Jala Family Foundation
Jala Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Plymouth, Michigan. Its 2023 filing reports 12 grants totaling $73,650 to charitable organizations, primarily in Michigan.
Jala Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Jala Family Foundation gave $74K across 12 grants in 2023 (avg $6K), mostly in Michigan. Source: 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2023)
- $73,650
- Grants made (2023)
- 12
- Average grant
- $6,138
- Median grant
- $6,000
- Total assets
- $855,780
- +1.7% vs 2022
- Primary geography
- Michigan (93% of itemized 2023 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2023 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2023; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Jala Family Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 261 South Main Street, Plymouth, MI 48170
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Jala Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2023
The largest 2023 recipient was Second Chance Bird Dogs ($17K across 2 grants). Together the top 9 received $74K.
Grant Size Distribution
12 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 12 grants of 12 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Of the 2023 grant dollars, 93% went to recipients in Michigan and 7% to recipients in Illinois.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2023 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.
Cities
How Jala Family Foundation gives
- In 2023 it paid out 168% of 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
In 2023 it made 12 grants totaling $74K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Walloon Lake Association and Conservation Walloon Lake, MI | general purpose | $10,000 |
| Youth Tank Detroit Detroit, MI | General Purpose | $10,000 |
| Cranbrook Educational Community Bloomfield Hills, MI | General Purpose | $10,000 |
| Second Chance Bird Dogs St Claire, MI | General Purpose | $10,000 |
| Detroit Historical Society Detroit, MI | General Purpose | $10,000 |
| Second Chance Bird Dogs St Claire, MI | General Purpose | $7,000 |
| Illinois Short Train Rescue Peoria, IL | General Purpose | $5,000 |
| Youth Tank Detroit Detroit, MI | General Purpose | $5,000 |
| Detroit Dog Rescue Detroit, MI | General Purpose | $3,000 |
| Special Spectators Detroit, MI | General Purpose | $2,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $855,780 | $4,666 | $108,145 | $73,650 | 12 | $73,650 | $26,554 | $43,954 |
| 2022 | $841,532 | $23,165 | $10,467 | — | — | — | $23,165 | $45,265 |
| 2021 | $1,010,015 | $71,149 | $14,126 | — | — | — | $71,149 | $46,663 |
| 2020 | $910,465 | $910,465 | — | — | — | — | $5 | $1,873 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Jala Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $44K for 2023 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2023 grants went to organizations working in areas including education, Detroit history, youth programs, and animal rescue. For example, Cranbrook Educational Community describes its mission as providing education and encouraging creativity and innovation; the Detroit Historical Society says it tells Detroit’s stories through exhibits, programs, outreach, and preservation of collections. Detroit Dog Rescue describes work rescuing and rehabilitating dogs and providing community outreach, clinics, and education. Racquet Up Detroit describes a youth mentoring program combining squash, academics, and community service.
Grantmaking
In 2023, the foundation made 12 grants totaling $73,650. Grants ranged from $650 to $10,000, with a median grant of $6,000. Notable grants included $10,000 each to Walloon Lake Association and Conservation, Youth Tank Detroit, Cranbrook Educational Community, Second Chance Bird Dogs, and the Detroit Historical Society; and $5,000 to Illinois Short Train Rescue.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2023 filing lists Meghan Thatcher as president, Matthew Thatcher as secretary, and Bebhin Piersa as treasurer.
Jala Family Foundation is led by Meghan Thatcher, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2023 report compensation.
Officers on the 2023 filing
Meghan Thatcher
President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bebhin Piersa
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Matthew Thatcher
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2023. "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 Jala Family Foundation
How much does Jala Family Foundation give each year?
Jala Family Foundation gave $74K across 12 grants in 2023, according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
What is Jala Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Jala Family Foundation's median grant in 2023 was $6,000, and its average grant was $6,138, across 12 grants on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Jala Family Foundation give grants?
Jala Family Foundation gives mostly in Michigan: 93% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Illinois (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Detroit, MI (7 grants) and St Claire, MI (2 grants).
Does Jala Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Jala Family Foundation's 2023 grants with a stated purpose (12 of 12) were for general or operating support, per its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Jala Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Jala Family Foundation's largest 2023 grantees include Second Chance Bird Dogs ($17,000 across 2 grants), Youth Tank Detroit ($15,000 across 2 grants) and Walloon Lake Association and Conservation ($10,000), according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 57% of its itemized 2023 grant dollars.
How large is Jala Family Foundation?
Jala Family Foundation reported $856K in total assets on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $74K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $44K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Jala Family Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2023 grants went to organizations working in areas including education, Detroit history, youth programs, and animal rescue. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Jala Family Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Jala Family Foundation's EIN?
Jala Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 85-0632114. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2023.
Does Jala Family Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
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 2020–2023
Live grants for the work Jala Family Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
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Browse active grant opportunities in Jala Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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