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Rollin M Gerstacker Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

Rollin M Gerstacker Foundation

Its FY2025 filing reports that it accepted unsolicited grant applications.

$9.1M
Granted FY2024still arriving
162
Grants FY2024still arriving
13
States reached
$1.5M
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02Its granteesRead
03Its fieldRead
04Through PlinthRead
01What it funds
0196% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2020 to 2025.

Recreation & Sports$3.5MHealth$3.1MArts & Culture$2.6MPhilanthropy$2.4MEnvironment$2.2MEducation$1.4MHuman Services$687kCommunity Improvement$679kOther$0
02FY2024 · 162 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

How this is measured
The 162 grants below total $8,654,040, the rows itemized in this filing. The $9,085,920 headline is the total grant expense on the return; the other $431,880 is giving the schedule does not break out (grants under the $5,000 itemization floor, grants to individuals, grants on other schedules). Every figure below describes the itemized rows only.

By grant size · FY2024

  • Under $10k42 grants · $141k
  • $10k–50k89 grants · $1.8M
  • $50k–250k24 grants · $1.8M
  • $250k+7 grants · $4.9M
$17,000
Median grant
13
States reached
$145M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
Greater Midland Community Centers$1,500,000
Midland Center for the Arts$1,000,000
MyMichigan Health Foundation$1,000,000
Midland Area Community Foundation$650,000
Chippewa Nature Center$250,000
Four Lakes Task Force$250,000
Midland Business Alliance Foundation$250,000
Midland Area Community Foundation$150,000
Midland Business Alliance Foundation$150,000
The ARC of Midland$125,000
Parkinson's Foundation$100,000
United Way of Midland County$100,000
Davenport University$100,000
Mackinac Center for Public Policy$85,000
American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research$85,000
02Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

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

76%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$18M · 90 repeat orgs$5.7M to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +13% since the first grant, against 0% for those funded once.

90 repeat relationships: 68 still active in FY2024, 22 since wound down; 68 grantees were first funded in FY2024 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

90
110

Total granted

$18M
$4.2M

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+13%
0%

Still filing today

53%
30%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2024, 80% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $1.5M went to new ones.

50%100%’22’23’24
RenewedFirst-time

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

’22’23’24
HealthArts & CultureEducationHuman ServicesRecreation & SportsEnvironmentOther
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

  • MB
    MIDLAND BUSINESS ALLIANCE FNDN
    3× · 2022–2024 · $735k · revenue +71%
  • MB
    MICHIGAN BASEBALL FOUNDATION INC
    3× · 2022–2024 · $619k · revenue +3% · 30% of their budget
  • UW
    United Way of Midland County
    3× · 2022–2024 · $303k · revenue +1%

Funded once

  • MC
    Midland County Argl. & Hort. Society
    one grant, 2022 · $450k
  • TN
    The Nature Conservancy-MI Chapter
    one grant, 2022 · $300k
  • MH
    MUNSON HEALTHCARE FOUNDATIONSgraduated
    one grant, 2022 · $250k · revenue +68%
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.

03Its 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
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
2
Mid Michigan Community Action Agency Inc

Mid michigan community action guides local residents on the path to self-sufficiency through empowerment, education and community enrichment.

—
3
Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce

To be a catalyst for economic and community progress within the great lakes bay region.

—
4
Michigan Chamber of Commerce

To promote conditions favorable to job creation and business success in michigan.

—
5
The Northern Michigan University Foundation

The nmu foundation will establish and foster relationships to generate resources that benefit the strategic goals of northern michigan university.

Education
6
Michigan Assoc of Community Mental Health Boards

Assisting the community mental health boards of michigan in developing methods for mental health planning, care and treatment.

—
7
Business Leaders for Michigan

Business leaders for michigan is a nonprofit, nonpartisan statewide organization driven by ceos from the state's leading employers, all working toward a shared goal: making michigan a top 10 state for jobs, talent and a thriving economy.…

—
8
Midland County Cancer Society Dba Cancer Services

To provide personal and compassionate support to cancer patients and their caregivers in our community.

—
9
Michigan Anti-Cruelty Society

To maintain and operate a hospital, ambulance and veterinary services for the care of animals. the maintenance and operation of kennels and suitable chambers for the humane destruction of wounded animals.

