Miller Foundation
Miller Foundation is a private foundation based in Battle Creek, Michigan. It supports eligible projects serving the Battle Creek area, and its website describes a longstanding commitment to the community and to improving local quality of life.
Miller Foundation at a glance
In short: Miller Foundation gave $588K across 84 grants in 2024 (avg $7K), mostly in Michigan. 15% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $587,590
- +7.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 84
- +12.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $6,995
- -4.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $950
- Total assets
- $20,846,057
- -1.3% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 15% first-time grantees (8 of 54, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Michigan (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Miller Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests through an initial online request or letter of intent, followed by an online grant application if invited to proceed.
- Review Cycle
- The website lists February 5, June 5, and October 5 deadlines. The 2024 filing lists February 5, June 5, and September 5.
- Deadline
- The website lists February 5, June 5, and October 5 deadlines.
- Contact
Application contact: Miller Foundation
Mailing address: 310 Wahwahtaysee Way, Battle Creek, MI 49015
Phone: (269) 964-3542
Website: https://themillerfoundation.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Miller Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Charitable Union ($71K across 5 grants). Together the top 10 received $388K.
Grant Size Distribution
401 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 380 grants of 401 (95%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation welcomes proposals for organizations serving Battle Creek, Michigan. Its 2024 filing says grants are awarded to eligible Battle Creek-area projects only; all 2024 grant dollars were reported for recipients in Michigan.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 84 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Miller Foundation open to new grantees?
15%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 8 of 54 grantees (15%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $12K; repeat grants $11K. How we count
Medians: $458 first-time, $2K repeat.
- 65% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 25% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 99% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF 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 $547K (2023) to $787K (2021). In 2024 it made 84 grants totaling $588K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Legal Services of South Central Michigan Battle Creek, MI | Board Grants | $70,000 |
| Charitable Union Battle Creek, MI | Board Grants | $65,000 |
| BC Habitat for Humanity Battle Creek, MI | Board Grants | $50,000 |
| Safe Place Battle Creek, MI | Board Grants | $35,000 |
| Music Center of SC MI Battle Creek, MI | Student Scholarships | $26,352 |
| Neighborhoods Inc Battle Creek, MI | Board Grants | $25,000 |
| Sprout Urban Farms Inc Battle Creek, MI | Board Grants | $25,000 |
| The Barn Theatre School for Advanced TT Augusta, MI | Board Grants | $25,000 |
| What a Do Theatre Battle Creek, MI | Board Grants | $25,000 |
| Nonprofit Network Jackson, MI | NP Organization Support | $22,592 |
Ready to take the next step with Miller Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $20,846,057 | $951,712 | $1,200,086 | $587,590 | 84 | $1,021,610 | $827,140 | $1,034,913 |
| 2023 | $21,121,849 | $1,298,128 | $1,173,992 | $546,820 | 75 | $1,033,652 | $1,184,341 | $955,502 |
| 2022 | $20,905,596 | $1,283,301 | $1,312,962 | $709,210 | 82 | $1,158,020 | $1,150,863 | $990,763 |
| 2021 | $20,941,960 | $1,283,802 | $1,344,375 | $787,223 | 70 | $1,198,505 | $1,168,988 | $1,157,475 |
| 2020 | $20,970,000 | $2,077,015 | $1,245,606 | $683,726 | 90 | — | $1,969,494 | $979,210 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Miller Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.0M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s founder described using its resources to help make the community “a finer, better, happier one.” The foundation’s grant materials welcome proposals from nonprofits serving Battle Creek; its 2024 filing states that awards are for eligible Battle Creek-area projects.
Its 2024 grants included support for organizations with varied missions. Charitable Union says it serves children and families in need in Calhoun County. Safe Place describes its work as survivor-led services for victims of intimate partner violence and sex trafficking. What A Do Theatre describes its mission as presenting thought-provoking and life-affirming live theatre. Sprout Urban Farms says it works to improve food access through a Battle Creek community food network. Nonprofit Network says it supports nonprofits in building governance, management, and organizational strength. Other 2024 recipients included organizations whose stated missions involve mentoring youth, healthcare philanthropy, and neighborhood revitalization.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 84 grants totaling $587,590. Awards ranged from $100 to $70,000, with a median grant of $950. Among the largest were $70,000 to Legal Services of South Central Michigan, $65,000 to Charitable Union, $50,000 to BC Habitat for Humanity, and $35,000 to Safe Place. The foundation also awarded $26,352 to Music Center of SC MI for student scholarships.
