R.E. Olds Foundation Grant

The R.E. Olds Foundation is a private philanthropic organization that provides grant funding to nonprofit organizations serving the Greater Lansing, Michigan area. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit itself, the foundation directs its charitable efforts toward improving local communities through targeted investments in education, family services, animal welfare, and environmental initiatives. The foundation emphasizes community-based programming and seeks to support organizations that demonstrate a meaningful and measurable impact on the populations they serve. Grants are awarded exclusively to nonprofit organizations and not to individuals. The primary purpose of this grant program is to fund projects that benefit children and families through educational initiatives, support the well-being of animals, and address environmental concerns. The foundation prioritizes programs that are rooted in the community and demonstrate clear alignment with these focus areas. While a variety of projects may be considered, the foundation explicitly limits funding to programmatic activities and does not typically support capital campaigns, building projects, endowments, scholarships for individuals, religious activities, or operational expenses such as salaries and benefits. Funding amounts for this program are relatively modest, with typical awards reaching up to 10000 dollars. Applicants must clearly define how funds will be used within the scope of their project and provide a detailed project budget using the foundation’s required template. The funding is intended to directly support project implementation rather than general organizational support, reinforcing the foundation’s focus on discrete, impact-driven initiatives. Eligibility is limited to organizations that hold 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status and operate within the Greater Lansing area. Applicants must provide documentation of their tax-exempt status, including an IRS determination letter, and supply their Employer Identification Number as part of the application. Additionally, organizations may only submit one application per year, which underscores the competitive nature of the funding and the importance of submitting a well-prepared proposal. The application process is conducted through an online form that requires detailed organizational and project information. Applicants must submit contact details, organizational background, a mission statement, and a comprehensive project description. Additional required components include a project budget, a plan for how the grant funds will be used, and a description of how the project’s success will be evaluated. The application also asks whether other funders are involved, indicating the foundation’s interest in collaborative or leveraged funding efforts. The grant program operates on a quarterly cycle, with four distinct application deadlines and corresponding award notification dates throughout the year. For 2026, deadlines occur in late February, mid-June, late August, and early December, with award decisions typically made within one to two weeks following each deadline. This recurring structure allows organizations multiple opportunities to apply within a year, although each organization is limited to a single submission annually. Applicants are encouraged to plan accordingly and ensure all required materials, including the budget template, are completed prior to submission. For additional information or assistance, applicants may contact the foundation via email at reoldsfoundation@gmail.com or by phone through the listed contacts. Mailing correspondence can also be sent to the foundation’s post office box in East Lansing, Michigan. The foundation does not provide explicit evaluation criteria but places clear emphasis on alignment with its priority areas and the strength of the proposed project’s community impact.

Ensure strong alignment with youth family education animal welfare or environmental priorities and provide a clear measurable evaluation plan