Richard Barton Law Memorial Trust
The Richard Barton Law Memorial Trust is a private foundation based in Bay City, Michigan. Its 2025 filing states that it makes awards for medical research, health care, youth and community development in Bay County, Michigan, and higher education in Michigan.
Richard Barton Law Memorial Trust at a glance
In short: Richard Barton Law Memorial Trust gave $43K across 24 grants in 2025 (avg $2K), mostly in Michigan. 4% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $43,000
- +7.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 24
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $1,792
- +7.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $1,500
- Total assets
- $546,324
- -3.4% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 4% first-time grantees (1 of 24, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Michigan (86% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Richard Barton Law Memorial Trust
- How to Apply
-
The 2025 filing says the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. It asks applicants to provide the specific purpose for which funds are being requested. The filing lists awards for medical research, health care, youth and community development in Bay County, Michigan, and higher education in Michigan.
- Review Cycle
- November 15, as stated on the 2025 filing.
- Deadline
- November 15, as stated on the 2025 filing.
- Contact
Application contact: Richard Barton Law Memorial Fund
Mailing address: 227 Lagoon Beach, Bay City, MI 48706
Phone: (989) 906-7922
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Richard Barton Law Memorial Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was First Presbyterian Church ($5K). Together the top 10 received $25K.
Grant Size Distribution
124 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 124 grants of 124 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The filing lists youth and community development in Bay County, Michigan, and higher education in Michigan among the award areas. In 2025, 86% of grant dollars went to recipients in Michigan, 7% to Florida, 5% to Illinois, and 2% to Maryland.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 24 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Richard Barton Law Memorial Trust open to new grantees?
4%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 1 of 24 grantees (4%) were first-time recipients. With only 24 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 4 points. First grants averaged $2K; repeat grants $2K. How we count
Medians: $2K first-time, $2K repeat.
- 96% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−3%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 94% 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 (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $35K (2019) to $45K (2022). In 2025 it made 24 grants totaling $43K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| First Presbyterian Church Bay City, MI | Gen'l Fund | $5,000 |
| Bay Area Community Foundation Bay City, MI | Gen'l Fund | $2,500 |
| Bay Medical Foundation Bay City, MI | Gen'l Fund | $2,500 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of America of the Great Lakes Bay Region Bay City, MI | Gen'l Fund | $2,500 |
| SVSU Foundation University Center, MI | Gen'l Fund | $2,500 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters GLB Region Bay City, MI | Gen'l Fund | $2,000 |
| Blood Cancer Foundation of Michigan Farmington Hills, MI | Gen'l Fund | $2,000 |
| Children's Hospital of Michigan Detroit, MI | Gen'l Fund | $2,000 |
| Eagle Village Hersey, MI | Gen'l Fund | $2,000 |
| Leukemia Research Foundation Northfield, IL | General Fund | $2,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Richard Barton Law Memorial Trust?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $546,324 | $31,152 | $50,519 | $43,000 | 24 | $43,500 | $24,712 | $46,312 |
| 2024 | $565,691 | $47,642 | $48,062 | $40,000 | 24 | $40,475 | $41,652 | $45,603 |
| 2023 | $566,111 | $49,617 | $47,295 | $41,000 | 25 | $41,462 | $41,384 | $39,330 |
| 2022 | $563,789 | $67,244 | $51,600 | $44,500 | 26 | $44,987 | $59,172 | $40,482 |
| 2021 | $548,145 | $47,311 | $44,351 | $36,500 | 25 | $36,940 | $38,902 | $44,945 |
| 2020 | $545,185 | $39,987 | $40,706 | $34,500 | 24 | — | $32,631 | $37,398 |
| 2019 | $545,904 | $29,621 | $40,571 | $34,500 | 24 | — | $24,834 | $36,084 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Richard Barton Law Memorial Trust reported a distributable amount of $46K for 2025 — 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 filing lists medical research, health care, youth and community development in Bay County, and higher education in Michigan as areas for awards.
Its 2025 grants included support for organizations with varied missions. For example, the Children’s Foundation describes its work as advancing solutions and discoveries to improve children’s mental and physical health in Michigan. Eagle Village says it provides services to children and families, including residential care, foster care, adventure learning, and adoption programs. The Leukemia Research Foundation describes its mission as funding innovative research to cure leukemia and supporting patients and families. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own missions.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the trust reported 24 grants totaling $43,000. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $5,000, with a median of $1,500.
Among the largest listed grants were $5,000 to First Presbyterian Church in Bay City; $2,500 each to Bay Area Community Foundation, Bay Medical Foundation, Boys & Girls Clubs of America of the Great Lakes Bay Region, and SVSU Foundation; and $2,000 each to Big Brothers Big Sisters GLB Region, Blood Cancer Foundation of Michigan, Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Eagle Village, the Leukemia Research Foundation, and the University of Michigan.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Bruce Law is listed as trustee on the 2025 filing.
