The Northern Michigan University Foundation
The nmu foundation will establish and foster relationships to generate resources that benefit the strategic goals of northern Michigan university.
The Northern Michigan University Foundation at a glance
In short: The Northern Michigan University Foundation gave $3.7M across 7 grants in 2025 (avg $536K), mostly in Michigan. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $3,749,214
- +6.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 7
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $535,602
- +6.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $405,491
- Total assets
- $85,717,144
- +10.9% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Michigan (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who The Northern Michigan University Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Northern Michigan University ($3.7M across 7 grants).
Grant Size Distribution
35 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $250–500K range: 12 grants of 35 (34%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Northern Michigan University Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+7%). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 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 $2.6M (2021) to $3.7M (2025). In 2025 it made 7 grants totaling $3.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Michigan University Marquette, MI | Scholarships | $1,575,607 |
| Northern Michigan University Marquette, MI | Other Departments and Programs | $1,119,833 |
| Northern Michigan University Marquette, MI | Public Television | $429,745 |
| Northern Michigan University Marquette, MI | Public Radio | $405,491 |
| Northern Michigan University Marquette, MI | Athletic Programs | $172,378 |
| Northern Michigan University Marquette, MI | Other Departments and Programs | $32,660 |
| Northern Michigan University Marquette, MI | Other Departments and Programs | $13,500 |
Ready to take the next step with The Northern Michigan University Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $85,717,144 | $12,623,680 | $5,017,434 | $3,749,214 | 7 | $2,327,363 |
| 2024 | $77,295,763 | $6,096,168 | $5,430,993 | $3,516,736 | 7 | $2,649,692 |
| 2023 | $70,883,331 | $18,008,930 | $4,810,789 | $3,094,038 | 7 | $2,273,153 |
| 2022 | $51,572,158 | $7,666,417 | $4,251,458 | $3,489,559 | 7 | $2,452,444 |
| 2021 | $57,190,761 | $6,659,103 | $3,718,668 | $2,575,072 | 7 | $2,439,324 |
About The Northern Michigan University Foundation
Based on IRS filings
The Northern Michigan University Foundation is a public charity focused on Education, based in Marquette, MI. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $85.7M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 7 grants totaling $3.7M. Net investment income was $2.3M.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Northern Michigan University Foundation is led by Brad M. Canale, Chief Executive Officer - since 2025 (on filings since 2021); none of the 20 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Brad M. Canale
Chief Executive Officer -
Chief Executive Officer → Chief Executive Officer -, 2025
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nicole A. Blemberg
Interim CEO - & Trustee
Trustee → Interim CEO - & Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark B. Pynnonen
President
Trustee → Vice President, 2024
Vice President → President, 2025
On filings since 2021
1.9 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Curt L. Tucker
Trustee
On filings since 2021
0.6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David R. Nerenz
Trustee
On filings since 2021
0.6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John F. List
Trustee
President → Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2021
0.6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joseph A. Evans
Trustee
On filings since 2021
0.6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kevin C. Boyle
Trustee
Secretary & Treasurer → Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2021
0.6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lisa M. Mueller
Trustee
On filings since 2021
0.6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark R. Lovell
Trustee
On filings since 2021
0.6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Russell M. Magnaghi
Trustee
On filings since 2021
0.6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephen P. Latus
Trustee
On filings since 2021
0.6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
William W. Bowerman
Trustee
On filings since 2021
0.6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
William W. Edwards
Trustee
On filings since 2021
0.6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jesse W. Bell
Trustee
On filings since 2022
0.6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Timothy P. Greeley
Trustee
On filings since 2023
0.6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cain G. Besse
Trustee
On filings since 2024
0.6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lisa A. Tomsheck
Trustee
On filings since 2024
0.6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gerard J. Molitor
Secretary & Treasurer
Trustee → Secretary & Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2022
1.9 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael R. Oswald
Vice President
Trustee → Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2022
1.9 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: Carole L. Welte (2021–2023) — Trustee
- Former: James C. Welte (2021–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Katherine L. Miller (2021–2023) — Vice President
- Former: Nicole A. Gregory (2021–2023) — Trustee
- Former: James S. Lombard (2021) — Trustee
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 Northern Michigan University Foundation
How much does The Northern Michigan University Foundation give each year?
