Rocket Giving Fund
Rocket Giving Fund is a public charity based in Detroit, Michigan. Its stated mission is to host a PGA TOUR event while benefiting the Detroit community, with net proceeds supporting charitable purposes that include veterans and their families, education and learning opportunities, and neighborhood enhancement.
Rocket Giving Fund at a glance
In short: Rocket Giving Fund gave $859K across 10 grants in 2025 (avg $86K), mostly in Michigan. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $858,900
- +3268.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 10
- +400.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $85,890
- +573.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $40,700
- Total assets
- $2,620,083
- -8.9% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Michigan (88% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Rocket Giving Fund
- Contact
Mailing address: 1074 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226
Phone: (313) 782-9500
Website: https://rocketclassic.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Rocket Giving Fund funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Black Tech Saturdays ($350K). Together the top 10 received $859K.
Grant Size Distribution
28 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 17 grants of 28 (61%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The fund is based in Detroit, Michigan, and its mission and grant purposes emphasize benefiting the Detroit community. In filing year 2025, the reported shares of grant dollars by recipient state were Michigan 88%, Oklahoma 8%, California 4%, and the District of Columbia 1%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.
Cities
How Rocket Giving Fund gives
- Giving grew 1476% from 2022 to 2025. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $26K (2024) to $2.6M (2020). In 2025 it made 10 grants totaling $859K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Black Tech Saturdays Detroit, MI | To support the organizations mission and the detroit community | $350,000 |
| United Way of Southeastern Michigan Detroit, MI | To support the organizations mission and the detroit community | $200,000 |
| People for Palmer Park Detroit, MI | To support the organizations mission and the detroit community | $75,000 |
| Folds of Honor Owasso, OK | To support the organizations mission and the detroit community | $65,000 |
| Detroit Golf Club Caddie Scholarship Foundation Troy, MI | To support the organizations mission and the detroit community | $50,000 |
| Human-I-T Bell, CA | To support the organizations mission and the detroit community | $31,400 |
| Detroit Pal Detroit, MI | To support the organizations mission and the detroit community | $30,000 |
| Midnight Golf Program Bingham Farms, MI | To support the organizations mission and the detroit community | $30,000 |
| First Tee of Greater Detroit Detroit, MI | To support the organizations mission and the detroit community | $20,000 |
| Justin Thomas Foundation Co Helfer and Company LLC Washington, DC | To support the organizations mission and the detroit community | $7,500 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2,620,083 | $11,590,910 | $13,136,838 | $858,900 | 10 | $-132,578 |
| 2024 | $2,875,798 | $12,725,111 | $12,457,324 | $25,500 | 2 | — |
| 2023 | $3,083,441 | $13,343,306 | $14,749,530 | $1,586,585 | 7 | — |
| 2022 | $5,751,041 | $14,851,439 | $13,350,664 | $54,486 | 5 | — |
| 2021 | $2,590,205 | $13,264,068 | $13,809,808 | $982,328 | 4 | — |
| 2020 | $3,947,099 | $7,910,910 | $7,539,545 | $2,621,450 | 6 | — |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The fund’s stated mission is to host a world-class PGA TOUR event while benefiting the Detroit community. Its 2023 filing says it directs net proceeds toward veterans and their families, education and learning opportunities, and neighborhood enhancement, and that it works with other charitable organizations where possible. The filing describes its grants as unrestricted grants to public charities for general operating purposes; it says the fund does not monitor how the grant funds are used.
Its 2025 grants included Detroit-area organizations working in several fields. The grantee United Way for Southeastern Michigan describes its mission as mobilizing the caring power of Detroit and Southeastern Michigan to improve communities and individual lives. Detroit Police Athletic League says it works with police and community volunteers to help young people through athletics and enrichment opportunities. The Justin Thomas Foundation says its charitable mission is to positively impact children in need, support junior golf programs, and assist military families.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the fund reported 10 grants totaling $858,900. Grants ranged from $7,500 to $350,000, with a median of $40,700. The filing lists the grant purpose as supporting each recipient’s mission and the Detroit community.
The largest grants were $350,000 to Black Tech Saturdays, $200,000 to United Way of Southeastern Michigan, $75,000 to People for Palmer Park, and $65,000 to Folds of Honor. Other listed recipients included Detroit Golf Club Caddie Scholarship Foundation ($50,000), Human-I-T ($31,400), Detroit PAL ($30,000), Midnight Golf Program ($30,000), First Tee of Greater Detroit ($20,000), and the Justin Thomas Foundation ($7,500).
The Rocket Classic website also describes Golf & Give, a separate fundraising opportunity for Michigan nonprofits recognized as 501(c)(3) organizations. In the 2025 cycle, participating organizations could receive $30 for each qualifying competition-round ticket sold in their name and 100% of donations they raised through the program. Registration for that cycle opened April 16, 2025, and the program ended June 29, 2025; those dates are past. This is a tournament fundraising program, not an outside grant application process.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists William Emerson as president, Matthew Rizik as vice president, Brian Brown as treasurer, and Steve Ogden as secretary. Directors listed are Nic Barlage, Marvin Beatty, Laura Grannemann, Jeff Morganroth, Trina Scott, and Jason Tinsley.
Rocket Giving Fund is led by William Emerson, President since 2023 (on filings since 2020); none of the 13 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
William Emerson
President
Vice Chair → Member, 2021
Member → President, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alexis Wiley
Director
Member → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jason Tinsley
Director
Member → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Laura Grannemann
Director
Member → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marvin Beatty
Director
Member → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mike Tririco
Director
Member → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Trina Scott
Director
Member → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeff Morganroth
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nic Barlage
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Varun Krishna
Director
On filings since 2024
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Steve Ogden
Secretary
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Matthew Rizik
Vice President
Vice Treasurer → Treasurer, 2023
Treasurer → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brian Brown
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (6)
- Former: Jason Langwell (2020–2024) — Director -
- Former: Angelo Vitale (2020–2023) — Director -
- Former: Jay Farner (2020–2023) — President -
- Former: Larry Alexander (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Julie Booth (2020–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Matt Rizik (2020–2021) — Vice Treasurer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 Rocket Giving Fund
How much does Rocket Giving Fund give each year?
Rocket Giving Fund gave $859K across 10 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $26K across 2 grants.
What is Rocket Giving Fund's typical grant size?
Rocket Giving Fund's median grant in 2025 was $40,700, and its average grant was $85,890, across 10 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Rocket Giving Fund give grants?
Rocket Giving Fund gives mostly in Michigan: 88% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Oklahoma (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Detroit, MI (5 grants).
Does Rocket Giving Fund give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 10 grants with a stated purpose on Rocket Giving Fund's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are Rocket Giving Fund's largest grantees?
Rocket Giving Fund's largest 2025 grantees include Black Tech Saturdays ($350,000), United Way of Southeastern Michigan ($200,000) and People for Palmer Park ($75,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 73% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Rocket Giving Fund?
Rocket Giving Fund reported $2.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $11.6M.
What does Rocket Giving Fund fund?
The fund’s stated mission is to host a world-class PGA TOUR event while benefiting the Detroit community. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Rocket Giving Fund?
Rocket Giving Fund has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check rocketclassic.com for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Rocket Giving Fund's EIN?
Rocket Giving Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 83-0873868. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 17, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 12, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 7, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Rocket Giving Fund funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/rocket-giving-fund-morg_9e7d7f0547ca4e639b2da64c175051ae
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_830873868_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Rocket Giving Fund funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/rocket-giving-fund-morg_9e7d7f0547ca4e639b2da64c175051ae},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. 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 Rocket Giving Fund'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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