Tyler-little Family Foundation
The Tyler-Little Family Foundation is a private family foundation based in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Established in 2004 and designated as a 501(c)(3) organization, the foundation operates as a non-operating foundation focused on philanthropic grantmaking to charitable organizations across the United States.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$3.8M
+15.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$524K
-41.9% YoY
Grant Count
71
-56.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$7K
+32.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Tyler-little Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $734K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation primarily supports general support and various charitable initiatives including annual gifts, capital campaigns, and specific sponsorships. Primary funding focus areas include:
- Community and economic development
- Housing development
- Religion (particularly Christianity and Protestantism)
- Human services
- Youth development
- Job services and vocational rehabilitation
- Arts and culture
- Education
Grantmaking
The foundation makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations only and does not accept unsolicited applications.
Grant Range
$2,000
Average Grant
award: $6,000
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation concentrates its grantmaking primarily in Michigan, Colorado, and Indiana. Grantmaking reaches organizations across 18 states, with Michigan, Colorado, and Ohio accounting for 84% of all grants. The foundation has supported organizations in major cities including Chicago, Dallas, Denver, and New York, as well as smaller communities across states including Texas, New York, Virginia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, Nevada, Ohio, Tennessee, and others.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Year (2024):
- Total Assets: $3,776,429
- Total Revenue: $1,049,561
- Total Expenses: $543,420
- Total Liabilities: $0
- Investment Income and Dividends: $21,651
- Total Giving: $684,000
Historical Trend:
- Annual giving decreased from $902,000 in 2023 to $524,000 in 2024
Staffing:
- Number of employees: 0
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,776,429 | $3,270,288 | $3,295,445 |
| Revenue | $1,049,561 | $898,063 | $862,347 |
| Expenses | $543,420 | $923,220 | $909,989 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $539,901 | $919,909 | $906,693 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,041,042 | $894,752 | $859,051 |
| Distributable Amount | $733,921 | $654,692 | $672,091 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Ecumenical Senior Center ($50,000), Air Zoo Legacy Foundation ($40,000), Bronson Health Foundation ($25,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AIR ZOO LEGACY FOUNDATION PORTAGE, MI | EXHIBIT SPONSOR | $40,000 |
| AIR ZOO LEGACY FOUNDATION PORTAGE, MI | SCIENCE INNOVATION HALL OF FAME AWARDS GALA AND DINNER | $4,000 |
| ALLIANCE FOR GREAT LAKES CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| ARTS COUNCIL OF GREATER KALAMAZOO KALAMAZOO, MI | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $1,500 |
| BARN THEATRE SCHOOL AUGUSTA, MI | GENERAL SUPPORT | $3,000 |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF KALAMAZOO KALAMAZOO, MI | BENEFIT DINNER | $10,000 |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF GREATER KALAMAZOO KALAMAZOO, MI | ANNUAL FUND | $2,000 |
| BRONSON HEALTH FOUNDATION KALAMAZOO, MI | GOLF ANNUAL PLEDGE | $25,000 |
| BRONSON HEALTH FOUNDATION KALAMAZOO, MI | KARL KUCAB MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT | $3,000 |
| CATHOLIC SCHOOLS OF GREATER KALAMAZOO KALAMAZOO, MI | HACKETT CATHOLIC PREP - IN HONOR AND MEMORY OF CLASS OF 1989 | $2,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Timothy J. Tyler – President
- Sarah Tyler Chase – Vice President and Treasurer
- James C. Melvin – Key personnel
- Mari Blain – Key personnel
- Julie Tyler Knudsen – Key personnel
- Greenleaf Trust – Principal officer
All key personnel serve on a voluntary basis without compensation. The foundation is governed by 5 officers and trustees.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| TIMOTHY J TYLER | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| SARAH TYLER CHASE | VICE PRESIDENT/TREASURER | 1 | — |
| JAMES C MELVIN | ASSISTANT TREASURER | 1 | — |
| MARI BLAIN | ASSISTANT SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| JULIE TYLER KNUDSEN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has supported cultural institutions including the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, which lists the Tyler-Little Family Foundation among its grantors. The foundation has also provided exhibit sponsorships to the Air Zoo Legacy Foundation and supported capital building campaigns for community organizations such as the Ecumenical Senior Center.
Grantors | Kalamazoo Symphony OrchestraSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Tyler-little Family Foundation fund?
The foundation primarily supports general support and various charitable initiatives including annual gifts, capital campaigns, and specific sponsorships. Primary funding focus areas include: • Community and economic development • Housing development • Religion (particularly Christianity and Protestantism) • Human services • Youth development • Job services and vocational rehabilitation • Arts and culture • Education
How do I apply for a grant from Tyler-little Family Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Made 162 grants in the most recent year • Has made 233 total grants over its history, totaling $1.4 million • Median grant size: $2,000 • Average grant award: $6,000 • Individual grants have ranged from $2,000 to $100,000 • Typical awards are $50,000–$100,000 **Recent Grant Examples:** • Ecumenical Senior Center: $50,000 (Capital Building Campaign) • Air Zoo Legacy Foundation: $40,000 (Exhibit Sponsor) • Bronson Health Foundation: $25,000 (Golf Annual Pledge) • Kalamazoo S…
Where does Tyler-little Family Foundation make grants?
The foundation concentrates its grantmaking primarily in Michigan, Colorado, and Indiana. Grantmaking reaches organizations across 18 states, with Michigan, Colorado, and Ohio accounting for 84% of all grants. The foundation has supported organizations in major cities including Chicago, Dallas, Denver, and New York, as well as smaller communities across states including Texas, New York, Virginia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, Nevada, Ohio, Tenne…
What size grants does Tyler-little Family Foundation award?
In 2024, Tyler-little Family Foundation awarded 71 grants totaling $524K — an average of about $7K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Tyler-little Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Tyler-little Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $734K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Tyler-little Family Foundation's EIN?
Tyler-little Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-0880483. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Tyler-little Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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