W E Upjohn Unemployment Trustee Corporation
Based in Kalamazoo, Michigan, W E Upjohn Unemployment Trustee Corporation is a public charity whose work is connected to the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research. The organization was formed in 1932. The Institute describes itself as a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that conducts labor-market and workforce research and delivers workforce services in Southwest Michigan.
W E Upjohn Unemployment Trustee Corporation at a glance
In short: W E Upjohn Unemployment Trustee Corporation gave $3.7M across 14 grants in 2025 (avg $261K), mostly in Michigan. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $3,659,048
- +945.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 14
- +40.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $261,361
- +646.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $8,750
- Total assets
- $301,007,494
- +12.2% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Michigan (88% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to W E Upjohn Unemployment Trustee Corporation
- Contact
Mailing address: 300 S Westnedge Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI 49007
Phone: (269) 343-5541
Website: https://upjohn.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who W E Upjohn Unemployment Trustee Corporation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Kresa Foundation ($2.1M). Together the top 10 received $3.6M.
Grant Size Distribution
45 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 23 grants of 45 (51%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 filing’s reported grant dollars were distributed primarily to Michigan recipients: 88% in Michigan, 5% in Minnesota, 4% in Washington, 2% in New York, and less than 1% in California. The listed grants also include recipients in other states. The Institute separately describes its workforce services as serving Southwest Michigan.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 14 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How W E Upjohn Unemployment Trustee Corporation gives
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $350K (2024) to $4.6M (2023). In 2025 it made 14 grants totaling $3.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Kresa Foundation Portage, MI | Early Career Research Award | $2,123,165 |
| Workforce Development Institute (WDI) Lansing, MI | Program Assistance | $1,011,229 |
| University of Minnesota Minneapolis, MN | Early Career Research Award | $187,384 |
| University of Washington Seattle, WA | Early Career Research Award | $139,770 |
| Voces Battle Creek, MI | Childcare Capacity Grant | $75,000 |
| Russel Sage Foundation New York, NY | Dissertion Awards | $60,000 |
| Child Care Back Office South Branch, MI | Childcare Capacity Grant | $10,000 |
| Arizona State University Tempe, AZ | Early Career Research Award | $7,500 |
| Chapman University Orange, CA | Early Career Research Award | $7,500 |
| Cornell University Ithaca, NY | Early Career Research Reward | $7,500 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $301,007,494 | $29,504,597 | $29,514,542 | $3,659,048 | 14 | $8,046,583 |
| 2024 | $268,191,442 | $98,319,707 | $31,176,536 | $350,000 | 10 | $77,561,584 |
| 2023 | $251,303,030 | $24,793,042 | $29,934,192 | $4,640,816 | 12 | $7,068,110 |
| 2022 | $228,309,174 | $25,753,689 | $27,590,896 | $4,605,915 | 6 | $8,755,982 |
| 2021 | $279,939,178 | $28,869,507 | $22,140,302 | $4,405,952 | 3 | $15,761,862 |
| 2020 | $242,396,888 | $18,581,790 | $21,640,579 | $4,368,114 | 4 | $5,613,711 |
| 2019 | $227,724,917 | $30,548,088 | $21,489,893 | $3,711,034 | 4 | $16,700,187 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to research the causes and effects of unemployment, study ways to insure against unemployment, and develop methods to prevent or alleviate the hardship unemployment causes. Its program description says workforce development programs help job seekers find career opportunities and prepare a qualified workforce for business and industry. Its research addresses labor markets, unemployment, education and training systems, and government policy, with findings disseminated to policymakers, advocates, and practitioners.
The Institute describes its Early Career Research Awards as support for junior researchers within six years of earning a PhD to conduct policy-related research on employment and public workforce issues. It also sponsors an annual prize for the best PhD dissertation on employment-related issues and jointly supports dissertation research grants with the Russell Sage Foundation, with particular interest in policy-relevant research concerning BIPOC communities.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate a range of grant purposes. The Kalamazoo Regional Educational Foundation, which received a 2025 grant, says its mission is to support Kalamazoo RESA’s mission and goals, with a focus on its Centers of Excellence. The Michigan State AFL-CIO Workforce, also a 2025 grantee, says it applies workforce development principles to grow Michigan’s economy and improve workers’ lives. VOCES, another grantee, says it promotes an inclusive society by providing Latino and Hispanic families with opportunities and resources.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the organization reported 14 grants totaling $3,659,048. Grant amounts ranged from $7,500 to $2,123,165, with a median of $8,750.
Among the largest reported grants were $2,123,165 to KRESA Foundation for an Early Career Research Award, $1,011,229 to Workforce Development Institute for program assistance, $187,384 to the University of Minnesota for an Early Career Research Award, and $139,770 to the University of Washington for an Early Career Research Award. Other reported awards included $75,000 to VOCES for a childcare capacity grant and $60,000 to the Russell Sage Foundation for dissertation awards.
For Early Career Research Awards, the Institute’s 2026 announcement specified a proposal of no more than 1,200 words, an abstract, a brief budget, and a current CV. The award amount was $7,500; indirect costs were not paid, and funded research was expected to be submitted to the Institute within 18 months of the award announcement. The 2026 dissertation research grant application deadline was February 3, 2026, a past deadline.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Michael Horrigan as president; Donald R. Parfet as chairman of the board; Sydney Parfet as vice chairman; Jorge Gonzalez as secretary-treasurer; and B. Joseph White as secretary-treasurer for part of the year. Listed trustees are Kathryn Fink, Bill Manns, La June Montgomery Tabron, Jesse Rothstein, and Amanda Van Dusen.
