The Foundation for Educational Advancement
The Foundation for Educational Advancement is a private foundation focused on Education, based in Brighton, MI. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $288K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 5 grants totaling $58K.
The Foundation for Educational Advancement at a glance
In short: The Foundation for Educational Advancement gave $58K across 5 grants in 2025 (avg $12K), mostly in Michigan. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $57,672
- -65.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 5
- -28.6% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $11,534
- -52.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $2,000
- Total assets
- $288,039
- +75.0% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Michigan (82% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who The Foundation for Educational Advancement funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Academy of the Sacred Heart ($45K). Together the top 5 received $58K.
Grant Size Distribution
17 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 14 grants of 17 (82%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Foundation for Educational Advancement gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−19%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 407% of 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $21K (2021) to $232K (2023). In 2025 it made 5 grants totaling $58K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Academy of the Sacred Heart Bloomfield Hills, MI | General Fund Donation | $45,000 |
| College America Norfolk, VA | General Fund Donation | $10,000 |
| Missio ad Gentes Detroit Detroit, MI | Missio ad Gentes Detroit | $2,000 |
| Unbound Kansas City, MO | Sponsor a student | $472 |
| Eton Academy Birmingham, MI | General Fund Donation | $200 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $288,039 | $181,619 | $58,177 | $57,672 | 5 | $57,672 | $14,186 |
| 2024 | $164,597 | $151,000 | $171,556 | $168,450 | 7 | $168,450 | $8,057 |
| 2023 | $185,153 | $241,500 | $233,802 | $231,568 | 3 | $231,568 | $9,119 |
| 2022 | $177,455 | $225,050 | $72,464 | $71,509 | 1 | $72,464 | $8,740 |
| 2021 | $44,869 | $20,500 | $21,153 | $20,548 | 1 | — | $2,210 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Foundation for Educational Advancement reported a distributable amount of $14K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Foundation for Educational Advancement is led by Gordon R. Follmer, President on every filing since 2021; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Gordon R. Follmer
President
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mary Fisher
Vice President
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Matthew Follmer
Secretary
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Elias Gennaoui (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Gary White (2021–2023) — Secretary & Treasury
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "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 Foundation for Educational Advancement
How much does The Foundation for Educational Advancement give each year?
The Foundation for Educational Advancement gave $58K across 5 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $168K across 7 grants.
What is The Foundation for Educational Advancement's typical grant size?
The Foundation for Educational Advancement's median grant in 2025 was $2,000, and its average grant was $11,534, across 5 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Foundation for Educational Advancement give grants?
The Foundation for Educational Advancement gives mostly in Michigan: 82% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Virginia (17%).
Does The Foundation for Educational Advancement give general operating support?
Yes: 60% of The Foundation for Educational Advancement's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (3 of 5) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Foundation for Educational Advancement's largest grantees?
The Foundation for Educational Advancement's largest 2025 grantees include Academy of the Sacred Heart ($45,000), College America ($10,000) and Missio ad Gentes Detroit ($2,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 99% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Foundation for Educational Advancement?
The Foundation for Educational Advancement reported $288K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $58K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $14K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is The Foundation for Educational Advancement?
The Foundation for Educational Advancement is a private foundation focused on Education, based in Brighton, MI. It holds $288K in total assets as of 2025.
What is The Foundation for Educational Advancement's EIN?
The Foundation for Educational Advancement's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-0307479. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
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 2021–2025
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Browse active grant opportunities in The Foundation for Educational Advancement's focus areas in our free grants database
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