Margaret Dunning Foundation
The Margaret Dunning Foundation is a private foundation based in Traverse City, Michigan. Established in 1997, it operates as a non-operating foundation focused on charitable giving primarily in Michigan and Florida, with particular emphasis on western Wayne County, Michigan.
Key facts about Margaret Dunning Foundation
- EIN
- 38-3352930
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,165,000
- Grants made (2024)
- 30
- Average grant
- $38,833
- Median grant
- $38,500
- Primary geography
- Michigan (89% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- The foundation makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and is open to new applicants.
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated June 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Margaret Dunning Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Margaret Dunning Foundation's 30 itemized 2024 grants were Michigan (89%). The most frequent recipient cities were Detroit, MI (5 grants), Plymouth, MI (4 grants), Dearborn, MI (3 grants) and Livonia, MI (2 grants). None of its 30 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Donor Advised Funds" (5 grants).
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$1.2M
+7.1% YoY
Grant Count
30
+3.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$39K
+3.5% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports charitable programs primarily in western Wayne County, Michigan, and educational programs focused on the automobile and transportation industries. Key funding areas include:
- Education (particularly automotive and transportation-related programs)
- Science and STEM education
- Arts and culture
- Community development
- Health and well-being
- Youth development
- Human services
Grantmaking
The foundation makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and is open to new applicants.
Grant Range
$5,500–$100,000
Average Grant
amount: approximately $38,000-$40,000
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with Margaret Dunning Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Michigan and Florida. Top funding locations include:
- Detroit, MI (8 grants)
- Plymouth, MI (3 grants)
- Livonia, MI (2 grants)
- Redford Charter Township, MI (2 grants)
- Waterford, MI (2 grants)
- Sarasota, FL (1 grant)
- Venice, FL (1 grant)
- Canton, MI
- Dearborn Heights, MI
- Howell, MI
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 30 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue:
- Total assets: $24,772,734–$24,777,638 (as of 2024)
- Total annual expenses: approximately $1,686,895 (2024)
- Total annual revenue: approximately $1,544,911 (2024)
- Investment income and dividends: $919,388 (2024)
Historical Growth: Total assets have grown from $230,000 in 2011 to approximately $24.8 million in 2023-2024.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
150 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Plymouth Historical Society ($90,000), College for Creative Studies ($80,000), Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan ($75,000 across 3 grants).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| PLYMOUTH HISTORICAL SOCIETY PLYMOUTH, MI | FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS AND EXHIBIT RENOVATIONS | $90,000 |
| COLLEGE FOR CREATIVE STUDIES DETROIT, MI | ADVANCED SUMMER SCHOOL PROGRAM IN AUTO DESIGN | $80,000 |
| AUTOMOTIVE HALL OF FAME DEARBORN, MI | FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS | $55,000 |
| MODEL T AUTOMOTIVE HERITAGE COMPLEX DETROIT, MI | FACILITY RENOVATIONS AT THE FORD PIQUETTE AVENUE PLANT MUSEUM | $53,000 |
| COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITY CENTER LIVONIA, MI | FACILITY RENOVATIONS AT ITS GROUP HOME IN PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP | $50,000 |
| ECORSE PUBLIC SCHOOLS ECORSE, MI | EQUIPMENT FOR THE AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN PROGRAM AT ECORSE HIGH SCHOOL | $50,000 |
| LIVING AND LEARNING ENRICHMENT CENTER NORTHVILLE, MI | SECURITY IMPROVEMENTS | $50,000 |
| SOUTH REDFORD SCHOOL DISTRICT REDFORD, MI | AUTOMOTIVE TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT FOR THURSTON HIGH SCHOOL | $50,000 |
| VISION TO LEARN LOS ANGELES, CA | EYE EXAMS AND EYEGLASSES FOR LOW-INCOME STUDENTS IN REDFORD TOWNSHIP | $50,000 |
| PLYMOUTH-CANTON SCHOOLS PLYMOUTH, MI | A TIRE CHANGER AND ELECTRIC VEHICLE EQUIPMENT FOR THE PLYMOUTH-CANTON ADVANCED AUTOMOTIVE TRAINING CENTER | $43,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Robert M. Stulberg – President
- Lois Stulberg – Vice President
- Robin Ferriby – Secretary
- Robert Appel – Treasurer
- Margaret Dunning – Principal Officer
All board members serve without compensation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROBERT M STULBERG | PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ROBIN FERRIBY | SECRETARY AND DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LOIS STULBERG | VICE PRESIDENT AND DIRECTO | 1 | — |
| ROBERT APPEL | TREASURER AND DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JEFFREY RAGLAND | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has demonstrated active engagement in automotive education and community development initiatives:
Dunning Foundation Grants to Automotive Tech Programs - Technical EducationSupported the P-CEP Automotive CTE Program with grants for automotive technical education
P-CEP Automotive CTE Program Receives Grant from Margaret ...Awarded $40,000 to Kettering University for the Intelligent Transportation Lab
Kettering University Awarded $40,000 Grant from Margaret Dunning FoundationProvided funding to the College for Creative Studies for advanced summer programs in auto design
The College for Creative Studies Receives Grant From theSupported facility improvements at the Automotive Hall of Fame
Funded community food pantry renovations at Redford Interfaith Relief, including installation of walk-in freezers and facility upgrades
Granted $250,000 to Sloan Museum of Discovery (2020)
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Margaret Dunning Foundation fund?
The foundation supports charitable programs primarily in western Wayne County, Michigan, and educational programs focused on the automobile and transportation industries. Key funding areas include: • Education (particularly automotive and transportation-related programs) • Science and STEM education • Arts and culture • Community development • Health and well-being • Youth development • Human services
How do I apply for a grant from Margaret Dunning Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Made 29-31 grants in 2023-2024 • Total giving in 2023: $1,088,000 • Average grant amount: approximately $38,000-$40,000 • Median grant amount: $30,000 • Typical grant range: $5,500–$100,000 • Individual grants have ranged from $6,000 to $138,000 **Recent Notable Grants (2024):** • Plymouth Historical Society: $90,000 (Facility Improvements and Exhibit Renovations) • College for Creative Studies: $80,000 (Advanced Summer School Program in Auto Design) • Automotive Hall of F…
Where does Margaret Dunning Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Michigan and Florida. Top funding locations include: • Detroit, MI (8 grants) • Plymouth, MI (3 grants) • Livonia, MI (2 grants) • Redford Charter Township, MI (2 grants) • Waterford, MI (2 grants) • Sarasota, FL (1 grant) • Venice, FL (1 grant) • Canton, MI • Dearborn Heights, MI • Howell, MI
What size grants does Margaret Dunning Foundation award?
In 2024, Margaret Dunning Foundation awarded 30 grants totaling $1.2M — an average of about $39K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Margaret Dunning Foundation's EIN?
Margaret Dunning Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-3352930. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.