The Big John Steak and Onion
The Big John Steak and Onion is a private foundation based in Frankenmuth, Michigan. Its 2025 filing reports $568,600 in grants to 18 organizations, with most grant dollars going to recipients in Michigan.
The Big John Steak and Onion at a glance
In short: The Big John Steak and Onion gave $569K across 18 grants in 2025 (avg $32K), mostly in Michigan. 28% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $568,600
- +111.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 18
- +20.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $31,589
- +76.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $727,159
- +126.0% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 28% first-time grantees (5 of 18, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Michigan (96% 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 The Big John Steak and Onion
- How to Apply
-
The filing lists Joseph D Klobucher as the contact. No prescribed written form is required. The organization must be a 501(c)(3) organization.
- Review Cycle
- The filing states there is no deadline for submission.
- Deadline
- The filing states there is no deadline for submission.
- Contact
Application contact: Joseph D Klobucher
Mailing address: PO Box 404, Frankenmuth, MI 48734-0404
Phone: (810) 230-9000
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Big John Steak and Onion funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Tuscola County Community Foundation ($201K). Together the top 10 received $488K.
Grant Size Distribution
72 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 71 grants of 72 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 96% of grant dollars went to recipients in Michigan and 4% to recipients in New York. The listed Michigan recipients include organizations in Caro, Flint, Saginaw, and other communities.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 18 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Big John Steak and Onion open to new grantees?
28%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 5 of 18 grantees (28%) were first-time recipients. With only 18 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $20K; repeat grants $36K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $30K repeat.
- 56% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 253% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 $138K (2019) to $569K (2025). In 2025 it made 18 grants totaling $569K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Tuscola County Community Foundation Caro, MI | Charitable Donation | $201,000 |
| St Mary Church Flint, MI | For Programs | $41,000 |
| United Way of Genesee County Flint, MI | Charitable Donation | $40,000 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters Flint, MI | For Programs | $36,000 |
| Flint Public Library Flint, MI | Charitable Donation | $35,000 |
| United Way of Saginaw County Saginaw, MI | Programs | $30,000 |
| Habitat for Humanity Saginaw Saginaw, MI | Charitable Donation | $30,000 |
| Boys Girls Club of Flin Flint, MI | For Programs | $25,000 |
| Toys for Hospitalized Children Brooklyn, NY | Charitable Donation | $25,000 |
| Whaley's Children Center Flint, MI | Charitable Donation | $25,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Big John Steak and Onion?
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 | $727,159 | $974,867 | $570,835 | $568,600 | 18 | $568,600 | — | $26,504 |
| 2024 | $321,812 | $119,549 | $270,220 | $268,500 | 15 | $268,500 | — | $19,638 |
| 2023 | $470,037 | $216,443 | $270,510 | $268,100 | 15 | $268,100 | — | $24,282 |
| 2022 | $516,043 | $271,043 | $162,043 | $161,000 | 12 | $161,000 | — | $23,224 |
| 2021 | $405,727 | $318,325 | $163,593 | $162,000 | 12 | $162,000 | — | $16,800 |
| 2020 | $259,363 | $156,240 | $170,650 | $170,000 | 12 | — | $590 | $12,999 |
| 2019 | $268,685 | $81,276 | $139,381 | $138,000 | 11 | — | — | $14,445 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Big John Steak and Onion reported a distributable amount of $27K 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
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grantees include organizations working in areas such as community support, youth mentoring, and arts education. For example, Big Brothers Big Sisters describes its mission as creating and supporting one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. Michigan Arts Access describes its mission as promoting and advancing arts training and education for people with disabilities.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation gave $568,600 through 18 grants. Grants ranged from $2,000 to $201,000, with a median grant of $25,000. The largest award was $201,000 to Tuscola County Community Foundation. Other notable grants included $41,000 to St Mary Church, $40,000 to United Way of Genesee County, $36,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters, and $35,000 to Flint Public Library.
Among the grantees described in their own words, United Way of Genesee County received $40,000; it says it builds financial resources for investments in education, financial stability, health, and basic needs. United Way of Saginaw County received $30,000 and describes its mission as increasing people’s organized capacity to care for one another. Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan received $3,500 and says it builds girls of courage, confidence, and character.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Joseph Klobucher as president.
The Big John Steak and Onion is led by Joseph Klobucher, President on every filing since 2019 — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Joseph Klobucher
President
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
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 The Big John Steak and Onion
How much does The Big John Steak and Onion give each year?
The Big John Steak and Onion gave $569K across 18 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $269K across 15 grants.
What is The Big John Steak and Onion's typical grant size?
The Big John Steak and Onion's median grant in 2025 was $25,000, and its average grant was $31,589, across 18 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Big John Steak and Onion that year got $20K on average.
Where does The Big John Steak and Onion give grants?
The Big John Steak and Onion gives mostly in Michigan: 96% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Flint, MI (8 grants), Saginaw, MI (3 grants) and Caro, MI (2 grants).
Does The Big John Steak and Onion give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 18 grants with a stated purpose on The Big John Steak and Onion's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charitable Donation" (12 grants) and "For Programs" (3 grants).
Who are The Big John Steak and Onion's largest grantees?
The Big John Steak and Onion's largest 2025 grantees include Tuscola County Community Foundation ($201,000), St Mary Church ($41,000) and United Way of Genesee County ($40,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 50% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Big John Steak and Onion?
The Big John Steak and Onion reported $727K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $569K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $27K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Big John Steak and Onion fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grantees include organizations working in areas such as community support, youth mentoring, and arts education. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Big John Steak and Onion?
The filing lists Joseph D Klobucher as the contact. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Big John Steak and Onion's EIN?
The Big John Steak and Onion's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-3605623. 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 May 6, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 6, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 23, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 9, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 12, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 19, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Big John Steak and Onion's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
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
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
Burroughs Memorial Trust
Columbus, OH
The Columbus-based Burroughs Memorial Trust supports nonprofits addressing community needs such as food, housing, health care, and community development, with most recent funding going to Michigan and additional grants in Virginia, Ohio, Washington, DC, and Georgia. Its 2025 grants ranged from $1,000 to $10,000, with a median of $2,000. Its 2024 filing says it accepts letters from 501(c)(3) charities and does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$537K
Grants
17
Total Given
$56K
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
Wallace & Irene Bronner Family
Frankenmuth, MI
The foundation’s grants support a range of organizations, including churches, humanitarian and relief groups, food assistance, legal advocacy, military services, and museums; 68% of its 2024 grant dollars went to Michigan recipients, with grants also reaching other states. It awarded $50–$80,000, with a median of $1,000. Its filing lists a letter as the application form and materials; it does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$9.9M
Grants
258
Total Given
$706K
Stella & Frederick Loeb Charitable Trust
Columbus, OH
The Stella & Frederick Loeb Charitable Trust funds a range of community organizations, including those working in health care, hunger relief, youth services, music, and the arts. In 2025, grants ranged from $1,500 to $25,000, with a median of $5,000; nearly all funding went to Michigan, with small amounts to Virginia and Texas. It accepts applications by letter and does not restrict giving to preselected organizations; no deadline is listed.
Assets
$4.6M
Grants
38
Total Given
$244K
More similar funders
More Funders in Michigan
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Big John Steak and Onion funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-big-john-steak-and-onion-morg_ea1cbb6487df459cb6b155f57b23404b
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_383605623_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Big John Steak and Onion funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-big-john-steak-and-onion-morg_ea1cbb6487df459cb6b155f57b23404b},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. 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 The Big John Steak and Onion'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.
The Big John Steak and Onion down — hundreds of funders to go?