Ferndale Community Foundation
Ferndale Community Foundation is a private foundation based in Ferndale, Michigan. Its 2024 filing describes awards for 501(c)(3) organizations serving people who live and work in Ferndale through health, culture, education, the arts, and other human services.
Ferndale Community Foundation at a glance
In short: Ferndale Community Foundation gave $35K across 18 grants in 2024 (avg $2K), mostly in Michigan. 28% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $35,114
- -20.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 18
- +20.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $1,951
- -33.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $2,083
- Total assets
- $332,395
- +7.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 28% first-time grantees (5 of 18, 2024; small sample)
- 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 Ferndale Community Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests. The 2024 filing says to contact Daniel Martin and submit hard-copy printed materials. Awards are restricted to 501(c)(3) organizations serving people who live and work in Ferndale, Michigan, through health, culture, education, the arts, and other human services.
- Review Cycle
- December 1, 2024. This was a past deadline as of September 28, 2026.
- Deadline
- December 1, 2024.
- Contact
Application contact: Daniel Martin
Mailing address: 300 E 9 Mile Road, Ferndale, MI 48220
Phone: (248) 672-4067
Email: info@ferndalecommunityfoundation.org
Website: https://www.ferndalecommunityfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Ferndale Community Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Affirmations LGBTQ Community Center ($4K). Together the top 10 received $25K.
Grant Size Distribution
60 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 60 grants of 60 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 filing states that eligible organizations must serve people who live and work in Ferndale, Michigan. All reported 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in Michigan.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 18 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Ferndale Community Foundation open to new grantees?
28%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 5 of 18 grantees (28%) were first-time recipients. With only 18 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $2K; repeat grants $2K. How we count
Medians: $2K first-time, $2K repeat.
- 72% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 43% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 215% 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 $10K (2022) to $44K (2023). In 2024 it made 18 grants totaling $35K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmations LGBTQ Community Center Ferndale, MI | Charitable | $3,500 |
| Ferndale Community Concert Band Ferndale, MI | Charitable | $2,500 |
| Ferndale Housing Commission Ferndale, MI | Charitable | $2,500 |
| FernCare Free Clinic Ferndale, MI | Charitable | $2,500 |
| Ringwald Theater Ferndale, MI | Charitable | $2,500 |
| Southeast Oakland Coalition Ferndale, MI | Charitable | $2,500 |
| Michigan Stage Southfield, MI | Charitable | $2,500 |
| Friends of the Ferndale Library Ferndale, MI | Charitable | $2,250 |
| Renaissance Vineyard Church Ferndale, MI | Charitable | $2,112 |
| Sing Out Detroit Southfield, MI | Charitable | $2,054 |
Ready to take the next step with Ferndale Community Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $332,395 | $306,305 | $283,912 | $35,114 | 18 | $35,114 | $16,370 |
| 2023 | $310,002 | $295,254 | $249,532 | $44,075 | 15 | $44,075 | $15,268 |
| 2022 | $264,280 | $228,529 | $175,122 | $10,000 | 6 | $10,000 | $13,016 |
| 2021 | $210,873 | $171,885 | $152,087 | $24,500 | 10 | $24,500 | $10,386 |
| 2020 | $191,075 | $75,124 | $63,999 | $21,971 | 11 | — | $9,410 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Ferndale Community Foundation reported a distributable amount of $16K 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
The foundation’s filing lists health, culture, education, the arts, and other human services as areas served by eligible organizations; it does not state a separate mission.
Among its 2024 grantees, Matrix Human Services says its mission is to serve vulnerable people in metropolitan Detroit and help individuals and families improve their quality of life and achieve self-sufficiency. Ferndale Schools Fine Arts Boosters says it enables students to participate in concerts, competitions, and events.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 18 grants totaling $35,114. Grants ranged from $1,198 to $3,500, with a median of $2,083. The largest listed awards included $3,500 to Affirmations LGBTQ Community Center and $2,500 each to Ferndale Community Concert Band, Ferndale Housing Commission, FernCare Free Clinic, Ringwald Theater, Southeast Oakland Coalition, and Michigan Stage. Other listed awards included $2,250 to Friends of the Ferndale Library, $2,112 to Renaissance Vineyard Church, $2,054 to Sing Out Detroit, and $1,400 each to Gender Identity Network and Matrix Human Services.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Daniel Martin as chair, Judy Palmer as vice-chair, Gregory Pawlica as treasurer, Sharon Chess as secretary, and Anatoly Ashkenazi, Jeannie Davis, Joseph Gacioch, and Dennis Whittie as members.
Ferndale Community Foundation is led by Daniel Martin, Chair on every filing since 2020; none of the 8 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Daniel Martin
Chair
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Anatoly Ashkenazi
Member
On filings since 2020
15 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gregory Pawlica
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeannie Davis
Member
On filings since 2020
15 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Judy Palmer
Vice Chair
On filings since 2020
15 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sharon Chess
Secretary
On filings since 2020
25 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dennis Whittie
Member
On filings since 2022
15 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joseph Gacioch
Member
On filings since 2022
15 hrs/week
No compensation reported
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 Ferndale Community Foundation
How much does Ferndale Community Foundation give each year?
Ferndale Community Foundation gave $35K across 18 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $44K across 15 grants.
What is Ferndale Community Foundation's typical grant size?
Ferndale Community Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $2,083, and its average grant was $1,951, across 18 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Ferndale Community Foundation that year got $2K on average.
Where does Ferndale Community Foundation give grants?
Ferndale Community 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 Ferndale, MI (14 grants) and Southfield, MI (2 grants).
Does Ferndale Community Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 18 grants with a stated purpose on Ferndale Community Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charitable" (18 grants).
Who are Ferndale Community Foundation's largest grantees?
Ferndale Community Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Affirmations LGBTQ Community Center ($3,500), Ferndale Community Concert Band ($2,500) and Ferndale Housing Commission ($2,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 24% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Ferndale Community Foundation?
Ferndale Community Foundation reported $332K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $35K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $16K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Ferndale Community Foundation fund?
The foundation’s filing lists health, culture, education, the arts, and other human services as areas served by eligible organizations; it does not state a separate mission. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Ferndale Community Foundation?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Ferndale Community Foundation's EIN?
Ferndale Community Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 61-1422011. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Ferndale Community Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, 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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