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
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
No grants recorded for .
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
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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