The Walters Family Foundation
The Walters Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Milford, Michigan. It seeks to strengthen Michigan communities by supporting initiatives in natural-environment conservation, arts and culture, economic vitality, and innovative learning.
Key facts about The Walters Family Foundation
In short: The Walters Family Foundation gave $1.2M across 22 grants in 2024 (avg $57K), mostly in Michigan. 55% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990 filing.
- EIN
- 47-1395696
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990 filing, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,248,000
- Grants made (2024)
- 22
- Average grant
- $56,727
- Median grant
- $50,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 55% first-time grantees (12 of 22, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Michigan (89% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- To be considered for the current year, Strategic Letters of Interest must be submitted by September 15, Discretionary…
Data from IRS Form 990 filing, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 filing · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$1.2M
+27.9% YoY
Grant Count
22
+57.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$57K
-18.6% YoY
Is The Walters Family Foundation open to new grantees?
55%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 12 of 22 grantees (55%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $44K; repeat grants $73K. How we count
Medians: $40K first-time, $63K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s four stated grantmaking areas are conserving the natural environment, celebrating arts and culture, advancing economic vitality, and empowering people to reach their full potential through innovative learning initiatives. Its guiding principles include empowering individuals, innovative approaches, leadership, partnership, and lasting impact.
Its 2024 grantees illustrate the range of organizations it supports. Conservation Resource Alliance describes its mission as protecting Northern Michigan’s waterways, wildlife, and forests; Shakespeare in Detroit says it creates professional theatre through a lens of equity, diversity, and inclusion; and Center for Success Network says it unites literacy and community to empower students. Other grantees include organizations working in conservation, higher education, youth mentoring, entrepreneurship, and workforce development.
Grantmaking
The foundation reported 22 grants totaling $1,248,000 in 2024, 14 grants totaling $975,500 in 2023, and 15 grants totaling $985,000 in 2022. In 2024, grants ranged from $10,000 to $150,000, with a median of $50,000.
Review Cycle
** To be considered for the current year, Strategic Letters of Interest must be submitted by September 15, Discretionary applications by October 1, and Strategic applications by November 1. Funding decisions are made by the Board of Trustees throughout the year.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Walters Family Foundation
Ready to take the next step with The Walters Family Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s stated eligibility is limited to Michigan-based projects. In 2024, 89% of grant dollars went to recipients in Michigan; the remaining shares went to recipients in Tennessee (4%), North Carolina (4%), Washington, D.C. (2%), and Ohio (2%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 22 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
Cities
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
81 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CONSERVATION RESOURCE ALLIANCE Traverse City, MI | WFF FUNDING WILL HELP TO PRESERVE AND PROTECT NORTHERN MICHIGAN'S WATERWAYS, WILDLIFE, AND FORESTS FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. | $150,000 |
| HURON PINES RESOURCE CONSERVATION & DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL INC Gaylord, MI | WFF FUNDING WILL HELP THE WORK ACROSS FORESTS, LAKES AND STREAMS OF NORTHERN MICHIGAN TO IMPROVE ECONOMIC, ENVIRONMENTAL, EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE PEOPLE IN CONSERVATION STEWARDSHIP TO SUPPORT SUSTAINABLE, EMPOWERED COMMUNITIES RICH WITH PROTECTED NATURAL RESOURCES. | $125,000 |
| LAWRENCE TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY Southfield, MI | WFF FUNDING WILL HELP THE PRIVATE UNIVERSITY BY CONTRIBUTING TO SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS TO HELP STUDENTS WITH RISING COST OF COLLEGE EDUCATION. | $120,000 |
| RACQUET UP DETROIT Detroit, MI | WFF FUNDING WILL HELP SUPPORT AND EMPOWER DETROIT YOUTH TO ACHIEVE THIER FULL POTENTIAL THROUGH A DEMANDING AND INSPIRING LONG-TERM EXTRACURRICULAR MENTORING PROGRAM OF SQUASH, ACADEMICS, AND COMMUNITY SERVICE. | $100,000 |
