Ethel and James Flinn Foundation
Detroit, MI · EIN 38-2143122. Reported 349 grants totalling $11.4M to 167 organizations across tax years 2021-2024. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.
Does this foundation accept applications?
Yes -- on its own tax return. Form 990-PF asks every private foundation whether it makes grants only to organizations it selects itself. Of the 91,758 foundations in our data that made a grant and answered, 78% said yes -- and applying to those is wasted effort. Ethel and James Flinn Foundation did not check that box on its most recent filing, which puts it in the minority that is at least open to being approached.
How big are its grants?
The median grant is $12,500. Half of everything it gave fell between $1,250 and $50,000; the smallest was $40 and the largest $200,000. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.
Every organization it funded
This is the complete list from its filings, largest first. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which the organization received money -- more than one means a real relationship rather than a one-off.
| Organization | Location | Total received | Grants | Years funded | Last |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Board of Governors (aka Wsu) | Detroit, MI | $835,200 | 7 | 3 | 2023 |
| Henry Ford Health System | Detroit, MI | $750,000 | 10 | 4 | 2024 |
| Children's Center of Wayne County | Detroit, MI | $420,000 | 6 | 4 | 2024 |
| Southwest Detroit Community Justice Center | Detroit, MI | $400,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Trinity Health-Michigan | Livonia, MI | $375,000 | 5 | 3 | 2023 |
| The Board of Governors Wayne State University | Detroit, MI | $350,000 | 3 | 1 | 2024 |
| Regents of the University of Michigan | Ann Arbor, MI | $265,000 | 6 | 3 | 2024 |
| Michigan's Children | Lansing, MI | $247,500 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| Zaman International | Inkster, MI | $228,000 | 5 | 3 | 2024 |
| Samaritas | Detroit, MI | $225,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Vista Maria | Dearborn Heights, MI | $225,000 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| Packard Health | Ann Arbor, MI | $220,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Common Ground | Bloomfield Hills, MI | $200,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Detroit Public Safety Foundation | Detroit, MI | $200,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Spectrum Human Services Inc | Westland, MI | $200,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| NAMI Michigan | Lansing, MI | $190,000 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| Starfish Family Services Inc | Inkster, MI | $190,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Mental Health Association in Michigan | Lansing, MI | $187,750 | 6 | 4 | 2024 |
| Oakland Community Health Network | Troy, MI | $175,000 | 2 | 1 | 2024 |
| The Board of Governors | Detroit, MI | $151,250 | 4 | 2 | 2023 |
| Detroit Institute for Children (the) | Walled Lake, MI | $150,900 | 5 | 3 | 2023 |
| Avalon Healing Center | Detroit, MI | $150,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan | Farmington Hills, MI | $150,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Care House of Oakland County Inc | Pontiac, MI | $150,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan | Detroit, MI | $150,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network | Detroit, MI | $150,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Eastern Michigan University Foundation | Ypsilanti, MI | $150,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Rose Hill Center | Holly, MI | $150,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| The Guidance Center | Southgate, MI | $150,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Trinity Health-Michigan (aka Iha) | Ann Arbor, MI | $150,000 | 2 | 1 | 2023 |
| Samaritas Foundation | Detroit, MI | $125,000 | 2 | 1 | 2021 |
| Oakland Family Services | Pontiac, MI | $110,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Community Fdn for Southeastern Michigan | Detroit, MI | $100,250 | 3 | 1 | 2021 |
| Avalon Healing Center (aka Wayne County Safe Program) | Detroit, MI | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Beaumont Health Foundation | Southfield, MI | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Beaumont Health Foundation (aka Oakwood Healthcare Inc) | Southfield, MI | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan | Southfield, MI | $100,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Downtown Detroit Partnership Inc | Detroit, MI | $100,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Judson Center | Farmington Hills, MI | $100,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Lifelab Kids Foundation | Ferndale, MI | $100,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Mariners Inn | Detroit, MI | $100,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Metro Solutions | Southfield, MI | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Southwest Solutions Inc | Detroit, MI | $100,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Kevin's Song | Grosse Pointe Park, MI | $95,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Autism Alliance of Michigan | Southfield, MI | $75,200 | 4 | 3 | 2024 |
| The Yunion Inc | Detroit, MI | $75,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Jewish Family Service Detroit | West Bloomfield, MI | $65,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Jewish Family Service of Metro Detroit | West Bloomfield, MI | $65,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Association for Children's Mental Health | Lansing, MI | $60,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| NAMI Metro | Northville, MI | $57,500 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries | Detroit, MI | $53,000 | 2 | 1 | 2021 |
