Michigan Energy First
Michigan Energy First is a public charity based in Okemos, Michigan. Its 2024 filing describes activities that include contributions to other nonprofits, political and advocacy work, public-policy research, surveys, and a website conveying findings to the public.
Michigan Energy First at a glance
In short: Michigan Energy First gave $2.8M across 15 grants in 2024 (avg $187K), mostly in Michigan. 47% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,807,500
- +653.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 15
- +87.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $187,167
- +302.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $4,317,306
- -43.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 47% first-time grantees (7 of 15, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Michigan (99% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Michigan Energy First
- Contact
Mailing address: 2145 Commons Parkway, Okemos, MI 48864
Phone: (517) 977-0147
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Michigan Energy First funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Building a Better Economy ($750K). Together the top 10 received $2.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
66 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 18 grants of 66 (27%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 filing reports that 99% of grant dollars went to Michigan recipients; it lists 0% for recipients in Washington, DC, and Massachusetts. The reported grants include recipients in Lansing, Detroit, Saline, and Southfield, Michigan, as well as a $10,000 grant to VoteVets Action Fund in Washington, DC.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 15 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Michigan Energy First open to new grantees?
47%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 7 of 15 grantees (47%) were first-time recipients. With only 15 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $163K; repeat grants $208K. How we count
Medians: $35K first-time, $75K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $373K (2023) to $5.7M (2020). In 2024 it made 15 grants totaling $2.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Building a Better Economy Lansing, MI | To further tax exempt purpose | $750,000 |
| Road to Michigan's Future Lansing, MI | To further tax exempt purpose | $550,000 |
| 21st Century Fund Lansing, MI | To further tax exempt purpose | $500,000 |
| Michigan Empowerment Fund Lansing, MI | To further tax exempt purpose | $300,000 |
| Great Lakes Works Lansing, MI | To further tax exempt purpose | $250,000 |
| Michigan Values Lansing, MI | To further tax exempt purpose | $150,000 |
| Protecting Detroit's Future Detroit, MI | To further tax exempt purpose | $100,000 |
| Put Progress First Detroit, MI | To further tax exempt purpose | $50,000 |
| Michigan Chamber of Commerce Lansing, MI | To further tax exempt purpose | $50,000 |
| Michigan Families Matter Saline, MI | To further tax exempt purpose | $35,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Michigan Energy First?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $4,317,306 | $234,176 | $3,517,118 | $2,807,500 | 15 | $234,176 |
| 2023 | $7,600,248 | $368,575 | $1,528,569 | $372,500 | 8 | $368,575 |
| 2022 | $8,760,242 | $46,280 | $4,852,614 | $2,390,000 | 13 | $46,280 |
| 2021 | $13,547,180 | $5,009,192 | $3,638,943 | $1,580,000 | 7 | $9,192 |
| 2020 | $12,177,216 | $130,986 | $7,542,366 | $5,700,000 | 23 | $130,986 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s filing describes its mission as encouraging citizen participation and grassroots support for public policies related to federal, state, or local legislation and ballot questions. It says its program activities include contributions to nonprofits with similar objectives and missions, political and advocacy activities, research, and public-policy surveys.
The organization’s website says Michigan’s 2016 energy law provides a framework for building energy capacity in the state, expanding renewable energy, and ensuring fairness in energy production, pricing, and delivery. Its website also addresses energy assistance resources and local voluntary green pricing programs.
Grantmaking
In 2024, Michigan Energy First reported 15 grants totaling $2,807,500. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $750,000, with a median of $50,000. Its largest reported grants were $750,000 to Building a Better Economy, $550,000 to Road to Michigan’s Future, $500,000 to 21st Century Fund, $300,000 to Michigan Empowerment Fund, and $250,000 to Great Lakes Works. The stated purpose for these grants was “to further tax exempt purpose.”
Other reported grants included $150,000 to Michigan Values, $100,000 to Protecting Detroit’s Future, $50,000 each to Put Progress First and the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, and $35,000 to Michigan Families Matter.
The grantees’ own mission statements describe a range of work. Building a Better Economy says it promotes civic action and social welfare and supports public policies intended to benefit Michigan residents. Road to Michigan’s Future says it conducts educational research and analysis on public policies affecting Michigan residents. The Michigan Chamber of Commerce says it promotes conditions favorable to job creation and business success in Michigan. The Heat and Warmth Fund, which received $12,500, says it works to help Michigan families access affordable utilities and energy-efficient homes.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Eric Doster as Director/Secretary; Andrew Coulouris as Director/President; Frank Fountain, Michael Nofs, and Ken Sikkema as directors; and Theresa Uzenski as Treasurer.
Michigan Energy First is led by Andrew Coulouris, Director & President since 2023 (on filings since 2022); none of the 6 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Andrew Coulouris
Director & President
Director → Director & President, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Eric Doster
Director & Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$75K (2020) → $0 (2024)
Ken Sikkema
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Nofs
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Frank Fountain
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Theresa Uzenski
Treasurer
Director & Treasurer → Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Renze Hoeksema (2020–2022) — Director & President
- Former: Frederick Shell (2020–2021) — Director & Vice President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2020 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2020 filing was $75K, to Eric Doster (Director / Secretary).
Frequently asked questions about Michigan Energy First
How much does Michigan Energy First give each year?
Michigan Energy First gave $2.8M across 15 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $373K across 8 grants.
What is Michigan Energy First's typical grant size?
Michigan Energy First's median grant in 2024 was $50,000, and its average grant was $187,167, across 15 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Michigan Energy First that year got $163K on average.
Where does Michigan Energy First give grants?
Michigan Energy First gives mostly in Michigan: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Lansing, MI (8 grants) and Detroit, MI (3 grants).
Who are Michigan Energy First's largest grantees?
Michigan Energy First's largest 2024 grantees include Building a Better Economy ($750,000), Road to Michigan's Future ($550,000) and 21st Century Fund ($500,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 64% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Michigan Energy First?
Michigan Energy First reported $4.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $234K.
What does Michigan Energy First fund?
The organization’s filing describes its mission as encouraging citizen participation and grassroots support for public policies related to federal, state, or local legislation and ballot questions. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Michigan Energy First?
Michigan Energy First has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Michigan Energy First's EIN?
Michigan Energy First's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-2568177. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 1, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 1, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 11, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Michigan Energy First funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/michigan-energy-first-morg_f94da94b266047adb90a3dac9e49e37b
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_472568177_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Michigan Energy First funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/michigan-energy-first-morg_f94da94b266047adb90a3dac9e49e37b},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. 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 Energy First'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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