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Block Foundation is a private corporation based in NORTHVILLE, MI. The foundation received its IRS ruling in 2007. The principal officer is Jeffrey T Snyder President. It holds total assets of $6.2M. Annual income is reported at $4.4M. Total assets have grown from $1.5M in 2011 to $5.8M in 2023. The foundation is governed by 4 officers and trustees. Tax records are available from 2016 to 2023. Grantmaking is concentrated in Michigan. According to available records, Block Foundation has made 100 grants totaling $1.4M, with a median grant of $10K. Annual giving has grown from $206K in 2019 to $281K in 2023. Grantmaking activity was highest in 2022 with $608K distributed across 48 grants. Individual grants have ranged from $1K to $125K, with an average award of $14K. The foundation has supported 36 unique organizations. The foundation primarily supports organizations in Michigan, New Mexico, Colorado, which account for 83% of all grants. Grantmaking reaches organizations across 10 states. Contributions to this foundation are tax-deductible.
The Block Foundation is a closed, family-directed funder with no public application process. The most viable approach is through relationship-building with foundation leadership, ideally via warm introductions from existing grantees (Detroit Catholic Central, Alternatives for Girls, Masonry Institute of Michigan) or through the broader Northville/western Wayne County philanthropic community. Organizations that serve Detroit metro populations in education, social services, healthcare, or the Rouge River watershed should prioritize identifying board or trustee connections. Faith-affiliated organizations and those with Catholic institutional ties have demonstrated alignment. Environmental nonprofits within the Rouge River watershed (Wayne, Oakland, Washtenaw, Macomb counties) have a geographically specific fit. Given the +282% giving growth over 7 years, the foundation may be becoming more receptive to new grantee relationships — making 2026 a strategic window for outreach.
Grant range: $500–$125,000; median $8,000; typical award $1,000–$50,000. Made 14 grants in 2024. Five focus pillars: Education/Scholarships (30%), Healthcare (28%), Social Services (25%), Industry Advancement/Masonry (15%), Environmental/Watershed (2%). Michigan receives 74% of all grants, concentrated in Detroit (22%), Northville (20%), and Southfield (13%). Only 28% of grants go to first-time recipients, indicating strong preference for recurring relationships. Notable multi-year investments: Masonry Institute of Michigan ($125,000 total), Detroit Catholic Central HS ($50,000 Snyder Family Scholarship), New Mexico State University ($25,000/year MBA endowment).
With $6.18M in assets and ~14 grants/year at a median of $8,000, Block Foundation sits in the small-to-mid tier of Michigan private family foundations. It gives less frequently than community foundations (e.g., Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan) but offers higher per-grant medians than most small family foundations in Northville. Its healthcare giving (~28%) is unusually high for a social-services-oriented family foundation, likely reflecting personal philanthropic interests of the founding family. The masonry/trades focus is distinctive and uncommon among foundations of this size. Compared to peer Detroit-area family foundations of similar asset size, Block Foundation has a broader national footprint (26% out-of-state) driven by university endowments.
2024: 14 grants made, $355,938 total expenses. Recent major awards include $50,000 to Detroit Catholic Central HS (Snyder Family Scholarship Fund), $20,000 to Alternatives for Girls (homeless/high-risk youth support), and $25,000 to Masonry Institute of Michigan. Foundation has shown +282% growth in giving volume over 7 years (2016–2023). Total assets grew to $6.18M with $770,006 in revenues in 2024. No new RFPs or open grant cycles announced for 2025–2026; grantmaking remains invitation-only and family-directed.
