Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative
GLSI is a network of regional service hubs that develop knowledgeable and active stewards of the Great Lakes region through place-based education and explorations in local communities. GLSIs model for teaching and learning results in vibrant, hands-on experiences that increase student achievement.
Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative at a glance
In short: Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative gave $35K across 2 grants in 2025 (avg $17K), mostly in Michigan. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $34,546
- +25.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 2
- +100.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $17,273
- -37.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $17,273
- Total assets
- $352,200
- +25.3% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Michigan (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Eastern Michigan University ($27K). Together the top 2 received $35K.
Grant Size Distribution
16 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 13 grants of 16 (81%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 2 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative gives
- Giving fell 85% from 2022 to 2025. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $28K (2024) to $272K (2021). In 2025 it made 2 grants totaling $35K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, MI | Support for GLSI Hub programs and operations | $26,700 |
| Community Foundation of NE MI Alpena, MI | Support for GLSI Hub programs and operations | $7,846 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $352,200 | $585,415 | $510,850 | $34,546 | 2 | $29 |
| 2024 | $281,035 | $601,253 | $513,808 | $27,641 | 1 | $27 |
| 2023 | $198,301 | $445,167 | $512,537 | $36,408 | 3 | $20 |
| 2022 | $283,515 | $416,496 | $620,247 | $224,432 | 5 | $19 |
| 2021 | $458,892 | $426,673 | $385,939 | $271,944 | 5 | $42 |
| 2020 | $418,636 | $391,314 | $245,515 | — | — | $22 |
| 2019 | $331,900 | $507,666 | $383,704 | — | — | — |
About Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative
Based on IRS filings
Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Lowell, MI. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $352K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 2 grants totaling $35K. Net investment income was $29.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative is led by Caleb Carlton, Executive Director on every filing since 2024; 1 of 13 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Caleb Carlton
Executive Director
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$86K (2024) → $90K (2025)
Clayton Pelon
President to Trustee
President → Trustee, 2022
Trustee → President to Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ethan Lowenstein
President
Vice President → President, 2022
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Suzanne Knight
Trustee
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ellen Brody
Trustee
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Julia Putnam
Trustee
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lloyd Wescoat
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Anna Balzer
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephanie Chang
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Todd Ambs
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brandon Schroeder
Secretary
Trustee → Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Erica Johnson
Treasurer
On filings since 2023
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gregory Smith
Vice President
On filings since 2023
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (8)
- Former: Mary Whitmore (2019–2023) — Executive Director
- Former: Sarah Coleman (2019–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Emily Gochis (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Greg Smith (2022) — Trustee
- Former: Abbie Debiak (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Fred Sitkins (2019–2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Shari Dann (2019–2021) — Secretary
- Former: Shawn Oppliger (2019) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $90K, to Caleb Carlton (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative
How much does Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative give each year?
Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative gave $35K across 2 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $28K across 1 grant.
How large is Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative?
Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative reported $352K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $585K.
What is Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative?
Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Lowell, MI. It holds $352K in total assets as of 2025.
Where does Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative operate?
Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative has awarded grants in Michigan.
What is Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative's EIN?
Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-3689165. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS July 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS July 17, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 8, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 14, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 27, 2026)
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative's focus areas in our free grants database
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Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative down — hundreds of funders to go?