W E Upjohn Unemployment Trustee Corporation is led by Michael Horrigan, President on every filing since 2019; 10 of 19 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Michael Horrigan
President
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$347K (2019) → $461K (2025)
Donald R. Parfet
Chairman of the Board
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Benjamin Damerow
Senior Director & Cwis
Director of the Center for Workforce Innovation → Senior Director & Cwis, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$164K (2023) → $170K (2025)
Alfonso Flores-Lagunes
Vice President & Director of Research
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$209K (2024) → $339K (2025)
Iryna Lendel
Senior Director of Regioin
Senior Director of Regioinal Economic & Community → Senior Director of Regioin, 2025
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$218K (2024) → $227K (2025)
Amanda Van Dusen
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jesse Rothstein
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kathryn Fink
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
La June Montgomery Tabron
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bill Manns
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brad J. Hershbein
Senior Economist & Deputy
Senior Economist → Senior Researcher & Deputy, 2022
Senior Researcher & Deputy → Senior Economist & Deputy, 2024
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$190K (2019) → $256K (2025)
Susan N. Houseman
Senior Economist
Vice President & Director of Research → Senior Economist, 2025
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$276K (2019) → $301K (2025)
Timothy J. Bartik
Senior Economist
Senior Economist → Senior Researcher, 2022
Senior Researcher → Senior Economist, 2024
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$240K (2019) → $183K (2025)
Donald Edgerly
Chief Administrative Officer
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$130K (2020) → $177K (2025)
Kathy Breyfogle
Chief Financial Officer
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$129K (2020) → $192K (2025)
Aaron Sojourner
Senior Economist
Senior Researcher → Senior Economist, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$249K (2023) → $286K (2025)
B. Joseph White
Secretary-Treasurer - Partial Year
Secretary-Treasurer → Secretary-Treasurer - Partial Year, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jorge Gonzalez
Secretary-Treasurer
Trustee → Secretary-Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sydney Parfet
Vice Chairman
Trustee → Vice Chairman, 2022
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (10)
- Former: Eileen Wilson-Oyelaran (2019–2024) — Trustee- Partial Year
- Former: Frank Sardone (2019–2024) — Trustee- Partial Year
- Former: Marta Lachowska (2024) — Senior Economist & Deputy Director of Research
- Former: Christopher J. O'Leary (2019–2023) — Senior Researcher
- Former: Randall W. Eberts (2019–2023) — Senior Researcher
- Former: Brian Asquith (2022) — Researcher
- Former: James E. Robey (2019–2021) — Director of Regional Econo
- Former: John M. Dunn (2019–2021) — Trustee -
- Former: Marilyn J. Schlack (2019–2021) — Vice Chair -
- Former: Evan E. Mast (2019) — Economist
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $461K, to Michael Horrigan (President). 10 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about W E Upjohn Unemployment Trustee Corporation
How much does W E Upjohn Unemployment Trustee Corporation give each year?
W E Upjohn Unemployment Trustee Corporation gave $3.7M across 14 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $350K across 10 grants.
What is W E Upjohn Unemployment Trustee Corporation's typical grant size?
W E Upjohn Unemployment Trustee Corporation's median grant in 2025 was $8,750, and its average grant was $261,361, across 14 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does W E Upjohn Unemployment Trustee Corporation give grants?
W E Upjohn Unemployment Trustee Corporation gives mostly in Michigan: 88% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Minnesota (5%).
Does W E Upjohn Unemployment Trustee Corporation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 14 grants with a stated purpose on W E Upjohn Unemployment Trustee Corporation's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Early Career Research Award" (9 grants).
Who are W E Upjohn Unemployment Trustee Corporation's largest grantees?
W E Upjohn Unemployment Trustee Corporation's largest 2025 grantees include Kresa Foundation ($2,123,165), Workforce Development Institute (WDI) ($1,011,229) and University of Minnesota ($187,384), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 91% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is W E Upjohn Unemployment Trustee Corporation?
W E Upjohn Unemployment Trustee Corporation reported $301.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $29.5M.
What does W E Upjohn Unemployment Trustee Corporation fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to research the causes and effects of unemployment, study ways to insure against unemployment, and develop methods to prevent or alleviate the hardship unemployment causes. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from W E Upjohn Unemployment Trustee Corporation?
W E Upjohn Unemployment Trustee Corporation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check upjohn.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is W E Upjohn Unemployment Trustee Corporation's EIN?
W E Upjohn Unemployment Trustee Corporation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-1360419. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 14, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 5, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS June 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS June 27, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS June 24, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 18, 2020)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 22, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work W E Upjohn Unemployment Trustee Corporation funds
Employment Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). W E Upjohn Unemployment Trustee Corporation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/w-e-upjohn-unemployment-trustee-corporation-morg_5df26c3dab194824bdfb18a60cb4489c
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_381360419_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{W E Upjohn Unemployment Trustee Corporation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/w-e-upjohn-unemployment-trustee-corporation-morg_5df26c3dab194824bdfb18a60cb4489c},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-22. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from W E Upjohn Unemployment Trustee Corporation'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.
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