1. Do not submit an unsolicited letter of inquiry or proposal — there is no public application portal or open grant cycle. 2. Research board/trustee names through IRS Form 990 filings (available on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer or Instrumentl) to identify potential relationship entry points. 3. Existing grantees (Alternatives for Girls, Detroit Catholic Central HS, Masonry Institute) are the best sources for warm introductions. 4. Frame any outreach around the foundation's explicit mission pillars: family support, Rouge River watershed, food security, foster youth. 5. Organizations with Michigan-based programming — especially in Detroit, Northville, or Southfield — should lead with geographic alignment. 6. Healthcare and cancer research organizations should note the foundation's unusual 28% healthcare allocation as a strong alignment signal. 7. Environmental organizations operating within the Rouge River watershed should be specific about which sub-watershed areas they serve and measurable restoration outcomes.
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Smallest Grant
$3K
Median Grant
$9K
Average Grant
$23K
Largest Grant
$125K
Based on 14 grants from the most recent 990-PF filing.
No program descriptions are available for this foundation. Many private foundations report program activities in their annual 990-PF filings — check the Tax Filings section below for the most recent filing.
Grant range: $500–$125,000; median $8,000; typical award $1,000–$50,000. Made 14 grants in 2024. Five focus pillars: Education/Scholarships (30%), Healthcare (28%), Social Services (25%), Industry Advancement/Masonry (15%), Environmental/Watershed (2%). Michigan receives 74% of all grants, concentrated in Detroit (22%), Northville (20%), and Southfield (13%). Only 28% of grants go to first-time recipients, indicating strong preference for recurring relationships. Notable multi-year investments: .
Block Foundation has distributed a total of $1.4M across 100 grants. The median grant size is $10K, with an average of $14K. Individual grants have ranged from $1K to $125K.
The Block Foundation is a closed, family-directed funder with no public application process. The most viable approach is through relationship-building with foundation leadership, ideally via warm introductions from existing grantees (Detroit Catholic Central, Alternatives for Girls, Masonry Institute of Michigan) or through the broader Northville/western Wayne County philanthropic community. Organizations that serve Detroit metro populations in education, social services, healthcare, or the Roug.
Block Foundation is headquartered in NORTHVILLE, MI. While based in MI, the foundation distributes grants to organizations across 10 states.
| Name | Title | Compensation | Benefits | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeffrey T Snyder | PRESIDENT/ TREASURER | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Theresa A Snyder | SECRETARY | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Marie T Mccormick | BOARD MEMBER | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Susan E Young | BOARD MEMBER | $0 | $0 | N/A |
Total Giving
$330K
Total Assets
$5.8M
Fair Market Value
$6.2M
Net Worth
$5.8M
Grants Paid
$281K
Contributions
$400K
Net Investment Income
$139K
Distribution Amount
$289K
Total: N/A
Total Grants
100
Total Giving
$1.4M
Average Grant
$14K
Median Grant
$10K
Unique Recipients
36
Most Common Grant
$10K
of 2023 grantees were first-time recipients
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Covenant HouseTO SERVE YOUTH FACING ABUSE, HOMELESSNESS AND TRAFFICKING | Detroit, MI | $3K | 2023 |
| Detroit Catholic Central High SchoolSNYDER FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP FUND | Novi, MI | $50K | 2023 |
| New Mexico State UniversityESTABLISHMENT OF THE BLOCK FOUNDATION ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP FOR MBA STUDENTS | Las Cruces, NM | $25K | 2023 |
| Masonry Institute Of MichiganTO FUND MASONRY SCHOLARSHIPS | Southfield, MI | $25K | 2023 |
| Alternatives For GirlsPROMOTE THE HEALTH, SAFETY, AND SUPPORT OF HOMELESS AND HIGH-RISK GIRLS AND YOUNG WOMEN | Detroit, MI | $20K | 2023 |
| Friends Of The RougeTO RESTORE, PROTECT AND ENHANCE THE ROUGE RIVER WATERSHED. | Plymouth, MI | $15K | 2023 |
| St Lasalle Auxiliary Christian BrothersPROVIDE A RICH AND TRANSFORMATIVE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE. | Covington, LA | $10K | 2023 |
| The Lennon CenterPROVIDE ENRICHMENT, NON-JUDGMENTAL ADVICE, EDUCATION COUNSELING AND MATERIAL ASSISTANCE BEFORE DURING AND AFTER PREGNANCY. | Dearborn Heights, MI | $10K | 2023 |
| Gleaners Community Food Bank Of Southeastern MichiganTO ACHIEVE A HEALTHY, HUNGER-FREE COMMUNITY BY EMPOWERING THE PEOPLE WE SERVE THROUGH EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY | Detroit, MI | $10K | 2023 |
| Masonry FoundationTO ADVANCE THE MASONRY INDUSTRY THROUGH EDUCATION, RESEARCH AND TRAINING. | Algonquin, IL | $10K | 2023 |
| Capuchin Soup KitchenPROVIDE FOOD AND CLOTHING TO THE POOR. | Detroit, MI | $10K | 2023 |
| Catholic Charities Of Southeast MichiganTO PROVIDE PEOPLE WITH FOOD, PLACE FOSTER CHILDREN WITH FAMILIES AND SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS OVERCOMING ADDICTION | Clinton Twp, MI | $10K | 2023 |
| Forgotten HarvestPROVIDE FOOD TO FOOD-INSECURE FAMILIES IN THE METRO DETROIT AREA | Oak Park, MI | $10K | 2023 |
| Kidney Cancer AssociationKIDNEY CANCER RESEARCH | Houston, TX | $8K | 2023 |
| Colorectal Cancer AllianceCOLON CANCER RESEARCH | Washington, DC | $8K | 2023 |
| Northville Civic ConcernTO PROVIDE FOOD AND SUNDRIES FOR NEEDY FAMILIES | Northville, MI | $8K | 2023 |
| Our Lady Of VictoryTO SUPPORT A FAMILY IN NEED/TUITION ASSISSTANCE | Northville, MI | $8K | 2023 |
| Aquinas CollegeTO FUND THE WOMEN'S GOLF PROGRAM | E Grand Rapids, MI | $5K | 2023 |
| The Arc LivingstonTO PROMOTE AND PROTECT THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. | Brighton, MI | $5K | 2023 |
| Susan G Komen For The CurePROVIDES ADVOCACY AND RESOURCES FOR BREAST CANCER PATIENTS. | Southfield, MI | $5K | 2023 |
| The Children'S Center Of DetroitPROVIDING CLINICAL, BEHAVIORAL AND ACADEMIC SUPPORT AS WELL AS EMERGENCY CRISIS CARE | Detroit, MI | $5K | 2023 |
| Albion CollegeTO FUND THE WOMEN'S GOLF PROGRAM | Albion, MI | $5K | 2023 |
| Plymouth PollinatorsTO ADD GARDEN SPACES TO LOCAL CITIES AND RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPES. | Plymouth, MI | $3K | 2023 |
| Detroit Rescue Mission MinistriesFIND PERMANENT SOLUTIONS FOR THE DISADVANTAGED | Detroit, MI | $3K | 2023 |
| Living & Learning Enrichment CenterPROVIDING SUPPORT TO INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISIM. | Northville, MI | $3K | 2023 |
| Lymphoma Research FoundationNON-HODGKIN'S LYMPHOMA RESEARCH | New York, NY | $3K | 2023 |
| Breast Cancer Research FoundationBREAST CANCER RESEARCH | New York, NY | $3K | 2023 |
| Prostate Cancer FoundationPROSTATE CANCER RESEARCH | Santa Monica, CA | $3K | 2023 |
| Michigan Environmental CouncilDEVELOP INNOVATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY IDEAS AND COMMUNICATE THEM TO KEY AUDIENCES IN A COMPELLING FASHION. | Lansing, MI | $2K | 2023 |
| The Masonry SocietyEDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL SOCIETY DEDICATED TO THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENTIFIC, ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTION KNOWLEDGE OF MASONRY | Longmont, CO | $38K | 2022 |