Animals
10
Michigan Science Center

The mission of the michigan science center is to inspire curious minds of all ages to discover, explore and appreciate science, technology, engineering and math in a creative, dynamic learning environment.

Education
11
Business Leaders for Michigan Foundation

Business leaders for michigan is a nonprofit, nonpartisan statewide organization driven by ceos from the state's leading employers, all working toward a shared goal: making michigan a top 10 state for jobs, talent and a thriving economy.…

Community Improvement
12
Michigan Farm Bureau

Michigan farm bureau (mfb) is a member directed agricultural organization whose purpose is to represent, protect, and enhance the business, economic, social, and educational interests of our members located throughout the state of michigan.

—
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Make-a-Wish Foundation of Michigan; the most unlike its peers is Gratiot County Historical and Genealogical Society. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
03the grantee network

108 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. 108 of the 272 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.

3
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
11
Early backer (in before they grew)
106/108
Grantees still filing
56/108
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

Midland County Argl. & Hort. Society: $450,000 · Other+160 more: $9,089,450 · Other+160 moreGREATER MIDLAND COMMUNITY CTRS INC: $4,226,000 · Recreation & SportsGREATER MIDLAND CO…+5 more: $150,000 · Recreation & SportsMidland Center for the Arts Inc: $3,166,000 · Arts & CultureMidland Center…TEMPLEARTS: $150,000 · Arts & Culture+7 more: $180,500 · Arts & CultureMIDLAND AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION: $3,297,250 · PhilanthropyMIDLAND AREA C…+4 more: $108,600 · PhilanthropyMYMICHIGAN HEALTH FOUNDATION: $2,000,000 · HealthMYMICHIGAN…PARKINSON'S FOUNDATION INC: $200,000 · HealthPARKINSON'…MICHAEL'S PLACE: $103,000 · HealthASSOCIATION FOR CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH: $102,000 · Health+5 more: $113,000 · HealthCHIPPEWA NATURE CENTER: $1,030,000 · EnvironmentFour Lakes Task Force: $500,000 · EnvironmentThe Little Forks Conservancy Inc: $200,000 · EnvironmentGRAND TRAVERSE REGIONAL LAND CONSERVANCY: $170,000 · Environment+2 more: $48,875 · EnvironmentMIDLAND BUSINESS ALLIANCE FNDN: $735,000 · Community ImprovementMICHIGAN BASEBALL FOUNDATION INC: $619,000 · Community Improvement+2 more: $50,000 · Community Improvement
Other$9,539,450Recreation & Sports$4,376,000Arts & Culture$3,496,500Philanthropy$3,405,850Health$2,518,000Environment$1,948,875Community Improvement$1,404,000

Showing the 200 largest grantees by grant value.

