Harry a and Margaret D Towsley
The Harry A. and Margaret D. Towsley Foundation is a private foundation based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Established in 1959 by Margaret Dow Towsley, it supports charitable organizations qualified under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Harry a and Margaret D Towsley at a glance
In short: Harry a and Margaret D Towsley gave $3.8M across 111 grants in 2025 (avg $34K), mostly in Michigan. 48% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $3,811,102
- +5.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 111
- +7.8% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $34,334
- -2.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $50,763,003
- +3.8% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 48% first-time grantees (53 of 111, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Michigan (97% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Harry a and Margaret D Towsley
- How to Apply
-
Applications are submitted through the foundation’s website using its electronic application form; the website provides the required information and instructions. The foundation does not make direct grants to individuals, provide loans, or award student scholarships, and it does not make grants for travel or conferences. Its website also says it generally does not fund political organizations or organizations seeking to influence legislation, and that applicants may submit only one application per grant cycle unless an exception has been approved. Organizations previously funded must wait at least two years after the final payment before applying again; organizations whose applications were declined must wait at least two years after the declination letter. The foundation does not make grants to institutions that unfairly discriminate based on age, race, color, creed, or sex.
- Review Cycle
- Deadlines for consideration at each board meeting are posted on the foundation’s website.
- Deadline
- Deadlines for consideration at each board meeting are posted on the foundation’s website.
- Contact
Application contact: Anne Cooper
Mailing address: 924 N Main St Suite 1, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Phone: (734) 660-2170
Website: https://towsleyfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Harry a and Margaret D Towsley
Who Harry a and Margaret D Towsley funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Interlochen Center for the Arts ($270K). Together the top 10 received $1.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
517 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 386 grants of 517 (75%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation identifies Michigan as its primary geographic area of interest. Its website’s 2025 geographic breakdown reports 58% of giving in Southern Michigan, 19% in Central Michigan, 7% in Northern Michigan, 3% in Upper Michigan, and 13% nationally. In the 2025 filing, 97% of grant dollars went to recipients in Michigan, 2% to California, and 1% to Maryland; Ohio and Florida each accounted for less than 1%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 111 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Harry a and Margaret D Towsley open to new grantees?
48%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 53 of 111 grantees (48%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $26K; repeat grants $42K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $25K repeat.
- 35% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−9%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 102% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $3.1M (2023) to $4.2M (2022). In 2025 it made 111 grants totaling $3.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Interlochen Center for the Arts Interlochen, MI | Program Support | $269,500 |
| Freedom River Whitmore Lake, MI | Program Support | $200,000 |
| Um Kellogg Eye Center Ann Arbor, MI | Program Support | $200,000 |
| Um Belleville High SBHC Ann Arbor, MI | Program Support | $155,400 |
| Um Ford School of Public Policy Ann Arbor, MI | Program Support | $150,000 |
| Midland Center for the Arts Midland, MI | Program Support | $128,000 |
| IHN at Alpha House Ann Arbor, MI | Program Support | $100,000 |
| Lacasa Center Howell, MI | Program Support | $100,000 |
| Many Hands Lifesharing Comm Ypsilanti, MI | Program Support | $100,000 |
| Mary Free Bed Rehab Hospital Grand Rapids, MI | Program Support | $100,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Harry a and Margaret D Towsley?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $50,763,003 | $6,123,204 | $4,247,568 | $3,811,102 | 111 | $4,016,505 | $6,012,074 | $3,923,052 |
| 2024 | $48,887,367 | $7,142,822 | $3,973,937 | $3,619,754 | 103 | $3,804,186 | $7,025,200 | $3,969,845 |
| 2023 | $45,518,482 | $3,420,374 | $3,266,817 | $3,056,024 | 96 | $3,165,633 | $3,332,680 | $3,978,028 |
| 2022 | $44,864,925 | $3,641,031 | $4,370,233 | $4,172,500 | 117 | $4,254,307 | $3,560,465 | $3,520,070 |
| 2021 | $45,594,127 | $6,413,476 | $3,520,790 | $3,218,812 | 90 | $3,285,323 | $6,315,896 | $3,934,056 |
| 2020 | $42,701,441 | $10,230,143 | $4,261,933 | $4,007,250 | 113 | — | $10,114,626 | $3,049,288 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Harry a and Margaret D Towsley reported a distributable amount of $3.9M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated purpose is to support charitable organizations qualified under Section 501(c)(3). Its website reports giving across arts and culture, civic and community work, education, environmental work, and health and human services. In its 2025 category breakdown, education accounted for 46% of giving, health and human services 26%, civic and community 12%, arts and culture 9%, and environmental work 7%.
