James a and Faith Knight Foundation
The James A. and Faith Knight Foundation is a private foundation based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Established in 1999 to honor James A. and Faith Knight, it supports organizations and communities, with its giving focused on Jackson and Washtenaw Counties.
James a and Faith Knight Foundation at a glance
In short: James a and Faith Knight Foundation gave $811K across 41 grants in 2025 (avg $20K), mostly in Michigan. 20% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $810,500
- -13.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 41
- -2.4% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $19,768
- -11.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $18,000
- Total assets
- $13,948,736
- +9.0% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 20% first-time grantees (8 of 41, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Michigan (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated November 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to James a and Faith Knight Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The website describes an application process through the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation’s NonProfit Portal, with organizational registration required. However, the website’s 2026 application period, January 31 through September 30, has passed. The filing lists an October 31 deadline but does not identify a year for that deadline.
- Contact
Application contact: James A And Faith Knight Foundation
Mailing address: 180 Little Lake Drive Suite 6B, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Phone: (734) 769-5653
Website: https://knightfoundationmi.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from James a and Faith Knight Foundation
Who James a and Faith Knight Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Food Gatherers ($60K). Together the top 10 received $345K.
Grant Size Distribution
182 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 165 grants of 182 (91%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s website says its giving is focused on Jackson and Washtenaw Counties in Michigan. All 2024 grant dollars in the filing went to recipients in Michigan.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 41 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is James a and Faith Knight Foundation open to new grantees?
20%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 8 of 41 grantees (20%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $10K; repeat grants $22K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $20K repeat.
- 66% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−16%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 84% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $748K (2019) to $961K (2022). In 2025 it made 41 grants totaling $811K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Food Gatherers Ann Arbor, MI | To Help with General Operating Expen | $60,000 |
| Women's Center of Southeast Michiga Ann Arbor, MI | To Help Provide Free or Affordable M | $55,000 |
| Planned Parenthood of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI | To Help Provide General Operating Su | $45,000 |
| Community Action Network Ann Arbor, MI | To Help Support the Cost of 6 Commun | $30,000 |
| Neutral Zone Ann Arbor, MI | To Help Support the After School DRO | $30,000 |
| Avalon Housing Inc Ann Arbor, MI | To Help with the General Operating E | $25,000 |
| Emerson School Ann Arbor, MI | To Help Support the Playground Renov | $25,000 |
| Girls Group Ann Arbor, MI | To Help Support the General Operatin | $25,000 |
| Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valle Ann Arbor, MI | To Help with Cost Associated with Wo | $25,000 |
| Nonprofit Network Jackson, MI | To Help with the General Operating E | $25,000 |
Ready to take the next step with James a and Faith Knight Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
In 2024, the foundation reported 42 grants; in 2023, 35; and in 2022, 33.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $13,948,736 | $2,193,232 | $220,075 | $810,500 | 41 | $883,379 | $2,075,065 | $1,055,201 |
| 2024 | $12,792,454 | $1,383,661 | $182,277 | $939,169 | 42 | $1,005,150 | $1,286,038 | $1,004,603 |
| 2023 | $12,517,276 | $1,304,972 | $175,211 | $849,837 | 35 | $928,310 | $1,208,808 | $916,693 |
| 2022 | $12,234,571 | $766,675 | $1,134,473 | $961,100 | 33 | $1,024,352 | $650,406 | $901,948 |
| 2021 | $12,624,430 | $1,157,238 | $972,325 | $795,000 | 31 | $854,363 | $1,055,811 | $1,007,502 |
| 2020 | $12,449,694 | $163,834 | $942,566 | $785,040 | 32 | — | $261,305 | $866,409 |
| 2019 | $13,227,403 | $1,014,196 | $924,385 | $747,658 | 33 | — | $804,954 | $867,614 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, James a and Faith Knight Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.1M 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 says it aims to make a difference in the organizations and communities it serves. It values sound financial management, developed governance practices, clarity of mission, and attention to gender, diversity, and outcomes. Its website describes general operating support as flexible funding for organizations’ missions.
Its 2024 grantees illustrate a range of supported work. Food Gatherers describes its mission as alleviating hunger and addressing its root causes in Washtenaw County. The Children’s Healing Center says it provides a safe, engaging environment for children with weakened immune systems to interact. Planned Parenthood of Michigan describes its work as ensuring access to sexual and reproductive health care through medical services, education, and advocacy. Neutral Zone describes itself as a youth-driven community focused on creativity, equity, and justice.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 42 grants totaling $939,169. Awards ranged from $1,500 to $57,300, with a median grant of $20,000. Among the largest were $57,300 to the Women’s Center of Southeastern Michigan, $50,000 each to Children’s Healing Center and Food Gatherers, and $45,000 to Planned Parenthood of Michigan. Its 2025 filing, the latest on this page, reports 41 grants totaling $810,500.
The foundation’s website says applications are reviewed by its Board, and some applicants may be asked for additional information, including a site visit. It says it does not fund annual appeal campaigns, religious activities, political campaigns, or individuals. Its 2024 filing says it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. That filing describes application materials as including an executive summary, grant purpose, expected results, grant budget, and entity background information.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Carol Knight-Drain as president, Scott Drain as treasurer, and Christopher Ballard as secretary.
James a and Faith Knight Foundation is led by Carol A. Knight-Drain, President on every filing since 2019; 2 of 3 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Carol A. Knight-Drain
President
On filings since 2019
20 hrs/week
$20K (2019) → $35K (2025)
Scott Drain
Treasurer
On filings since 2019
10 hrs/week
$10K (2019) → $10K (2025)
Christopher Ballard
Secretary
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
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 $35K, to Carol Knight-Drain (President). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about James a and Faith Knight Foundation
How much does James a and Faith Knight Foundation give each year?
James a and Faith Knight Foundation gave $811K across 41 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $939K across 42 grants.
What is James a and Faith Knight Foundation's typical grant size?
James a and Faith Knight Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $18,000, and its average grant was $19,768, across 41 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from James a and Faith Knight Foundation that year got $10K on average.
Where does James a and Faith Knight Foundation give grants?
James a and Faith Knight Foundation gives mostly in Michigan: 100% 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 (30 grants) and Ypsilanti, MI (7 grants).
Does James a and Faith Knight Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 63% of James a and Faith Knight Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (26 of 41) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are James a and Faith Knight Foundation's largest grantees?
James a and Faith Knight Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Food Gatherers ($60,000), Women's Center of Southeast Michiga ($55,000) and Planned Parenthood of Michigan ($45,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 20% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is James a and Faith Knight Foundation?
James a and Faith Knight Foundation reported $13.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $883K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does James a and Faith Knight Foundation fund?
The foundation says it aims to make a difference in the organizations and communities it serves. It values sound financial management, developed governance practices, clarity of mission, and attention to gender, diversity, and outcomes. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from James a and Faith Knight Foundation?
The website describes an application process through the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation’s NonProfit Portal, with organizational registration required. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is James a and Faith Knight Foundation's EIN?
James a and Faith Knight Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-3465904. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does James a and Faith Knight Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated November 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS September 9, 2026)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS July 28, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 17, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 30, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 22, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Live grants for the work James a and Faith Knight Foundation funds
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). James a and Faith Knight Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved November 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/james-a-and-faith-knight-foundation-morg_fd095b1c26b147cc9df1b6901076b75d
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_383465904_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{James a and Faith Knight Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/james-a-and-faith-knight-foundation-morg_fd095b1c26b147cc9df1b6901076b75d},
note = {Accessed 2026-11-13. 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 James a and Faith Knight Foundation'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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