Michigan Center for Rural Health
The Michigan Center for Rural Health (MCRH) is a public charity based in East Lansing, Michigan, and serves as Michigan’s State Office of Rural Health. It supports rural health in Michigan through education, service, research, and programs for rural communities and hospitals.
Michigan Center for Rural Health at a glance
In short: Michigan Center for Rural Health gave $2.2M across 82 grants in 2025 (avg $27K), mostly in Michigan. 4% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,212,402
- +13.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 82
- +3.8% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $26,981
- +9.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $11,765
- Total assets
- $1,860,540
- +20.8% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 4% first-time grantees (3 of 82, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Michigan (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Michigan Center for Rural Health
- Review Cycle
- The EMS Leadership Academy 2026 lists June 15, 2026, as its deadline.
- Deadline
- The EMS Leadership Academy 2026 lists June 15, 2026, as its deadline.
- Contact
Mailing address: Msu B-218 Fee Hall, East Lansing, MI 48824-1316
Phone: (517) 432-9216
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Michigan Center for Rural Health
Who Michigan Center for Rural Health funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Beaver Island RHC ($250K). Together the top 10 received $1.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
382 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 289 grants of 382 (76%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
MCRH describes its programming as serving Michigan’s rural communities. Its 2025 grant recipients were all in Michigan. The organization notes that rural definitions vary and provides information on definitions used by federal agencies and other resources.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 82 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Michigan Center for Rural Health open to new grantees?
4%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 3 of 82 grantees (4%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $87K; repeat grants $25K. How we count
Medians: $74K first-time, $12K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.6M (2023) to $13.0M (2022). In 2025 it made 82 grants totaling $2.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Beaver Island RHC Beaver Island, MI | See Statement 2. | $250,000 |
| Mackinac Island Medical Center Mackinac Island, MI | See Statement 2. | $250,000 |
| Drummond Island Medical Center Drummond Island, MI | See Statement 2. | $173,136 |
| Medic 1 Community Emergency Service Benton Harbor, MI | See Statement 3 and 4. | $152,473 |
| Thornapple Township Fire Department Middleville, MI | See Statement 3 and 4. | $73,500 |
| Spectrum Health Office of Research & Education Grand Rapids, MI | See Statement 1. | $70,590 |
| Boyne City EMS Boyne City, MI | See Statement 3 and 4. | $33,920 |
| Allegan DHD Allegan, MI | See Statement 2. | $26,318 |
| Branch Hillsdale St Joseph Cha Coldwater, MI | See Statement 2. | $26,318 |
| Central Michigan DHD Mt Pleasant, MI | See Statement 2. | $26,318 |
Ready to take the next step with Michigan Center for Rural Health?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,860,540 | $6,887,346 | $6,694,426 | $2,212,402 | 82 | $51,180 |
| 2024 | $1,540,308 | $6,775,159 | $6,637,027 | $1,954,681 | 79 | $47,201 |
| 2023 | $1,144,155 | $6,299,492 | $6,212,201 | $1,590,107 | 83 | $13,188 |
| 2022 | $1,118,649 | $15,241,971 | $15,221,024 | $13,015,212 | 82 | $1,287 |
| 2021 | $4,244,280 | $10,894,376 | $10,812,353 | $8,612,904 | 56 | $838 |
| 2020 | $897,690 | $8,018,928 | $7,950,274 | $6,354,758 | 63 | $3,901 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
MCRH’s mission is “to coordinate, plan, and advocate for improved health for Michigan’s rural residents and communities.” Its stated purpose includes developing a coordinated rural health program, conducting research on rural health issues, and assisting rural communities in health-related areas.
Its Small Rural Hospital Improvement Program provides grant dollars to rural hospitals with 49 or fewer staffed beds for quality improvement activities. Filing descriptions also identify a program to improve inpatient care at small rural Michigan hospitals, support for rural hospital equipment, access to primary care on inhabited islands and in rural clinics, and scholarships for students attending Rural OsteoCHAMPS.
Examples of supported organizations include Mackinac Island Medical Center, whose stated mission is to support healthcare services for island residents, and Drummond Island Medical Center, which says it provides facilities for a healthcare practitioner serving island residents and the surrounding area. Community Emergency Service Inc describes its mission as providing ambulance services for local units of government.
