First Federal of Northern Michigan Legacy Foundation
FIRST FEDERAL OF NORTHERN MICHIGAN is a private foundation based in Alpena, Michigan. Its 2023 IRS filing is marked as the organization’s final return, and the filing says it had disbursed funds for all grants. It therefore appears to have wound down or stopped grantmaking; the application information below is from that filing and should not be treated as current.
Key facts about First Federal of Northern Michigan Legacy Foundation
In short: First Federal of Northern Michigan Legacy Foundation gave $215K across 23 grants in 2023 (avg $9K), mostly in Michigan. 48% of 2023 grantees were new. Source: 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 20-2531733
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2023
- Annual giving (2023)
- $215,328
- Grants made (2023)
- 23
- Average grant
- $9,362
- Median grant
- $3,500
- New grantees (estimate)
- 48% first-time grantees (11 of 23, 2023; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Michigan (100% of itemized 2023 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- The filing’s stated process was to submit a grant application, budgets, a current list of the board of directors, and an IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- The filing stated that applications were due by the first working day of March, June, September, or December.
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2023; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2023 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$215K
+114.9% YoY
Grant Count
23
-14.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$9K
+152.3% YoY
Is First Federal of Northern Michigan Legacy Foundation open to new grantees?
48%
first-time grantees, 2023
In 2023, 11 of 23 grantees (48%) were first-time recipients. With only 23 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 4 points. First grants averaged $12K; repeat grants $7K. How we count
Medians: $2K first-time, $4K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2023). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The filing describes the foundation’s activity as promoting local charitable purposes through grants or donations. Its 2023 grants included support for arts, youth, community, public-safety, and conservation organizations. For example, Thunder Bay Theatre says its mission is to provide year-round performances, educational shows, and theatre workshops; the Boys and Girls Club of Alpena describes its work as providing social and recreational activities for ages 6–18. Headwaters Land Conservancy says it works to protect Northeast Michigan’s natural beauty through land preservation, stewardship, and environmental education.
Grantmaking
In 2023, the foundation reported 23 grants totaling $215,328. Grant amounts ranged from $495 to $85,366, with a median of $3,500. Notable awards included $85,366 to the City of Alpena for Culligan Plaza, $35,000 to Thunder Bay Theatre, $20,000 to Alpena Youth Center for an expansion grant, and $10,000 each to the Boys and Girls Club of Alpena, The Sunset Project, and Thunder Bay River Center.
The filing says the foundation did not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Because the 2023 return is marked final, the filing’s application instructions are not presented as current.
Review Cycle
The filing stated that applications were due by the first working day of March, June, September, or December. These are past application cycles and are not presented as open.
How to Apply
The filing’s stated process was to submit a grant application, budgets, a current list of the board of directors, and an IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter. It restricted consideration to organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status located in a 12-county area of Northeast Michigan.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The filing’s stated restriction was to organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status located in a 12-county area of Northeast Michigan. All 2023 grant dollars were reported as going to Michigan recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2023 grant dollars across all 23 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $89K (2020) to $215K (2023). In 2023 it made 23 grants totaling $215K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2023
The largest 2023 recipient was City of Alpena ($85K). Together the top 10 received $191K.
Grant Size Distribution
142 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 139 grants of 142 (98%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| City of Alpena Alpena, MI | Culligan Plaza Grant | $85,366 |
| Thunder Bay Theatre Alpena, MI | GRANT | $35,000 |
| Alpena Youth Center Alpena, MI | Expansion Grant | $20,000 |
| Boys and Girls Club of Alpena Alpena, MI | GRANT | $10,000 |
| The Sunset Project Alpena, MI | GRANT | $10,000 |
| Thunder Bay River Center Alpena, MI | GRANT | $10,000 |
| United Way of Ne Michigan Alpena, MI | GRANT | $5,830 |
| County of Alpena Alpena, MI | GRANT | $5,000 |
| Thunder Bay Brown Trout Alpena, MI | GRANT | $5,000 |
| Long Rapids Township Lachine, MI | Rope Rescue Harness Upgrade | $4,315 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | — | $4,948 | $245,823 | $215,328 |
| 2022 | $229,631 | $33,911 | $109,662 | $100,199 |
| 2021 | $336,386 | $91,001 | $170,224 | $165,300 |
2023 grantmaking comprised 23 grants.
| Metric | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | $229,631 | $336,386 |
| Revenue | $4,948 | $33,911 | $91,001 |
| Expenses | $245,823 | $109,662 | $170,224 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $215,328 | $100,199 | $165,300 |
| Net Investment Income | — | $33,911 | $91,001 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS February 6, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 1, 2024)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2023
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2023 filing lists Michael Mahler as president, Martin Thompson as chairman, Eileen Budnick as treasurer, and Joseph Gentry as secretary.
First Federal of Northern Michigan Legacy Foundation is led by Michael Mahler, President on every filing since 2019; all 4 officers listed in 2023 are compensated.
Officers on the 2023 filing
Michael Mahler
President
On filings since 2019
$400 (2020) → $400 (2023)
Martin Thompson
Chairman
New on the 2023 filing
$400 (2023)
Eileen Budnick
Treasurer
On filings since 2019
$400 (2020) → $400 (2023)
Joseph Gentry
Secretary
Chairman → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2021
$400 (2022) → $400 (2023)
Former officers (2)
- Former: Kathy Brown (2019–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Chris McCoy (2019–2020) — Chairman
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2023. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2023 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2023 filing was $400, to Michael Mahler (President). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Application contact: Michael Mahler
Mailing address: 100 S Second Ave, Alpena, MI 49707
Phone: (989) 354-7319
Frequently asked questions about First Federal of Northern Michigan Legacy Foundation
How much does First Federal of Northern Michigan Legacy Foundation give each year?
First Federal of Northern Michigan Legacy Foundation gave $215K across 23 grants in 2023, according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2022 it gave $100K across 27 grants.
What is First Federal of Northern Michigan Legacy Foundation's typical grant size?
First Federal of Northern Michigan Legacy Foundation's median grant in 2023 was $3,500, and its average grant was $9,362, across 23 grants on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from First Federal of Northern Michigan Legacy Foundation that year got $12K on average.
Where does First Federal of Northern Michigan Legacy Foundation give grants?
First Federal of Northern Michigan Legacy Foundation gives mostly in Michigan: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Alpena, MI (17 grants).
Does First Federal of Northern Michigan Legacy Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2023: none of the 23 grants with a stated purpose on First Federal of Northern Michigan Legacy Foundation's 2023 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Grant" (16 grants).
Who are First Federal of Northern Michigan Legacy Foundation's largest grantees?
First Federal of Northern Michigan Legacy Foundation's largest 2023 grantees include City of Alpena ($85,366), Thunder Bay Theatre ($35,000) and Alpena Youth Center ($20,000), according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 65% of its itemized 2023 grant dollars.
What does First Federal of Northern Michigan Legacy Foundation fund?
The filing describes the foundation’s activity as promoting local charitable purposes through grants or donations. Its 2023 grants included support for arts, youth, community, public-safety, and conservation organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from First Federal of Northern Michigan Legacy Foundation?
The filing’s stated process was to submit a grant application, budgets, a current list of the board of directors, and an IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is First Federal of Northern Michigan Legacy Foundation's EIN?
First Federal of Northern Michigan Legacy Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-2531733. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2023.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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