Mackinac Center
Our mission is to be the most respected and influential source of public policy research, analysis and education in Michigan. The Mackinac Center for public policy is committed to providing the free-market perspective, resulting in superior opportunities and choices for Michigan citizens.
Mackinac Center at a glance
In short: Mackinac Center gave $110K across 1 grant in 2024 (avg $110K), mostly in Michigan. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $110,000
- +2100.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 1
- Average grant
- $110,000
- Median grant
- $110,000
- Total assets
- $14,450,504
- -7.9% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Michigan (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Mackinac Center funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Parent Advocates for Choice in Education ($110K).
Grant Size Distribution
2 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 1 grant of 2 (50%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2024 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2022 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $5K (2023) to $110K (2024). In 2024 it made 1 grant totaling $110K.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Parent Advocates for Choice in Education Okemos, MI | Program Support - Childhood Education | $110,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $14,450,504 | $11,410,796 | $12,916,116 | $110,000 | 1 | $297,346 |
| 2023 | $15,684,604 | $11,036,681 | $12,614,701 | $5,000 | Total only | $340,131 |
| 2022 | $16,677,798 | $11,464,559 | $11,496,742 | $50,000 | 1 | $146,011 |
| 2021 | $16,839,253 | $15,562,407 | $10,121,925 | — | — | $95,414 |
| 2020 | $11,164,135 | $6,974,263 | $9,421,593 | — | — | $84,833 |
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
About Mackinac Center
Based on IRS filings
Mackinac Center is a public charity focused on public and societal benefit, based in Midland, MI. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $14.5M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 1 grant totaling $110K. Net investment income was $297K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Mackinac Center is led by Joseph G. Lehman, President on every filing since 2020; 8 of 18 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Joseph G. Lehman
President
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$440K (2020) → $468K (2024)
Rodney M. Lockwood Jr.
Chairman
Vice Chairman → Chairman, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jason T. Hayes
Director of Energy & Environmental
Director of Envirnmental Policy → Director of Energy & Environmental Policy, 2023
Director of Energy & Environmental Policy → Director of Energy & Environmental, 2024
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$102K (2020) → $114K (2024)
Molly Macek
Director of Education Policy
On filings since 2023
50 hrs/week
$127K (2023) → $113K (2024)
James L. Walker
Vice President for Advancement
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$303K (2020) → $368K (2024)
Michael J. Reitz
Executive Vice President
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$175K (2020) → $193K (2024)
Patrick J. Wright
Vice President for Legal Affairs
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$144K (2020) → $150K (2024)
David Guenthner
Vice President for Legislative Affairs
On filings since 2023
50 hrs/week
$116K (2023) → $119K (2024)
Patricia J. Benner
Vice President for Operations
On filings since 2023
50 hrs/week
$123K (2023) → $128K (2024)
Clifford Taylor
Board Member
Chairman → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Douglas Graf
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Edward C. Levy Jr.
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jc Huizinga
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jim Barrett
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joseph P. Maguire
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Richard D. McLellan
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Richard G. Haworth
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Panning
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: D. Joseph Olson (2020–2022) — Board Member -
- Former: Lindsay K. Killen (2020–2022) — Vice President for Strategy & Communications
- Former: Michael D. Lafaive (2022) — Senior Director of Morey Fiscal Policy Initiative
- Former: Steven J. Virgadamo (2021) — Senior Fellow for Advocacy & Strategic Counsel
- Former: Dulce M. Fuller (2020) — Board Member
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $468K, to Joseph G Lehman (President). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Mackinac Center
How much does Mackinac Center give each year?
Mackinac Center gave $110K across 1 grant in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it reported $5K in grants paid.
How large is Mackinac Center?
Mackinac Center reported $14.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $11.4M.
What is Mackinac Center?
Mackinac Center is a public charity focused on public and societal benefit, based in Midland, MI. It holds $14.5M in total assets as of 2024.
Where does Mackinac Center operate?
Mackinac Center has awarded grants in Michigan.
What is Mackinac Center's EIN?
Mackinac Center's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-2701547. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 6, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 1, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 10, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Mackinac Center's focus areas in our free grants database
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Figures come from Mackinac Center'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.
Mackinac Center down — hundreds of funders to go?