Grantmaking
In 2025, MCRH reported 82 grants totaling $2,212,402. Awards ranged from $7,713 to $250,000, with a median of $11,765. All reported grant dollars went to recipients in Michigan.
The largest reported awards included $250,000 to Beaver Island RHC and $250,000 to Mackinac Island Medical Center; $173,136 to Drummond Island Medical Center; and $152,473 to Medic 1 Community Emergency Service. Other notable awards included $73,500 to Thornapple Township Fire Department and $70,590 to Spectrum Health Office of Research & Education.
MCRH also offers training and scholarship programs for individuals. The EMS Leadership Academy 2026 is a 40-hour training program for rural Michigan EMS leaders, with tuition covered by MCRH and participants selected through an application process. The EMS Workforce Grant Scholarship Program supports EMS and paramedic training and workforce development; its stated funding source is a $350,000 award from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services in 2023.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Edward Canfield DO as president, Nicholas DeRuscha as vice president, and Beth Nagel as secretary/treasurer. Directors listed are Hunter Nostrand, Nancy L. Spencer, Emily Bergquist, Sam Singh, Representative Jennifer Conlin, Joyce DeJong DO, and Suzanne Owen.
Michigan Center for Rural Health is led by John Barnas, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 2 of 13 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
John Barnas
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$104K (2020) → $141K (2025)
Edward Canfield DO
President
Director → President, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Crystal Barter
Director of Programs & Service
Director of Programs & Services → Director of Programs & Service, 2025
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$104K (2024) → $104K (2025)
Nancy L. Spencer
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Emily Bergquist
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Hunter Nostrant
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joyce Dejong DO
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Representative Jennifer Conlin
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sam Singh
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Suzanne Owen
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Beth Nagel
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nicholas Derusha
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Al Ferreira
Immediate Past President
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (10)
- Former: Senator Kristen McDonald Rivet (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: Meghan Groen (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Andrea Amalfitano DO (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Ned Canfield (2023) — President
- Former: Alfonso C. Ferreira MD (2020–2022) — President
- Former: Curt Vanderwall (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: David B. Jahn (2020–2022) — Vice President
- Former: Kathy Wahl (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Sue Allor (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Andrea Amalfitanodo (2020–2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $141K, to John Barnas (Executive Director). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Michigan Center for Rural Health
How much does Michigan Center for Rural Health give each year?
Michigan Center for Rural Health gave $2.2M across 82 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $2.0M across 79 grants.
What is Michigan Center for Rural Health's typical grant size?
Michigan Center for Rural Health's median grant in 2025 was $11,765, and its average grant was $26,981, across 82 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Michigan Center for Rural Health that year got $87K on average.
Where does Michigan Center for Rural Health give grants?
Michigan Center for Rural Health gives mostly in Michigan: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Escanaba, MI (3 grants), Allegan, MI (2 grants), Coldwater, MI (2 grants) and Mt Pleasant, MI (2 grants).
Does Michigan Center for Rural Health give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 82 grants with a stated purpose on Michigan Center for Rural Health's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "See Statement 3 and 4." (46 grants), "See Statement 2." (27 grants) and "See Statement 4." (7 grants).
Who are Michigan Center for Rural Health's largest grantees?
Michigan Center for Rural Health's largest 2025 grantees include Beaver Island RHC ($250,000), Mackinac Island Medical Center ($250,000) and Drummond Island Medical Center ($173,136), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 30% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Michigan Center for Rural Health?
Michigan Center for Rural Health reported $1.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $6.9M.
What does Michigan Center for Rural Health fund?
MCRH’s mission is “to coordinate, plan, and advocate for improved health for Michigan’s rural residents and communities.” Its stated purpose includes developing a coordinated rural health program, conducting research on rural health issues, and assisting rural communities in health-related areas. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Michigan Center for Rural Health?
Michigan Center for Rural Health has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Michigan Center for Rural Health's EIN?
Michigan Center for Rural Health's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-3180997. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS February 1, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 4, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS January 30, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS January 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 11, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 4, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Michigan Center for Rural Health's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Michigan Center for Rural Health funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/michigan-center-for-rural-health-morg_2a28c84e86f14c2393bcf60be587ab38
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_383180997_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Michigan Center for Rural Health funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/michigan-center-for-rural-health-morg_2a28c84e86f14c2393bcf60be587ab38},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Michigan Center for Rural Health'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.
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