Michigan State University Research Foundation
Michigan State University Research Foundation is a public charity based in East Lansing, Michigan. Formed in 1973, it supports the Michigan State University ecosystem through research funding, entrepreneurship programs and spaces for collaboration.
Michigan State University Research Foundation at a glance
In short: Michigan State University Research Foundation gave $12.7M across 23 grants in 2025 (avg $552K), mostly in Michigan. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $12,692,673
- +5.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 23
- -25.8% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $551,855
- +41.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $18,420
- Total assets
- $656,424,728
- +0.2% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Michigan (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Michigan State University Research Foundation
- Contact
Mailing address: 325 E Grand River Ave Ste 275, East Lansing, MI 48823
Phone: (517) 353-9268
Website: https://msufoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
10 open opportunities from Michigan State University Research Foundation
Conquer Accelerator
Michigan State University Research Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Distinguished Professors
Michigan State University Research Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Michigan Innovation Fund
Michigan State University Research Foundation
Amount
$60,000,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Michigan State University Research Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Michigan State University Board of Trustees ($12.2M). Together the top 10 received $12.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
72 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 63 grants of 72 (88%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s stated mission centers on the Michigan State University ecosystem. Its website describes venture funding for technology startups built around Michigan innovation and identifies Michigan as the geographic scope of the Michigan Innovation Fund, Conquer Accelerator and Strategic Partnership Grants. In its 2025 filing, all reported grant dollars were attributed to recipients in Michigan.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 23 itemized grants.
Cities
How Michigan State University Research Foundation gives
- 61% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−14%). 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.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $12.1M (2024) to $18.2M (2023). In 2025 it made 23 grants totaling $12.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan State University Board of Trustees East Lansing, MI | Support University | $12,162,542 |
| The Ohio State University Columbus, OH | NSF Engines Subrecipient | $53,368 |
| Reel Free LLC Lowell, MI | Startup Support | $49,620 |
| Vetr Health LLC Grand Rapids, MI | Startup Support | $44,239 |
| Carbon Stealth Design LLC Ada, MI | Startup Support | $42,000 |
| Ride Yourway Dutton, MI | Startup Support | $40,278 |
| Healthbar Grand Rapids, MI | Startup Support | $34,786 |
| Movefactorx Grand Rapids, MI | Startup Support | $31,856 |
| Sharp & Flat Inc Holland, MI | Startup Support | $25,000 |
| Wimage Grand Rapids, MI | Startup Support | $22,500 |
Ready to take the next step with Michigan State University Research Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Amounts are reported by filing year.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $656,424,728 | $44,725,234 | $24,891,311 | $12,692,673 | 23 | $33,073,886 |
| 2024 | $655,014,665 | $31,661,100 | $25,784,029 | $12,077,470 | 31 | $16,994,748 |
| 2023 | $600,365,725 | $35,711,061 | $29,167,774 | $18,158,243 | 16 | $23,246,663 |
| 2022 | $547,375,250 | $51,499,585 | $23,721,227 | $14,823,054 | 1 | $43,975,781 |
| 2021 | $535,425,307 | $55,850,938 | $19,515,895 | $12,203,569 | 1 | $49,675,807 |
| 2020 | $407,199,391 | $16,720,899 | $24,199,809 | $14,256,763 | 1 | $14,389,536 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation states that its mission is to support the Michigan State University ecosystem with resources that increase the impact of research and innovation. Its strategic pillars are Discovery, Innovation and Connection: funding research, providing entrepreneurs with programming and investments, and creating environments for collaboration among researchers, entrepreneurs and businesses. The foundation also describes endowment management, team culture and communication as enabling pillars.
Its 2024 filing describes grants supporting research and MSU’s scholarly infrastructure, technology commercialization, startup formation and facilities for technology enterprises and university-industry collaboration. The filing says grants to qualifying startup companies may subsidize rent or provide resources for commercialization efforts. The foundation’s website describes its venture funds as providing early-stage capital to technology startups, and its Strategic Partnership Grants program as funding interdisciplinary research projects.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 23 grants totaling $12,692,673. The median grant was $18,420; grants ranged from $8,695 to $12,162,542. Its largest reported grant was $12,162,542 to Michigan State University Board of Trustees for “SUPPORT UNIVERSITY.” Other notable grants included $53,368 to The Ohio State University for “NSF ENGINES SUBRECIPIENT,” and startup-support grants of $49,620 to Reel Free LLC, $44,239 to Vetr Health LLC and $42,000 to Carbon Stealth Design LLC.
The Strategic Partnership Grants program has two categories: Research and Scholarly Development, and Center Development. Awards are typically substantial and span two to three years; applicants’ colleges or departments must provide a financial match. The program is funded by the foundation and administered by the MSU Office of Research and Innovation in collaboration with the Council of Research Deans. The foundation’s website directs applicants to the MSU Office of Research and Innovation for current guidelines and application details.
