Erb Foundation: Great Lakes Grant

The Fred and Barbara Erb Family Foundation is dedicated to fostering a healthy Great Lakes ecosystem and a vibrant Southeast Michigan community. Since its inception, it has invested over $180 million in environmental, cultural, and educational initiatives. As it transitions to spend down its assets by 2034, the Foundation aims to make bold, impactful investments that address urgent community needs and promote sustainable development.

NOTE:  Our board currently reviews requests for funding three times a year, in January, May, and September. Grants requests typically take about four to six months to move from an initial conversation to consideration at a board meeting. The first step in our application process is a conversation with our program team. Please use the Contact Us button found here to begin.
Fred and Barbara Erb Family Foundation
The Fred and Barbara Erb Family Foundation continues the legacy of two lifelong Southeast Michigan residents who were deeply committed to their community. Since 2008, the Foundation has awarded over $180 million to initiatives Fred and Barbara cared about most—supporting the environment, arts and culture, jazz education, sustainable business, and Alzheimer’s research.
In 2022, the Foundation made the strategic decision to spend down all assets by 2034, enabling bold investments in projects that address pressing needs and drive lasting change. It remains dedicated to working closely with its partners, fostering collaboration and continuing its commitment to meaningful progress.
Our Mission, Vision, and Values
The Fred and Barbara Erb Family Foundation envisions a flourishing, healthy, and resilient Great Lakes ecosystem and a culturally vibrant, sustainable Southeast Michigan. Toward this end, we strengthen the cultural and environmental organizations that share our vision to make this a reality for generations to come.
Grant Program Area: Great Lakes
Support people, organizations, and institutions working to achieve a flourishing, healthy, and resilient Great Lakes ecosystem at difference scales by:
Building community leadership and agency to ensure that impacted communities are partners in—and benefit from— these efforts.Promoting effective public policies at all levels of government.Investing in organizational health and the next generation of Great Lakes leaders.
Strengthen efforts to address environmental harms and adapt to future challenges faced by Great Lakes communities and ecosystems by:
Incorporating watershed health into land use and management by promoting best practices to protect the health of Great Lakes ecosystems.Equipping communities and policymakers to plan for and adapt to climate change and its impacts on the Great Lakes.Incorporating environmental justice into efforts to achieve a flourishing Great Lakes ecosystem.