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.
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
The foundation employs a trust-based grantmaking approach designed to challenge the inherent power dynamic between foundations and nonprofits. The foundation prioritizes transparent grantmaking and decision-making processes that are simple to navigate, positioning itself as the least burdensome partner for grantees. Core practices include clear communications, streamlined funding requests, right-sized processes for each request, proactive funding supports, and regular feedback solicitation.
Grant Range
s:**
How to Apply
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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
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 |
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 include Aclu Fund of Michigan ($250,000), Freedom House ($175,000), African American Cultural and Historical Museum ($150,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 482FORWARD DETROIT, MI | GENERAL PURPOSE | $50,000 |
| ACLU FUND OF MICHIGAN DETROIT, MI | SUPPORT MULTIPLE PROGRAMS | $250,000 |
| AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL MUSEUM ANN ARBOR, MI | GENERAL PURPOSE | $150,000 |
| AMERICAN INDIAN HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES (AIHFS) DETROIT, MI | GENERAL PURPOSE | $50,000 |
| ARTSPACE PROJECTS INC MINNEAPOLIS, MN | GENERAL PURPOSE | $10,000 |
| AUTOMATION WORKZ DETROIT, MI | GENERAL PURPOSE | $50,000 |
| BASBLUE DETROIT, MI | GENERAL PURPOSE | $25,000 |
| BLACK MALE EDUCATORS ALLIANCE DETROIT, MI | GENERAL PURPOSE | $50,000 |
| BLKOUT WALLS MURAL FESTIVAL DETROIT, MI | GENERAL PURPOSE | $15,000 |
| BOYS AND GIRLS OF GREATER FLINT FLINT, MI | GENERAL PURPOSE | $20,000 |
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 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?
**Application Process:** The foundation employs a trust-based grantmaking approach designed to challenge the inherent power dynamic between foundations and nonprofits. The foundation prioritizes transparent grantmaking and decision-making processes that are simple to navigate, positioning itself as the least burdensome partner for grantees. Core practices include clear communications, streamlined funding requests, right-sized processes for each request, proactive funding supports, and regular f…
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 June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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