Frankenmuth Insurance Foundation
The Frankenmuth Insurance Foundation is a private, corporate foundation based in Frankenmuth, Michigan, established in 2016. Operating as the philanthropic arm of Frankenmuth Mutual Insurance Company, the foundation supports qualified tax-exempt, not-for-profit organizations and governmental units focused on community betterment and basic human needs across multiple states in the Midwest, Northeast, and Southeast regions.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$5.1M
+7.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$389K
+4.9% YoY
Grant Count
96
+37.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$4K
-23.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Frankenmuth Insurance Foundation reported a distributable amount of $276K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation operates in the spirit of "neighbor helping neighbor," a philosophy rooted in the company's 150+ year history. The foundation supports organizations working in the following areas:
- Building better communities
- Basic human needs, including affordable housing and food security
- Disease research, preventive solutions, and general health and wellness programs
- Music, theater, and performing arts
- Insurance and risk management education at accredited colleges and universities
- Scholarships and educational programs in the insurance and risk management field
Grantmaking
The foundation accepts applications through an online grant application form. Applicants must:
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation provides grants to organizations serving in the following states where Frankenmuth Insurance operates:
Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total assets: $5,132,129
- Total giving: $389,336
- Total revenues: $819,776
- Total expenses: $460,085
- Number of employees: 0
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $5,132,129 | $4,771,776 | $4,777,861 |
| Revenue | $819,776 | $427,836 | $410,283 |
| Expenses | $460,085 | $432,983 | $264,382 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $403,350 | $383,240 | $205,620 |
| Net Investment Income | $513,841 | $129,093 | $158,819 |
| Distributable Amount | $276,464 | $252,953 | $255,969 |
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
1 open opportunity from Frankenmuth Insurance Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Eastern Kentucky University ($50,000), Georgia State University Foundation ($50,000), American Red Cross Mid-michigan ($5,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A KID AGAIN - MICHIGAN CHAPTER MIDLAND, MI | COMMUNITY SUPPORT | $2,500 |
| ALPHA PRISON MINISTRIES GRAND RAPIDS, MI | COMMUNITY SUPPORT | $250 |
| ALS OF MICHIGAN SOUTHFIELD, MI | COMMUNITY SUPPORT | $500 |
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY DETROIT, MI | COMMUNITY SUPPORT | $2,750 |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS MID-MICHIGAN LANSING, MI | COMMUNITY SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS OF EAST CENTRAL BAY MICHIGAN FLINT, MI | COMMUNITY SUPPORT | $2,000 |
| ANNI'S ARMY FOUNDATION ROCKFORD, MI | COMMUNITY SUPPORT | $250 |
| ASSOCIATION FOR CHILD DEVELOPMENT EAST LANSING, MI | COMMUNITY SUPPORT | $1,000 |
| BEDS 4 KIDS OAK PARK, MI | COMMUNITY SUPPORT | $2,500 |
| BELLS BEND CONSERVATION CORRIDOR NASHVILLE, TN | COMMUNITY SUPPORT | $2,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- John S. Benson — Chairman and Director
- Andrew H. Knudsen — President
- Dawn Jaffray — Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer
- Timothy S. Donnellon — Vice President, Educational/Vice President, Scholarship
All leadership team members serve without compensation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN S BENSON | CHAIRMAN; DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| ANDREW H KNUDSEN | PRESIDENT | 0.8 | — |
| MARK L PINKERTON | VP, CHARITABLE | 0.5 | — |
| TIMOTHY S DONNELLON | VP, EDUCATIONAL | 0.5 | — |
| SCOTT G MERRIHEW | VP. - SCHOLARSHIP | 0.1 | — |
| DAWN M JAFFRAY | TREASURER | 0.4 | — |
| SUSANNAH W BISKUPSKI | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| FREDERICK A EDMOND JR | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| BRYAN L GILLELAND | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation continues to actively award grants across its service territory. In 2024, the foundation made 60 grants totaling approximately $389,336, demonstrating consistent philanthropic activity in support of its stated mission areas.
Charitable Grants - Frankenmuth InsuranceSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Frankenmuth Insurance Foundation fund?
The foundation operates in the spirit of "neighbor helping neighbor," a philosophy rooted in the company's 150+ year history. The foundation supports organizations working in the following areas: • Building better communities • Basic human needs, including affordable housing and food security • Disease research, preventive solutions, and general health and wellness programs • Music, theater, and performing arts • Insurance and risk management education at accredited colleges and universities • …
How do I apply for a grant from Frankenmuth Insurance Foundation?
**Grant Characteristics:** • Typical grant awards range from $250 to $50,000 • Recent grants include $50,000 to Georgia State University Foundation, $30,000 to United Way of Saginaw County, and $15,000 to Harvest Hope Food Bank • The foundation made 60 grants in 2024 **Application Process:** The foundation accepts applications through an online grant application form. Applicants must: • Select which of the foundation's funding priorities their organization addresses • Provide organization infor…
Where does Frankenmuth Insurance Foundation make grants?
The foundation provides grants to organizations serving in the following states where Frankenmuth Insurance operates: Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
What size grants does Frankenmuth Insurance Foundation award?
In 2024, Frankenmuth Insurance Foundation awarded 96 grants totaling $389K — an average of about $4K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Frankenmuth Insurance Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Frankenmuth Insurance Foundation reported a distributable amount of $276K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Frankenmuth Insurance Foundation's EIN?
Frankenmuth Insurance Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-4383153. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Frankenmuth Insurance 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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