Towsley Foundation Grants

The Towsley Foundation offers grant opportunities to nonprofit organizations that share its mission of enhancing the quality of life for individuals and communities. Rooted in a commitment to environmental stewardship, sustainability, and collaborative community impact, the Foundation seeks partners who demonstrate effectiveness, strategic thinking, and organizational resilience. The Foundation values thoughtful planning and supports applicants who align with these guiding principles. The grant program prioritizes applicants operating within the state of Michigan, which serves as the geographic focus for funding. Only charitable organizations with valid 501(c)(3) status are eligible to apply. The Foundation does not accept proposals from individuals or private foundations. Furthermore, it does not support conference attendance, travel, or production and distribution of media such as books, films, or tapes. However, educational conferences hosted by applicant organizations are eligible for consideration. Projects with political or legislative advocacy objectives are ineligible. Applications must be submitted electronically through the Foundation's website. The Foundation maintains a structured approach to grant submission, with only one application allowed per organization per cycle, unless an exception has been granted. Organizations that previously received a grant must wait at least two years from the date of their final grant payment before reapplying. Likewise, organizations whose applications were declined must also wait two years before submitting a new request. Exceptions may be considered for organizations that manage multiple functional units under the same tax exemption. Grant requests exceeding $250,000 are subject to specific submission rules. These larger requests must be submitted in time for one of the first two Board meetings of the calendar year to ensure adequate review. Final decisions for such grants are generally made during the year’s final Board meeting. This timeline ensures that the Grants Review Committee has sufficient time to review each proposal and make recommendations to the Foundation’s Board. The Foundation convenes its Board three times annually to review and decide on grant applications. For the 2026 cycle, applications are due by January 2 for the February 20 meeting, by May 29 for the July 17 meeting, and by August 21 for the October meeting. The electronic application process includes required components such as a copy of the applicant’s IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter, a project budget, audited financial statements or applicable IRS financial reports, and the organization’s current annual report and website. Additional information may be requested as part of the review process. The Towsley Foundation emphasizes that its resources are limited and cannot support the majority of grant requests received. Applicants are encouraged not to interpret a decline as a reflection on the quality of their proposal. The Foundation's policy is to limit direct communication with applicants unless initiated by the Grants Review Committee following initial application review. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate financial self-sufficiency and should not expect repeated or annual support from the Foundation. Programs with diverse funding sources and long-term sustainability are especially encouraged.

Demonstrate sustainability and a diversity of funding; avoid annual dependency or political advocacy.