Michigan Educator Workforce, also known as the Michigan Educator Workforce Initiative (MEWI), is a public charity based in Ypsilanti, Michigan. It builds, funds, and convenes programs addressing educator workforce challenges, with a stated focus on strengthening Michigan’s educator pipeline and supporting the development of educators and school and system leaders.
Key facts about Michigan Educator Workforce Initiative
In short: Michigan Educator Workforce Initiative gave $3.7M across 13 grants in 2025 (avg $286K), top state Minnesota. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 88-2716490
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $3,713,531
- Grants made (2025)
- 13
- Average grant
- $285,656
- Median grant
- $105,000
- Total assets
- $1,392,231
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (35% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$1.4M
-82.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.7M
+34.7% YoY
Grant Count
13
+160.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$286K
-48.2% YoY
How Michigan Educator Workforce Initiative gives
- 23% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
MEWI’s website says its mission is to build, fund, and convene programs that apply innovative solutions to complex educator workforce challenges. In its 2024 filing, MEWI described its mission as eliminating Michigan’s educator shortage by creating teacher programs, supporting veteran teachers’ development, and investing in growth opportunities for school and system leaders.
Its work includes Talent Together, which helps Michigan residents pursue teacher certification while earning income; MiEarly Apprentice, which supports early childhood educator pipelines; and the Educator Preparation Program (EPP) Collaborative, which aims to strengthen teacher preparation. The website also describes partnerships supporting team teaching, future teachers, and the Black teacher pipeline.
The 2025 grants show support for a mix of organizations, including universities, foundations, nonprofits, and public school districts. One recipient, Community Education Commission, describes its own mission as working with Detroit stakeholders on resources and system-level solutions to education-access challenges faced by Detroit families. Arizona State University’s stated mission is to advance the university by enriching the lives of its alumni, students, and friends and fostering lifelong connections.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, MEWI reported 13 grants totaling $3,713,531. Grant amounts ranged from $25,640 to $1,309,356, with a median grant of $105,000.
Among the largest reported grants were $1,309,356 to EdPrep Partners for program support; $763,350 to Arizona State University for program support; $500,000 to Golden Apple Foundation for program support; $400,000 to The Surge Institute for program support; and $160,985 to the Center for Black Educator for program support. Michigan recipients included Farmington Public School District and Portage Public Schools, each receiving $105,000 for program support.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
MEWI describes its work as statewide and says its supported programs reach every region of Michigan, including urban, rural, and suburban communities. Its 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in multiple states. The reported shares included Minnesota (35%), Illinois (24%), Arizona (21%), Michigan (9%), and Pennsylvania (4%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 13 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2024 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $2.8M (2024) to $3.7M (2025). In 2025 it made 13 grants totaling $3.7M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Edprep Partners ($1.3M). Together the top 10 received $3.6M.
Grant Size Distribution
18 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 5 grants of 18 (28%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Edprep Partners Minneapolis, MN | Program Support | $1,309,356 |
| Arizona State University Foundation for a New American Histo Tempe, AZ | Program Support | $763,350 |
| Golden Apple Foundation for Excellence in Teaching Chicago, IL | Program Support | $500,000 |
| The Surge Institute Chicago, IL | Program Support | $400,000 |
| Center for Black Educator Development Elkins Park, PA | Program Support | $160,985 |
| Two Revolutions LLC Burlington, VT | Program Support | $150,063 |
| Farmington Public School District Farmington, MI | Program Support | $105,000 |
| Portage Public Schools Portage, MI | Program Support | $105,000 |
| Big Picture Learning Providence, RI | Program Support | $90,885 |
| Alcona Community Schools Lincoln, MI | Program Support | $35,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,392,231 | $2,679,560 | $6,709,410 | $3,713,531 (13 grants) |
| 2024 | $7,762,613 | $10,159,747 | $4,552,668 | $2,757,099 (5 grants) |
| 2023 | $237,120 | $531,818 | $388,243 | 0 grants |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,392,231 | $7,762,613 | $237,120 |
| Revenue | $2,679,560 | $10,159,747 | $531,818 |
| Expenses | $6,709,410 | $4,552,668 | $388,243 |
| Net Investment Income | $44,690 | $22,218 | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 15, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 4, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2023–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Jack Elsey as board vice chair; Barbara Thompson as finance director; Adrian Monge as director of programs; Rebecca Tisdale as vice president of programs; Kati Meader as director of finance and operations; Benjaman Jackson as board chair; Jason Cooper as board treasurer; Nick Paradiso as board secretary; and Lou Glazer and Kristen Howard as board members.
Michigan Educator Workforce Initiative is led by Benjaman Jackson, Board Chair on every filing since 2023; 5 of 11 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Benjaman Jackson
Board Chair
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Adrian Monge
Director of Program
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$147K (2025)
Barbara Thompson
Finance Director
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$147K (2025)
Kati Meader
Director of Finance & O
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$101K (2025)
Jack Elsey
Board Vice C
On filings since 2023
50 hrs/week
$61K (2024) → $266K (2025)
Rebecca Tisdale
Vice President of Program
New on the 2025 filing
50 hrs/week
$235K (2025)
Jason Cooper
Board Treasurer
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lou Glazer
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nick Paradiso
Board Secretary
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dana Williams
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kristen Howard
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2023–2025. "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 $266K, to Jack Elsey (Board Vice C). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 13 N Washington St Suite 197, Ypsilanti, MI 48197
Phone: (586) 489-4150
Website: https://miedworkforce.org
Frequently asked questions about Michigan Educator Workforce Initiative
How much does Michigan Educator Workforce Initiative give each year?
Michigan Educator Workforce Initiative gave $3.7M across 13 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $2.8M across 5 grants.
What is Michigan Educator Workforce Initiative's typical grant size?
Michigan Educator Workforce Initiative's median grant in 2025 was $105,000, and its average grant was $285,656, across 13 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Michigan Educator Workforce Initiative give grants?
Michigan Educator Workforce Initiative's top state is Minnesota, with 35% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Illinois (24%) and Arizona (21%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (2 grants) and Detroit, MI (2 grants).
Does Michigan Educator Workforce Initiative give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 13 grants with a stated purpose on Michigan Educator Workforce Initiative's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program Support" (13 grants).
Who are Michigan Educator Workforce Initiative's largest grantees?
Michigan Educator Workforce Initiative's largest 2025 grantees include Edprep Partners ($1,309,356), Arizona State University Foundation for a New American Histo ($763,350) and Golden Apple Foundation for Excellence in Teaching ($500,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 69% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Michigan Educator Workforce Initiative?
Michigan Educator Workforce Initiative reported $1.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.7M.
What does Michigan Educator Workforce Initiative fund?
MEWI’s website says its mission is to build, fund, and convene programs that apply innovative solutions to complex educator workforce challenges. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Michigan Educator Workforce Initiative?
Michigan Educator Workforce Initiative has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check miedworkforce.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Michigan Educator Workforce Initiative's EIN?
Michigan Educator Workforce Initiative's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 88-2716490. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2023–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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