The John C Bates Foundation
The John C Bates Foundation is a private foundation, based in Toledo, OH. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $869K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 3 grants totaling $61K. Net investment income was $67K.
The John C Bates Foundation at a glance
In short: The John C Bates Foundation gave $61K across 3 grants in 2025 (avg $20K), mostly in Michigan. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $60,500
- -42.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 3
- -66.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $20,167
- +73.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $868,832
- -32.3% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Michigan (100% 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 John C Bates Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 3 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Bedford Public Schools (Stadium) ($50K). Together the top 3 received $61K.
Grant Size Distribution
25 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 23 grants of 25 (92%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 3 itemized grants.
Cities
How The John C Bates Foundation gives
- Giving grew 48% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 116% 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $5K (2021) to $105K (2024). In 2025 it made 3 grants totaling $61K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Bedford Public Schools (Stadium) Temperance, MI | Bedford Public Schools (Stadium) General Fund. | $50,000 |
| Detroit Achievement Academy Foundation Detroit, MI | Field Studies. | $10,000 |
| Race for the Kids Grosse Pointe Farms, MI | Race for the Kids General Fund. | $500 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $868,832 | $67,007 | $61,576 | $60,500 | 3 | $61,576 | $67,007 | $53,119 |
| 2024 | $1,282,617 | — | $105,110 | $104,500 | 9 | $105,110 | — | $69,112 |
| 2023 | $1,513,889 | — | $12,940 | $12,500 | 2 | $12,940 | — | $72,071 |
| 2022 | $1,428,536 | — | $41,732 | $41,000 | 10 | $41,732 | — | $65,528 |
| 2021 | $1,271,605 | — | $5,686 | $5,000 | 1 | — | — | $56,138 |
| 2019 | $996,953 | $3,436 | $52,899 | $52,150 | 12 | — | $3,156 | $34,144 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The John C Bates Foundation reported a distributable amount of $53K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The John C Bates Foundation is led by Darlene L. Dotson, President & Director on every filing since 2019; none of the 7 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Darlene L. Dotson
President & Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John C. Bates
Director
On filings since 2019
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lindsay Bates
Director
On filings since 2019
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rita Czerniakowski
Treasurer & Director
On filings since 2019
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Suzaane Bates Colon
Director
On filings since 2019
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shannon Bates
Director
On filings since 2022
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jacque Pollock
Secretary
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Blain Shinkle (2019–2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 John C Bates Foundation
How much does The John C Bates Foundation give each year?
The John C Bates Foundation gave $61K across 3 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $105K across 9 grants.
What is The John C Bates Foundation's typical grant size?
The John C Bates Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $20,167, across 3 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The John C Bates Foundation give grants?
The John C Bates Foundation gives mostly in Michigan: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there.
Does The John C Bates Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 67% of The John C Bates Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (2 of 3) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
How large is The John C Bates Foundation?
The John C Bates Foundation reported $869K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $62K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $53K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is The John C Bates Foundation's EIN?
The John C Bates Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 34-1749094. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS December 12, 2019)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS January 30, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 7, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 9, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
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