Community foundation · EIN 38-2418086
Bay Area Community Foundation
Bay City, MI
Bay Area Community Foundation is a community foundation based in Bay City, MI. On its Form 990 (Schedule I) for tax year 2025, it reported $2.15M in grants paid across 478 grants, with $70.9M in total assets. Its largest grants went to Bay City in Bloom, United Way of Bay County and Studio 23the Arts Center.
How to request funding
Community foundations usually run open grant rounds for nonprofits in their area, alongside donor-advised funds that donors direct. Check Bay Area Community Foundation's website for current grant opportunities, deadlines and eligibility.
How it makes and monitors grants (Schedule I, Part IV)
Evaluation of grants: the foundation requires all grantees to submit an evaluation at one year regarding the results of each project or program detailing financial information, impact of project, lessons learned and recommendations for the future. the foundation uses this grant evaluation as a joint management tool to obtain feedback to improve programs and stimulate proper planning. we realize that some grants may not achieve all of their initial objectives and encourage grantees to be candid about their experiences. foundation staff and/or committee members may also visit the site of the program or project as part of the evaluation. scholarships: all scholarship checks are written directly to the educational institution to ensure the funds are used for educational purposes. a letter is sent to the educational institution stating the funds can only be used for expenses included in students' cost of attendance , and that all unused funds must be returned to the foundation.
Grants as reported on its Form 990 for tax year 2025; the application guidance above is general for this type of funder. Requirements change; confirm with the organization before applying.
Mission
To fulfill a wide array of donors'charitable wishes throughout bay and arenac counties.
As stated on its Form 990.
Largest grants, tax year 2025
Historical data · not a prediction| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bay City in Bloom | Bay City, MI | Upgrades to the Kantzler Arboretum Including the Irrigation System. | $180,000 |
| United Way of Bay County | Bay City, MI | Annual Distribution, Food Forward Expansion, Dei Consumers Grant for Years 2 and 3 | $134,041 |
| Studio 23the Arts Center | Bay City, MI | Annual Distribution, Support an Art Around the City Art Piece | $79,148 |
| Hidden Harvest | Saginaw, MI | Bay County Rapid-Response Food Support Program, a Bigger Truck for Hunger Relief in Bay County | $72,805 |
| Dow Bay Area Family Young Men's Christian Association | Bay City, MI | Annual Distribution, Emergency Food Box Expansion, Conserve Today, Nourish Tomorrow Program, Breakfast with Santa | $60,822 |
| Foster Families Navigation & Resource Center | Bay City, MI | Connected Families, Thriving Youth Program, Clothing for Closet, Support Improving Quality of Life for Foster, Adoptive, and Kinship Families | $53,396 |
| Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy | Bay City, MI | Trees for Tomorrow, Annual Distribution | $48,391 |
| Friends of Bay City State Park | Bay City, MI | Support Phase 3 of the Andersen Trail Repairs, Annual Distribution, Support the Community Sound System Enhancement Projects, Music Fron the Marsh Cultural Perfo | $47,325 |
| Arenac County Historical Society | Au Gres, MI | Historical Lentz Store Project and Annual Distribution | $45,250 |
| Bay Area Women's Center | Bay City, MI | Professional Shelter Cleaning Services, Shelter Repair Project, and Annual Distribution | $45,199 |
| Toni and Trish House for the | Auburn, MI | The Toni and Trish House Building Enhancement Project | $44,500 |
| Bay Arenac Intermediate School District | Bay City, MI | Paes Lab Subtask Cart, Support for Imagination Library, Cybersecurity Tools, College Readiness and Future Planning Education Support, Annual Distribution | $39,009 |
| Safe Harbor Community Center | Bay City, MI | Pantry Support and the Christmas Food Drive | $38,789 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of the Great Lakes Bay Region | Bay City, MI | Support for Security Improvements for the Pinconning Club, Annual Distribtuion, "the Power of Dad" Motivational Speaker | $37,870 |
| Bay County Habitat for Humanity | Bay City, MI | Critical Home Repairs for Low-Income Households, Annual Distributuion | $27,500 |
| The Conservation Fund | Bay City, MI | Smallmouth Bass in Saginaw Bay: Stock Structure, Seasonal Movements, and Effect of Recreational Tournament Displacement in Partnership with Mi Dnr | $27,250 |
| The Jefferson Project | Bay City, MI | Sculpture Park and Garden; the Rock Center for Youth Development - Discover You Bay-Arenac Isd | $25,000 |
| Interlochen Center for the Arts | Interlochen, MI | Interlochen Arts Academy Tuition | $21,600 |
| Bay County Child & Senior Citizen Center | Bay City, MI | Bay County Child & Sr Citizen Centers- Programming Support | $20,000 |
| Phoenix Valley Recovery LLC | Haslett, MI | Find Your Economic Engine and Reclaim Your Independence | $20,000 |
| Thumb Land Conservancy | Marlette, MI | Morley Lakeplain Prairie Park | $20,000 |
| Antique Toy & Firehouse Museum | Bay City, MI | Reigniting History - the Restoration of Fire Station No.3 (phase 2) | $19,939 |
| Disability Services Resource Center | Bay City, MI | Tools and Ramp Building Supplies, Upgrades for the Jib Crane/Gated Area, Summer Special Needs Enrichment Programs, Holiday Tree Lighting | $19,900 |
| Westminster Presbyterian Church | Bay City, MI | Gluten-Free Expansion of Food Bank, Christmas Food Box Program, End of School Block Party | $18,927 |
| Northeast Michigan Arts Council | Standish, MI | Led Roadside Sign & Letters, Auditorium Replacements & Interior Ceiling Repairs, Youth Fine Arts Camp | $18,316 |
The 25 largest of 478 grants listed on the return. 413 grants to individuals ($523K) are counted but not named. Names and purposes as reported to the IRS.
Where its grants went
Quick answers
Does Bay Area Community Foundation accept grant applications?
Community foundations usually run open grant rounds for nonprofits in their area, alongside donor-advised funds that donors direct. Check Bay Area Community Foundation's website for current grant opportunities, deadlines and eligibility. Form 990 does not report an application process, so confirm with the organization.
How much does Bay Area Community Foundation give each year?
For tax year 2025, it reported $2,145,226 in grants paid (478 grants). Giving can change from year to year.
What organizations has Bay Area Community Foundation funded?
Its largest grants in tax year 2025 went to Bay City in Bloom (MI), $180K, United Way of Bay County (MI), $134K, Studio 23the Arts Center (MI), $79.1K, Hidden Harvest (MI), $72.8K and Dow Bay Area Family Young Men's Christian Association (MI), $60.8K.