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Old Trail Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

Old Trail Foundation

Its FY2024 filing reports that it funds preselected organizations and did not take unsolicited requests; check the foundation's own site before ruling it out.

$602k
Granted FY2024still arriving
11
Grants FY2024still arriving
5
States reached
$480k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
01What it funds
0191% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2017 to 2024.

Environment$779kEducation$224kReligion$200kHealth$156kPhilanthropy$151kAnimals$46kArts & Culture$16kPublic Benefit$8kOther$0
02FY2024 · 11 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2024

  • Under $10k7 grants · $17k
  • $10k–50k2 grants · $55k
  • $50k–250k1 grant · $50k
  • $250k+1 grant · $480k
$5,000
Median grant
5
States reached
$3.5M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
PROJECT HEALING WATERS$480,000
ST JUDE$50,000
MARY FREE BED REHABILITATION HOSPITAL FOUNDATION$35,000
ASPCA$20,000
BONEFISH & TARPON TRUST$5,000
FRIENDS OF LAKE LEELANAU$5,000
NEW GROWTH PROJECT$2,500
ARMED FORCES THANKSGIVING$2,500
Individual grant recipient$1,000
Individual grant recipient$500
LITTLE MANISTEE WATERSHED CONSERVATION COUNCIL$500
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Dollar for dollar, its grants (FY17–24) land where the poverty rate runs at 13%, against an area that typically sits at 13%. 66% of its dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 13%THE SMILE TRAIN: $5k → 17%PROJECT HEALING WATERS: $480k → 14%JOSE WEJEBE-SPANISH FLY MEMORIAL FOUNDATION INC: $2k → 13%BONEFISH & TARPON TRUST: $5k → 15%CONSERVATION RESOURCE ALLIANCE: $40k → 7%REMEMBERING ERIC - FIGHT CHILDHOOD CANCER: $1k → 8%DOWNS SYNDROME ASSOCIATION OF WEST MICHIGAN: $10k → 11%LITTLE MANISTEE WATERSHED CONSERVATION COUNCIL: $1k → 23%ST JUDE: $50k → 17%WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA: $3k → 16%PROJECT HEALING WATERS: $100k → 14%BONEFISH & TARPON TRUST: $5k → 15%CONSERVATION RESOURCE ALLIANCE: $23k → 7%MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY DEVELOPMENT: $111k → 16%ST JUDE: $50k → 17%WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA: $3k → 16%BONEFISH & TARPON TRUST: $5k → 15%CONSERVATION RESOURCE ALLIANCE: $20k → 7%EAST GRAND RAPIDS FOUNDATION: $51k → 11%MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI CLUB OF WEST MICHIGAN: $50k → 16%ST JUDE: $50k → 17%WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA: $2k → 16%CONSERVATION RESOURCE ALLIANCE: $15k → 7%EAST GRAND RAPIDS FOUNDATION: $50k → 11%MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI CLUB OF WEST MICHIGAN: $50k → 16%ST JUDE: $50k → 17%CONSERVATION RESOURCE ALLIANCE: $5k → 7%EAST GRAND RAPIDS FOUNDATION: $50k → 11%MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI CLUB OF WEST MICHIGAN: $3k → 16%LEELANAU CONSERVANCY: $30k → 7%LEELANAU CONSERVANCY: $30k → 7%KIDS FOOD BASKET: $3k → 11%LEELANAU CONSERVANCY: $20k → 7%NEW GROWTH PROJECT: $3k → 11%LEELANAU CONSERVANCY: $6k → 7%FISHTOWN PRESERVATION SOCIETY: $3k → 7%FISHTOWN PRESERVATION SOCIETY: $2k → 7%NEW GROWTH PROJECT: $3k → 11%MARY FREE BED REHABILITATION HOSPITAL FOUNDATION: $35k → 11%MARY FREE BED REHABILITATION HOSPITAL FOUNDATION: $30k → 11%MARY FREE BED REHABILITATION HOSPITAL FOUNDATION: $25k → 11%MARY FREE BED REHABILITATION HOSPITAL FOUNDATION: $25k → 11%MARY FREE BED REHABILITATION HOSPITAL FOUNDATION: $25k → 11%ARMED FORCES THANKSGIVING: $3k → 11%ARMED FORCES THANKSGIVING: $3k → 11%FUSION EDUCATION GROUP: $3k → 11%ARMED FORCES THANKSGIVING: $3k → 11%ARMED FORCES THANKSGIVING: $2k → 11%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.

