Re Olds Foundation
The R.E. Olds Foundation is a private family foundation based in East Lansing, Michigan, dedicated to honoring the philanthropic legacy of Ransom Eli Olds, the automotive pioneer who founded Olds Motor Works and the REO Motorcar Company. Originally established in 1914 as the Ransom Fidelity Company to support R.E. Olds' growing philanthropic efforts, the foundation was renamed in 2004 by the fourth generation of family members to formally honor its founder. The foundation is recognized as the oldest family/private foundation in Michigan.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$4.5M
+3.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$275K
+7.2% YoY
Grant Count
53
+3.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$5K
+3.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Re Olds Foundation reported a distributable amount of $217K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The R.E. Olds Foundation honors the inventive spirit of R.E. Olds by supporting work that fuels the community's dreams. The foundation's philanthropy concentrates on:
- Community-based education programs
- Youth and family initiatives
- Animal welfare
- Environmental issues
The foundation explicitly does not support religious organizations, building or endowment funding, college scholarships, individual aid, stipends, or salaries and benefits.
Grantmaking
The foundation makes grants to nonprofits serving the greater Lansing area. Recent grantmaking activity shows:
Grant Range
$2,000–$4,000
Review Cycle
. Interested organizations can apply through the foundation's website.
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's primary geographic focus is Michigan's greater Lansing region, specifically Ingham, Eaton, and Clinton counties. While the foundation concentrates its grantmaking in Michigan, it also funds projects in Idaho, Massachusetts, and Virginia. The foundation has supported organizations in Ann Arbor, Detroit, Traverse City, and other Michigan cities.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue
- Total assets: $4.3–$4.5 million
- Annual revenue: $273,833–$473,000
- Total expenses: $287,674 (2023)
Historical Giving Trends
- 2024: $237,000 in grants across 53 awards
- 2023: $277,000 in grants across 37 awards
- 2022: $553,000 in grants across 74 awards (highest grantmaking year on record)
- Historical range: $237,000–$553,000 distributed annually
The foundation has made 251 grants totaling $1.6 million over its recent history, with an average grant award of $6,000.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $4,498,514 | $4,339,789 | $4,160,129 |
| Revenue | $314,946 | $273,833 | $286,561 |
| Expenses | $332,649 | $287,674 | $317,077 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $307,062 | $236,875 | $276,565 |
| Net Investment Income | $292,980 | $226,464 | $249,659 |
| Distributable Amount | $216,516 | $206,575 | $216,999 |
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
218 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Re Olds Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Impression 5 Science Museum ($25,000), Charlotte School Band Boosters ($15,000), Highfields ($15,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALLEN NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER LANSING, MI | PROJECT - NEIGHBORS IN NEED | $10,000 |
| ALL-OF-US EXPRESS CHILDREN'S THEATRE EAST LANSING, MI | EARMARKED FOR PLAY SCRIPTS FOR 6 SHOWS | $3,000 |
| BROTHERHOOD AGAINST DRUGS LANSING, MI | PROJECT - MAGIC OF LITERACY PROGRAM (MOL) | $5,000 |
| CAMP HAYO-WENT-HA CENTRAL LAKE, MI | GENERAL PURPOSE | $3,500 |
| CANTER MICHIGAN COMMERCE TOWNSHIP, MI | PROJECT - ADVANCE EDUCATION TO MSU VETERINARY STUDENTS | $5,000 |
| CAPITAL AREA HUMANE SOCIETY LANSING, MI | GENERAL PURPOSE | $500 |
| CHERRYLAND HUMANE SOCIETY TRAVERSE CITY, MI | GENERAL PURPOSE | $1,000 |
| CANINES FOR CHANGE GRAND LEDGE, MI | CANINES FOR CHANGE TRAINING AND ENRICHMENT CTR. | $5,000 |
| COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS-LANSING LANSING, MI | BASIC NEEDS IN GREATER LANSING/ GENERAL PURPOSE | $12,000 |
| CHARLOTTE SCHOOL BAND BOOSTERS CHARLOTTE, MI | PROJECT - MUSIC IN MOTION | $15,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is governed by five board members and officers:
- Diana Tarpoff – Co-Chair, Community Outreach and Engagement
- Deborah Stephens – Co-Chair and Treasurer
- Emily Polo Reo Tate – Director
- Greggory Olds Stephens – Director
- Patti Schafer – Recording Secretary and Accountant
The foundation operates with limited paid staffing. Board members serve on a volunteer basis, with Patti Schafer receiving annual compensation of $3,600.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| EMILY POLO REO TATE | DIRECTOR | 4 | — |
| GREGGORY STEPHENS | DIRECTOR | 4 | — |
| PATTI SCHAFER | SECRETARY | 4 | $3,621 |
| DIANA TARPOFF | CO-CHAIR | 6 | — |
| DEBORAH STEPHENS | CO-CHAIR | 4 | — |
Contact Information
- Email: reoldsfoundation@gmail.com
- Phone: (517) 332-0234
- Mailing Address: PO Box 4900, East Lansing, MI 48826-4900
- Website: www.reoldsfoundation.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Re Olds Foundation fund?
The R.E. Olds Foundation honors the inventive spirit of R.E. Olds by supporting work that fuels the community's dreams. The foundation's philanthropy concentrates on: • Community-based education programs • Youth and family initiatives • Animal welfare • Environmental issues The foundation explicitly does not support religious organizations, building or endowment funding, college scholarships, individual aid, stipends, or salaries and benefits.
How do I apply for a grant from Re Olds Foundation?
**Grant Activity & Sizes** The foundation makes grants to nonprofits serving the greater Lansing area. Recent grantmaking activity shows: • 53 grants awarded in 2024 with total giving of $237,000 • 37 grants awarded in 2023 with total giving of $277,000 • Median grant size: $2,000–$4,000 • Grant range: $200–$28,000 **Recent Grantees (2023)** Notable recent grants include: • Capital Area Humane Society: $22,000 (Puppy Transport/Cat Cages Project) • Wildside Rehabilitation and Education Center: $…
Where does Re Olds Foundation make grants?
The foundation's primary geographic focus is Michigan's greater Lansing region, specifically Ingham, Eaton, and Clinton counties. While the foundation concentrates its grantmaking in Michigan, it also funds projects in Idaho, Massachusetts, and Virginia. The foundation has supported organizations in Ann Arbor, Detroit, Traverse City, and other Michigan cities.
What size grants does Re Olds Foundation award?
In 2024, Re Olds Foundation awarded 53 grants totaling $275K — an average of about $5K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Re Olds Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Re Olds Foundation reported a distributable amount of $217K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Re Olds Foundation's EIN?
Re Olds Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-1485403. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Re Olds Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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