The Carls Foundation
The Carls Foundation is a private foundation based in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Its stated principal purpose is children’s welfare and preservation of natural areas, and its grantmaking has principally supported Michigan organizations, including projects involving children’s health and welfare, land conservation, and capital improvements.
The Carls Foundation at a glance
In short: The Carls Foundation gave $6.8M across 39 grants in 2024 (avg $174K), mostly in Michigan. 59% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $6,802,304
- -11.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 39
- -37.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $174,418
- +40.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $100,000
- Total assets
- $128,667,024
- -0.3% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 59% first-time grantees (22 of 37, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Michigan (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Carls Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation says it has no formal application or required letter of inquiry, accepts requests at all times, and welcomes phone calls. A request should include a cover letter signed by the chief executive officer stating the reason for and amount of the request, a project description and budget, the organization’s history and pertinent financial information, and evidence of tax-exempt status, such as the IRS exemption letter. Applicants may use the Common Grant Application form. The foundation’s website says requests are generally considered at trustee meetings, typically held in January, May, and September, and encourages organizations to submit well in advance.
- Review Cycle
- The 2024 filing states that there are no deadlines for submitting requests. The website gives typical meeting schedules and corresponding suggested receipt dates: November 1 for the January meeting, March 1 for May, and July 1 for September.
- Deadline
- The 2024 filing states that there are no deadlines for submitting requests.
- Next open deadline
- November 1, 2026 (Carls Foundation Grant)
- Contact
Application contact: Elizabeth A Stieg Executive Directo
Mailing address: 6001 N Adams Road Ste 215, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304
Phone: (248) 434-5512
Email: eastieg@carlsfdn.org
Website: https://carlsfdn.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Carls Foundation
Who The Carls Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The Nature Conservancy ($500K). Together the top 10 received $4.1M.
Organizations only. It also paid 3 grants to individuals ($128,546), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
299 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 131 grants of 299 (44%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s stated children’s-welfare focus is primarily in Michigan. All grant dollars itemized in its 2024 filing went to recipients in Michigan.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 39 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Carls Foundation open to new grantees?
59%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 22 of 37 grantees (59%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $228K; repeat grants $120K. How we count
Medians: $250K first-time, $70K repeat.
- 27% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−4%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 98% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $5.2M (2020) to $7.7M (2023). In 2024 it made 39 grants totaling $6.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Nature Conservancy Lansing, MI | Purchase and Protection of Northpoint Preserve | $500,000 |
| Goodwill Industries Northern Michigan Traverse City, MI | Capital Suppport for Warehouse Renovation for Food Rescue | $500,000 |
| Trinity Health Oakland Pontiac, MI | Relocation and Renovation of Nicu | $500,000 |
| Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital Grand Rapids, MI | Capital Campaign for Children's Rehabilitation Hospital | $500,000 |
| Micha 6 Pontiac, MI | Renovation of Webster School for Community Center | $500,000 |
| Ascension Michigan - St John Hospital Detroit, MI | Equip and furnish two negative pressure rooms in picu | $475,000 |
| Keweenaw Land Trust Hancock, MI | Purchase of Jacob's Creek Parcel for a Preserve | $325,000 |
| Legacy Conservancy Ann Arbor, MI | Farmland Preservation Through Easement Purchase | $292,975 |
| American Indian Health & Family Services Detroit, MI | Construction of Family & Children's Exam Rooms | $250,000 |
| Freedom House Detroit, MI | Capital Improvements to the East Campus Project | $250,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $128,667,024 | $7,872,430 | $8,224,438 | $6,802,304 | 39 | $7,298,486 | $7,281,478 | $7,469,587 |
| 2023 | $129,019,032 | $21,019,072 | $8,829,280 | $7,689,511 | 62 | $8,196,634 | $20,474,683 | $6,653,201 |
| 2022 | $116,829,240 | $4,079,517 | $7,758,047 | $6,653,177 | 61 | $7,114,936 | $3,464,336 | $6,975,677 |
| 2021 | $120,507,770 | $14,280,001 | $8,381,475 | $7,077,096 | 72 | $7,521,663 | $13,640,119 | $7,635,035 |
| 2020 | $114,609,244 | $8,930,816 | $6,239,707 | $5,214,545 | 65 | — | $8,365,379 | $6,372,362 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Carls Foundation reported a distributable amount of $7.5M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation states that its principal mission is children’s welfare, primarily in Michigan, and preservation of natural areas. Its programming interests include health care facilities and programs—with special emphasis on preventing and treating hearing impairment—recreational, educational, and welfare programs, particularly for children disadvantaged for economic or health reasons, and preservation of natural areas, open space, and historic buildings and areas.