Which US states its grants reach

ME
IL
MI
NY
CA
NM
TN
DC
FL
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

90%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$1.4M · 16 repeat orgs$154k to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +41% since the first grant, against +19% for those funded once.

16 repeat relationships: 10 still active in FY2024, 6 since wound down; 1 grantees were first funded in FY2024 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

16
21

Total granted

$1.4M
$153k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+41%
+19%

Still filing today

63%
62%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2024, 100% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $500 went to new ones.

50%100%’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24
AnimalsHuman ServicesArts & CultureHousing & ShelterHealthEnvironmentOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • MF
    MARY FREE BED REHABILITATION HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
    6× · 2019–2024 · $141k · revenue +830%
  • CR
    CONSERVATION RESOURCE ALLIANCE
    6× · 2018–2023 · $104k · revenue +1%
  • TA
    THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS
    3× · 2020–2024 · $30k · revenue +37%

Funded once

  • MS
    MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY DEVELOPMENT
    one grant, 2017 · $111k
  • DS
    DOWN SYNDROME ASSOCIATION OF WEST MICHIGAN
    one grant, 2021 · $10k · revenue +9%
  • TP
    THE POWER OF EDUCATION FOUNDATION
    one grant, 2021 · $10k · revenue -45%
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

04Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
Coalition to Protect Michigan Resources

The coalition to protect michigan resources's mission is to be a strong voice for the equitable co-management of michigan's fisheries, with both the great lakes and inland lakes and streams, to insure that conservation principles remain in…

Environment
2
Land Conservancy of West Michigan

Our mission is conserving West Michigans ecologically critical land. We protect land by creating public nature preserves, providing support to communities and local governments in creating natural areas, and helping private landowners…

Environment
3
Lake Leelanau Lake Association

The lake leelanau lake association is dedicated to protecting and enhancing the quality and beauty of lake leelanau and its surrounding watershed for current and future generations.

Environment
4
Mille Lacs Smallmouth Alliance

The Mille Lacs Smallmouth Alliance is a charitable non-profit organization dedicated to rebuilding, preserving and maintaining Mille Lacs Lake as a world class trophy smallmouth bass fishery. Our work will include: educating fishermen,…

Human Services
5
Friends of Michigan Animals Rescue

Friends of michigan animals rescue's mission is to protect animals and residents by promoting a safe and healthy environment for all.

Animals
6
Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership Inc

To inspire and advance manatee conservation by partnering cooperatively in manatee rescue, rehabilitation, release, and monitoring efforts; improve understanding of manatee biology and health through scientific research; and promote…

Animals
7
Friends of Ludington State Park

FLSP was established May 25, 1992 and functions privately, as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, to promote the wise use and conservation of the Ludington State Park, one of the most beautiful state parks ever.

Philanthropy
8
Florida Wildlife Federation

To safeguard Florida's water, wildlife, and wild spaces by taking action today to prevent irreversible loss tomorrow.

Animals
9
Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy

The mission of gtrlc is to protect significant natural, scenic and farm lands and advance land stewardship now and for future generations.

Environment
10
Michigan Animal Rescue League

The mission of the michigan animal rescue league is to provide the highest quality of life to dogs and cats through rescue, medical care, socialization and behavioral support, short- and long-term sanctuary, adoption, and community…

Animals
11
Michigan Water Environment Association

Be and create stewards for the water environment of michigan. provide high quality education for michigan's water professionals. educate and inform policy makers and the general public. promote scientifically sound environmental practices…

Environment
12
Friends of Detroit Animal Care and Control

Friends of the detroit animal care and control is committed to ensuring equal access to companion animals for those of all socioeconomic levels and raising the care for animals living in detroit.

