The Sehn Foundation
The Sehn Foundation is a private foundation, based in Bloomfield Hills, MI. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $2.0M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 8 grants totaling $135K. Net investment income was $151K.
The Sehn Foundation at a glance
In short: The Sehn Foundation gave $135K across 8 grants in 2024 (avg $17K), mostly in Michigan. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $134,500
- -33.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 8
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $16,813
- -33.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $2,000,087
- +3.3% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Michigan (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
Who The Sehn Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Christ Child Society ($100K). Together the top 5 received $135K.
Grant Size Distribution
52 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 45 grants of 52 (87%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Sehn Foundation gives
- Giving fell 26% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 98% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $122K (2020) to $202K (2023). In 2024 it made 8 grants totaling $135K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Christ Child Society Detroit, MI | Religious Support | $100,000 |
| Guest House Lake Orion, MI | To Support the Community | $10,000 |
| Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson's Gross Point Woods, MI | To Support the Community | $5,000 |
| Midnight Golf Program Bingham Farms, MI | Support for programs promoting life-skills, mentorship, and college guidance | $5,000 |
| St Hugo of the Hills Church Bloomfield Hills, MI | Religious Support | $5,000 |
| St Hugo of the Hills Church Bloomfield Hills, MI | Religious Support | $5,000 |
| Midnight Golf Program Bingham Farms, MI | Support for programs promoting life-skills, mentorship, and college guidance | $2,500 |
| St Hugo of the Hills Church Bloomfield Hills, MI | Religious Support | $2,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2,000,087 | $218,760 | $153,654 | $134,500 | 8 | $135,910 | $151,016 | $138,434 |
| 2023 | $1,936,493 | $43,757 | $220,055 | $202,000 | 8 | $203,410 | $45,064 | $125,062 |
| 2022 | $2,109,475 | $156,872 | $181,224 | $152,976 | 12 | $155,661 | $138,587 | $126,272 |
| 2021 | $2,134,604 | $358,724 | $198,670 | $182,000 | 13 | $182,010 | $341,647 | $133,257 |
| 2020 | $1,975,322 | $52,716 | $145,740 | $121,500 | 11 | — | $43,829 | $111,146 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Sehn Foundation reported a distributable amount of $138K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Sehn Foundation's 2024 filing lists 3 officers; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
James Thomas Sehn
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Barbara Sehn Shuman
Secretary
On filings since 2020
15 hrs/week
$5K (2020) → $0 (2024)
John Patrick Day
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2020 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2020 filing was $5K, to Barbara Sehn Shuman (Secretary).
Frequently asked questions about The Sehn Foundation
How much does The Sehn Foundation give each year?
The Sehn Foundation gave $135K across 8 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $202K across 8 grants.
What is The Sehn Foundation's typical grant size?
The Sehn Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $5,000, and its average grant was $16,813, across 8 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Sehn Foundation give grants?
The Sehn Foundation gives mostly in Michigan: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Bloomfield Hills, MI (3 grants) and Bingham Farms, MI (2 grants).
Does The Sehn Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 8 grants with a stated purpose on The Sehn Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Religious Support" (4 grants).
Who are The Sehn Foundation's largest grantees?
The Sehn Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Christ Child Society ($100,000), St Hugo of the Hills Church ($12,000 across 3 grants) and Guest House ($10,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 91% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Sehn Foundation?
The Sehn Foundation reported $2.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $136K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $138K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What is The Sehn Foundation's EIN?
The Sehn Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-6160784. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 11, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 9, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 7, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 23, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 4, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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