Song Foundation
Song Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) foundation based in Denver, Colorado, established in 2020. The foundation operates as a grantmaking organization dedicated to supporting movements and leaders who are creatively disrupting systems of inequity in Southeast Michigan. The foundation invests in ideas, people, and organizations that amplify equity, power, prosperity, and joy throughout the region.
Key facts about Song Foundation
- EIN
- 84-3950307
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,540,500
- Grants made (2024)
- 43
- Average grant
- $59,081
- Median grant
- $45,000
- Total assets
- $25,150,472
- Primary geography
- Michigan (94% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- The foundation employs a trust-based grantmaking approach designed to challenge the inherent power dynamic between foundations and nonprofits. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Song Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Song Foundation's 43 itemized 2024 grants were Michigan (94%) and Ohio (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Detroit, MI (28 grants) and Ann Arbor, MI (5 grants). 88% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
How Song Foundation gives
- 12% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 859% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 241% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with Song Foundation
- How to evaluate Song Foundation as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
- Draft an LOI to Song Foundation with AI
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- Track this opportunity in a free grant tracker
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Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$25.2M
-9.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.5M
+45.5% YoY
Grant Count
43
+87.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$59K
-22.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Song Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.4M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Song Foundation funds Black, Brown, and immigrant-led and -serving organizations in Southeast Michigan. The foundation's core mission centers on investing in ideas, people, and organizations that amplify equity, power, prosperity, and joy throughout Southeast Michigan.
Primary funding areas include:
- Education
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Human Services
- COVID-19 pandemic support
- General support for organizations
Grantmaking
Grant Range
s:**
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with Song Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Song Foundation primarily supports Southeast Michigan, with particular emphasis on the region's Black, Brown, and immigrant-led and -serving organizations. The foundation also supports multiple U.S. cities and states including Ann Arbor, Boston, Detroit, and New York, with operations in Michigan, Massachusetts, and New York.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 43 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2024):
- Total Assets: $25,150,472
- Total Giving: $2,540,500
- Total Revenues: $872,077
- Total Expenses: $3,602,467
Assets & Revenue (2023):
- Total Assets: $27.8 million
- Total Revenues: $1.09 million
- Total Expenses: $2.85 million
- Total Liabilities: $110,000
Staffing: The foundation employs 4 people, representing 60% year-over-year growth.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $25,150,472 | $27,790,805 | $31,051,060 |
| Revenue | $872,077 | $1,092,294 | $-1,223,709 |
| Expenses | $3,602,467 | $2,846,482 | $954,429 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $3,460,825 | $2,588,674 | $813,553 |
| Net Investment Income | $810,941 | $588,923 | $247,515 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,438,015 | $2,172,583 | $1,043,516 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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
86 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Song Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Aclu Fund of Michigan ($250,000), Freedom House ($175,000), African American Cultural and Historical Museum ($150,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACLU FUND OF MICHIGAN Detroit, MI | SUPPORT MULTIPLE PROGRAMS | $250,000 |
| FREEDOM HOUSE Detroit, MI | GENERAL PURPOSE | $175,000 |
| AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL MUSEUM Ann Arbor, MI | GENERAL PURPOSE | $150,000 |
| LIGHTSHIP FOUNDATION Cincinnati, OH | GENERAL PURPOSE | $150,000 |
| MICHIGAN FOUNDERS FUND Detroit, MI | SPONSORSHIP FOR MICHIGAN TECH WEEK | $150,000 |
| OUTLIER MEDIA Detroit, MI | OPERATIONAL GRANT | $150,000 |
| GENESIS HARBOR OPPORTUNITIES PROMOTING Detroit, MI | GENERAL PURPOSE | $125,000 |
| GHOSTLIGHT ARTS INITIATIVE Detroit, MI | GENERAL PURPOSE | $125,000 |
| CENTREPOLIS ACCELERATOR Southfield, MI | GENERAL PURPOSE | $100,000 |
| LEADERS ADVANCING AND HELPING COMMUNITIES Dearbon, MI | GENERAL PURPOSE | $100,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Douglas Song – Member, Director, and President (serves without compensation)
- Linh Song – Member, Director, and Treasurer (serves without compensation)
- Khalilah Gaston – Executive Director (compensation: $276,581 as of 2025)
- Lee Pennington – Senior Program Manager
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Douglas Song | Member, Director and President | 1 | — |
| Linh Song | Member, Director and Treasurer | 1 | — |
| Peter Katz | Director and Secretary | 1 | — |
| Khalilah Gaston | Executive Director | 40 | $276,581 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Song Foundation has actively expanded its grantmaking operations and visibility within the philanthropic community. The foundation invites applications from organizations in Southeast Michigan and has established itself as a member of the Council of Michigan Foundations. The foundation launched to support youth and emerging leaders, positioning itself as a new model of Silicon Valley-style philanthropy adapted for Michigan's context.
Welcoming a New CMF Member: The Song Foundation | Council of Michigan FoundationsSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Song Foundation fund?
The Song Foundation funds Black, Brown, and immigrant-led and -serving organizations in Southeast Michigan. The foundation's core mission centers on investing in ideas, people, and organizations that amplify equity, power, prosperity, and joy throughout Southeast Michigan. Primary funding areas include: • Education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services • COVID-19 pandemic support • General support for organizations
How do I apply for a grant from Song Foundation?
The foundation employs a trust-based grantmaking approach designed to challenge the inherent power dynamic between foundations and nonprofits. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
Where does Song Foundation make grants?
The Song Foundation primarily supports Southeast Michigan, with particular emphasis on the region's Black, Brown, and immigrant-led and -serving organizations. The foundation also supports multiple U.S. cities and states including Ann Arbor, Boston, Detroit, and New York, with operations in Michigan, Massachusetts, and New York.
What size grants does Song Foundation award?
In 2024, Song Foundation awarded 43 grants totaling $2.5M — an average of about $59K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Song Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Song Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.4M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Song Foundation's EIN?
Song Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-3950307. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Song Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.