Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation DBA Dresner Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation DBA Dresner Foundation is a private foundation in Detroit, Michigan. In tax year 2025 it gave $3.9 million in 57 grants; the typical grant was $27,500 and the largest $472,500. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$3.9 million
- Number of grants57
- Typical grant$27,500
- Largest grant$472,500
- Assets$160 million
- New grantees41%
Giving in 2025 was up from $3.0 million the year before.
41% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $3.5 million | 69 | $148 million |
| 2024 | $3.0 million | 71 | $155 million |
| 2025 | $3.9 million | 57 | $160 million |
How to apply
Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation DBA Dresner Foundation says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation DBA Dresner Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 8 states, the most to Michigan.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 39 | $2.6 million |
| Colorado | 10 | $399,350 |
| Ohio | 2 | $260,000 |
| New York | 2 | $250,000 |
| Oregon | 1 | $250,000 |
| Washington | 1 | $125,000 |
| Illinois | 1 | $11,300 |
| California | 1 | $5,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Forgotten Harvest | Program support | $472,500 |
| Gleaners Community Food Bank | Program support | $400,000 |
| Oregon Health and Science Univ Fou | Research grant | $250,000 |
| Childrens Hospital Medical Center | Research grant | $250,000 |
| Gary Burnstein Community Health | Program support | $231,828 |
| Wayne Metro Community Assoc | Program support | $200,000 |
| Albert Einstein College of Medicine | Research grant | $125,000 |
| Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research | Research grant | $125,000 |
| University of Colorado Denver | Research grant | $125,000 |
| Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer | Program support | $125,000 |
| Give Merit | Program support | $125,000 |
| Midnight Golf Program | Program support | $110,000 |
| Racquet Up Detroit | Program support | $100,000 |
| Food Gatherers | Program support | $100,000 |
| Michigan Humane Society | Program support | $100,000 |
| Detroit Police Athletic League | Program support | $90,000 |
| Jewish Family Services of Co | Programmatic support | $86,000 |
| Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels | Program support | $75,000 |
| Humane Colorado | Program support | $69,200 |
| Detroit Horse Power | Program support | $60,000 |
| National Kidney Foundation of Mi | Program support | $56,500 |
| The Society of St Vincet Depaul | Program support | $55,000 |
| Lighthouse Michigan | Program support | $50,000 |
| Winning Futures | Program support | $50,000 |
| Detroit Public Theater | Program support | $50,000 |
| Anderson Ranch Arts Center | Programmatic support | $44,000 |
| Catholic Charities of SE Michigan | Program support | $35,000 |
| Prodigy Ventures | Program support | $30,000 |
| Jewish Federation of Detroit | Program support | $27,500 |
| The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Mi | General support | $21,000 |
| Food Bank of the Rockies | Program support | $20,000 |
| The Chad Tough Foundation | Program support | $15,000 |
| University of Michigan | Program support | $15,000 |
| Lubavitch Foundation | Program support | $15,000 |
| Avalon Healing Center | Program support | $12,000 |
| Evans Scholar Foundation | Program support | $11,300 |
| Detroit Childrens Fund | Program support | $10,400 |
| Brain Injury Association of Michiga | General support | $10,000 |
| DETROIT2NEPAL Foundation | General support | $10,000 |
| Aspen Strong Foundation | Program support | $10,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Lori Dresner
- Kevin Furlong
- Gary Weisman
- Mark S Cohn
- Virginia Romano
Questions people ask
Does Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation DBA Dresner Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation DBA Dresner Foundation give?
$3.9 million in tax year 2025, across 57 grants, with a typical grant of $27,500.
Who runs Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation DBA Dresner Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Lori Dresner (Director/Pre), Kevin Furlong (Director/Cfo), Gary Weisman (Director/Vp) and Mark S Cohn (Director/Sec) among 5 officers and trustees.
What does Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation DBA Dresner Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly health, science and research and food and hunger.