William Davidson Foundation
The William Davidson Foundation is a private, family foundation established in 2005–2006 to honor its founder, William Davidson (1922–2009), an entrepreneur and philanthropist who built Guardian Industries and owned the Detroit Pistons. Headquartered in Birmingham, Michigan, the foundation operates as an active, relationship-driven grantmaker with approximately $1.1 billion in assets and annual grantmaking of approximately $67 million.
Key facts about William Davidson Foundation
- EIN
- 20-3899187
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $59,609,722
- Grants made (2024)
- 94
- Average grant
- $634,146
- Median grant
- $287,500
- New grantees (estimate)
- 22% first-time grantees (16 of 73, 2024)
- Total assets
- $1,142,078,960
- Primary geography
- Michigan (47% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funding. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 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.
Who William Davidson Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for William Davidson Foundation's 94 itemized 2024 grants were Michigan (47%), 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). 32% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
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 IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with William Davidson Foundation
- How to evaluate William Davidson Foundation as a funder
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Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.1B
+3.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$59.6M
-0.7% YoY
Grant Count
94
+10.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$634K
-10.2% YoY
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.
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: The William Davidson Foundation is helping to secure a bright future for the communities that have inspired the founder's family for generations. The foundation makes transformative investments and supports catalytic initiatives that will deliver lasting value for future generations, working with community leaders who share a sense of optimism and obligation related to Detroit, Israel, and the Jewish people.
Core Values:
- People Matter — treating every individual with empathy and respect, understanding the power of meaningful relationships
- Leadership Makes a Difference — valuing and investing in leaders who build trust, see potential in people, and create space for others to flourish
- See the Impossible as Possible — imagining with purpose, optimism, and enthusiasm through a lens of possibility and opportunity
- Just Start — encouraging initiative to make a difference through boldness, curiosity, and taking the first step
Primary Funding Areas:
- Economic, cultural, and civic vitality of Southeast Michigan
- Jewish life and learning
- Security, prosperity, and vibrancy of the State of Israel
Grantmaking
Grant Range
** $5,000 to $5,000,000+
How to Apply
** The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funding. The foundation employs a proactive, relationship-driven approach to grantmaking, discovering opportunities through networking, online research, and referrals. Current grantees with existing credentials can access accounts via the Fluxx Grantmaking Portal.
Ready to take the next step with William Davidson Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
- Southeast Michigan
- State of Israel
- Jewish communities nationally
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 94 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $1.11 billion (as of December 2023)
Total Revenues (2023): $28,463,424
Total Expenses (2023): $71,829,529
Investment Income (2023): $2,563,809
IRS Status: Tax-exempt since October 2006; EIN 20-3899187
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,142,078,960 | $1,106,780,529 | $1,103,855,856 |
| Revenue | $80,356,599 | $28,463,424 | $43,297,967 |
| Expenses | $74,275,732 | $71,829,529 | $75,172,501 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $98,046,211 | $88,724,743 | $74,280,962 |
| Net Investment Income | $83,009,946 | $19,517,377 | $60,465,079 |
| Distributable Amount | $71,833,472 | $69,499,934 | $71,384,111 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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
472 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Jewish Federation of Detroit ($9,065,000 across 5 grants), Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan ($6,250,000 across 2 grants), American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science Inc ($3,000,000).
| 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 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board & Key Personnel:
- Jonathan Aaron — Class A Director and Chairman
- Mary Aaron — Class A Director and Secretary
- Ralph Gerson — Class A Director and Treasurer
- Karen Davidson — Class A Director
- Eli Saulson — Class A Director
- Ethan Davidson — Class D Director
- Darin McKeever — President and Chief Executive Officer
Staff: The foundation employs approximately 20 people, with departments including administrative, finance, operations, and program staff.
Compensation Overview
From 2021 IRS filing
From 2021 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Aaron | Class a Director and Chairman | 1 | — |
| Mary Aaron | Class a Director and Secretary | 1 | — |
| Ethan Davidson | Class D Director | 1 | — |
| Karen Davidson | Class a Director | 1 | — |
| Ralph Gerson | Class a Director and Treasurer | 1 | — |
| Darin McKeever | President and Chief Executive Officer | 40 | $568,148 |
| Eli Saulson | Class a Director | 1 | — |
| Danielle Stewart Hanson | VP and Chief Financial Officer | 40 | $376,904 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has announced significant grant initiatives including:
Nearly $20 million in grants to support Detroit neighborhoods, the Joe Louis Greenway, and the tech economy
Nearly $20M in grants to support Detroit neighborhoods, Joe Louis ...$4.35 million to fuel research-driven innovation at the University of Michigan
$4.35M from Davidson Foundation to fuel research-driven innovationSupport for Shalem's launch of a one-of-a-kind program in Strategy, Diplomacy, and Security
Shalem Launches One-of-a-Kind Program in Strategy, Diplomacy, and Security\Participation in the Pontiac Funders Collaborative, which invested $5 million during its initial phase with announcements of $5.4 million in new funding
Pontiac Funders Collaborative invests $5 million during initial phase; announces\Contact Information
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1688 Birmingham, Michigan 48012
Phone: 248.788.6500
Fax: 248.788.6501
Email: grants@williamdavidson.org
Website: williamdavidson.org
Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funding.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does William Davidson Foundation fund?
**Mission:** The William Davidson Foundation is helping to secure a bright future for the communities that have inspired the founder's family for generations. The foundation makes transformative investments and supports catalytic initiatives that will deliver lasting value for future generations, working with community leaders who share a sense of optimism and obligation related to Detroit, Israel, and the Jewish people. **Core Values:** • **People Matter** — treating every individual with empa…
How do I apply for a grant from William Davidson Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funding. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
Where does William Davidson Foundation make grants?
• Southeast Michigan • State of Israel • Jewish communities nationally
What size grants does William Davidson Foundation award?
In 2024, William Davidson Foundation awarded 94 grants totaling $59.6M — an average of about $634K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is William Davidson Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, William Davidson Foundation reported a distributable amount of $71.8M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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 ↑
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Browse active grant opportunities in William Davidson Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.