| Shelter Association of Washtenaw County | Ann Arbor, MI | $51,026 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Affirmations Lesbian Gay Community Center | Ferndale, MI | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| All Well-Being Services | Detroit, MI | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan | Detroit, MI | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Cass Community Social Services | Detroit, MI | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Center for Employment Opportunities Inc | New York, NY | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Cns Healthcare | Novi, MI | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Cody Rouge Community Action Alliance Inc | Detroit, MI | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| County of Washtenaw | Ann Arbor, MI | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Detroit Justice Center | Detroit, MI | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Dr Gary Burnstein Community Health Clinic | Pontiac, MI | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Freedom House Detroit | Detroit, MI | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Hands Across the Water Inc | Detroit, MI | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Hannan | Detroit, MI | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Hannan Center | Detroit, MI | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Islamic Center of Detroit Inc | Detroit, MI | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County Inc | Ann Arbor, MI | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Kadima Jewish Support Services | Southfield, MI | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Life Directions | Bloomfield Hills, MI | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Lincoln Behavioral Services | Redford, MI | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Luella Hannan Memorial Foundation | Detroit, MI | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Michigan Health Endowment Fund | Brighton, MI | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Monroe County Intermediate School District | Monroe, MI | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Orchards Children's Services Inc | Southfield, MI | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Orchards Childrens Services Inc | Southfield, MI | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Ruth Ellis Center Inc | Highland Park, MI | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Umrc Foundation Inc | Chelsea, MI | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| United Methodist Retirement Communities Fdn | Chelsea, MI | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Wellness Plan Medical Centers Foundation | Detroit, MI | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| NAMI Washtenaw County | Ann Arbor, MI | $42,500 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Council of Michigan Foundations | Grand Haven, MI | $37,600 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Grantmakers in Health | Washington, DC | $35,200 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Plymouth United Church of Christ | Detroit, MI | $30,000 | 6 | 4 | 2024 |
| Triumph Missionary Baptist Church | Detroit, MI | $29,000 | 8 | 4 | 2024 |
| Alternatives for Girls | Detroit, MI | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Black Family Development Inc | Detroit, MI | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation | Detroit, MI | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Haven Inc | Pontiac, MI | $25,000 | 5 | 3 | 2024 |
| The Family Center of Grosse Pointe & Harper Woods | Grosse Pointe Farms, MI | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| NAMI Washtenaw | Ann Arbor, MI | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Washtenaw Area Council for Children | Ypsilanti, MI | $15,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Encourage Me Im Young Inc | Detroit, MI | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Growth Works Inc | Plymouth, MI | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Oakland University | Rochester, MI | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Self-Care Sanctuary | Detroit, MI | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Pope Francis Center | Detroit, MI | $9,550 | 7 | 4 | 2024 |
| Wemu-Fm - Eastern Michigan Public Radio | Ypsilanti, MI | $5,750 | 6 | 4 | 2024 |
| Aid in Milan Inc | Milan, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Alliance for the Advancement of Infant Mental Health | Southgate, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| American Citizens for Justice Inc | Westland, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Calebs Kids | Southfield, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Charter County of Wayne Michigan | Detroit, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| City Connect Detroit (aka Connect Detroit) | Detroit, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Fresh Air Society Dba Tamarack Camps | Bloomfield Hills, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Grace Guild of Sinai-Grace Hospital | Detroit, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Grosse Pointe Animal Adoption Society | Grosse Pointe Farms, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Guiding Harbor | Belleville, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Harlee and Harper Womens Association | Eastpointe, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| John Evan Cash Foundation | Farmington Hills, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Journey to Healing | Highland Park, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Michigan Association for Infant Mh | Southgate, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Michigan Breastfeeding Network | Ferndale, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit | Detroit, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Orchard Lake Schools for the Ukraine Fund | Orchard Lake, MI | $5,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Recovery Action Network