William Davidson Foundation
The William Davidson Foundation is a private foundation based in Birmingham, Michigan. It supports initiatives intended to advance the economic, cultural, and civic vitality of Southeast Michigan, the State of Israel, and the Jewish community.
William Davidson Foundation at a glance
In short: William Davidson Foundation gave $59.6M across 94 grants in 2024 (avg $634K), top state Michigan. 22% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $59,609,722
- -0.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 94
- +10.6% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $634,146
- -10.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $287,500
- Total assets
- $1,142,078,960
- +3.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 22% first-time grantees (16 of 73, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Michigan (47% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to William Davidson Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. It states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 1688, Birmingham, MI 48012
Phone: (248) 788-6500
Website: https://williamdavidson.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who William Davidson Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Jewish Federation of Detroit ($9.1M across 5 grants). Together the top 10 received $32.2M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($300,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
472 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $250–500K range: 106 grants of 472 (22%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation identifies Southeast Michigan, the State of Israel, and the Jewish community as its areas of focus. In 2024, reported grant dollars went primarily to recipients in Michigan (47%) and New York (28%); other reported shares were 6% in DC and 4% in Maryland.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 94 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is William Davidson Foundation open to new grantees?
22%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 16 of 73 grantees (22%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $1M; repeat grants $761K. How we count
Medians: $250K first-time, $475K repeat.
- 64% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+8%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 136% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF 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.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $51.7M (2020) to $60.0M (2023). In 2024 it made 94 grants totaling $59.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Jewish Federation of Detroit Bloomfield Hills, MI | To support the Israel Emergency Campaign and to support the emergency in Israel | $6,090,000 |
| Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan Detroit, MI | To support the Unified Greenway Endowment Fund | $5,000,000 |
| American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science Inc New York, NY | To support the creation of a new campus for the Davidson Institute of Science Education and the Davidson Institute of Science Education Endowment | $3,000,000 |
| AFSNC Inc New York City, NY | For general operating support for Start Up Nation Central | $2,500,000 |
| Jewish Federation of Detroit Bloomfield Hills, MI | To support the 2025 Annual Campaign, JLabs, and the Collective | $2,350,000 |
| Detroit Opera Detroit, MI | To support opera seasons | $2,000,000 |
| Holocaust Memorial Center Farmington Hills, MI | To support the renovation of the permanent exhibit | $2,000,000 |
| Jerusalem Botanical Gardens | To support the creation of a new gallery | $2,000,000 |
| Birthright Israel Foundation New York, NY | General operating support and support for Onward Israel | $1,500,000 |
| OneTable New York, NY | To support the implementation of the strategic plan | $1,500,000 |
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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 | $1,142,078,960 | $80,356,599 | $74,275,732 | $59,609,722 | 94 | $98,046,211 | $83,009,946 | $71,833,472 |
| 2023 | $1,106,780,529 | $28,463,424 | $71,829,529 | $60,000,409 | 85 | $88,724,743 | $19,517,377 | $69,499,934 |
| 2022 | $1,103,855,856 | $43,297,967 | $75,172,501 | $59,744,262 | 99 | $74,280,962 | $60,465,079 | $71,384,111 |
| 2021 | $1,107,938,800 | $127,279,050 | $68,338,656 | $55,119,315 | 93 | $61,516,872 | $114,222,586 | $74,192,011 |
| 2020 | $1,077,051,988 | $46,342,307 | $63,429,916 | $51,663,653 | 101 | — | — | $61,974,271 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, William Davidson Foundation reported a distributable amount of $71.8M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to help secure a bright future for communities that have inspired its founder’s family for generations. It describes its work as supporting catalytic initiatives and lasting value, with an emphasis on entrepreneurship and creativity, gathering spaces, and leaders who educate and promote understanding.
Its stated focus areas are Southeast Michigan, Jewish life, and Israel. In Southeast Michigan, it describes work to expand good jobs and enhance cultural and communal places. Its Jewish Life work includes strengthening Detroit’s Jewish community, supporting Jewish educators in North America, and growing programs and products that engage Jews around the world. In Israel, it says it supports the country’s security, prosperity, and vibrancy as a Jewish and democratic state with meaningful ties to the diaspora.
Examples of the organizations it supports include the Jewish Federation of Detroit, whose mission is to meet the needs of the Jewish people and build a strong Jewish future in Detroit, Israel, and around the world; Detroit Opera, whose mission includes presenting opera, dance, and musical theater, expanding arts access, and sustaining the Detroit Opera House; and the Holocaust Memorial Center, whose mission is to engage, educate, and empower by remembering the Holocaust. The American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science says its mission is to raise funds for scientific research, while AFSNC Inc says it connects businesses and government leaders to Israeli ideas, technologies, and innovation.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 94 grants totaling $59,609,722. Grants ranged from $10,000 to $6,090,000, with a median of $287,500.
Among its largest 2024 grants, the foundation awarded $6,090,000 to the Jewish Federation of Detroit for its Israel Emergency Campaign and the emergency in Israel; $5,000,000 to the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan for the Unified Greenway Endowment Fund; and $3,000,000 to the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science for a new campus for the Davidson Institute of Science Education and its endowment. Other large grants included $2,500,000 to AFSNC Inc for general operating support for Start Up Nation Central, $2,000,000 to Detroit Opera for opera seasons, and $2,000,000 to the Holocaust Memorial Center for renovation of its permanent exhibit.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
William Davidson Foundation is led by Darin McKeever, President & Chief Executive Officer on every filing since 2020; 2 of 8 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Darin McKeever
President & Chief Executive Officer
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$582K (2020) → $937K (2024)
Jonathan Aaron
Class A Director & Chairman
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Eli Saulson
Class A Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ethan Davidson
Class D Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Karen Davidson
Class A Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary Aaron
Class A Director & Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ralph Gerson
Class A Director & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Danielle Stewart Hanson
Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$394K (2020) → $574K (2024)
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 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $937K, to Darin McKeever (President and Chief Executive Officer). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about William Davidson Foundation
How much does William Davidson Foundation give each year?
William Davidson Foundation gave $59.6M across 94 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $60.0M across 85 grants.
What is William Davidson Foundation's typical grant size?
William Davidson Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $287,500, and its average grant was $634,146, across 94 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from William Davidson Foundation that year got $1M on average.
Where does William Davidson Foundation give grants?
William Davidson Foundation's top state is Michigan, with 47% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were New York (28%) and District of Columbia (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Detroit, MI (26 grants), New York, NY (23 grants), Washington, DC (8 grants) and Bloomfield Hills, MI (7 grants).
Does William Davidson Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 32% of William Davidson Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (30 of 94) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are William Davidson Foundation's largest grantees?
William Davidson Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Jewish Federation of Detroit ($9,065,000 across 5 grants), Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan ($6,250,000 across 2 grants) and American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science Inc ($3,000,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($300,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 31% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is William Davidson Foundation?
William Davidson Foundation reported $1.1B in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $98.0M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $71.8M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does William Davidson Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to help secure a bright future for communities that have inspired its founder’s family for generations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from William Davidson Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is William Davidson Foundation's EIN?
William Davidson Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-3899187. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does William Davidson Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). William Davidson Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/william-davidson-foundation-morg_a385e8f91461441c9a283037e5220fb4
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_203899187_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{William Davidson Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/william-davidson-foundation-morg_a385e8f91461441c9a283037e5220fb4},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. 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 William Davidson 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.
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