Me Davenport Fund
The ME Davenport Fund is a private foundation based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, established in 1987. As a 501(c)(3) organization, it operates as a grantmaking foundation with a focus on supporting educational, economic, and environmental initiatives. The foundation manages substantial assets and distributes grants to organizations aligned with its mission.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$20.7M
+4.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$919K
+5.0% YoY
Grant Count
13
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$71K
+5.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Me Davenport Fund reported a distributable amount of $970K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation gives first consideration to projects in three primary areas:
Education — Business, professional, and career/employment training and retraining; educational programs designed to optimize learning from preschool through post-secondary levels. The foundation supports both large-scale efforts and small initiatives, including work within existing learning environments and new access/outreach portals. Initiatives should demonstrate promise in addressing emerging needs and challenges.
Economies — Initiatives designed to catalyze and diversify local and regional economies. The foundation supports projects and practices that encourage ongoing development, stability, and sustainability of localized business corridors and micro-districts.
Environments — Support emphasizing the responsible blending, sharing, and stewardship of both built and natural environments. The foundation seeks initiatives that combine and coordinate economic viability with environmental sensitivity through organizational practices and planning.
Grantmaking
The foundation has supported:
Grant Range
$277,000
Average Grant
$277,000
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation operates primarily in Michigan and Massachusetts, with funding activity in cities including Ann Arbor, Boston, and Detroit.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year 2024:
- Total Assets: $19,879,856
- Total Revenue: $1,336,576
- Total Expenses: $1,105,390
- Total Liabilities: $46,900
- Number of Employees: 0
The foundation's income derives from interest and dividends earned from receiving, holding, managing, and investing funds, as well as capital gains realized from managing and investing funds. All income is either reinvested or distributed for charitable purposes as stated in the articles of incorporation.
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $20,690,169 | $19,879,856 | $17,287,221 |
| Revenue | $1,266,429 | $1,336,576 | $1,397,167 |
| Expenses | $1,134,047 | $1,105,390 | $1,016,009 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $995,107 | $922,172 | $864,855 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,151,561 | $1,200,857 | $1,269,362 |
| Distributable Amount | $969,539 | $922,172 | $864,855 |
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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
58 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Davenport University ($435,000), Copper Shores Community Health Foundation ($168,000), Feeding America West Michigan ($108,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| COPPER SHORES COMMUNITY HEALTH FOUNDATION HANCOCK, MI | BRIDGES OUT OF POVERTY PROGRAM | $168,000 |
| FEEDING AMERICA WEST MICHIGAN KENTWOOD, MI | SUMMER READING AND FEEDING PROGRAMS | $108,000 |
| BEANTOWN BABY DIAPER BANK LEXINGTON, MA | GRANT TO PROVIDE FREE DIAPERSGRANT TO PROVIDE FREE DIAPERS | $25,000 |
| CANTERBURY HOUSE HOUGHTON, MI | BUILDING CAPACITY TO MEET STUDENT NEEDS | $20,000 |
| DAVENPORT UNIVERSITY GRAND RAPIDS, MI | M.E. DAVENPORT LEGACY ENDOWMENT | $435,000 |
| EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF N MI MARQUETTE, MI | WALKING TOGETHER - TRAVELING EXHIBIT | $20,000 |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF MI DETROIT, MI | UP PATIENT RECRUITMENT & MARKETING | $15,000 |
| WOMEN'S CENTER MARQUETTE, MI | UNRESTRICTED FUNDS TO COMPENSTE FOR STATE FUNDING CUTS | $50,000 |
| YMCA OF MARQUETTE COUNTY MARQUETTE, MI | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FOR FIELD HOUSE | $20,000 |
| MOXIEMOMS MARQUETTE, MI | MATERIALS FOR RESILIENT TRAININGS AND RESILIENT TRAINING | $28,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Marcia A. Sneden — Trustee, President, and Executive Director
- Mary P. Sullivan — Trustee, Secretary, Treasurer, and Grant Manager
- Caitlin Feeley — Trustee
- Rob Sullivan — Trustee
- William Sullivan — Trustee
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARCIA A SNEDEN | TRUSTEE/PRES. & EXEC. DIRE | 12 | $22,000 |
| MARY P SULLIVAN | TRUSTEE/SECR., TREAS.& GRA | 12 | $22,000 |
| CAITLIN FEELEY | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ROB SULLIVAN | TRUSTEE | 1 | $600 |
| WILLIAM SULLIVAN | TRUSTEE | 1 | $600 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Davenport University received a significant grant from the ME Davenport Fund in 2024 for the M.E. Davenport Legacy Endowment, representing one of the largest grants in the university's history to expand college access and readiness across Michigan.
Me Davenport Fund a Private Foundation IncSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Me Davenport Fund fund?
The foundation gives first consideration to projects in three primary areas: **Education** — Business, professional, and career/employment training and retraining; educational programs designed to optimize learning from preschool through post-secondary levels. The foundation supports both large-scale efforts and small initiatives, including work within existing learning environments and new access/outreach portals. Initiatives should demonstrate promise in addressing emerging needs and challeng…
How do I apply for a grant from Me Davenport Fund?
**Grant Activity** • Total distributions in recent fiscal year: approximately $922,000 • Average grant size: $277,000 • Grant range: Median of $20,000 to maximum of $595,000 • Recent grants made: Six grants in the most recent reporting year **Recent Grants** • Davenport University: $595,356 (2024) for M.E. Davenport Legacy Endowment • Women's Center: Grant made (amount partially listed in sources) **Grantees and Program Areas** The foundation has supported: • Davenport University • Planned Pare…
Where does Me Davenport Fund make grants?
The foundation operates primarily in Michigan and Massachusetts, with funding activity in cities including Ann Arbor, Boston, and Detroit.
What size grants does Me Davenport Fund award?
In 2025, Me Davenport Fund awarded 13 grants totaling $919K — an average of about $71K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Me Davenport Fund required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2025, Me Davenport Fund reported a distributable amount of $970K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Me Davenport Fund's EIN?
Me Davenport Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-2646809. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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