THE SKILLMAN FOUNDATION
Annual Giving
$17.8M-25% YoY
Grants
416
Median Grant
$10K
Organizations Funded
342
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Foundation Overview
Mission
The Skillman Foundation was founded with the mission to help children thrive and excel into adulthood. Partnering with people to transform education systems, nurturing the brilliance and power of Detroit youth. Their grantmaking and advocacy is designed for, and shaped by, the rising Generation Z and their demand for an equitable education system that produces career-ready skills and rewards independent, creative thinkers.
Focus Areas
Grant Types
Funded Initiatives
Nearly $4.3M in COVID-19 response grants; $3-million Wellness Works Initiative supporting well-being of children and adults; President's Discretionary Fund $1M annually for nonprofits serving Detroit youth; 103 grants through President's Discretionary Fund with $305k directed by President's Youth Council; Partnership Grants aligned to People Powered Education strategy; Ground Building team funding Detroit-based community organizing around education policy.
How to Apply
Not accepting unsolicited applications; proactively invite grant applications. President's Discretionary Fund open for Detroit youth-serving 501c3 nonprofits ($2,500-$10,000 grants). Send inquiry to grants@skillman.org. Uses Fluxx portal for invited applications.
Based on publicly available information from the foundation's 990 filings and website.
Giving History
$17.8M
Grants
416
Median
$10K
States
16
$23.8M
Grants
359
Median
$13K
States
17
$22.4M
Grants
397
Median
$13K
States
13
Grant Size Distribution
$10K
Typical Grant (Median)
$975
Smallest
$5K
25th Pctile
$50K
75th Pctile
$500K
Largest
Excludes grants ≤ $5K. Half fall between $5K and $50K.
Largest Recent Grants
$500K
2024
WARREN CONNER DEVELOPMENT COALITION INC DBA EASTSIDE COMMUNITY NETWORK
MI · THE MARLOWE STOUDAMIRE WELLNESS CENTER
$500K
2024
MICHIGAN'S THANKSGIVING PARADE
MI · THE PARADE COMPANY
$500K
2024
DETROIT CHILDREN'S FUND
MI · DCF INVESTMENT STRATEGY
$405K
2024
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ADVOCATES OF DETROIT
MI · BUILDING NEIGHBORHOOD POWER THROUGH YOUTH AND NEIGHBORHOOD VOICE
$375K
2024
BLACK MALE EDUCATORS ALLIANCE
MI · ACTIVATE: TRANSFORMING EDUCATION THROUGH COLLECTIVE ACTION
Geographic Focus
Top states by total grant dollars. Based on IRS filing data.
Financial Overview
Grants paid shown as percentage of total assets
Data sourced from IRS 990 and 990-PF filings and publicly available foundation websites. Grant data, financial figures, and organizational details reflect historical filings and may not represent current operations or funding priorities. Verify directly with the foundation before applying. See an issue? Let us know.