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

25%50%75%100%$100k$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetGREATER MIDLAND COMMUNITY CTRS INC: $4,226,000 over 3y, 10% of budgetMIDLAND AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION: $3,297,250 over 3y, 9.5% of budgetMidland Center for the Arts Inc: $3,166,000 over 3y, 9.7% of budgetMYMICHIGAN HEALTH FOUNDATION: $2,000,000 over 2y, 16% of budgetCHIPPEWA NATURE CENTER: $1,030,000 over 3y, 14% of budgetMIDLAND BUSINESS ALLIANCE FNDN: $735,000 over 3y, 12% of budgetMICHIGAN BASEBALL FOUNDATION INC: $619,000 over 3y, 30% of budgetFour Lakes Task Force: $500,000 over 2y, 1.5% of budgetUnited Way of Midland County: $302,500 over 3y, 2.2% of budgetMUNSON HEALTHCARE FOUNDATIONS: $250,000 over 1y, 2.4% of budgetThe Arc of Midland: $225,000 over 3y, 15% of budgetPARKINSON'S FOUNDATION INC: $200,000 over 2y, 0.2% of budgetThe Little Forks Conservancy Inc: $200,000 over 3y, 22% of budgetDAVENPORT UNIVERSITY: $190,000 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetALMA COLLEGE: $175,000 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetMACKINAC CENTER: $170,000 over 2y, 0.8% of budgetGRAND TRAVERSE REGIONAL LAND CONSERVANCY: $170,000 over 2y, 0.6% of budgetALBION COLLEGE: $165,000 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetNorthwood University: $155,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetTEMPLEARTS: $150,000 over 1y, 3.1% of budgetEagle Village Inc: $120,000 over 2y, 0.5% of budgetAMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY RESEARCH: $115,000 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetMICHAEL'S PLACE: $103,000 over 3y, 8.6% of budgetASSOCIATION FOR CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH: $102,000 over 2y, 8.4% of budgetSARATOGA WARHORSE FOUNDATION INC: $100,000 over 1y, 14% of budgetWEST MIDLAND FAMILY CENTER: $100,000 over 2y, 1.0% of budgetKALAMAZOO COLLEGE: $90,000 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetHIRAM COLLEGE: $90,000 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetUniversity of Michigan: $90,000 over 3y, 9.1% of budgetSOUTHERN UNIVERTY SYSTEM: $90,000 over 3y, 0.2% of budgetTONI & TRISH HOUSE FOR THE TERMINALLY ILL: $75,000 over 3y, 4.3% of budgetWILDLIFE RECOVERY ASSOCIATION: $60,000 over 2y, 51% of budgetDISCOVERY CENTER GREAT LAKES: $50,000 over 1y, 5.1% of budgetARNOLD CENTER INC: $50,000 over 1y, 1.3% of budgetCHILD & FAMILY SERVICES OF NORTHWESTERN MICHIGAN INC: $45,000 over 2y, 0.4% of budgetTHE HERITAGE FOUNDATION: $45,000 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetHistorical Society of Michigan: $45,000 over 3y, 1.0% of budgetUNITED WAY OF BAY COUNTY: $45,000 over 3y, 1.4% of budgetBAY AREA WOMEN'S CENTER: $45,000 over 2y, 1.6% of budgetCOUNCIL ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE & SEXUAL ASSAULT: $40,000 over 1y, 1.4% of budgetWRITERS SERIES OF TRAVERSE CITY: $40,000 over 2y, 2.8% of budgetBig Brothers Big Sisters of the Great Lakes Bay Region: $40,000 over 1y, 4.5% of budgetMID MICHIGAN BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS: $40,000 over 2y, 6.3% of budgetEPILEPSY ASSOCIATION: $40,000 over 3y, 2.3% of budgetAsian Immigrant Women Advocates Inc: $35,000 over 1y, 8.2% of budgetUNITED WAY OF SAGINAW COUNTY: $35,000 over 3y, 0.7% of budgetCOUNCIL OF MICHIGAN FOUNDATIONS: $33,600 over 2y, 0.3% of budgetLIONS VISUALLY IMPAIRED YOUTH CAMP: $32,000 over 3y, 2.1% 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.

Midland Area Communit…Consumers Energy Foun…The Herbert H & Grace…Harry a and Margaret …The Charles J Strosac…Alden and Vada Dow Fu…The Patricia and Davi…Bay Area Community Fo…Bierlein Companies Fo…Saginaw Community Fou…The Mary C Currie Fou…Dow Company Foundation
Midland Area Community FoundationMI73× affinity34 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Midland Area Community Foundation · Consumers Energy Foundation · The Herbert H & Grace a Dow Foundation · Harry a and Margaret D Towsley Foundation · The Charles J Strosacker Foundation · Alden and Vada Dow Fund · The Patricia and David Kepler Foundation · Bay Area Community Foundation · Bierlein Companies Foundation · Saginaw Community Foundation · The Mary C Currie Foundation · Dow Company 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.
04Through Plinth

Warm introductions · Powered by PlinthPlus

How do I get to Rollin M Gerstacker Foundation?

Find your warmest path to Rollin M Gerstacker Foundation through trustees and officers whose names appear on both boards. Search for your organization and Plinth traces the shortest route it can evidence.

Each link is a name appearing on two organizations’ public IRS 990 filings, matched on that name and, where the filings support it, on location. A same-state match has geographic support, which is a second matching feature rather than confirmation that the two are one person; a cross-state one is the likeliest to be two people who share a name. Every hop shows its tier, low-confidence and distant paths are held back rather than guessed, and it is worth confirming the person before you use the introduction.

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 272 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.

Possibly out of date. A more recent filing (FY2025) is on record and reports $9.9M of grant expense with no grantee named in the published copy. A private foundation itemizes every grant it makes, so a return carrying none has filed its list as an attachment that the public copy does not include. The figures above are therefore from FY2024, the most recent year this funder’s grantee list reached the public record.

Source object · view filing

Play a game based on Rollin M Gerstacker’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