The Carls Foundation
The Carls Foundation is a private independent foundation based in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Established in 1961 by Bill Carls, a German immigrant who founded Numatics, Inc. (an industrial air valve manufacturing company), and his wife Marie Carls, the foundation was originally named the William and Marie Carls Foundation before being shortened to The Carls Foundation in 1992. The foundation received its charitable status in January 1965. With total assets exceeding $128 million and annual grant distributions of approximately $8 million, it is a significant Michigan-based philanthropic institution.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$6.8M
-11.5% YoY
Grant Count
39
-37.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$174K
+40.6% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Carls Foundation's mission centers on two core areas:
- Children's Welfare – Supporting initiatives that advance the welfare and wellbeing of children
- Preservation of Natural Areas – Funding efforts to protect and preserve natural areas
Recent grantmaking has emphasized capital support for healthcare facilities, children's advocacy centers, programs addressing hearing impairment, and land conservancy partnerships across Michigan.
Grantmaking
Recent grants include:
Grant Range
s & Typical Awards:**
Average Grant
$104,000
Review Cycle
- Phone inquiries are welcomed and encouraged before submitting proposals
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Carls Foundation primarily funds organizations in Michigan, with grantmaking concentrated statewide from Southeast Michigan to the Upper Peninsula. The foundation also makes grants in the District of Columbia and California, though Michigan accounts for the vast majority of funding.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue:
- Total assets: $128,667,024 (as of 2024)
- Total revenues: $7,872,430 (2024)
- Total expenses: $8,224,438 (2024)
- Annual giving: $6,802,304 to $8,196,634 (varies by year)
Staffing:
- 2 employees (as of 2024)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
239 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Carls Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Elizabeth A. Stieg – Executive Director & President
- Kathy A. Stenman – Program Officer
- Comerica Bank – Principal Officer/Trustee
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELIZABETH A STIEG | PRESIDENT | 40 | $174,480 |
| DR HOMER E NYE | TRUSTEE | 1 | $2,250 |
| EDWARD C STIEG | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| TERESA KRIEGER-BURKE PHD | TREASURER | 1 | $2,250 |
| BRUCE M FLEISCHER PHD | TRUSTEE | 1 | $2,250 |
| DONALD A DELONG ESQ | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| BRIAN DERISLEY | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
Contact Information
The Carls Foundation
6001 North Adams Road, Suite 215
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304-1576
Phone: (248) 385-5517
Website: carlsfdn.org
Key Staff Contact Numbers:
- Elizabeth A. Stieg, Executive Director: (248) 385-5520
- Kathy A. Stenman, Program Officer: (248) 385-5521
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with The Carls Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities