Role of the Fred and Barbara Erb Family Foundation in the funding ecosystem
The Fred and Barbara Erb Family Foundation is a US family foundation rooted in Southeast Michigan. It focuses its grantmaking on strengthening organizations that contribute to a flourishing, healthy and resilient Great Lakes ecosystem and a culturally vibrant, sustainable Southeast Michigan. Since 2008, it has awarded more than $180 million in grants across environmental, cultural, civic and health-related fields.
The Foundation primarily supports tax‑exempt 501(c)(3) organizations that meet clear financial and governance criteria, including minimum organizational revenue and robust financial reporting. Grants are generally a minimum of $10,000 and may provide multi‑year general operating support, project support or capacity‑building resources, depending on the program area and partner needs.
Main funding priorities and programs
- Great Lakes: Grants support people, organizations and institutions working at multiple scales to improve the health and resilience of the Great Lakes basin. Priorities include community leadership, policy change, watershed and land‑use best practices, climate adaptation and a strong environmental justice lens so that impacted communities shape solutions.
- Arts + Culture and Jazz Education: The Foundation strengthens the resiliency and development of arts and cultural organizations and leaders in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties, including theaters, symphonies, museums and other nonprofits. It also invests in Detroit’s jazz culture and mentorship traditions by supporting teaching artists, students and audience development.
- Alzheimer’s Research: In honor of Fred Erb’s experience with Alzheimer’s, the Foundation funds highly targeted, peer‑reviewed research aimed at prevention, treatment and ultimately a cure. This program does not accept unsolicited proposals.
- Sustainable Business: Grants promote the growth of a sustainable small‑business sector in Southeast Michigan by expanding access to capital and technical assistance so entrepreneurs can implement triple‑bottom‑line practices and build climate‑resilient, equitable businesses.
- Democracy: Funding supports voter registration and turnout in Southeast Michigan, free and fair election administration across Michigan, legal and policy work, and efforts to combat misinformation, with particular attention to communities historically affected by voter suppression.
- Legacy Giving: Legacy grants, developed by invitation with longtime partners of the Erb family and the Foundation, enable transformational projects that would not otherwise be possible. Unsolicited requests are not accepted for this stream.
Application process and spenddown context
The Foundation’s board currently reviews funding requests three times per year, in January, May and September. The grantmaking process generally begins with a conversation with a program officer, after which eligible organizations may be invited to submit proposals in line with the published Grant Guidelines. Typical review from initial discussion to board consideration takes around four to six months.
In 2022, the Foundation chose to spend down its assets by 2034 in order to address urgent needs more decisively within a defined timeframe. During this final decade, it emphasizes “future‑proofing” its grant partners by investing in organizational health, capacity building and leadership, while also encouraging additional philanthropic support for these organizations and issues.
Equity, environmental justice and impact
Across its portfolio, the Erb Family Foundation pursues fairness and respect, integrating diversity, equity and inclusion principles into its internal work and external grantmaking. In particular, its Great Lakes and Sustainable Business programs apply an explicit environmental justice lens, and its Democracy program focuses on protecting ballot access for voters who have historically faced suppression. Through long‑term partnerships, multi‑year operating support and strategic collaborations, the Foundation seeks durable impact in Southeast Michigan and the broader Great Lakes region.