The foundation accepts proposals from eligible organizations. The process begins with an online letter of intent describing the project or program, the amount requested, and amounts being sought from other foundations. Letters of intent may be submitted up to two weeks before the selected review deadline. If a request is within the foundation’s mission, the organization is notified whether it may proceed to the online grant application. Grants are generally not more than 10% of a project or program’s cost. The website says grantees must have 60% of their board participate in at least two hours of board training within six months before or after grant approval; the foundation offers quarterly training sessions free of charge. The 2024 filing specifies that non-governmental and non-religious grantees must have an IRS determination letter confirming 501(c)(3) status and that they are not private foundations.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Sara Wallace as president and CEO; John Gallagher as chairman; Greg Dotson as vice chairman; Deborah Dingwall as secretary; Jim Lance as treasurer; and Paul Ohm, Ken Tsuchiyama, and Kate Segal as trustees.
Miller Foundation is led by Sara Wallace, President & CEO since 2023 (on filings since 2022); all 8 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Sara Wallace
President & CEO
Executive Director → President & CEO, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
$150K (2022) → $172K (2024)
John Gallagher
Chairman
Secretary → Chairman, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$5K (2020) → $13K (2024)
Ken Tsuchiyama
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$5K (2020) → $4K (2024)
Paul Ohm
Trustee
Chairman → Trustee, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$13K (2020) → $5K (2024)
Kate Segal
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
$5K (2023) → $5K (2024)
Deborah Dingwall
Secretary
Trustee → Chairman, 2021
Chairman → Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$5K (2020) → $5K (2024)
Greg Dotson
Vice Chairman
Trustee → Treasurer, 2021
Treasurer → Vice Chairman, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$5K (2020) → $5K (2024)
Jim Lance
Treasurer
Trustee → Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$2K (2021) → $5K (2024)
Former officers (3)
- Former: Allen L. Miller (2020–2022) — Vice Chairman
- Former: Barbara L. Comai (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Arthur Angood (2021) — Trustee Emeritus
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 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $172K, to Sara Wallace (President & CEO). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Miller Foundation
How much does Miller Foundation give each year?
Miller Foundation gave $588K across 84 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $547K across 75 grants.
What is Miller Foundation's typical grant size?
Miller Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $950, and its average grant was $6,995, across 84 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Miller Foundation that year got $12K on average.
Where does Miller Foundation give grants?
Miller Foundation gives mostly in Michigan: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Battle Creek, MI (70 grants), Kalamazoo, MI (6 grants) and Augusta, MI (2 grants).
Does Miller Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 84 grants with a stated purpose on Miller Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Board Grants" (19 grants), "Student Scholarships" (17 grants) and "Matching Grant" (14 grants).
Who are Miller Foundation's largest grantees?
Miller Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Charitable Union ($70,800 across 5 grants), Legal Services of South Central Michigan ($70,000) and BC Habitat for Humanity ($50,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 32% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Miller Foundation?
Miller Foundation reported $20.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.0M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.0M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Miller Foundation fund?
The foundation’s founder described using its resources to help make the community “a finer, better, happier one.” The foundation’s grant materials welcome proposals from nonprofits serving Battle Creek; its 2024 filing states that awards are for eligible Battle Creek-area projects. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Miller Foundation?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests through an initial online request or letter of intent, followed by an online grant application if invited to proceed. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Miller Foundation's EIN?
Miller Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-6064925. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Miller Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 6, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Miller Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Miller Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/miller-foundation-morg_a085448c76a746c1b5dadcd83173f57e
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_386064925_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Miller Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/miller-foundation-morg_a085448c76a746c1b5dadcd83173f57e},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. 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 Miller Foundation'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.
Miller Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?