Animals
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Kids' Food Basket Inc; the most unlike its peers is Aim High. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
04the grantee network

23 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2025.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2025, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 23 of the 38 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

0
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
7
Early backer (in before they grew)
23/23
Grantees still filing
17/23
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

PROJECT HEALING WATERS: $580,000 · OtherPROJECT HEALING WATERSST JUDE: $200,000 · OtherST JUDEEAST GRAND RAPIDS FOUNDATION: $150,550 · OtherEAST GRAND RAPIDS FOUNDATIONMICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY DEVELOPMENT: $111,000 · OtherMICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY DEVELOPMENTCONSERVATION RESOURCE ALLIANCE: $103,500 · OtherCONSERVATION RESOURCE ALLIANCEMICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI CLUB OF WEST MICHIGAN: $102,500 · OtherMICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI CLUB OF WEST MICHIGAN+19 more: $45,062 · OtherMARY FREE BED REHABILITATION HOSPITAL FOUNDATION: $140,500 · HealthMARY FREE…+1 more: $500 · HealthLEELANAU CONSERVANCY: $87,000 · Environment+1 more: $1,574 · EnvironmentTHE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS: $30,000 · AnimalsBONEFISH & TARPON TRUST INC: $15,000 · Animals+1 more: $500 · AnimalsARMED FORCES THANKSGIVING: $9,500 · Arts & CultureFISHTOWN PRESERVATION SOCIETY INC: $6,500 · Arts & CultureTHE POWER OF EDUCATION FOUNDATION: $10,000 · InternationalSea Turtle Conservancy: $500 · InternationalFRIENDS OF LAKE LEELANAU: $5,500 · Human ServicesAIM HIGH: $2,500 · Human Services
Other$1,292,612Health$141,000Environment$88,574Animals$45,500Arts & Culture$16,000International$10,500Human Services$8,000

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetMARY FREE BED REHABILITATION HOSPITAL FOUNDATION: $140,500 over 6y, 0.9% of budgetCONSERVATION RESOURCE ALLIANCE: $103,500 over 6y, 1.5% of budgetLEELANAU CONSERVANCY: $87,000 over 5y, 0.4% of budgetTHE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS: $30,000 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetBONEFISH & TARPON TRUST INC: $15,000 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetDOWN SYNDROME ASSOCIATION OF WEST MICHIGAN: $10,000 over 1y, 2.5% of budgetTHE POWER OF EDUCATION FOUNDATION: $10,000 over 1y, 4.0% of budgetARMED FORCES THANKSGIVING: $9,500 over 4y, 2.2% of budgetWreaths Across America: $7,503 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetFISHTOWN PRESERVATION SOCIETY INC: $6,500 over 5y, 0.2% of budgetFRIENDS OF LAKE LEELANAU: $5,500 over 2y, 0.5% of budgetSMILE TRAIN INC: $5,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetNEW GROWTH PROJECT: $5,000 over 2y, 1.1% of budgetKIDS' FOOD BASKET INC: $3,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetAIM HIGH: $2,500 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetFAMILY PROMISE OF GRAND RAPIDS: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetGRAND RAPIDS YOUTH COMMONWEALTH INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetSea Turtle Conservancy: $500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetGUARDIAN ANGEL BASSET RESCUE INC: $500 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetMICHIGAN HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOC: $500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetBEER CITY DOG BISCUITS: $500 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetAUTISM SUPPORT OF KENT COUNTY INC: $500 over 1y, 0.5% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

Frey FoundationGrand Rapids Communit…The Community Foundat…Natl Christian Charit…National Philanthropi…American Endowment Fo…Vanguard Charitable E…Fidelity Investments …American Online Givin…Donor Advised Charita…Amazonsmile Foundation
Frey FoundationMI15.5× affinity5 shared granteesties to 10 of 10Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Frey Foundation · Grand Rapids Community Foundation · The Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area Inc · Natl Christian Charitable Fdn Inc · National Philanthropic Trust · American Endowment Foundation · Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program · Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund · American Online Giving Foundation Inc · Donor Advised Charitable Giving Inc · Amazonsmile Foundation

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization Old Trail Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from Old Trail Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 10%0%1%3%5%funder's share of their income ↑0%10%20%30%40%share of the org’s income from government →median 1%
  • Sea Turtle Conservancy: 1% of income from government
no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
1get no government money at all
4report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
0rely on government for over half their income
⤢ axis zoomed · 0–40%
typical government reliance, FY20–25
How this is measured
Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.

On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 38 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

How this is measured
Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

Generated from the IRS Form 990-PF e-file return for fiscal year 2024, released 2024. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

Source object · view filing

Play a game based on Old Trail’s filings →

More from the funding graph

The unnamed billions
grants reported with no recipient in the public record
The regranting layer
51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
The DAF merry-go-round
$9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
The endowment market
who holds foundation money, and what just moved
The camps
funders cluster by geography, not ideology
By state
where grant money is based, and what stays home