of Michigan | Wayne, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Teacher's Pet Dogs and Kids Learning Together | Shelby Twp, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| The Family Center of Grosse Pointe | Grosse Pointe Farm, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| The Family Center of Grosse Pointe and Harper Woods | Grosse Pointe Farms, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Tunnel to Towers Foundation | Staten Island, NY | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Wayne Center | Detroit, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Wayne County Probate Court Behavioral Health Unit | Detroit, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| World Central Kitchen | Washington, DC | $5,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| St Kenneth Catholic Church | Plymouth, MI | $4,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| East Side Youth Sports Foundation | Saint Clair Shores, MI | $2,950 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| The Taft School | Watertown, CT | $2,950 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Archdiocese of Detroit | Detroit, MI | $2,500 | 5 | 3 | 2024 |
| Stratford Shakespeare Festival of America | Stratford, Ontario | $2,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| College for Creative Studies | Detroit, MI | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| The Children's Foundation | Detroit, MI | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Planned Parenthood - Mid & Southeast Michigan | Ann Arbor, MI | $1,450 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Michigan Women's Foundation | Detroit, MI | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Neighborhood Club | Grosse Pointe, MI | $1,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Christ Church Grosse Pointe | Grosse Pointe Farms, MI | $700 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Detroit Rotary Foundation | Detroit, MI | $700 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Food Gatherers | Ann Arbor, MI | $527 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Stratford Shakespeare Festival of America | Detroit, MI | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Michigan Radio - Wuom | Ann Arbor, MI | $480 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Detroit Zoological Society | Royal Oak, MI | $450 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Grosse Pointe Park Foundation | Grosse Pt Pk, MI | $450 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| The Henry Ford | Dearborn, MI | $450 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| William F Buckley JR Program at Yale | New Haven, CT | $450 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Regents of the University of Michigan | Palatine, IL | $400 | 4 | 1 | 2021 |
| Bell Isle Conservancy | Detroit, MI | $300 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Wkar-Fm - Michigan State University | East Lansing, MI | $270 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Detroit Institute of Arts | Detroit, MI | $250 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Junior League of Detroit | Grosse Pointe Farms, MI | $250 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Yale University Class of 1956 | New Haven, CT | $250 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Detroit Symphony Orchestra | Detroit, MI | $200 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Forgotten Harvest | Oak Park, MI | $200 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Grosse Pointe Foundation for Public Education | Grosse Pointe, MI | $200 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Rotary Foundation of Rotary International (the) | Detroit, MI | $200 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| University Liggett School | Grosse Pt Wds, MI | $200 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Wdet-Fm - Wayne State University | Detroit, MI | $200 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| National Catholic Reporter | Kansas City, MO | $160 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| The Center for Michigan | Ypsilanti, MI | $150 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Catholic Relief Services | Baltimore, MD | $100 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Denison University | Granville, OH | $100 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Dominican Sisters of Grand Rapids | Grand Rapids, MI | $100 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Gleaners Community Food Bank | Detroit, MI | $100 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Grand Rapids Dominicans | Grand Rapids, MI | $100 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Habitat for Humanity | Americus, GA | $100 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Michigan Press Association Foundation | Lansing, MI | $100 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| St Christine Christian Services | Detroit, MI | $100 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| St Christine Soup Kitchen | Detroit, MI | $100 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| The Miami Foundation | Miami, FL | $52 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| American Cancer Society | Atlanta, GA | $40 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
73 of 167 (44%) received money in more than one year over the 4 years we hold.
Measured the way we measure every foundation -- what share of one year's grantees are funded again the next -- this one retains 46%, across 3 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is less consistent than most. A high number means its list is close to settled and a newcomer has to displace someone; a low one means it is still moving money around, which is where an opening is.
What the money was for
Taken verbatim from the purpose field of its filings. This is the closest thing to a statement of what this foundation cares about, in its own words.
