Elaine and Leo Stern Foundation

EIN 81-4062393 · MI · NTEE T22

Invitation only Typical grant ~$50K Funds in MI
Save this funder to your list to research later.

Giving Profile

In 2025, Elaine and Leo Stern Foundation based in MI paid 15 grants totaling $750K to 15 organizations. Individual grants ranged from $10K to $100K, with a median of $50K. Its largest recipients included ALTERNATIVES FOR GIRLS, BRILLIANT DETROIT, and DETROIT PUBLIC MEDIA. The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications — giving is by invitation only.

Foundation at a Glance

Total assets
$16,901,823
Giving (latest yr)
$750,000
Filing year
2025
Itemized grants
15
Median grant
$50K
Recipients
15
States reached
1
Officers/trustees
3
Unsolicited applications
No — invitation only

Where the Money Goes

Top recipients

  • Alternatives for Girls$100,000
  • Brilliant Detroit$75,000
  • Detroit Public Media$75,000
  • Humble Design Inc$65,000
  • Detroit Horse Power$60,000

Where grants went

  • Michigan$750,000 · 15 grants

Grants Paid (15)

Alternatives for Girls
Detroit, MI
College and Career Readiness Program Support.
$100,000
Detroit Public Media
Wixom, MI
Capital Campaign and Pbs Kids Programming Support for the Milwaukee Junction Neighborhood Hub.
$75,000
Brilliant Detroit
Detroit, MI
Operations Support at Dexter-linwood Neighborhood Hub.
$75,000
Humble Design Inc
Southfield, MI
Program Support for the Detroit Metro Area Operations, With a Focus on Supporting Military Veterans.
$65,000
Detroit Horse Power
Detroit, MI
Capital Commitment for Development of Urban Equestrian Center.
$60,000
Beyond Basics
Farmington Hills, MI
Summer Literacy Program Support.
$50,000
College Career and Beyond
Detroit, MI
College Access and Success Program Support.
$50,000
Michigan State University - Hillel
East Lansing, MI
Leadership Development Program Support.
$50,000
Regents of the University of Michigan - Student Life Development
Ann Arbor, MI
Blavins Scholars Program Support.
$50,000
Winning Futures
Troy, MI
Workforce Prep Mentoring Program Support.
$45,000
Gesher Human Services
Southfield, MI
Support for the Clubhouse for the Common Good Operations.
$40,000
Racquet Up Detroit
Detroit, MI
Pathways to Success Program Support.
$30,000

Researching funders? Get the full dataset

Every US private foundation by cause and state — giving history, grant sizes, top recipients, and contact details — as a downloadable spreadsheet.

FAQFrequently Asked Questions

No. Elaine and Leo Stern Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications — its grantmaking is by invitation only. Cultivating a relationship or securing an introduction is typically required.

In its most recent filing, Elaine and Leo Stern Foundation reported 15 itemized grants totaling $750K. Individual grants ranged from $10K to $100K (median $50K).

Recent recipients include ALTERNATIVES FOR GIRLS, BRILLIANT DETROIT, DETROIT PUBLIC MEDIA, among 15 organizations in total. The full grant list is on this page.

Elaine and Leo Stern Foundation is a private foundation based in Michigan, per its IRS 990-PF filing.

Elaine and Leo Stern Foundation gives by invitation only, so there is no open application. Officer and address details from its 990-PF are the best starting point for an introduction.

More foundations like this

Established

Gilbert Fam Foundation

Michigan

Assets
$53.1M
Giving / yr
🎁 $94.3M

Funds in MI · CA · OH +12

Invitation only
View funder profile
Established

Peter and Joan Secchia Family Inc

Michigan

Assets
$40.6M
Giving / yr
🎁 $42M

Funds in MI · NY · AZ +7

Invitation only
View funder profile
Major funder

Howard G Buffett Foundation

Illinois

Assets
$718.1M
Giving / yr
🎁 $698.7M

Funds in IL

Invitation only
View funder profile
Major funder

Leona M & Harry B Helmsley Charitable Trust

New York

Assets
$7.1B
Giving / yr
🎁 $440.9M

Funds in NY · CA · ND +12

Invitation only
View funder profile
Major funder

Robert W Woodruff Foundation Inc

Georgia

Assets
$1.9B
Giving / yr
🎁 $190.3M

Funds in GA · CA · NY +1

View funder profile
Emerging

Snider Foundation

Pennsylvania

Assets
$1.3M
Giving / yr
🎁 $162.9M

Funds in PA · CA · NY +11

Invitation only
View funder profile