William Davidson Foundation
Preselected recipients only
William Davidson Foundation is a private foundation in Birmingham, Michigan. In tax year 2024 it gave $59.6 million in 94 grants; the typical grant was $287,500 and the largest $6.1 million. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.
- Grants paid, 2024$59.6 million
- Number of grants94
- Typical grant$287,500
- Largest grant$6.1 million
- Assets$1.6 billion
- New grantees37%
Giving in 2024 was down from $60.0 million the year before.
37% of its 2024 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 | $60.0 million | 85 | $1.5 billion |
| 2024 | $59.6 million | 94 | $1.6 billion |
How to apply
William Davidson 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 William Davidson Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its US grants went to recipients in 10 states, the most to Michigan. It also paid $4.8 million in 7 grants to recipients outside the US.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 41 | $28.1 million |
| New York | 26 | $16.9 million |
| District of Columbia | 8 | $3.7 million |
| Maryland | 4 | $2.5 million |
| Ohio | 1 | $1.0 million |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | $1.0 million |
| Georgia | 1 | $707,449 |
| Massachusetts | 2 | $400,000 |
| California | 2 | $375,000 |
| Illinois | 1 | $100,000 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Jewish Federation of Detroit | To support the Israel Emergency Campaign and to support the emergency in Israel | $6.1 million |
| Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan | To support the Unified Greenway Endowment Fund | $5.0 million |
| American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science Inc | To support the creation of a new campus for the Davidson Institute of Science Education and the Davidson Institute of Science Education Endowment | $3.0 million |
| AFSNC Inc | For general operating support for Start Up Nation Central | $2.5 million |
| Jewish Federation of Detroit | To support the 2025 Annual Campaign, JLabs, and the Collective | $2.4 million |
| Detroit Opera | To support opera seasons | $2.0 million |
| Holocaust Memorial Center | To support the renovation of the permanent exhibit | $2.0 million |
| Jerusalem Botanical Gardens | To support the creation of a new gallery | $2.0 million |
| Birthright Israel Foundation | General operating support and support for Onward Israel | $1.5 million |
| OneTable | To support the implementation of the strategic plan | $1.5 million |
| Sefaria Inc | To support Sefaria's Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks zt"l Legacy Project | $1.5 million |
| Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan | To support the New Economy Initiative | $1.3 million |
| Foundation For Detroit's Future | For Support of the Grand Bargain for the Detroit Institute of Arts | $1.3 million |
| The Jewish People Policy Institute | To support the William Davidson Distinguished Fellow and for general operating support | $1.2 million |
| American Israel Education Foundation Inc | General operating support | $1.0 million |
| Momentum Unlimited Inc | General operating support | $1.0 million |
| Momentum Unlimited Inc | General operating support | $1.0 million |
| The Schechter Institutes Inc | To support the TALI Education Fund, the Schechter Institute Graduate School of Jewish Studies, and for general operating support | $1.0 million |
| Wexner Foundation | To support the Wexner Davidson Fellowship, completion of Davidson Scholars program, and the alumni program for Davidson Scholars | $1.0 million |
| Washington Institute for Near East Policy | To support the William Davidson Distinguished Fellow and the Young Scholars Program | $950,000 |
| Detroit Symphony Orchestra Inc | To support the William Davidson Neighborhood Concert Series and for general operating support | $900,000 |
| The Shalom Hartman Institute of North America | To support Hartman Digital and Shalom Hartman Institute of North America's work in metro Detroit | $900,000 |
| Gesher Foundation Inc | To support the AMI Initiative | $850,000 |
| Hillel The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life (Hillel International) | To support the Israel Action and Antisemitism Program, the Israel Leadership Network, The Center for Jewish and Israel Education, and the Student Leadership Network and Fellowship | $850,000 |
| Jewish Theological Seminary of America | For general operating support for the William Davidson Graduate School of Jewish Education | $750,000 |
| Midtown Detroit Inc | To support Phase 1 of the Cultural Center Planning Initiative | $750,000 |
| The IDI Foundation Inc | To support the William Davidson Senior Fellow and the IDI's Center for Governance and the Economy | $707,449 |
| Shalem College | To support the creation of two new majors focused on diplomacy, strategy, and economics | $600,000 |
| United Jewish Foundation | To fund the WDF Director Discretionary Philanthropic Fund | $600,000 |
| Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue | For general operating support, capacity building, and construction | $550,000 |
| Adamah Inc | To support Adamah Detroit and planning efforts for a Metro Detroit Jewish retreat center | $500,000 |
| Chabad on Campus International | To support the Chazak initiative | $500,000 |
| MAOZ-SEAL Inc | To support the 2080 Leadership Program | $500,000 |
| Mechon Hadar | To support the Pedagogy of Partnership's Midwest Fellowship and the Children and Family Division | $500,000 |
| Micah 6 Community | To support the renovation of the vacant Webster Elementary School in Pontiac into a neighborhood community center | $500,000 |
| The Jewish Federations of North America Inc | To support the LiveSecure program | $500,000 |
| The Jewish Federations of North America Inc | To sponsor the JFNA Unity Event and the 2024 General Assembly | $500,000 |
| Wayne State University Research and Technology Park in the City of Detroit | To provide technical and other assistance for Detroit-based tech and growth-focused entrepreneurs and to conduct a benchmark analysis on SmartZone tax-capture financing | $475,000 |
| Downtown Detroit Partnership Inc | To support Campus Martius Park upgrades and to support DDP's coordination efforts for major events in 2024 | $450,000 |
| Friends of ELNET | For general operating support and delegations to Israel | $450,000 |
Officers and trustees
- See Statement
- Eli Saulson
- Ethan Davidson
- Jonathan Aaron
- Karen Davidson
- Mary Aaron
- Ralph Gerson
- Darin McKeever
- Danielle Stewart Hanson
Questions people ask
Does William Davidson Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does William Davidson Foundation give?
$59.6 million in tax year 2024, across 94 grants, with a typical grant of $287,500.
Who runs William Davidson Foundation?
Its 2024 filing lists See Statement (See Statement), Eli Saulson (Class A Director), Ethan Davidson (Class D Director) and Jonathan Aaron (Class A Director and Chairman) among 9 officers and trustees.
What does William Davidson Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly faith communities, education and community development.