The foundation’s 2024 grants illustrate support for varied organizations and projects. For example, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital described its mission as “restoring hope and freedom through rehabilitation.” Keweenaw Land Trust described its work as protecting land, water, and quality of life in Michigan’s western Upper Peninsula. Forgotten Harvest described its mission as relieving hunger in Metro Detroit and preventing nutritious food waste.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation awarded 39 grants totaling $6,802,304. Grants ranged from $4,000 to $500,000, with a median of $100,000. Its website gives $5,000–$50,000 as the typical range and says grants are generally made to effective, innovative organizations with 501(c)(3) status.
Among the largest 2024 awards were $500,000 to The Nature Conservancy for the purchase and protection of Northpoint Preserve; $500,000 to an individual recipient for warehouse renovation for food rescue; $500,000 to Trinity Health Oakland for relocation and renovation of a NICU; and $500,000 to Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital for a children’s rehabilitation hospital capital campaign. Other grants included $325,000 to Keweenaw Land Trust for the purchase of Jacob’s Creek parcel for a preserve, and $250,000 each to American Indian Health & Family Services for family and children’s exam rooms, Freedom House for capital improvements, and Forgotten Harvest for a new warehouse.
The foundation does not fund individuals, endowments, publications, conferences, seminars, films, fellowships, educational loans, travel, research, playground structures, athletic facilities, or special events. Its 2024 filing also lists education among excluded purposes.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Elizabeth A. Stieg as president; Dr. Homer E. Nye, Edward C. Stieg, Dr. Bruce M. Fleischer, and Brian Derisley as trustees; Teresa Krieger-Burke, PhD, as treasurer; and Donald A. DeLong, Esq., as secretary. The foundation’s website identifies Elizabeth A. Stieg as executive director and Kathy A. Stenman as program officer.
The Carls Foundation is led by Elizabeth A. Stieg, President since 2022 (on filings since 2020); 4 of 7 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Elizabeth A. Stieg
President
Executive Director & CEO → President, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$141K (2020) → $174K (2024)
Bruce M. Fleischer PhD
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$2K (2022) → $2K (2024)
Edward C. Stieg
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$2K (2022) → $0 (2024)
Homer E. Nye
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$2K (2022) → $2K (2024)
Brian Derisley
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Donald A. Delong Esq.
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$2K (2022) → $0 (2024)
Teresa Krieger-Burke PhD
Treasurer
Trustee → Assistant Treasurer, 2021
Assistant Treasurer → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$2K (2022) → $2K (2024)
Former officers (3)
- Former: Brain Derisley (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Henry Fleischer (2020–2022) — Vice President & Treasurer
- Former: Robert A. Sajdak (2020) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $174K, to Elizabeth a Stieg (President). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Carls Foundation
How much does The Carls Foundation give each year?
The Carls Foundation gave $6.8M across 39 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $7.7M across 62 grants.
What is The Carls Foundation's typical grant size?
The Carls Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $100,000, and its average grant was $174,418, across 39 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Carls Foundation that year got $228K on average.
Where does The Carls Foundation give grants?
The Carls Foundation gives mostly in Michigan: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Detroit, MI (7 grants), Pontiac, MI (3 grants), Grand Rapids, MI (3 grants) and Lansing, MI (3 grants).
Does The Carls Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 39 grants with a stated purpose on The Carls Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are The Carls Foundation's largest grantees?
The Carls Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include The Nature Conservancy ($500,000), Goodwill Industries Northern Michigan ($500,000) and Trinity Health Oakland ($500,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 3 grants to individuals ($128,546), which are not listed by name. Together they received 22% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Carls Foundation?
The Carls Foundation reported $128.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $7.3M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $7.5M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does The Carls Foundation fund?
The foundation states that its principal mission is children’s welfare, primarily in Michigan, and preservation of natural areas. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Carls Foundation?
The foundation says it has no formal application or required letter of inquiry, accepts requests at all times, and welcomes phone calls. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Carls Foundation's EIN?
The Carls Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-6099935. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS June 21, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 18, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 17, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 7, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Carls Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Carls Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Carls Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-carls-foundation-morg_7a1c0143a9484f44953543e285195d29
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_386099935_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Carls Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-carls-foundation-morg_7a1c0143a9484f44953543e285195d29},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-18. 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 Carls Foundation'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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