The Northern Lights Family Foundation | Foundation Profile

GrantBay analyzes IRS Form 990-PF data to help grant seekers find fit funders like The Northern Lights Family Foundation. Data shown is extracted from Form 990-PF filings.

EIN: 81-0866529

Foundation Overview

Based in Ann Arbor, MI, The Northern Lights Family Foundation has awarded 177 grants totaling $1,145,780 to organizations in Michigan, California and 11 other states, plus international recipients. Individual grants range from $500 to $25,000, with a median award of $5,000.

Latest Tax Year
2023
Total Giving (all years)
$1,145,780
Total Assets
$4,363,739
Median Grant (all grants)
$5,000

Latest Form 990-PF Snapshot

Total Grants
48
Median Grant
$10,000
% Median Grant Growth
+100% (vs previous year)
Data extracted from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Last filing year: February 2026

Foundation Intelligence

Advanced analytics and strategic insights to help nonprofit organizations assess grant opportunities and optimize their application strategies

New Applicant Friendliness
Balanced Approach: 46%

22 of 48 recipients (46%) were new grantees. Foundation maintains loyal partnerships while remaining open to qualified new applicants with strong proposals.

Geographic Focus
Michigan

Grants are geographically diversified with 24% in Michigan and funding distributed across 14 total locations. This foundation values broad geographic impact and diverse community partnerships. Within Michigan, funding concentrates in Ann Arbor (42%), Leland (26%), Traverse City (21%).

Funding Trajectory
+1764%

Strong 1764% growth in annual giving over 7 years indicates expanding philanthropic capacity and increasing opportunities for grant seekers. This upward trajectory suggests growing foundation resources and commitment.

Program Areas
General Purposes + 4 others

Diversified giving across multiple program areas with primary emphasis on general purposes (32%). This broad approach suggests openness to various causes and innovative cross-sector solutions.

Where is The Money Going?

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Grants & Funding

Analyzing past grantees provides valuable insights into The Northern Lights Family Foundation's funding preferences, organizational priorities, and grant making patterns. This historical data helps potential applicants understand the foundation's strategic focus and identify successful funding approaches.

