Jennifer Gordon Polan Foundation
The Jennifer Gordon Polan Foundation is a private foundation based in Franklin, Michigan. Its 2021 filing is marked as a final return, indicating that the foundation appears to have wound down or stopped grantmaking.
Jennifer Gordon Polan Foundation at a glance
In short: Jennifer Gordon Polan Foundation gave $30K across 13 grants in 2021 (avg $2K), mostly in Michigan. Source: 2021 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2021)
- $30,490
- Grants made (2021)
- 13
- Average grant
- $2,345
- Median grant
- $2,000
- Primary geography
- Michigan (82% of itemized 2021 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2021 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2021; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Jennifer Gordon Polan Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Its filing describes a standard application for its scholarship program and a letter format for other contributions; it lists no restrictions on awards.
- Review Cycle
- The filing lists May 1 for the scholarship program. This is a past cycle, not an open deadline. It lists no deadline for other types of requests.
- Deadline
- The filing lists May 1 for the scholarship program.
- Contact
Application contact: Jane G Polan
Mailing address: 27816 Lakehills Dr, Franklin, MI 48025
Phone: (248) 514-9097
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Jennifer Gordon Polan Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2021
The largest 2021 recipient was Alternatives for Girls ($6K). Together the top 10 received $28K.
Grant Size Distribution
13 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 13 grants of 13 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2021, 82% of grant dollars went to recipients in Michigan. The remaining reported shares were Maryland (7%), Georgia (7%), New York (3%), and Washington, DC (2%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2021 grant dollars across all 13 itemized grants.
Cities
How Jennifer Gordon Polan Foundation gives
- In 2021 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
In 2021 it made 13 grants totaling $30K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Alternatives for Girls Detroit, MI | Help homeless and high-risk girls and young women avoid violence, | $6,000 |
| City Year Detroit Detroit, MI | Add Support and Help Create Learning Environments | $6,000 |
| Focus Hope Detroit, MI | Build Community and Overcome Racism, Poverty and Injustice | $4,000 |
| Wylie Groves High School Beverly Hills, MI | Educational | $3,490 |
| Center for American Indian Health Johns Hopkins School of Public Health Baltimore, MD | Native Americans with Diabetes | $2,000 |
| Habitat for Humanity International Atlanta, GA | Educational | $2,000 |
| Say Detroit Southfield, MI | Ensure That Young People Receive Basic Needs Services | $2,000 |
| Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center Birmingham, MI | Free exhibits'to connect people all ages and abilities with visual arts education | $1,000 |
| Care International New York New York, NY | Supports Care's Poverty-Fighting WOR Karound the Globe | $1,000 |
| St Leo's Soup Kitchen Detroit, MI | Provide sustenance to detroit community residents in need, at no cost to them | $1,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | — | $10,475 | $30,490 | $30,490 | 13 | $30,490 | $10,475 | $347 |
| 2020 | $20,015 | $1,496 | $850 | — | — | — | $646 | $1,211 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Jennifer Gordon Polan Foundation reported a distributable amount of $347 for 2021 — 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 2021 grants included support for organizations whose own missions address youth safety and well-being, pathways for Detroiters in need, and food and necessities for families. For example, Alternatives for Girls says it helps homeless and high-risk youth avoid violence, teen pregnancy, and exploitation; SAY Detroit describes its mission as providing pathways to success for Detroiters in need; and Yad Ezra says it provides supplemental kosher food and other necessities to needy Jewish families.
Grantmaking
In 2021, the foundation made 13 grants totaling $30,490. Grants ranged from $500 to $6,000, with a median grant of $2,000. Notable awards included $6,000 each to Alternatives for Girls and City Year Detroit, $4,000 to Focus: HOPE, and $3,490 to Wylie Groves High School. Other recipients included the Center for American Indian Health at Johns Hopkins ($2,000), SAY Detroit ($2,000), and Yad Ezra ($1,000).
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2021 filing lists Jesse N Polan as trustee.
Jennifer Gordon Polan Foundation is led by Jesse N. Polan, Trustee on every filing since 2020 — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.
Officers on the 2021 filing
Jesse N. Polan
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2021. "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 Jennifer Gordon Polan Foundation
How much does Jennifer Gordon Polan Foundation give each year?
Jennifer Gordon Polan Foundation gave $30K across 13 grants in 2021, according to its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF.
What is Jennifer Gordon Polan Foundation's typical grant size?
Jennifer Gordon Polan Foundation's median grant in 2021 was $2,000, and its average grant was $2,345, across 13 grants on its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Jennifer Gordon Polan Foundation give grants?
Jennifer Gordon Polan Foundation gives mostly in Michigan: 82% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Maryland (7%) and Georgia (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Detroit, MI (5 grants).
Does Jennifer Gordon Polan Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2021: none of the 13 grants with a stated purpose on Jennifer Gordon Polan Foundation's 2021 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Educational" (3 grants).
Who are Jennifer Gordon Polan Foundation's largest grantees?
Jennifer Gordon Polan Foundation's largest 2021 grantees include Alternatives for Girls ($6,000), City Year Detroit ($6,000) and Focus Hope ($4,000), according to its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 52% of its itemized 2021 grant dollars.
What does Jennifer Gordon Polan Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2021 grants included support for organizations whose own missions address youth safety and well-being, pathways for Detroiters in need, and food and necessities for families. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Jennifer Gordon Polan Foundation?
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
How much is Jennifer Gordon Polan Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2021, Jennifer Gordon Polan Foundation reported a distributable amount of $347 on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Jennifer Gordon Polan Foundation's EIN?
Jennifer Gordon Polan Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-3540779. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2021.
Does Jennifer Gordon Polan Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS December 1, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 11, 2022)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2021
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Jennifer Gordon Polan Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?