Role of Carsley Foundation in the funding ecosystem
Carsley Foundation, legally known as the Michael and Karen Carsley Foundation, is a registered 501(c)(3) private operating foundation dedicated to improving quality of life for individuals and communities in Michigan and beyond. Working as a philanthropic grantmaker, it directs financial support to organizations whose work advances youth development, health, medical research, innovation and education.
The foundation concentrates its grants in a small number of priority sectors to create measurable impact. It supports both local community initiatives and nationally recognized institutions whose programs benefit Michigan residents and other populations.
Funding themes and typical beneficiaries
Carsley Foundation’s giving is organized around several broad themes:
- Youth empowerment: Support for nonprofits that serve underprivileged or vulnerable children, for example by providing clothing, school supplies and essentials, or mentoring and enrichment activities. The Old Newsboys' Goodfellow Fund of Detroit and Friends of Foster Kids are cited as partner organizations.
- Health, research and innovation: Contributions to health institutions and research organizations working on serious pediatric and other life‑threatening diseases. The foundation highlights support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to advance cures and treatments.
- Education and scholarships: Funding for universities and educational programs, including scholarships and research opportunities. Michigan State University is referenced as a recipient of support for students and academic projects.
By focusing on these areas, the foundation aims to create long‑term benefits for children, families and communities, from basic needs and educational access to cutting‑edge medical research.
Publics served and overall impact
The organizations supported by Carsley Foundation primarily serve children in need, foster youth, patients facing serious illness, and students seeking higher education. Through its financial contributions, the foundation helps partner organizations expand their programs, reach more beneficiaries and strengthen their capacity.
The “Our Impact” section of the website underscores the foundation’s commitment to visible, concrete results, describing how grants translate into items like clothing and school supplies, expanded educational and recreational programs, and enhanced research and treatment capabilities.
Governance, status and transparency
The foundation is recognized by the IRS as a private foundation that also qualifies as a private operating foundation under Internal Revenue Code section 4942(j)(3). It emphasizes transparency and accountability in its operations, and donations to the foundation are tax‑deductible as permitted by law. While the website does not detail a formal open call for applications, its description and impact stories clearly position it as a grantmaking organization distributing philanthropic funding to qualified partners.