Name Amount Location Purpose Year
Leelanau Conservancy $10,000 Leland, MI, US Environment 2023
Tart Trails $10,000 Traverse City, MI, US Environment 2023
Venture Forward $25,000 Eugene, OR, US Human Services 2023
Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation $5,000 Ann Arbor, MI, US Human Services 2023
Outreach Program $5,000 Haverhill, MA, US Human Services 2023
Common Cause Education Fund $5,000 Washington, DC, US Civic Engagement 2023
Catholic Relief Services $10,000 Harlan, IA, US Human Services 2023
Spread The Vote $10,000 Los Angelos, CA, US Civic Engagement 2023
Every Town For Gun Safety $10,000 New York, NY, US Human Services 2023
Direct Relief $10,000 Santa Barbara, CA, US Human Services 2023
National Park Foundation $5,000 Washington, DC, US Environment 2023
Doctors Without Borders $10,000 New York, NY, US Health 2023
Northwest Harvest $5,000 Spokane Valley, WA, US Human Services 2023
Fos Feminist $5,000 New York, NY, US Human Rights 2023
Protect Our Winters $5,000 Boulder, CO, US Environment 2023
World Central Kitchen $10,000 Washington, DC, US Human Services 2023
Aclu Developmental Fund $5,000 Detroit, MI, US Civic Engagement 2023
Mary's Place $5,000 Nashua, NH, US Human Services 2023
Planned Parenthood $15,000 Ann Arbor, MI, US Health 2023
Farestart $5,000 Seattle, WA, US Human Services 2023
In Our Own Voice National Black Women Reproductive Justice $10,000 Washington, DC, US Human Rights 2023
Naral Pro-choice America $10,000 Washington, DC, US Human Rights 2023
East West Food Rescue $5,000 Woodinville, WA, US Human Services 2023
Violence Policy Center $10,000 Washington, DC, US Civic Engagement 2023
Leelanau Conservancy $10,000 Leland, MI, US Environment 2023
Tart Trails $10,000 Traverse City, MI, US Environment 2023
Venture Forward $25,000 Eugene, OR, US Human Services 2023
Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation $5,000 Ann Arbor, MI, US Human Services 2023
Outreach Program $5,000 Haverhill, MA, US Human Services 2023
Common Cause Education Fund $5,000 Washington, DC, US Civic Engagement 2023
Catholic Relief Services $10,000 Harlan, IA, US Human Services 2023
Spread The Vote $10,000 Los Angelos, CA, US Civic Engagement 2023
Every Town For Gun Safety $10,000 New York, NY, US Human Services 2023
Direct Relief $10,000 Santa Barbara, CA, US Human Services 2023
National Park Foundation $5,000 Washington, DC, US Environment 2023
Doctors Without Borders $10,000 New York, NY, US Health 2023
Northwest Harvest $5,000 Spokane Valley, WA, US Human Services 2023
Fos Feminist $5,000 New York, NY, US Human Rights 2023
Protect Our Winters $5,000 Boulder, CO, US Environment 2023
World Central Kitchen $10,000 Washington, DC, US Human Services 2023
Aclu Developmental Fund $5,000 Detroit, MI, US Civic Engagement 2023
Mary's Place $5,000 Nashua, NH, US Human Services 2023
Planned Parenthood $15,000 Ann Arbor, MI, US Health 2023
Farestart $5,000 Seattle, WA, US Human Services 2023
In Our Own Voice National Black Women Reproductive Justice $10,000 Washington, DC, US Human Rights 2023
Naral Pro-choice America $10,000 Washington, DC, US Human Rights 2023
East West Food Rescue $5,000 Woodinville, WA, US Human Services 2023
Violence Policy Center $10,000 Washington, DC, US Civic Engagement 2023
Leelanau Conservancy $10,000 Leland, MI, US Environmental Protection 2022
Direct Relief $10,000 Santa Barbara, CA, US Health And Human Services 2022
Doctors Without Borders $5,000 New York, NY, US Health And Human Services 2022
Tart Trails (check #000153) $5,000 Traverse City, MI, US Health And Human Services 2022
Tart Trails (check #000153) $5,000 Traverse City, MI, US Health And Human Services 2022
Catholic Relief Services $5,000 Harlan, IA, US Health And Human Services 2022
Razom Inc $10,000 New York, NY, US Health And Human Services 2022
Every Town For Gun Safety Support $10,000 New York, NY, US Health And Human Services 2022
Brady Foundation $10,000 Washington, DC, US Health And Human Services 2022
Violence Policy Center $10,000 Washington, DC, US Health And Human Services 2022
Naral Pro-choice America (check #000162) $5,000 Washington, DC, US Women's Equality 2022
National Black Women's Reproductive $5,000 Washington, DC, US Women's Equality 2022
Naral Pro-choice America (check #000162) $5,000 Washington, DC, US Women's Equality 2022