Richard Barton Law Memorial Trust is led by Bruce Law, Trustee on every filing since 2019 — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Bruce Law
Trustee
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Jacquelyn D. Law (2019–2022) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Richard Barton Law Memorial Trust
How much does Richard Barton Law Memorial Trust give each year?
Richard Barton Law Memorial Trust gave $43K across 24 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $40K across 24 grants.
What is Richard Barton Law Memorial Trust's typical grant size?
Richard Barton Law Memorial Trust's median grant in 2025 was $1,500, and its average grant was $1,792, across 24 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Richard Barton Law Memorial Trust that year got $2K on average.
Where does Richard Barton Law Memorial Trust give grants?
Richard Barton Law Memorial Trust gives mostly in Michigan: 86% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Florida (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Bay City, MI (9 grants), Lansing, MI (2 grants) and Saginaw, MI (2 grants).
Does Richard Barton Law Memorial Trust give general operating support?
Occasionally: 8% of Richard Barton Law Memorial Trust's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (2 of 24) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Gen'l Fund" (21 grants).
Who are Richard Barton Law Memorial Trust's largest grantees?
Richard Barton Law Memorial Trust's largest 2025 grantees include First Presbyterian Church ($5,000), Bay Area Community Foundation ($2,500) and Bay Medical Foundation ($2,500), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 23% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Richard Barton Law Memorial Trust?
Richard Barton Law Memorial Trust reported $546K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $44K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $46K (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 Richard Barton Law Memorial Trust fund?
The foundation’s filing lists medical research, health care, youth and community development in Bay County, and higher education in Michigan as areas for awards. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Richard Barton Law Memorial Trust?
The 2025 filing says the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Richard Barton Law Memorial Trust's EIN?
Richard Barton Law Memorial Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-6081726. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS June 11, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 24, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 24, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 25, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS June 3, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 29, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 5, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Richard Barton Law Memorial Trust's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Michigan
Consumers Energy Foundation
Jackson, MI
Consumers Energy Foundation funds Michigan projects focused on basic needs, education and workforce readiness, environmental protection, economic development, neighborhood revitalization, and arts and culture, mainly in Lower Peninsula communities served by Consumers Energy. Its 2024 grants ranged from $100 to $500,000, with a median of $5,000; its 2026 Community Impact program offers up to $20,000 per project. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$67.1M
Grants
296
Total Given
$7.5M
Gougeon Employees Foundation
Bay City, MI
The foundation supports community organizations, service providers, and educational organizations, with 2024 grants going to Michigan recipients. Awards ranged from $100 to $13,000, with a median of $1,100. It has no formal application method; written requests may be sent by mail, email, or hand delivery.
Assets
$193K
Grants
70
Total Given
$120K
Saginaw Community Foundation
Saginaw, MI
Saginaw Community Foundation funds charitable projects in areas such as education, arts, human services, health and civic improvement that benefit people or programs in Saginaw County, Michigan. Its 2025 grants had a median of $15,000 and ranged from $5,234 to $235,467. The foundation requires applicants to contact staff before applying; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$114.7M
Grants
93
Total Given
$2.3M
WK Kellogg Foundation
Battle Creek, MI
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation funds work to help children, families, and communities thrive, including early education, health equity, food systems, family economic well-being, and racial equity. In 2025, its grants ranged from $50 to nearly $5 million, with a median of $100,000; it funds across the United States, with long-term commitments in several states and communities, as well as parts of Mexico and Haiti. It accepts unsolicited proposals online at any time.
Assets
$481.0M
Grants
1,818
Total Given
$303.9M
Frankenmuth Insurance Foundation
Frankenmuth, MI
The foundation funds community betterment and basic needs, including affordable housing, food, health and disease research, the arts, and certain insurance-related education and career programs. In 2024, grants ranged from $250 to $50,000, with a median of $2,500, for organizations serving states where Frankenmuth Insurance operates. It accepts applications through an online form; the filing states there is no deadline.
Assets
$5.1M
Grants
96
Total Given
$389K
Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan
Detroit, MI
The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan funds nonprofits working in economic opportunity, health equity, youth and education, arts and culture, and public space and the environment across seven southeast Michigan counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000, though awards varied widely; organizations begin with a brief proposal, and selected applicants are invited to submit a full application.
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
938
Total Given
$105.1M
More similar funders
More Funders in Michigan
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Richard Barton Law Memorial Trust'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.
Richard Barton Law Memorial Trust down — hundreds of funders to go?