How much funding does Transformational Grants provide?

Transformational Grants provides $25,000 - $500,000 total in funding.

When is the deadline for Transformational Grants?

The deadline is December 1, 2026.

Transformational Grants

DESK DRAWER FUND

Foundation Annual Grants for Nonprofits Grants for Arts Workforce Development Grants Housing Grants for Nonprofits

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Funding Amount

$25,000 - $500,000 total

Deadline

December 1, 2026

237 days left

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Transformational Grants

Purpose: Provides significant multi-year funding to trusted partners driving long-term, systemic change

Funder: MSUFCU Desk Drawer Foundation

Geographic Scope: Mid-Michigan, Southeast Michigan, Northern Michigan, West Michigan, Chicago (10-mile radius), and Northern Illinois. Eligible nonprofits must be located within a 35-mile radius of an MSUFCU branch (10-mile radius for Chicago area).

Funding Amount: $25,000 to $500,000 total with multi-year funding available

Review Cycle: Once per year (Annual)

Eligibility

501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
Located within service areas (35-mile radius of MSUFCU branch, or 10-mile radius in Chicago)
Must align with at least one of the Foundation's five philanthropic pillars
Organizations should be established partners with demonstrated impact

Philanthropic Pillars

The Arts: Foster access and creativity in the arts to enrich communities
Entrepreneurship: Empowers and educates to encourage entrepreneurs to develop core skills
Financial Education: Support educational programs that facilitate financial wellness and empower financial freedom
Stable Housing: Strengthen lives through support of organizations that provide access to safe and reliable housing for individuals and families
Youth Empowerment: Empower youth to learn, grow, create, and lead

What the Foundation Does NOT Support

Special event sponsorships
Universities and colleges
Public or private K-12 schools or school foundations
Government agencies
Political campaigns
Research projects
Individuals or individual projects (including salaries and benefits)
Sectarian, denominational, or religious organizations (except for programs broadly promoted, available to anyone, and free from religious orientation)
Reduction or liquidation of debt (outside of naming facility costs)

2026 Application Timeline

Cycle 4: LOI Opens 2026-11-01 | LOI Deadline 2026-12-01 | Full Application Due 2027-01-02 | Decisions February 2027

Contact Information

MSUFCU Desk Drawer Foundation 3777 West Road East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 333-2299 deskdrawerfoundation@msufcu.org

How to Apply

Application Process

Step 1: Letter of Inquiry (LOI)

Submit a Letter of Inquiry to the Foundation

LOIs are reviewed by Foundation Management within four weeks of submission

Selected nonprofits will be invited to submit a full grant application

Step 2: Full Grant Application (by invitation only)

Invited organizations submit a complete grant application for transformational funding

Applications are reviewed once per year

Step 3: Board Decision

Final grant decisions are made by the Desk Drawer Foundation Board of Directors

Decisions communicated within the specified timeline

Required Information

Nonprofit must be a 501(c)(3) organization
Organization must be located within service area (35-mile radius of MSUFCU branch)
Proposed initiative must align with at least one of the Foundation's five philanthropic pillars
For Chicago-area nonprofits: must be within 10-mile radius of an MSUFCU branch
Organization should demonstrate established track record and capacity for long-term impact

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