The following suggestions will assist the Foundation trustees to better understand the merit of each request when grant amounts are determined.  Each applicant will be advised whether or not a grant has been approved.  If approved, checks are mailed by March 15.

• Annual Foundation grants are determined in February.  To be considered for that calendar year, applications must be sent by February 1.

• A copy of the Internal Revenue Service 501(c)(3) tax exempt determination letter must be included.  A completed Grant Application and Information Form is also required.  If additional information would be helpful, it may be supplied in a brief letter of explanation.  The Foundation does not make grants to individuals.

• The Foundation’s principle interests are included in our mission statement: To empower underserved populations through small grants in support of literacy, healthcare, reduction of poverty, and the promotion of social and environmental justice.

• As requests for support exceed available funds, be realistic when specifying the amount desired, indicating whether the grant will be used for equipment, special programs, or some other purpose.

• If the amount needed for the planned use is not fully funded, how will the Richard L. and Freda K. Flerlage Foundation grant be used?

• Grants are not continued automatically but new requests may be submitted in the future.

• Successful applicants must report exactly how the funds were used.  This should be done as quickly as possible but not longer than one year after receipt of a grant.  Without this report, further applications from the organization will not be considered.

Community Matters, Cincinnati, OH

Crayons to Computers, Cincinnati, OH

East End Adult Education Center, Cincinnati, OH

Everybody vs Racism, Nashville, TN

For Love of Water, Traverse City, MI

Friendship Community Center, Suttons Bay, MY

Gigi's Playhouse - Cincinnati, OH

Healthy Food For All, Ithaca, NY

Literacy Network of Greater Cincinnati, OH

May We Help, Cincinnati, OH

On the Ground, Traverse City, MI

Peninsula Housing, Traverse City, MI

Reef Expeditions, Cincinnati, OH

Row By Row, Empire, MI

Seven Valleys Health Coalition, Cortland, NY

Soaring Unlimited, Michigan and Haiti

Transform, Cincinnati, OH

Unadilla Community Farm, West Edmeston, NY 

UpSpring, Cincinnati, OH

World Central Kitchen

Youth Farm, Ithaca, NY

100 Friends, California & Worldwide

We are a small family foundation, when possible we aim to support organizations with relatively small operating funds where our small grants will have their greatest possible impact.

Our average grant is $3,200

(based on all grants made 2014-2023)

We are proud to support important work in toward justice, equality and sustainability regardless of geographic location. From Michigan to Myanmar and many places in between.

As board members, we also keep our hearts close to home with particular interest for work being done in our home communities of:

Traverse City, Michigan  |  Cincinnati, Ohio  |  Ithaca, New York