Re Olds Foundation
The R.E. Olds Foundation is a private foundation based in East Lansing, Michigan. It supports nonprofit work in the Greater Lansing community, with stated priorities in education, youth and families, animal welfare, and environmental issues.
Re Olds Foundation at a glance
In short: Re Olds Foundation gave $275K across 53 grants in 2024 (avg $5K), mostly in Michigan. 28% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $275,375
- +7.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 53
- +3.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $5,196
- +3.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $3,000
- Total assets
- $4,498,514
- +3.7% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 28% first-time grantees (15 of 53, 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 Re Olds Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s website accepts requests from eligible nonprofits. It asks applicants to submit a grant application and a project budget using its budget template. The 2024 filing describes the application as a letter with supporting project information and names Diana Tarpoff as the contact. The website says organizations may apply only once per year, whether or not a prior request was approved. It excludes religious organizations and generally does not fund building or endowment costs, college scholarships, individual aid, stipends, or salaries and benefits. The filing also states that assistance is restricted to institutions organized in the United States and that individuals are not eligible for assistance.
- Review Cycle
- The website lists quarterly 2026 deadlines: February 27, June 12, August 28, and December 4. The first three dates have passed as of October 2, 2026; the December 4 deadline is upcoming. The 2024 filing states that there were no deadlines.
- Deadline
- The website lists quarterly 2026 deadlines: February 27, June 12, August 28, and December 4.
- Contact
Application contact: Diana Tarpoff
Mailing address: PO Box 4900, East Lansing, MI 48826
Phone: (517) 332-0234
Website: https://reoldsfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Re Olds Foundation
Who Re Olds Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Impression 5 Science Museum ($25K). Together the top 10 received $148K.
Grant Size Distribution
222 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 219 grants of 222 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s website limits consideration to nonprofits based in Michigan’s Ingham, Eaton, and Clinton counties and describes its focus as the Greater Lansing region. All reported 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in Michigan.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 53 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Re Olds Foundation open to new grantees?
28%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 15 of 53 grantees (28%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $5K; repeat grants $5K. How we count
Medians: $4K first-time, $2K repeat.
- 57% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+3%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 142% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 $250K (2020) to $277K (2022). In 2024 it made 53 grants totaling $275K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Impression 5 Science Museum Lansing, MI | General Purpose | $25,000 |
| Woldumar Nature Center Lansing, MI | General Purpose | $25,000 |
| Charlotte School Band Boosters Charlotte, MI | Project - Music in Motion | $15,000 |
| Highfields Onondaga, MI | Matching Challenge - Community Services Programs | $15,000 |
| Communities in Schools-Lansing Lansing, MI | Basic Needs in Greater Lansing/ General Purpose | $12,000 |
| Child & Family Charities Lansing, MI | General purpose/ project - impression 5 interactive magnetic garden wall | $12,000 |
| Re Olds Transportation Museum Lansing, MI | Project - Signage Installation and Landscaping | $12,000 |
| Wildside Rehabilitation & Education Eaton Rapids, MI | Project - ADX-Handheld X-Ray System/ General Purpose | $12,000 |
| Allen Neighborhood Center Lansing, MI | Project - Neighbors in Need | $10,000 |
| Everett High School Lansing, MI | Project - Iconic Lansing | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Re Olds 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 | $4,498,514 | $314,946 | $332,649 | $275,375 | 53 | $307,062 | $292,980 | $216,516 |
| 2023 | $4,339,789 | $273,833 | $287,674 | $256,875 | 51 | $236,875 | $226,464 | $206,575 |
| 2022 | $4,160,129 | $286,561 | $317,077 | $276,565 | 37 | $276,565 | $249,659 | $216,999 |
| 2021 | $5,115,639 | $367,050 | $309,795 | $266,350 | 41 | $266,350 | $332,517 | $237,238 |
| 2020 | $4,726,673 | $421,905 | $308,786 | $249,715 | 40 | — | $382,635 | $203,675 |
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.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation says it honors R.E. Olds’s inventive spirit by supporting work that fuels community dreams. Its stated priorities include community-based education programs, youth and family initiatives, animal welfare, and environmental issues.
It makes grants to nonprofits, not individuals. Its website says applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations that have operated and provided services for more than two years, and that it generally prioritizes projects and programs seeking support from multiple funders. The grantees’ own descriptions illustrate the range of organizations supported: Highfields says it works with children, youth, families, and others to strengthen responsibility and relationships; Allen Neighborhood Center describes itself as a hub for Lansing’s Eastside neighborhood revitalization and health and well-being; and the Greater Lansing Food Bank says it works to alleviate hunger and expand access to nourishing food.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 53 grants totaling $275,375. Grants ranged from $100 to $25,000, with a median of $3,000. The largest grants included $25,000 each to Impression 5 Science Museum and Woldumar Nature Center, both for general purposes; $15,000 to Charlotte School Band Boosters for its Music in Motion project; and $15,000 to Highfields for a matching challenge for community services programs. Other awards included $12,000 to Communities in Schools-Lansing, Child & Family Charities, RE Olds Transportation Museum, and Wildside Rehabilitation & Education.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Emily Polo Reo Tate and Greggory Stephens as directors, Patti Schafer as secretary, and Diana Tarpoff and Deborah Stephens as co-chairs. The foundation’s website lists Diana Anderson Tarpoff, Debbie Anderson Stephens, Polo REO Tate, Greggory Olds Stephens, and Patti Schafer on its board.
Re Olds Foundation's 2024 filing lists 5 officers; 1 of 5 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Emily Polo Reo Tate
Director
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Greggory Stephens
Director
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Patti Schafer
Secretary
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
$3K (2020) → $4K (2024)
Deborah Stephens
Co-Chair
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Diana Tarpoff
Co-Chair
On filings since 2020
6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
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 $4K, to Patti Schafer (Secretary).
Frequently asked questions about Re Olds Foundation
How much does Re Olds Foundation give each year?
Re Olds Foundation gave $275K across 53 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $257K across 51 grants.
What is Re Olds Foundation's typical grant size?
Re Olds Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $3,000, and its average grant was $5,196, across 53 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Re Olds Foundation that year got $5K on average.
Where does Re Olds Foundation give grants?
Re Olds 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 Lansing, MI (26 grants), East Lansing, MI (6 grants), Grand Ledge, MI (2 grants) and Eaton Rapids, MI (2 grants).
Does Re Olds Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 45% of Re Olds Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (24 of 53) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Re Olds Foundation's largest grantees?
Re Olds Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Impression 5 Science Museum ($25,000), Woldumar Nature Center ($25,000) and Charlotte School Band Boosters ($15,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 24% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Re Olds Foundation?
Re Olds Foundation reported $4.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $307K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $217K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Re Olds Foundation fund?
The foundation says it honors R.E. Olds’s inventive spirit by supporting work that fuels community dreams. Its stated priorities include community-based education programs, youth and family initiatives, animal welfare, and environmental issues. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Re Olds Foundation?
The foundation’s website accepts requests from eligible nonprofits. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Re Olds Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/re-olds-foundation-morg_49f81017257d4bdc9f2ca304188f69eb
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_381485403_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Re Olds Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/re-olds-foundation-morg_49f81017257d4bdc9f2ca304188f69eb},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. 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 Re Olds 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.
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