Examples of grantees’ stated missions illustrate the range of organizations supported. Interlochen Center for the Arts says it engages and inspires people through educational, artistic, and cultural programs. Freedom River says it provides outdoor recreation programs to assist military service members, veterans, and their families with re-assimilation. St. Louis Center says it serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in a faith-based community. Corner Health Center says it provides affordable health and wellness care and education to young people ages 12 to 25 and their children.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 111 grants totaling $3,811,102. Individual grants ranged from $1,000 to $269,500, with a median of $20,000. Separately, the foundation’s website reported that the median amount disbursed to each recipient organization in 2025 was $26,250.
Among the largest reported 2025 grants were $269,500 to Interlochen Center for the Arts, $200,000 each to Freedom River and UM Kellogg Eye Center, $155,400 to UM Belleville High SBHC, and $150,000 to UM Ford School of Public Policy. The filing listed each of these grants as program support.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation’s 2025 filing lists David Winston Inglish as president; Tina S. Van Dam as vice president; Lynn T. White as chairperson; Heather Koch as secretary; and Brenda Shellenberger as treasurer. Trustees listed are Jennifer Poteat, Douglas Inglish, C. Wendell Dunbar, Stephanie Scheets, and Sarah Thompson. The foundation’s website also lists Judith D. Rumelhart as honorary chair emeritus and Anne Cooper as foundation manager.
Harry a and Margaret D Towsley is led by David Winston Inglish, President since 2022 (on filings since 2020); 10 of 11 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
David Winston Inglish
President
Trustee → President, 2022
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$4K (2024) → $4K (2025)
Lynn T. White
Chairperson
Trustee → Chairperson, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
C. Wendell Dunbar
Trustee
President & Trustee → Secretary, 2022
Secretary → Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$3K (2024) → $1K (2025)
Douglas Inglish
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$2K (2024) → $3K (2025)
Jennifer Poteat
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$4K (2024) → $4K (2025)
Sarah Thompson
Trustee
Associate Trustee → Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
$3K (2024) → $3K (2025)
Stephanie Scheets
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
$4K (2024) → $4K (2025)
Tina S. Van Dam
Vice President
Trustee → Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$12K (2024) → $12K (2025)
Brenda Shellenberger
Treasurer
Controller → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2022
15 hrs/week
$3K (2022) → $55K (2025)
Heather Koch
Secretary
Trustee → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
$4K (2024) → $4K (2025)
Anne Cooper
Fdn Manager
On filings since 2024
10 hrs/week
$40K (2024) → $41K (2025)
Former officers (5)
- Former: Judith D. Rumelhart (2020–2024) — Former Vice President
- Former: Margaret E. Thompson (2020–2022) — Past Trustee
- Former: Mary Ivers (2020–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Steven Riecker (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Stephanie Thompson (2022) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 $55K, to Brenda Shellenberger (Treasurer). 10 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Harry a and Margaret D Towsley
How much does Harry a and Margaret D Towsley give each year?
Harry a and Margaret D Towsley gave $3.8M across 111 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $3.6M across 103 grants.
What is Harry a and Margaret D Towsley's typical grant size?
Harry a and Margaret D Towsley's median grant in 2025 was $20,000, and its average grant was $34,334, across 111 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Harry a and Margaret D Towsley that year got $26K on average.
Where does Harry a and Margaret D Towsley give grants?
Harry a and Margaret D Towsley gives mostly in Michigan: 97% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Ann Arbor, MI (26 grants), Ypsilanti, MI (9 grants), Detroit, MI (8 grants) and Midland, MI (7 grants).
Does Harry a and Margaret D Towsley give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 111 grants with a stated purpose on Harry a and Margaret D Towsley's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program Support" (111 grants).
Who are Harry a and Margaret D Towsley's largest grantees?
Harry a and Margaret D Towsley's largest 2025 grantees include Interlochen Center for the Arts ($269,500), Freedom River ($200,000) and Um Kellogg Eye Center ($200,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 18% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Harry a and Margaret D Towsley?
Harry a and Margaret D Towsley reported $50.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $4.0M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.9M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Harry a and Margaret D Towsley fund?
The foundation’s stated purpose is to support charitable organizations qualified under Section 501(c)(3). Its website reports giving across arts and culture, civic and community work, education, environmental work, and health and human services. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Harry a and Margaret D Towsley?
Applications are submitted through the foundation’s website using its electronic application form; the website provides the required information and instructions. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Harry a and Margaret D Towsley's EIN?
Harry a and Margaret D Towsley's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-6091798. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS September 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 23, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 3, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 9, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 21, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 1, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Harry a and Margaret D Towsley funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/harry-a-and-margaret-d-towsley-morg_82cc4b5fd853444c9feac4fbe41ec6eb
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_386091798_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Harry a and Margaret D Towsley funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/harry-a-and-margaret-d-towsley-morg_82cc4b5fd853444c9feac4fbe41ec6eb},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Harry a and Margaret D Towsley's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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