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 2026. As of 2026, the organization holds $246K in total assets. In 2026, it awarded 6 grants totaling $203K.
The Foundation for Educational Advancement at a glance
In short: The Foundation for Educational Advancement gave $203K across 6 grants in 2026 (avg $34K), mostly in Michigan. Source: 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2026)
- $202,600
- +251.3% vs 2025
- Grants made (2026)
- 6
- +20.0% vs 2025
- Average grant
- $33,767
- +192.7% vs 2025
- Median grant
- $27,500
- Total assets
- $246,409
- -14.5% vs 2025
- Primary geography
- Michigan (51% of itemized 2026 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2026 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2026; updated November 2026.
Who The Foundation for Educational Advancement funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2026
The largest 2026 recipient was Academy of the Sacred Heart ($38K). Together the top 4 received $103K.
Organizations only. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($100,100), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
22 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 18 grants of 22 (82%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2026 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Foundation for Educational Advancement gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2023 to 2026 (−13%). Method
- In 2026 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 2021 to 2026, annual grant giving ranged from $21K (2021) to $232K (2023). In 2026 it made 6 grants totaling $203K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 2 grants to individuals Recipients not named | — | $100,100 |
| Academy of the Sacred Heart Bloomfield Hills, MI | General fund donation | $37,500 |
| Beyond Basics Farmington, MI | General fund donation | $35,000 |
| 180 Church Detroit, MI | General Fund Donation | $20,000 |
| University of Detroit Mercy Detroit, MI | General Fund Donation | $10,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $246,409 | $161,027 | $202,658 | $202,600 | 6 | $202,600 | $12,136 |
| 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 $12K for 2026 — 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 2026 report compensation.
Officers on the 2026 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, 2021–2026. "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 $203K across 6 grants in 2026, according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2025 it gave $58K across 5 grants.
What is The Foundation for Educational Advancement's typical grant size?
The Foundation for Educational Advancement's median grant in 2026 was $27,500, and its average grant was $33,767, across 6 grants on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Foundation for Educational Advancement give grants?
The Foundation for Educational Advancement gives mostly in Michigan: 51% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Detroit, MI (2 grants).
Does The Foundation for Educational Advancement give general operating support?
Yes: 83% of The Foundation for Educational Advancement's 2026 grants with a stated purpose (5 of 6) were for general or operating support, per its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Foundation for Educational Advancement's largest grantees?
The Foundation for Educational Advancement's largest 2026 grantees include Academy of the Sacred Heart ($37,500), Beyond Basics ($35,000) and 180 Church ($20,000), according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($100,100), which are not listed by name. Together they received 46% of its itemized 2026 grant dollars.
How large is The Foundation for Educational Advancement?
The Foundation for Educational Advancement reported $246K in total assets on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $203K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $12K (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 $246K in total assets as of 2026.
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 2021–2026.
Data last updated November 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 2, 2024)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2026 (received by the IRS September 10, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Live grants for the work The Foundation for Educational Advancement funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Innovation Award (Student Competition) $10,000 total scholarship pool ($5,000 first place, $2,500 second place, $1,500 third place, plus $1,000 Realtors' Choice Award) · Due November 10, 2026
- Expand Energy STEM Education Fund Grant Up to US $1,000 · Due November 10, 2026
- Scholarship Drawing Due November 10, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Foundation for Educational Advancement's focus areas in our free grants database
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