| LEAN ROCKET LAB Jackson, MI | WFF FUNDING WILL HELP REMOVE COMMON BARRIERS TO INNOVATION BY PROVIDING A COLLABORATIVE WORKSPACE FULL OF HIGH ENERGY ENTREPRENEURS, ADVANCED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING, HELPFUL BUSINESS RESOURCES, AND ACCESS TO VARIOUS STAGES OF CAPITAL SO BUSINESSES OR PRODUCTS CAN LAUNCH AND THRIVE. | $90,000 |
| INDUSTRIAL SEWING AND INNOVATION CENTER Detroit, MI | WFF FUNDINGS WILL HELP TO EMPOWER PEROPLE WITH FREEDOM TO RELENTLESSLY PURSUE INNOVATION FOR BETTER INDUSTRY, BETTER LIVES. | $75,000 |
| HEADWATERS LAND CONSERVANCY Gaylord, MI | WFF FUNDING WILL HELP TO PROTECT THE NATURAL DIVERSITY AND BEAUTY OF NORTHEAST MICHIGAN BY PRESERVING SIGNIFICANT LAND AND SCENIC AREAS AND FOSTERING APPRECIATION AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE ENVIRONMENT. | $68,000 |
| CENTER FOR SUCCESS NETWORK Detroit, MI | WFF FUNDING WILL HELP TO UNITE LITERACY AND COMMUNITY TO EMPOWER STUDENTS IN THE JOURNEY OF EDUCATION. | $65,000 |
| SHAKESPEARE IN DETROIT Dearborn, MI | WFF FUNDING WILL HELP TO ENHANCE AND SUPPORT THE CULTURAL, EDUCATIONAL, AND FINANCIAL GROWTH OF DETROIT WITH PROFESSIONAL THEATRE CREATED THROUGH A CONSCIOUS LENS OF EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION. | $65,000 |
| TEACH EMPOWER ACHIEVE Detroit, MI | WFF FUNDING WILL HELP TO ENHANCE THE LIVES OF WOMEN FACING BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT THROUGH PROVIDING WORKFORCE TRAINING, EDUCATION, SKILL DEVELOPMENT, COACHING, AND MENTORSHIP SERVICES. | $60,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Grants awarded | Grant count |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,248,000 | 22 |
| 2023 | $975,500 | 14 |
| 2022 | $985,000 | 15 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Carol A. Walters as President and Director; Peter S. Walters as Secretary and Treasurer; and Matthew D. Walters, Joseph P. Walters, and Sarah J. Early as directors.
The Walters Family Foundation is led by Carol A. Walters, President & Director on every filing since 2020; none of the 5 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Carol A. Walters
President & Director
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joseph P. Walters
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Matthew D. Walters
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Peter S. Walters
Secretary, Treasurer & Director
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sarah J. Early
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 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.
Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 370, Milford, MI 48381
Phone: (248) 205-1390
Website: https://waltersffmi.org
Frequently asked questions about The Walters Family Foundation
How much does The Walters Family Foundation give each year?
The Walters Family Foundation gave $1.2M across 22 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. In 2023 it gave $976K across 14 grants.
What is The Walters Family Foundation's typical grant size?
The Walters Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $50,000, and its average grant was $56,727, across 22 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Walters Family Foundation that year got $44K on average.
Where does The Walters Family Foundation give grants?
The Walters Family Foundation gives mostly in Michigan: 89% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Detroit, MI (8 grants), Traverse City, MI (2 grants) and Gaylord, MI (2 grants).
Does The Walters Family Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 22 grants with a stated purpose on The Walters Family Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990 filing were described as general or operating support.
Who are The Walters Family Foundation's largest grantees?
The Walters Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Conservation Resource Alliance ($150,000), Huron Pines Resource Conservation & Development Council Inc ($125,000) and Lawrence Technological University ($120,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. Together they received 32% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
What does The Walters Family Foundation fund?
The foundation’s four stated grantmaking areas are conserving the natural environment, celebrating arts and culture, advancing economic vitality, and empowering people to reach their full potential through innovative learning initiatives. Its guiding principles include empowering individuals, innovative approaches, leadership, partnership, and lasting impact. Its 2024 grantees illustrate the range of organizations it supports. Conservation Resource Alliance describes its mission as protecting N…
How do I apply for a grant from The Walters Family Foundation?
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Walters Family Foundation's EIN?
The Walters Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-1395696. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Walters Family Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching The Walters Family Foundation by hand.
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