The foundation is identified as a key partner in the Michigan Innovation Fund, a $60 million state program created to support nonprofit early-stage venture funds and Michigan’s startup ecosystem. The website also lists the Conquer Accelerator, a cohort-based accelerator offering funding, mentorship and industry-specific support to technology companies.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists David Washburn as CEO, Phil Zecher as president and Randolph Cowen as chairman. It lists Bruce Leech as treasurer and Linda Hubbard as secretary as of December 2024. Directors listed include Howard Akumiah, Jon Braeutigam and Kermitt Brooks. Scott Eston is listed as vice chairman through December 2024, and John Phillips as vice chairman as of December 2024.
Michigan State University Research Foundation is led by David Washburn, CEO since 2025 (on filings since 2020); 8 of 34 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
David Washburn
CEO
Executive Director → CEO & Executive Director, 2024
CEO & Executive Director → CEO, 2025
On filings since 2020
37 hrs/week
$403K (2020) → $463K (2025)
Jeffrey Wesley
Executive Director & Ventures
Executive Director → Executive Director Rcv, 2022
Executive Director Rcv → Executive Director & Ventures, 2023
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$266K (2020) → $352K (2025)
Phil Zecher
President
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Randolph Cowen
Chairman
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Frank Urban
Director of Venture Creation
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$117K (2020) → $166K (2025)
Rebekah Skrzyniarz
Director of Finance
On filings since 2020
38 hrs/week
$126K (2020) → $197K (2025)
Bradley Fingland
Director of Venture Creation
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$141K (2021) → $161K (2025)
Thomas Stewart
Director & Venture Programming
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$139K (2025)
Tommy Skinner
Director Venture Investments
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$150K (2025)
Douglas Gage
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Janice Stipp
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey Degraaf
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joel Wittenberg
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jon Braeutigam
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Patricia Hemingway Hall
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
William Seifert
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kermitt Brooks
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stan Sokolowski
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Thomas Jeitschko
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brianna Scott
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ethel Cormier
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Howard Akumiah
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kathryn Stewart
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kelly Tebay
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kevin Guskiewicz
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Thomas Glasmacher
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Frace
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Renee Knake Jefferson
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rick Lasch
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Matt Okoneski
Venture Asociate
Venture Associate → Venture Asociate, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$116K (2023) → $151K (2025)
Bruce Leech
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Phillips
Vice Chairman
Secretary → Vice Chairman, 2025
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Linda Hubbard
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Scott Eston
Vice Chairman
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (22)
- Former: Melissa Woo (2020–2024) — President
- Former: Prem Bodagala (2021–2024) — Director of Red Cedar Vent.
- Former: Teresa Woodruff (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Kyle McGregor (2023–2024) — Director of Health Innov.
- Former: Norm Beauchamp (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: Melanie Foster (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Samuel L. Stanley Jr. MD (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Pat O'Keefe (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Dianne Byrum (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Steve Hsu (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Teresa Sullivan (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Traci Cannon (2020–2021) — Fmr Special Projects
- Former: Alexander McAree (2020) — Director
- Former: John McLane (2020) — Director
- Former: June Youatt (2020) — Director
- Former: Nancy Schlichting (2020) — Director
- Former: Paul Jaques (2020) — Si-Director & Stu. Eng.
- Former: Sarah Kunst (2020) — Director
- Former: Satish Udpa (2020) — Director
- Former: Stan Sokowski (2020) — Director
- Former: Sue Unger (2020) — Director
- Former: Wolfgang Bauer (2020) — President
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 $463K, to David Washburn (CEO). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Michigan State University Research Foundation
How much does Michigan State University Research Foundation give each year?
Michigan State University Research Foundation gave $12.7M across 23 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $12.1M across 31 grants.
What is Michigan State University Research Foundation's typical grant size?
Michigan State University Research Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $18,420, and its average grant was $551,855, across 23 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Michigan State University Research Foundation give grants?
Michigan State University Research Foundation 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 Grand Rapids, MI (12 grants).
Does Michigan State University Research Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 23 grants with a stated purpose on Michigan State University Research Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Startup Support" (21 grants).
Who are Michigan State University Research Foundation's largest grantees?
Michigan State University Research Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Michigan State University Board of Trustees ($12,162,542), The Ohio State University ($53,368) and Reel Free LLC ($49,620), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 97% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Michigan State University Research Foundation?
Michigan State University Research Foundation reported $656.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $44.7M.
What does Michigan State University Research Foundation fund?
The foundation states that its mission is to support the Michigan State University ecosystem with resources that increase the impact of research and innovation. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Michigan State University Research Foundation?
Michigan State University Research Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check msufoundation.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Michigan State University Research Foundation's EIN?
Michigan State University Research Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7326030. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 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 May 17, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 13, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 12, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 14, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 12, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Michigan State University Research Foundation funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Michigan State University Research Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?