Green Brick Foundation Inc
Green Brick Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Traverse City, Michigan. Established in 2016, the foundation operates as a grantmaking organization focused on supporting philanthropic initiatives and community development across the United States.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$7.0M
-1.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$395K
+2.7% YoY
Grant Count
73
+1.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$5K
+1.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Green Brick Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $358K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation has not publicly provided a formal mission statement. However, based on its grantmaking patterns, Green Brick Foundation supports initiatives in the following areas:
- Philanthropy and foundations
- Education
- Human services
- Arts and culture
- Social justice and racial justice
- Legal aid
- Community development
Grantmaking
The foundation operates on an invite-only basis and does not accept unsolicited applications.
Grant Range
$1,000
Average Grant
$6,200–$23,000
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Green Brick Foundation funds projects across multiple states, with particular concentration in:
- Michigan (primary focus, including Traverse City area)
- New York
- District of Columbia
- Additional states include Alabama and California
The foundation supports initiatives in major cities including New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, as well as numerous locations throughout Michigan.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total assets: $7,067,847
- Total revenues: $188,749
- Total expenses: $431,239
- Investment income and dividends: $154,317
- Annual giving rate: 5.2% of assets
Asset Growth: Assets increased 2.6% from the previous year.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $6,995,440 | $7,067,847 | $7,309,337 |
| Revenue | $372,697 | $188,749 | $100,186 |
| Expenses | $445,104 | $431,239 | $502,087 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $395,000 | $384,580 | $401,990 |
| Net Investment Income | $325,928 | $142,090 | $45,524 |
| Distributable Amount | $357,504 | $355,987 | $377,359 |
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
242 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Cranbrook Ccr ($55,500), Interlochen Center for the Arts ($30,000), Glen Arbor Art Center ($20,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALL SOULS CHURCH UNITARIAN WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL OPERATION | $1,000 |
| AUTISM ALLIANCE OF MICHIGAN SOUTHFIELD, MI | GENERAL OPERATION | $3,000 |
| BALANCING ENVIRONMENT AND REHABILITATION GLEN ARBOR, MI | GENERAL OPERATION | $1,000 |
| BAY COMMUNITY THEATRE SUTTONS BAY, MI | GENERAL OPERATION | $500 |
| CAPUCHIN SOUP KITCHEN DETROIT, MI | GENERAL OPERATION | $5,000 |
| CHERRYLAND HUMANE SOCIETY TRAVERSE CITY, MI | GENERAL OPERATION | $500 |
| CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES TRAVERSE CITY, MI | GENERAL OPERATION | $12,000 |
| CITY OPERA HOUSE TRAVERSE CITY, MI | GENERAL OPERATION | $500 |
| CRANBROOK CCR BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI | GENERAL OPERATION | $55,500 |
| CROOKED TREE ART TRAVERSE CITY, MI | GENERAL OPERATION | $1,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is managed by three unpaid trustees:
- James Kemler
- Paula Jo Kemler
- David Rowe
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAMES KEMLER | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| PAULA JO KEMLER | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| DAVID ROWE | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Green Brick Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation has not publicly provided a formal mission statement. However, based on its grantmaking patterns, Green Brick Foundation supports initiatives in the following areas: • Philanthropy and foundations • Education • Human services • Arts and culture • Social justice and racial justice • Legal aid • Community development
How do I apply for a grant from Green Brick Foundation Inc?
**Grant Activity:** • Made 61-65 grants in 2023 • Total giving in 2023: $367,080–$384,580 • Median grant size: $1,000 • Grant range: $1,000–$64,000 • Average grant size: $6,200–$23,000 **Recent Grantees (2023):** • Glen Arbor Arts Center: $15,000 • Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities: $15,000 • Traverse City Film Festival: $12,000 • Parallel 45 Theatre **Application Process:** The foundation operates on an invite-only basis and does not accept unsolicited applications.
Where does Green Brick Foundation Inc make grants?
Green Brick Foundation funds projects across multiple states, with particular concentration in: • Michigan (primary focus, including Traverse City area) • New York • District of Columbia • Additional states include Alabama and California The foundation supports initiatives in major cities including New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, as well as numerous locations throughout Michigan.
What size grants does Green Brick Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Green Brick Foundation Inc awarded 73 grants totaling $395K — an average of about $5K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Green Brick Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Green Brick Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $358K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Green Brick Foundation Inc's EIN?
Green Brick Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-2552813. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Green Brick Foundation Inc'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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