The Buhr Foundation
The Buhr Foundation is a private foundation, based in Ann Arbor, MI. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2021. In 2021, it awarded 3 grants totaling $6.7M. Net investment income was $35K.
The Buhr Foundation at a glance
In short: The Buhr Foundation gave $6.7M across 3 grants in 2021 (avg $2.2M), mostly in Michigan. Source: 2021 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2021)
- $6,667,297
- +1801.7% vs 2020
- Grants made (2021)
- 3
- -91.9% vs 2020
- Average grant
- $2,222,432
- +23354.1% vs 2020
- Median grant
- $76,860
- Primary geography
- Michigan (100% of itemized 2021 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2021 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2021; updated September 2026.
Who The Buhr Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2021
The largest 2021 recipient was Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation ($6.7M across 3 grants).
Grant Size Distribution
40 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 37 grants of 40 (93%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2021 grant dollars across all 3 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Buhr Foundation gives
- In 2021 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2021, annual grant giving ranged from $351K (2020) to $6.7M (2021). In 2021 it made 3 grants totaling $6.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation Ann Arbor, MI | Termination of the buhr foundation into nine charitable funds at the ann arbor area community foundation. | $6,532,166 |
| Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation Ann Arbor, MI | Termination of the buhr foundation into nine charitable funds at the ann arbor area community foundation. | $76,860 |
| Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation Ann Arbor, MI | Termination of the buhr foundation into nine charitable funds at the ann arbor area community foundation. | $58,271 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | — | $44,460 | $6,694,122 | $6,667,297 | 3 | $6,682,781 | $34,956 | $91,261 |
| 2020 | $3,120,003 | $354,899 | $393,699 | $350,600 | 37 | — | $327,518 | $258,352 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Buhr Foundation reported a distributable amount of $91K for 2021 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Buhr Foundation is led by Martha B. Grimes, President & Trustee on every filing since 2020; 1 of 5 officers listed in 2021 is compensated.
Officers on the 2021 filing
Martha B. Grimes
President & Trustee
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
$9K (2020) → $8K (2021)
C. Wendell Dunbar
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James D. Buhr
Treasurer & Trustee
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Richard J. Buhr
Secretary & Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Thomas A. Buhr
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2021. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2021 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2021 filing was $8K, to Martha B Grimes (President & Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about The Buhr Foundation
How much does The Buhr Foundation give each year?
The Buhr Foundation gave $6.7M across 3 grants in 2021, according to its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2020 it gave $351K across 37 grants.
What is The Buhr Foundation's typical grant size?
The Buhr Foundation's median grant in 2021 was $76,860, and its average grant was $2,222,432, across 3 grants on its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Buhr Foundation give grants?
The Buhr Foundation gives mostly in Michigan: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Ann Arbor, MI (3 grants).
Does The Buhr Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2021: none of the 3 grants with a stated purpose on The Buhr Foundation's 2021 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
How much is The Buhr Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2021, The Buhr Foundation reported a distributable amount of $91K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Buhr Foundation's EIN?
The Buhr Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-6072288. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2021.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2021
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Buhr Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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