National Network Of Abortion $5,000 Beaverton, OR, US Women's Equality 2022
Planned Parenthood (check #000161) $10,500 Ann Arbor, MI, US Women's Equality 2022
Planned Parenthood (check #000161) $5,000 Ann Arbor, MI, US Women's Equality 2022
Midwest Access Coalition $5,000 Chicago, IL, US Women's Equality 2022
Indigineous Women Rising $5,000 Albuquerque, NM, US Women's Equality 2022
The Outreach Program $3,000 Haverhill, MA, US Underserved Communitites 2022
Farestart $2,000 Seattle, WA, US Underserved Communitites 2022
Northwest Harvest $2,000 Spokane Valley, WA, US Underserved Communitites 2022
Mary's Place $2,000 Nashua, NH, US Underserved Communitites 2022
Yosemite Conservancy $5,000 San Francisco, CA, US Environmental Protection 2022
Common Cause Education Fund $5,000 Washington, DC, US Health And Human Services 2022
Center For Reproductive Rights $3,000 New York, NY, US Women's Equality 2022
Planned Parenthood $5,000 Ann Arbor, MI, US Women's Equality 2022
Fos Feminista $5,000 New York, NY, US Women's Equality 2022
World Central Kitchen $3,000 Washington, DC, US Underserved Communitites 2022
Aclu $5,000 Detroit, MI, US Education 2022
Protect Our Winters $5,000 Boulder, CO, US Environmental Protection 2022
Leelanau Conservancy $10,000 Leland, MI, US Environmental Protection 2022
Direct Relief $10,000 Santa Barbara, CA, US Health And Human Services 2022
Doctors Without Borders $5,000 New York, NY, US Health And Human Services 2022
Tart Trails (Check #000153) $5,000 Traverse City, MI, US Health And Human Services 2022
Tart Trails (Check #000153) $5,000 Traverse City, MI, US Health And Human Services 2022
Catholic Relief Services $5,000 Harlan, IA, US Health And Human Services 2022
Razom Inc $10,000 New York, NY, US Health And Human Services 2022
Every Town For Gun Safety Support $10,000 New York, NY, US Health And Human Services 2022
Brady Foundation $10,000 Washington, DC, US Health And Human Services 2022
Violence Policy Center $10,000 Washington, DC, US Health And Human Services 2022
Naral Pro-choice America (Check #000162) $5,000 Washington, DC, US Women's Equality 2022
National Black Women's Reproductive $5,000 Washington, DC, US Women's Equality 2022
Naral Pro-choice America (Check #000162) $5,000 Washington, DC, US Women's Equality 2022
National Network Of Abortion $5,000 Beaverton, OR, US Women's Equality 2022
Planned Parenthood (Check #000161) $10,500 Ann Arbor, MI, US Women's Equality 2022
Planned Parenthood (Check #000161) $5,000 Ann Arbor, MI, US Women's Equality 2022
Midwest Access Coalition $5,000 Chicago, IL, US Women's Equality 2022
Indigineous Women Rising $5,000 Albuquerque, NM, US Women's Equality 2022
The Outreach Program $3,000 Haverhill, MA, US Underserved Communitites 2022
Farestart $2,000 Seattle, WA, US Underserved Communitites 2022
Northwest Harvest $2,000 Spokane Valley, WA, US Underserved Communitites 2022
Mary's Place $2,000 Nashua, NH, US Underserved Communitites 2022
Yosemite Conservancy $5,000 San Francisco, CA, US Environmental Protection 2022
Common Cause Education Fund $5,000 Washington, DC, US Health And Human Services 2022
Center For Reproductive Rights $3,000 New York, NY, US Women's Equality 2022
Planned Parenthood $5,000 Ann Arbor, MI, US Women's Equality 2022
Fos Feminista $5,000 New York, NY, US Women's Equality 2022
World Central Kitchen $3,000 Washington, DC, US Underserved Communitites 2022
Aclu $5,000 Detroit, MI, US Education 2022
Protect Our Winters $5,000 Boulder, CO, US Environmental Protection 2022
Leelanau Conservancy $10,000 Leland, MI, US Environmental Protection 2022
Direct Relief $10,000 Santa Barbara, CA, US Health And Human Services 2022
Doctors Without Borders $5,000 New York, NY, US Health And Human Services 2022
Tart Trails (Check #000153) $5,000 Traverse City, MI, US Health And Human Services 2022
Tart Trails (Check #000153) $5,000 Traverse City, MI, US Health And Human Services 2022
Catholic Relief Services $5,000 Harlan, IA, US Health And Human Services 2022
Razom Inc $10,000 New York, NY, US Health And Human Services 2022
Every Town For Gun Safety Support $10,000 New York, NY, US Health And Human Services 2022
Brady Foundation $10,000 Washington, DC, US Health And Human Services 2022
Violence Policy Center $10,000 Washington, DC, US Health And Human Services 2022
