Ralph L and Winifred E Polk Foundation
Invitation OnlyBirmingham, Michigan · EIN 38-6080075 · Private foundation
Grants paid (2024)$758K
Organizations funded37
Typical grant$15,500
Total assets$17.6M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $10,000 and $20,000.
From the return
How to apply
On its return for tax year 2024 the foundation checked the box saying it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
What it funds
Share of grant lines on the latest return, classified from the purpose each grant states.
Where it gives
0% of grants went outside Michigan.
Grants paid in tax year 2024
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit Zoological Society | Royal Oak, MI | Zoological services | $100,000 |
| Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy | Traverse City, MI | Nature conservation and promotion | $50,000 |
| The Nature Conservancy | Lansing, MI | Nature conservation and promotion | $50,000 |
| Trinity Health St Joseph Mercy Oakland | Pontiac, MI | General fund | $50,000 |
| Cherryland Humane Society | Traverse City, MI | Animal care and support | $25,000 |
| College for Creative Studies | Detroit, MI | Higher education | $25,000 |
| Michigan Humane Society | Bingham Farms, MI | Animal care and support | $25,000 |
| Cranbrook Educational Community | Bloomfield Hills, MI | Education services | $25,000 |
| Cornerstone Schools Foundation | Detroit, MI | Education services | $20,000 |
| Forgotten Harvest | Oak Park, MI | Services for the underprivileged | $20,000 |
| Gleaners Community Food Bank | Detroit, MI | Services for the underprivileged | $20,000 |
| Greening of Detroit | Detroit, MI | Nature conservation and promotion | $20,000 |
| Interlochen Center for the Arts | Interlochen, MI | Promotion of the arts | $20,000 |
| Michigan Science Center | Detroit, MI | Education services | $20,000 |
| Racquet Up Detroit | Detroit, MI | Physical education services | $20,000 |
| Rose Hill | Holly, MI | Mental health services | $20,000 |
| Say Detroit | Southfield, MI | Community services | $20,000 |
| Boldli Exceptional Youth Services | Detroit, MI | Youth services | $20,000 |
| Humble Design Inc | Southfield, MI | Services for the underprivileged | $15,500 |
| Father Fred Foundation | Traverse City, MI | General welfare services | $15,000 |
| Great Lakes Children's Museum | Traverse City, MI | Historical preservation | $15,000 |
| Judson Center | Farmington Hills, MI | Youth services | $15,000 |
| Midnight Golf Program | Bingham Farms, MI | Youth services | $15,000 |
| Wdet Detroit Public Radio | Detroit, MI | Community services | $15,000 |
| YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit | Detroit, MI | Community services | $15,000 |
| Automotive Hall of Fame | Dearborn, MI | General fund | $10,000 |
| Building Beds 4 Kids | Oak Park, MI | Services for the underprivileged | $10,000 |
| Detroit Opera | Detroit, MI | General fund | $10,000 |
| Detroit Pal | Detroit, MI | General fund | $10,000 |
| Detroit Riverfront Conservency | Detroit, MI | Nature conservation and promotion | $10,000 |
| Leader Dogs for the Blind | Rochester Hills, MI | Assistance for physically handicapped | $10,000 |
| Society of St Vincent Depaul | Detroit, MI | Services for the underprivileged | $10,000 |
| Tea | Detroit, MI | Education services | $10,000 |
| Inland Seas Education Association | Suttons Bay, MI | Nature conservation and promotion | $10,000 |
| International Wildlife Refuge Alliance | Trenton, MI | Nature conservation and promotion | $5,000 |
| Seven Ponds Nature Center | Dryden, MI | Nature conservation and promotion | $5,000 |
| Friends of Peninsula Community Library | Traverse City, MI | Education services | $3,000 |
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $758,500 | 37 |
| 2023 | $752,500 | 41 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2024, filed Nov 5, 2025 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202513099349102056
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 38-6080075
- Profile updated Nov 5, 2026
Facts on this page come from the foundation's own IRS Form 990-PF filings as published by the IRS. Grantvello does not know whether a foundation is accepting proposals right now: a past grant is not an open opportunity. Always confirm current guidelines with the funder before applying.