Grosse Pointe Housing Foundation
Grosse Pointe Housing Foundation (GPHF) is a private foundation based in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan. Established by the Cotton family, it partners with local landlords and provides housing-related financial assistance to students and workers seeking to live in Grosse Pointe Park.
Grosse Pointe Housing Foundation at a glance
In short: Grosse Pointe Housing Foundation gave $435K across 116 grants in 2024 (avg $4K), mostly in Michigan. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $435,063
- +29.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 116
- +11.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $3,751
- +16.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $3,800
- Total assets
- $119,546
- +3.0% vs 2023
- 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.
How to apply to Grosse Pointe Housing Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Applicants can obtain applications online or by email. Requirements vary by program; student applicants should submit the materials described above, while local worker applicants must document financial need and full-time local employment and provide references and employment verification. Worker grant payments require an executed lease with an approved landlord; prospective landlords may be submitted for review.
- Review Cycle
- Ongoing, according to the filing.
- Deadline
- Ongoing, according to the filing.
- Contact
Application contact: Julie Secord
Mailing address: 121 Kercheval, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236
Phone: (313) 672-2100
Website: https://gphousing.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Grosse Pointe Housing Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was McKeonmikaila ($12K). Together the top 10 received $80K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($4,400), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
488 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 488 grants of 488 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s programs focus on Grosse Pointe Park and the surrounding Grosse Pointe area. Its local worker program is for qualifying people employed full time by a company based in the Grosse Pointes or working locally in education, the service industry, or construction and maintenance trades. Its educator program covers the five Grosse Pointes. All grant dollars reported for 2024 went to recipients in Michigan.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 116 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Grosse Pointe Housing Foundation gives
- Giving grew 60% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $272K (2021) to $435K (2024). In 2024 it made 116 grants totaling $435K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| McKeonmikaila Detroit, MI | Housing Assistance Grant | $12,000 |
| Torrentothomas Detroit, MI | Housing Assistance Grant | $10,600 |
| Bishoproy Detroit, MI | Housing Assistance Grant | $9,600 |
| Geresysteve Detroit, MI | Housing Assistance Grant | $7,200 |
| Hepnerchad Detroit, MI | Housing Assistance Grant | $7,200 |
| Pricekate Detroit, MI | Housing Assistance Grant | $7,200 |
| Randazzojodie Detroit, MI | Housing Assistance Grant | $7,200 |
| Symonettenicholas Detroit, MI | Housing Assistance Grant | $7,200 |
| Alonzoangelita Detroit, MI | Housing Assistance Grant | $6,000 |
| Buckmillerleah Detroit, MI | Housing Assistance Grant | $6,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $119,546 | $450,500 | $459,669 | $435,063 | 116 | $459,373 | $5,204 |
| 2023 | $116,086 | $450,000 | $359,458 | $336,400 | 104 | $359,084 | $3,407 |
| 2022 | $51,061 | $376,589 | $380,875 | $296,875 | 89 | $303,304 | $2,237 |
| 2021 | $25,717 | $369,961 | $360,924 | $272,425 | 72 | $293,600 | $4,796 |
| 2020 | $11,268 | $350,000 | $378,466 | $363,483 | 107 | — | $3,849 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Grosse Pointe Housing Foundation reported a distributable amount of $5K 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
GPHF’s stated aim is to help keep the Grosse Pointe Park community and surrounding commercial business district vibrant, successful, and accessible, including by attracting people to the area. Its programs provide rental assistance for eligible students and local workers, and housing subsidies for qualifying Grosse Pointe Public School System employees.
Its student program offers up to $400 per month toward rent; its Local Worker Grant Program offers up to $500 per month in rental assistance. The educator and staff program describes monthly subsidies that may be applied to rent, mortgage payments, or related living expenses. These participant-support programs are distinct from the foundation’s reported grants to recipients.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, GPHF reported 116 grants totaling $435,063. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $12,000, with a median of $3,800. The listed grants were all to recipients in Michigan. The largest listed awards included $12,000 to MCKEONMIKAILA, $10,600 to TORRENTOTHOMAS, and $9,600 to BISHOPROY, each in Detroit; each was designated for housing assistance.
For the student program, the foundation’s filing describes eligibility for students, medical residents, or student nurses renting in a specified area of Grosse Pointe Park. Filing-stated student requirements include enrollment in an eligible undergraduate or graduate program, a GPA of at least 3.0, and full-time study; freshmen are excluded. The filing says awards may not exceed 50% of rent or $400 per month. The website lists eligible institutions and programs and says payments go directly to landlords.
The foundation says individual and property applications are available online or by email. The filing describes student application materials including a completed application, proof of acceptance or current enrollment, a recent transcript, schooling expenses, other financial assistance received, and a narrative explaining why the applicant believes they should be selected. The website also describes separate application requirements for local workers and educators. The foundation states that it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists SHERY COTTON as member and director, SEAN COTTON as member and president, JON COTTON as member and treasurer, and MICHAEL STINES as director and secretary.
Grosse Pointe Housing Foundation is led by Sean Cotton, Member & President since 2024 (on filings since 2020); none of the 4 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Sean Cotton
Member & President
Member, Director & President → Member & President, 2024
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Stines
Director & Secretary
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shery Cotton
Member & Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jon Cotton
Member & Treasurer
Member, Director & Treasurer → Member & Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Michael Cotton (2020–2022) — Member & Director
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 Grosse Pointe Housing Foundation
How much does Grosse Pointe Housing Foundation give each year?
Grosse Pointe Housing Foundation gave $435K across 116 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $336K across 104 grants.
What is Grosse Pointe Housing Foundation's typical grant size?
Grosse Pointe Housing Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $3,800, and its average grant was $3,751, across 116 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Grosse Pointe Housing Foundation give grants?
Grosse Pointe Housing 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 Detroit, MI (115 grants).
Does Grosse Pointe Housing Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 116 grants with a stated purpose on Grosse Pointe Housing Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Housing Assistance Grant" (116 grants).
Who are Grosse Pointe Housing Foundation's largest grantees?
Grosse Pointe Housing Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include McKeonmikaila ($12,000), Torrentothomas ($10,600) and Bishoproy ($9,600), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($4,400), which are not listed by name. Together they received 7% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Grosse Pointe Housing Foundation?
Grosse Pointe Housing Foundation reported $120K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $459K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $5K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Grosse Pointe Housing Foundation fund?
GPHF’s stated aim is to help keep the Grosse Pointe Park community and surrounding commercial business district vibrant, successful, and accessible, including by attracting people to the area. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Grosse Pointe Housing Foundation?
Applicants can obtain applications online or by email. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Grosse Pointe Housing Foundation's EIN?
Grosse Pointe Housing Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-3976780. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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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