The Gilbert Family Foundation
The Gilbert Family Foundation is a private nonprofit foundation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, founded in 2015 by Dan Gilbert (Founder & Chairman of Rocket Companies) and Jennifer Gilbert (Founder & CEO of Amber Engine). The foundation operates with a dual mission focused on accelerating a cure for neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and building economic opportunity and equity in Detroit.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$53.1M
+43.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$112.9M
+19.7% YoY
Grant Count
140
+19.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$806K
+0.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation is committed to two primary missions:
Curing Neurofibromatosis (NF1)
- Accelerating a cure for neurofibromatosis type 1 through investments in cutting-edge research
- Gene Therapy Initiative (GTI): developing curative therapies addressing underlying genetic abnormalities in NF1 patients
- Vision Restoration Initiative (VRI): advancing vision restoration therapies
- Brain Tumor Initiative
- Next-Generation Research Models
Building Opportunity in Detroit
- Growing opportunity and equity for Detroit residents who have faced systemic barriers to economic and social mobility
- Housing stability programs
- Economic mobility initiatives
- Arts and culture investments
- Public spaces development
- Small business growth and career connection programs
Since its founding in 2015, the foundation has supported over 6,000 families and invested over $54 million toward NF1 research.
Grantmaking
The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Grants are by invitation only.
Grant Range
s:**
Average Grant
$805,694
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
- Primary focus: Detroit, Michigan (for community development and opportunity building)
- National and international: For neurofibromatosis research
- Funding activities across multiple U.S. states including Michigan, New York, California, and other locations
- International funding in locations such as Sydney
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent (2024):
- Total Assets: $53,066,194
- Total Revenues: $131,783,494
- Total Expenses: $96,724,194
- Number of Employees: 20
Previous Year (2023):
- Total Assets: $36,991,538
- Total Revenues: $38,521,985
- Total Expenses: $109,765,692
- Total Giving: $94,266,226
- Number of Grants: 114-117
- Number of Employees: 15
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $53,066,194 | $36,991,538 | $92,102,983 |
| Revenue | $131,783,494 | $38,521,985 | $21,008,568 |
| Expenses | $96,724,194 | $109,765,692 | $77,737,179 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $116,867,502 | $97,706,758 | $47,562,773 |
| Net Investment Income | $59,954,271 | $4,254,743 | $626,926 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,658,592 | $3,620,822 | $2,284,246 |
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
152 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Dan Gilbert: Co-Founder and Founder & Chairman of Rocket Companies
- Jennifer Gilbert: Co-Founder and Founder & CEO of Amber Engine; President
- Laura Grannemann: Executive Director
- Jeffrey Morganroth: Secretary
- Matthew Rizik: Treasurer
- Darnell Adams: Vice President, Detroit Community Initiatives
Key personnel do not receive compensation for their roles.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JENNIFER GILBERT | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| JEFFREY MORGANROTH | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| MATTHEW RIZIK | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| LAURA GRANNEMANN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 24 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**Detroit Neighborhood Commitment Progress (2026):**
In March 2026, the foundation announced progress on its historic $500 million, 10-year commitment to Detroit neighborhoods, launched in 2021 in partnership with Rocket Community Fund. Nearly $300 million has been deployed through the end of 2025, putting the initiative ahead of pace toward its $500 million goal. Housing stability programs have helped thousands of Detroit residents remain in their homes, with nearly $52 million in property tax debt eliminated.
Children's National Hospital Receives $8 Million Grant ...**Recent Grants:**
Children's National Hospital received $8 million for neurofibromatosis research advancement
Pitt researchers received $2.2M from the Gilbert Family ...University of Pittsburgh researchers received $2.2 million for NF1 blindness research
Pitt researchers received $2.2M from the Gilbert Family ...$4.45 million contributed to support small business growth and career connection programs in Detroit
Gilbert Family Foundation Contributes $4.45 Million to Support Small Business$615,000 grant awarded to BUILD Institute for empowering Detroit microentrepreneurs
Gilbert Family Foundation Awards $615000 Grant to BUILD ...Grants announced to support artists and strengthen the arts economy during Detroit Month of Design
Contact Information
Address: 1074 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
Website: gilbertfamilyfoundation.org
Phone: 313-782-9500
Email: team@gilbertfamilyfoundation.org
EIN: 35-7294609
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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