- The Board of Governors (aka Wsu)
TO CONTINUE IMPLEMENTING THE SEQUENTIAL INTERCEPT MODEL IN WAYNE COUNTY FACILITATED BY THE CENTER FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND JUSTICE AIMED AT DIVERTING PEOPLE WITH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AWAY FROM THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM INTO COMMUNITY TREATMENT. - The Board of Governors Wayne State University
SECOND YEAR AND FINAL GRANT AWARD TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT SYSTEM CHANGE REFORMS WITHIN MICHIGANS JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM. THIS IMPORTANT DIVERSION WORK WILL BUILD ON EXISTING RELATIONSHIPS. THE KEY OBJECTIVES OF THIS TWO-YEAR PROJECT ARE TO UPDATE THE SEQUENTIAL INTERCEPT MODEL MAPPING TO INCLUDE JUVENILE JUSTICE DIVERSION (INTERCEPT 0), ESTABLISH PRIORITIES, AND FACILITATE GROUPS TO MOVE THE WORK FORWARD. THE SEQUENTIAL INTERCEPT MAPPING WILL PROVIDE CRITICAL DATA AND A ROADMAP TO INFORM A BROADER FUNDER COLLABORATIVE (KELLOGG, KRESGE, SKILLMAN, BALLMER GROUP, MCGREGOR, HUDSON WEBBER). - Regents of the University of Michigan
TO SUPPORT 9 HEALTH FUNDER COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIP TO IMPLEMENT TRAILS TO WELLNESS COMPREHENSIVE MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMMING THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE DETROIT PUBLIC SCHOOL COMMUNITY DISTRICT (K-12). - Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan
TO SUPPORT THE MICHIGAN JUSTICE FUND (MJF). THE FOUNDATION HAS SUPPORTED THE FUND ESTABLISHED IN 2020 SINCE INCEPTION TO ADDRESS ISSUES OF MASS INCARCERATION AND THEIR IMPACT ON MICHIGAN. MJFS FOCUSES ON THREE GOALS: TO STRENGTHEN MICHIGANS FUNDING, POLICIES, AND PRACTICES TO SUPPORT THE ECONOMIC MOBILITY AND SUCCESS OF PEOPLE WITH CRIMINAL RECORDS; 2) TO REDUCE RELIANCE ON CONFINEMENT AND ADJUDICATION AND 3) TO ENGAGE COMMUNITIES IN SHAPING JUSTICE POLICIES. - Avalon Healing Center (aka Wayne County Safe Program)
TO SUPPORT EVIDENCE-BASED MENTAL HEALTH CARE TO SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING. - Beaumont Health Foundation (aka Oakwood Healthcare Inc)
TO PILOT A BRIDGE THE GAP PROGRAM THAT CONNECTS PATIENTS RELEASED FROM THE ER TO LONG-TERM OUTPATIENT COMMUNITY PARTNERS BY PROVIDING BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE AND CASE MANAGEMENT.
What kind of organizations it funds
By the recipient's own IRS classification, for the 209 grants where we could identify the organization. These are assigned categories, not our guesses.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants | Total | Median grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 91 | $2,911,553 | $12,500 |
| 2022 | 88 | $2,754,002 | $7,150 |
| 2023 | 87 | $2,855,200 | $9,100 |
| 2024 | 83 | $2,886,200 | $15,000 |
Tax years, not calendar years, and the most recent year is usually incomplete -- filings arrive about a year late, so a low final year means late paperwork rather than a foundation winding down.
Where its money goes
Foundations concentrate geographically far more than their mission statements suggest. 99% of this one's giving went to organizations in Michigan. If you are outside its footprint, that matters more than how well your programme fits.
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Funders that support the same organizations
These funders gave to organizations this one also funded -- some private foundations, some community foundations and other grantmaking charities. Shared grantees are the strongest available signal that two funders have overlapping priorities, and a funder already backing your peers is a far warmer prospect than one that merely lists your cause.
How to approach this foundation
- Check you are its size. The median grant is $12,500. Asking for ten times that is the most common way small organizations waste a submission.
- Check you are in its geography. Its giving is concentrated in Michigan.
- Read the recipient list above for organizations like yours. If nothing on it resembles your work, that is a real answer, and a cheap one to get.
- Look up the current filing before writing. The 990-PF names the foundation's officers and, where one exists, its application procedure. We link it below.
Related guides
Where these numbers come from
Everything above is taken from Ethel and James Flinn Foundation's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 4 returns (tax years 2021-2024). Nothing here is scraped, inferred, or estimated.
Address of record on the latest return: 333 W Fort Street 1950, Detroit, MI, 48226. This is the address the foundation gave the IRS; many small foundations file through an accountant or a bank trust department, so it may not be where post to a programme officer should go.
EIN 38-2143122 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this
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