The Mesara Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Established in 2015, it operates as a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to philanthropic grantmaking aligned with the values of the Mesara and Pauch families.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$453K
+19.0% YoY
Grant Count
48
+14.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$9K
+4.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to honor the philanthropic principles of the Mesara and Pauch families by supporting carefully selected organizations that share similar values. The foundation focuses its funding on:
- Education
- Conservation
- Human Services
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
The foundation prioritizes causes of special family interest where funding will make a genuine difference.
Grantmaking
Grant Types
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Michigan, Florida, and Colorado.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $5,805,102 (as of December 2024)
Annual Giving: $377,305 (based on 2023 data); $283,880 in grants made in 2024
Total Revenues: $137,900 (fiscal year ending December 2024)
Total Expenses: $635,397 (fiscal year ending December 2024)
Staffing: The foundation operates with no employees on staff.
| 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
212 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Wmu Foundation ($50,000), Building Tomorrow ($38,000), Special Forces Association Chapter 7 ($25,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE OCEAN CLEANUP FOUNDATION PASADENA, CA | RIVER INTERCEPTORS | $10,000 |
| BOONE AND CROCKET CLUB MISSOULA, MT | RASMUSON WILDLIFE CONSERVATION CENTER | $5,000 |
| BRONSON HEALTH FOUNDATION KALAMAZOO, MI | FACILITY DOG ADVOCACY PROGRAM | $4,000 |
| BUILDING TOMORROW INDIANAPOLIS, IN | FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM | $38,000 |
| CARE AND SHARE FOOD BANK OF SOUTHERN COLORADO COLORADO SPRINGS, CO | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| CATAMOUNT INSTITUTE COLORADO SPRINGS, CO | YES PROGRAM / OPERTIONAL NEEDS | $10,000 |
| CETERA INC SAINT PETERSBURG, FL | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $8,000 |
| CONCH REPUBLIC MARINE ARMY BIG PINE KEY, FL | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $2,500 |
| FEEDING TAMPA BAY TAMPA, FL | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| FIRST DAY SHOE FUND PORTAGE, MI | SHOE DISTRIBUTION | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Douglas W. Mesara serves as President of the foundation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DOUGLAS W MESARA | PRESIDENT | 8 | $8,000 |
| HEATHER WHITE | TREASURER/SECRETARY | 4 | $8,000 |
| JEFFREY PAUCH | VICE-PRESIDENT | 4 | $8,000 |
| GREGORY PAUCH | DIRECTOR | 4 | $8,000 |
| NICOL WHITE | DIRECTOR | 4 | $8,000 |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Mesara Family Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission is to honor the philanthropic principles of the Mesara and Pauch families by supporting carefully selected organizations that share similar values. The foundation focuses its funding on: • Education • Conservation • Human Services • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking The foundation prioritizes causes of special family interest where funding will make a genuine difference.
How do I apply for a grant from Mesara Family Foundation?
**Grant Amounts:** Typical awards range from $1,000 to $45,000. **Recent Grant Activity:** In 2024, the foundation made 34 grants totaling $283,880. Recent grantees include: • Building Tomorrow (Fellowship Program) — $38,000 • The Florida Trail Association (Next Generation Coalition) — $22,880 • Leader Dogs for the Blind (Endoscopy System Replacement) — $14,000 **Grant Types:** The foundation provides general operating support, rapid response funding, and program-specific grants.
Where does Mesara Family Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Michigan, Florida, and Colorado.
What size grants does Mesara Family Foundation award?
In 2024, Mesara Family Foundation awarded 48 grants totaling $453K — an average of about $9K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Mesara Family Foundation's EIN?
Mesara Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-3197993. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Mesara Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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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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