR | 1 | — |
| VICTOR H HICKS II | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JACK KRESNAK | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| SUE PERLIN | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| DUANE TARNACKI | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| LINDA L HRYHORCZK | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| DANA LASENBY | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has emphasized systems change in mental health through its five-year strategic plan. Recent initiatives include partnerships focused on early childhood mental health care, with examples such as Wayne State's Early Childhood Support Clinic, which integrates behavioral health into pediatric care to demonstrate how early intervention can drive systems change.
JUDSON CENTER AWARDED $150,000 GRANT FROM FLINN FOUNDATION FOR INFANT MENTALThe foundation continues to collaborate with other funders to leverage mental health resources into the community and actively supports evidence-based practices across the mental health system in southeast Michigan.
JUDSON CENTER AWARDED $150,000 GRANT FROM FLINN FOUNDATION FOR INFANT MENTALSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Ethel and James Flinn Foundation fund?
**Vision:** The Ethel and James Flinn Foundation is a private foundation that uses its resources to improve the quality, scope and delivery of mental health services in Michigan. **Mission:** To advance effective, well-researched best practice mental health treatment and programs that meet the needs of people in Michigan. **Core Values:** • Impact: Continuously evaluating outcomes and impact of grantmaking • Dignity: Working to reduce mental health stigma among individuals, families, providers,…
How do I apply for a grant from Ethel and James Flinn Foundation?
**Grant Types and Sizes:** • Evidence-Based Practices grants (Adults) • Evidence-Based Practices grants (Children and Young People) • Capacity Building Opportunities grants • Mental Health Awareness, Education and Outreach Mini-Grants Program • Typical awards range from $50,000 to $200,000 **Recent Grant Activity:** *2025 Grants:* 64 grants totaling $3.2 million awarded to mental health organizations across southeast Michigan. *2024 Grants:* 54 organizations received $2.6 million in grants, inc…
Where does Ethel and James Flinn Foundation make grants?
The foundation's geographic focus is primarily Southeast Michigan, defined as the counties of Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, and Washtenaw.
What size grants does Ethel and James Flinn Foundation award?
In 2024, Ethel and James Flinn Foundation awarded 83 grants totaling $2.9M — an average of about $35K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Ethel and James Flinn Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Ethel and James Flinn Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.5M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Ethel and James Flinn Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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