The Northern Michigan University Foundation gave $3.7M across 7 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $3.5M across 7 grants.
What is The Northern Michigan University Foundation's typical grant size?
The Northern Michigan University Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $405,491, and its average grant was $535,602, across 7 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does The Northern Michigan University Foundation give grants?
The Northern Michigan University Foundation gives mostly in Michigan: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Marquette, MI (7 grants).
Does The Northern Michigan University Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 7 grants with a stated purpose on The Northern Michigan University Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Other Departments and Programs" (3 grants).
How large is The Northern Michigan University Foundation?
The Northern Michigan University Foundation reported $85.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $12.6M.
What is The Northern Michigan University Foundation?
The Northern Michigan University Foundation is a public charity focused on Education, based in Marquette, MI. It holds $85.7M in total assets as of 2025.
What is The Northern Michigan University Foundation's EIN?
The Northern Michigan University Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7034523. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 9, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 4, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 7, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 4, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS November 10, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Live grants for the work The Northern Michigan University Foundation funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Northern Michigan University Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Similar funders in Michigan
WK Kellogg Foundation
Battle Creek, MI
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation funds work to help children, families, and communities thrive, including early education, health equity, food systems, family economic well-being, and racial equity. In 2025, its grants ranged from $50 to nearly $5 million, with a median of $100,000; it funds across the United States, with long-term commitments in several states and communities, as well as parts of Mexico and Haiti. It accepts unsolicited proposals online at any time.
Assets
$481.0M
Grants
1,818
Total Given
$303.9M
Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan
Detroit, MI
The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan funds nonprofits working in economic opportunity, health equity, youth and education, arts and culture, and public space and the environment across seven southeast Michigan counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000, though awards varied widely; organizations begin with a brief proposal, and selected applicants are invited to submit a full application.
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
938
Total Given
$105.1M
Charles Stewart Mott Foundation
Flint, MI
The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation funds nonprofits working in civil society, youth engagement, environmental sustainability, and Flint-area community development, in Flint and communities around the world. Its 2024 grants had a median of $55,000, though awards ranged widely; it does not accept unsolicited funding requests and supports preselected organizations.
Assets
$3.8B
Grants
834
Total Given
$166.4M
The Kresge Foundation
Troy, MI
The Kresge Foundation funds nonprofit operations, projects, and planning across arts and culture, education, environment, health, human services, and community development, with a focus on equity and opportunity in U.S. cities—especially Detroit, Memphis, New Orleans, and Fresno. Its 2024 grants ranged from $150 to $5 million, with a median of $140,000. Program teams most often invite applicants, though some programs issue open calls or RFPs; unsolicited requests are not described as generally accepted.
Assets
$4.0B
Grants
800
Total Given
$170.0M
DTE Energy Foundation
Detroit, MI
DTE Energy Foundation funds community transformation, human needs, economic development, education, employment, and environmental initiatives, primarily in Michigan. Its 2024 grants had a median of about $10,000, though amounts ranged from $100 to $1.2 million. Its general application process is invitation-only, but it has offered open calls for specific Michigan programs.
Assets
$129.1M
Grants
442
Total Given
$15.8M
The Skillman Foundation
Detroit, MI
The Skillman Foundation funds Detroit organizations working on education systems change, youth development, and community services that support Detroit youth. Its 2024 grants had a median of $10,000 and ranged from $50 to $500,000; it generally proactively invites partnership applications, though it welcomes connections from organizations and currently accepts applications to its $2,500–$10,000 President’s Discretionary Fund.
Assets
$418.5M
Grants
416
Total Given
$17.8M
More similar funders
More Funders in Michigan
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from The Northern Michigan University Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
The Northern Michigan University Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?