Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization headquartered in Lansing, Michigan. Founded in 2010, MCAN works to increase college readiness, participation, and completion rates across Michigan, with a particular focus on serving low-income students, first-generation college-going students, and students of color. The organization operates with a belief that college—defined as any postsecondary education including certificates and academic degrees—is essential for economic success and is accessible to everyone.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$11.6M
+36.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.6M
+122.1% YoY
Grant Count
77
+285.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$21K
-42.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: Increase college readiness, participation, and completion in Michigan, particularly among low-income students, first-generation college-going students, and students of color.
Goal: Increase the percentage of Michigan residents with postsecondary certificates or degrees to 60 percent by 2030 (known as the "Sixty by 30" goal).
Core Beliefs:
- College is postsecondary education (certificates and degrees beyond high school)
- College is a necessity for success in a knowledge-based economy
- College is for everyone
- College is a public good
Primary Program Areas:
AdviseMI: Places AmeriCorps College Advisors into high school buildings to support students with college applications, FAFSA completion, and scholarship applications.
College Completion Corps: Places AmeriCorps completion coaches into tribal and community colleges to support student retention, persistence, and completion of certificates or degrees.
Detroit College Access Network (DCAN): A collaborative network between local schools, organizations, and community partners working to promote higher education and make college degrees or credentials a reality for Detroit students.
Local College Access Networks (LCANs): Community-based college access alliances supported by teams of community and education leaders representing K-12, higher education, nonprofits, government, business, and philanthropy. LCANs coordinate and expand programs, services, and resources that lower barriers to postsecondary education.
College Access and Success Programs: Various activities working toward Michigan's Sixty by 30 goal.
Grantmaking
MCAN administers grant programs to support college access initiatives:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
MCAN operates statewide across Michigan, with particular emphasis on:
- Detroit through the Detroit College Access Network (DCAN)
- Communities served by Local College Access Networks throughout the state
- Tribal and community colleges
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
2024 Financial Data:
- Total Revenue: $14,657,793
- Total Expenses: $12,718,565
- Total Assets: $11,575,367
- Total Liabilities: $2,880,000
Staffing: 162 employees (as of 2024)
Tax Status: Tax-exempt since October 2008; designated as 501(c)(3)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $11,575,367 | $8,454,483 | $6,420,267 |
| Revenue | $14,657,793 | $10,860,106 | $9,806,026 |
| Expenses | $12,718,565 | $9,982,888 | $8,429,669 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $107,037 | $43,849 | — |
| 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
199 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
9 open opportunities from Michigan College Access Network
Educated Workforce Pathway Planning Grant
MICHIGAN COLLEGE ACCESS NETWORK
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Innovative Program Grants
MICHIGAN COLLEGE ACCESS NETWORK
Amount
Up to $10,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
LCAN Grants
MICHIGAN COLLEGE ACCESS NETWORK
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Ryan Fewins-Bliss: Executive Director (appointed to Central Michigan University Board of Trustees in March 2026)
- Dominique Devereaux: Director of Community Mobilization Strategy
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SHARON MORTENSEN | CHAIRPERSON | 1 | — |
| DAVE CAMPBELL | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| TAREK SOBH | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| GREG HANDEL | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| MADALENE DAY | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| MELISSA ISAAC | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| PATRICK O'CONNOR | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| JOHN KACZYNSKI | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| SCOTT WARD | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| AMY SMITTER | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| NIKO KANAGAWA LEFT DEC 2023 | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| ELIZABETH GUERRERO LYONS | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| SARA MCCAULEY LEFT NOV 2023 | CHAIRPERSON | 2 | — |
| DOUG LEISENRING | SECRETARY | 0.5 | — |
| CATHERINE MCNAMARA | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| DAVID GAMLIN | VICE CHAIRPERSON | 1 | — |
| JAMIE DOAN | DEPUTY DIRECTOR | 40 | $124,694 |
| RYAN FEWINS-BLISS | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $175,704 |
| CYEKEIA LEE | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $114,239 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**March 2026:** Executive Director Ryan Fewins-Bliss appointed to Central Michigan University Board of Trustees.
**March 2026:** MCAN announced a $1 million investment to help Michigan students overcome barriers to college success.
MiLEAP Partners with Michigan College Access Network to ...**March 2026:** MCAN presented Pathway Awards to Career and Technical Education Leaders.
**2024:** MCAN partnered with MiLEAP to announce grant recipients.
**Ongoing Professional Development:** MCAN hosts webinars and professional development events, including sessions on Career and Technical Education pathways and College Fair 101.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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