Naral Pro-choice America (Check #000162) $5,000 Washington, DC, US Women's Equality 2022
National Black Women's Reproductive $5,000 Washington, DC, US Women's Equality 2022
Naral Pro-choice America (Check #000162) $5,000 Washington, DC, US Women's Equality 2022
National Network Of Abortion $5,000 Beaverton, OR, US Women's Equality 2022
Planned Parenthood (Check #000161) $10,500 Ann Arbor, MI, US Women's Equality 2022
Planned Parenthood (Check #000161) $5,000 Ann Arbor, MI, US Women's Equality 2022
Midwest Access Coalition $5,000 Chicago, IL, US Women's Equality 2022
Indigineous Women Rising $5,000 Albuquerque, NM, US Women's Equality 2022
The Outreach Program $3,000 Haverhill, MA, US Underserved Communitites 2022
Farestart $2,000 Seattle, WA, US Underserved Communitites 2022
Northwest Harvest $2,000 Spokane Valley, WA, US Underserved Communitites 2022
Mary's Place $2,000 Nashua, NH, US Underserved Communitites 2022
Yosemite Conservancy $5,000 San Francisco, CA, US Environmental Protection 2022
Common Cause Education Fund $5,000 Washington, DC, US Health And Human Services 2022
Center For Reproductive Rights $3,000 New York, NY, US Women's Equality 2022
Planned Parenthood $5,000 Ann Arbor, MI, US Women's Equality 2022
Fos Feminista $5,000 New York, NY, US Women's Equality 2022
World Central Kitchen $3,000 Washington, DC, US Underserved Communitites 2022
Aclu $5,000 Detroit, MI, US Education 2022
Protect Our Winters $5,000 Boulder, CO, US Environmental Protection 2022
Feeding America $20,000 Washington, DC, US Underserved Communities 2021
When We All Vote $20,000 Washington, DC, US Education 2021
Aclu Foundation $20,000 New York, NY, US Education 2021
Tart Trails $10,000 Traverse City, MI, US Health And Human Services 2021
Leelanau Conservatory $10,000 Leland, MI, US Environmental Preservation 2021
Fare Start $500 Seattle, WA, US Underserved Communities 2021
Mary's Place $500 Seattle, WA, US Underserved Communities 2021
Northwest Harvest $2,000 Seattle, WA, US Underserved Communities 2021
Protect Our Winters $4,000 Boulder, CO, US Environmental Preservation 2021
Citizen's Climate Edu Fund $4,000 Coronado, CA, US Environmental Preservation 2021
Afghan Health Initiative $1,000 Auburn, WA, US Health And Human Services 2021
Boston Health Care For The Homeless $4,000 Boston, MA, US Underserved Communities 2021
Glen Canyon Institute $4,000 Salt Lake City, UT, US Environmental Preservation 2021
World Central Kitchen $2,500 Washington, DC, US Underserved Communities 2021
Women For Afghan Women $1,500 Fresh Meadows, NY, US Women's Quality 2021
Campaign For Fishtown (fishtown Preservation Society Inc) $10,000 Leland, MI, US Environmental Preservation 2020
Feeding America $25,000 Washington, DC, US Underserved Communities 2020
Leelanau Conservancy $5,000 Leland, MI, US Environmental Preservation 2020
Michigan League Of Conservation Voters Ed Fund $5,000 Ann Arbor, MI, US Environmental Preservation 2020
Covid-19 Response Fund $10,000 Washington, DC, US Health And Human Services 2020
Farestart $500 Seattle, WA, US Underserved Communities 2020
Seattle Foundation $2,000 Seattle, WA, US Other 2020
Northwest Harvest $1,500 Seattle, WA, US Underserved Communities 2020
Mary's Place $500 Seattle, WA, US Underserved Communities 2020
United Way Of Seattle $3,500 Seattle, WA, US Underserved Communities 2020
Boston Health For The Homeless $4,000 Boston, MA, US Underserved Communities 2020
Dig Deep Right Water Project $4,000 Los Angeles, CA, US Health And Human Services 2020
Vitamin Angels $4,000 Goleta, CA, US Health And Human Services 2020
Aclu Foundation $4,000 New York, NY, US Other 2020
Benet Academy $1,500 Lisle, IL, US Legacy Memorial Scholarship 2018
Leelanau Conservacy $10,000 Leland, MI, US General Fund 2018
Friends Of Beechwood Cemetery $3,000 Leland, MI, US General Fund 2018
Michigan League Of Conservation Voters Education Fund $3,500 Ann Arbor, MI, US General Fund 2018
Leelanau Conservacy $10,000 Leland, MI, US General Fund 2017
Benet Academy $1,780 Lisle, IL, US Legacy Memorial Scholarship 2017
Catholic Social Services $500 Ann Arbor, MI, US General Fund 2017
Girls Group $5,000 Ann Arbor, MI, US General Fund 2016
University Of Michigan $5,000 Ann Arbor, MI, US General Fund 2016
The Olive Branch For Children $1,000 Woodbridge, ONTARIO, CA Planning And Initial Construction Of The Zion Home. 2016

