Sage Foundation
Accepts applications
Sage Foundation is a private foundation in Brighton, Michigan. In tax year 2025 it gave $1.6 million in 68 grants; the typical grant was $15,000 and the largest $200,000. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$1.6 million
- Number of grants68
- Typical grant$15,000
- Largest grant$200,000
- Assets$65.3 million
- New grantees28%
Giving in 2025 was down from $1.9 million the year before.
28% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $1.9 million | 79 | $56.5 million |
| 2024 | $1.9 million | 70 | $60.1 million |
| 2025 | $1.6 million | 68 | $65.3 million |
How to apply
| Contact | President or Secretary Sage Foundat PO Box 1919, Brighton, MI 48116-5719 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (810) 227-7660 |
| What to submit | Amount of grant requested. What the applicant intends to accomplish. How the applicant intends to reach the stated objectives, and how such objectives will further the applicant's tax-exempt purposes. What procedures the applicant has implemented to evaluate the results achieved. Any additional information which would aid the Sage Foundation Board of Trustees in making its decision. A photocopy of the Internal Revenue Service determination letter or ruling indicating the applicant's tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Name of the applicant's contact person. |
| Deadlines | No deadlines. |
| Restrictions | No restrictions. |
What Sage Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 7 states, the most to Illinois.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 40 | $1.0 million |
| Michigan | 20 | $482,000 |
| California | 3 | $87,500 |
| Kentucky | 2 | $20,000 |
| New York | 1 | $10,000 |
| Wisconsin | 1 | $7,500 |
| Texas | 1 | $5,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Hillsdale College | General, charitable, educational - Choral Scholars Program Scholarships | $200,000 |
| Ravinia Festival | General, charitable, educational | $120,000 |
| Grant Park Orchestral Association | General, charitable, educational | $100,000 |
| Joffrey Ballet | General, charitable, educational - Live Music Program | $100,000 |
| Window to the World Communications Inc | General, charitable, educational - Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival film | $95,000 |
| AfterImage Public Media | General, charitable, educational | $52,500 |
| Lenawee Chamber Foundation | General, charitable, educational | $50,000 |
| Orchestral Association Chicago Symphony Orchestra | General, charitable, educational | $50,000 |
| Marian Catholic High School | General, charitable, educational & religious - Scholarship Fund | $35,000 |
| Big Shoulders Fund | General, charitable, educational | $30,000 |
| Alphonsus Academy & Center for the Arts | General, charitable, educational, religious | $25,000 |
| Boys & Girls Club of Lenawee | General, charitable, educational | $25,000 |
| Cedille Chicago NFP | General, charitable, educational | $25,000 |
| Chicago Multi-Cultural Dance Center | General, charitable, educational | $25,000 |
| Community TV Network | General, charitable, educational | $25,000 |
| District 64 Band and Orchestra Parents Association - Lincoln Middle School | General, charitable, educational | $25,000 |
| Habitat For Humanity Of Lenawee County | General, charitable, educational | $25,000 |
| Joffrey Ballet | General, charitable, educational - Winning Works Documentary Films | $25,000 |
| Orchestral Association Chicago Symphony Orchestra | General, charitable, educational | $25,000 |
| Providence St Mel School | General, charitable, educational - Scholarships | $25,000 |
| San Diego Symphony Orchestra | General, charitable, educational | $25,000 |
| Shedd Aquarium Society | General, charitable, educational | $25,000 |
| The Croswell | General, charitable, educational | $25,000 |
| Window to the World Communications Inc | General, charitable, educational | $25,000 |
| Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art | General, charitable, educational | $20,000 |
| Hadley Institute For the Blind and Visually Impaired | General, charitable, educational | $20,000 |
| Lifeline Pilots | General, charitable, educational | $20,000 |
| Misericordia Heart of Mercy | General, charitable, educational & religious | $20,000 |
| The College FundUNCF | General, charitable, educational | $20,000 |
| City of Tecumseh Downtown Development Authority | Public, charitable - Art Trail Tecumseh | $15,000 |
| Hope Community Center | General, charitable, educational | $15,000 |
| Merit School of Music | General, charitable, educational | $15,000 |
| Refuge For Women Chicago | General, charitable, educational | $15,000 |
| St Mary's Home Little Sisters Of the Poor | General, charitable, educational, religious | $15,000 |
| The Night Ministry | General, charitable, educational | $15,000 |
| St Elizabeth Catholic Church | General, charitable, educational, religious Knights of Columbus ministry | $12,000 |
| Adrian Center For the Arts | General, charitable, educational | $10,000 |
| After School Matters | General, charitable, educational | $10,000 |
| Alice Lloyd College | General, charitable, educational | $10,000 |
| Catholic Church Extension Society | General, charitable, educational, religious | $10,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Melissa Sage Fadim
- Emily M Booth
- Amanada J Weidenaar
- James E Van Doren
Questions people ask
Does Sage Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications, with this on deadlines: No deadlines.
How much does Sage Foundation give?
$1.6 million in tax year 2025, across 68 grants, with a typical grant of $15,000.
Who runs Sage Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Melissa Sage Fadim (Chairprson,President,Secretary,Treasur), Emily M Booth (Trustee), Amanada J Weidenaar (Trustee) and James E Van Doren (Vice President, Trustee).
What does Sage Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, arts and culture and faith communities.