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
**
Ready to take the next step with The Carls Foundation?
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
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include The Nature Conservancy ($500,000), Goodwill Industries Northern Michigan ($500,000), Trinity Health Oakland ($500,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ASCENSION MICHIGAN - ST JOHN HOSPITAL DETROIT, MI | EQUIP AND FURNISH TWO NEGATIVE PRESSURE ROOMS IN PICU | $475,000 |
| HURLEY FOUNDATION FLINT, MI | PURCHASE OF TWO NEWBORN HEARING SCREENERS FOR NICU & BABY UNIT | $46,000 |
| GREAT LAKES BAY HEALTH CENTERS SAGINAW, MI | PURCHASE OF MOBILE UNIT FOR DENTAL AND VISION PROGRAM | $100,000 |
| WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION KALAMAZOO, MI | SUPPORT FOR THE VAN RIPER SPEECH AND HEARING CENTER | $70,000 |
| GREATER LANSING FOOD BANK LANSING, MI | SUPORT FOR THE NOURISHING CHILDREN PROGRAM | $25,000 |
| THE DAVIES PROJECT LANSING, MI | SUPPORT FOR TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM FOR FAMILIES WITH SICK CHILDREN | $36,000 |
| MEL TROTTER MINISTRIES GRAND RAPIDS, MI | CONSTRUCTION OF FAMILY APARTMENTS - AFTER HOUR EMERGENCIES | $200,000 |
| WEDGEWOOD CHRISTIAN SERVICES GRAND RAPIDS, MI | PURCHASE OF VEHICLE TO TRANSPORT CHILDREN TO THERAPY | $20,000 |
| CHALDEAN AMERICAN LADIES CHARITY - DBA UNITED COMMUNITY FAMILY SERVICES TROY, MI | CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO BASIC NEEDS CENTER AND PANTRY | $70,000 |
| KEWEENAW LAND TRUST HANCOCK, MI | PURCHASE OF JACOB'S CREEK PARCEL FOR A PRESERVE | $325,000 |
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
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Carls Foundation fund?
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.
How do I apply for a grant from The Carls Foundation?
**Grant Ranges & Typical Awards:** • Grant range: $2,950 to $600,000 • Median grant: $50,000 • Average grant: $104,000 • Typical award: $50,000 **Application Process:** • No formal submission deadlines • Phone inquiries are welcomed and encouraged before submitting proposals • Decision time: 2-4 months (depending on trustee meeting schedule) **Recent Grant Activity:** Recent grants include: • Goodwill Northern Michigan: $500,000 (Capital support for warehouse renovation for food rescue) • Trini…
Where does The Carls Foundation make 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.
What size grants does The Carls Foundation award?
In 2024, The Carls Foundation awarded 39 grants totaling $6.8M — an average of about $174K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Carls Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Community Foundation for Southeast
DETROIT, MI
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
938
Total Given
$105.1M
Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program
SOUTHEASTERN, PA
Assets
$22.2B
Grants
24,269
Total Given
$3.0B
The Pfizer Foundation Inc
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$255.3M
Grants
9,306
Total Given
$23.2M
The Blackbaud Giving Fund
CHARLESTON SC, SC
Assets
$52.7M
Grants
1,860
Total Given
$41.4M
United Way for Southeastern Michigan
DETROIT, MI
Assets
$88.9M
Grants
397
Total Given
$52.6M
Dte Energy Foundation
DETROIT, MI
Assets
$129.1M
Grants
442
Total Given
$15.8M
National Philanthropic Trust
JENKINTOWN, PA
Assets
$42.2B
Grants
18,583
Total Given
$5.1B
Jpmorgan Chase Foundation
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
10,334
Total Given
$202.5M
Charles Stewart Mott Foundation
FLINT, MI
Assets
$3.8B
Grants
834
Total Given
$166.4M
Michigan Health Endowment Fund
BRIGHTON, MI
Assets
$589.1M
Grants
148
Total Given
$36.0M
Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc
INDIANAPOLIS, IN
Assets
$9.1B
Grants
19,253
Total Given
$1.2B
Charities Aid Foundation America
ALEXANDRIA, VA
Assets
$444.9M
Grants
10,157
Total Given
$466.3M
Data last updated June 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