Foundations Similar to The Northern Lights Family Foundation

Discover 5 foundations with comparable assets ($4,296,733-$4,428,133), similar grant patterns, and geographic focus in MI that may also align with your organization's funding needs and grant seeking strategy.

Foundation Name Total Assets Typical Grant Size Service Area Similarity Match

EIN: 38-3378231 | 146 grants awarded
$4,364,396
(≈ Similar)
$8,750
median grant
Bloomfield Hills, MI
Same state
100%
Excellent match

EIN: 82-3217322 | 227 grants awarded
$4,374,320
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$2,500
median grant
Orchard Lake, MI
Same state
100%
Excellent match

EIN: 38-1359097 | 196 grants awarded
$4,386,305
(≈ Similar)
$7,000
median grant
St Clair Shores, MI
Same state
100%
Excellent match

EIN: 36-4139320 | 133 grants awarded
$4,428,133
(≈ Similar)
$6,000
median grant
Northport, MI
Same state
99%
Excellent match

EIN: 38-6070179 | 107 grants awarded
$4,296,733
(≈ Similar)
$5,000
median grant
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Same state
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Contact Information

Official contact details for The Northern Lights Family Foundation as registered with the IRS. These details are essential for grant applications, correspondence, and due diligence processes.

EIN 81-0866529
Website N/A
Address 435 HUNTINGTON PL Ann Arbor, MI 48104-1828

Key People (5)

Board members, trustees, and key staff who oversee The Northern Lights Family Foundation's grant making decisions and strategic direction. Understanding leadership composition can provide insights into foundation priorities and potential networking opportunities.

President Michael J O'donnell
Treasurer/secretary Jan L Garfinkle
Director Keely O'donnell
Director Devin O'donnell
Director Brienne O'donnell

Forms 990-PF

IRS Form 990-PF filings provide comprehensive financial information, grant details, and operational data. These documents are essential resources for understanding foundation capacity, giving patterns, and strategic priorities.

Form 990-PF Research Tips
  • Review Part XV for detailed grant recipient information and funding purposes
  • Check Part I for total assets, annual giving amounts, and payout requirements
  • Examine Part VIII for key personnel compensation and board structure
  • Look for trends across multiple years to understand giving patterns

About This Foundation Profile

This comprehensive foundation profile for The Northern Lights Family Foundation is powered by Grant Bay's advanced foundation research platform. Our system analyzes IRS Form 990-PF filings, grant histories, and philanthropic patterns to provide nonprofit organizations with actionable intelligence for grant seeking success.

Data Sources & Accuracy

All information is derived from official IRS filings and public records. Grant Bay processes thousands of Form 990-PF documents to extract grant details, financial data, and organizational information. Data accuracy depends on foundation reporting quality and IRS filing completeness.

Research Applications

Use this profile for prospect research, grant strategy development, application preparation, and relationship building. Combine this data with additional research on foundation priorities, application processes, and board member backgrounds for comprehensive grant seeking strategies.

Data Currency: Last updated February 2026 based on IRS Form 990-PF filings. Foundation information reflects most recent available tax year data.