What We Do

The Mott Foundation supports nonprofit organizations that are working to strengthen our hometown of Flint and communities around the world.

What makes us unique?

We stick with the issues we care about — and grantees that have a record of success.

An old black and white photo shows C.S. Mott looking into the distance seated indoors near a large group of people.

We fund the core activities of our grantees, rather than requiring them to shape projects around shifting priorities. We believe our grantees are experts in their fields and well-equipped to make the critical decisions that guide their work.

We also fund many grantees over the long term, which provides the stability that allows them to focus on important work and pursue innovation.

In addition to making grants through our four program teams (found below), we also support unusual or unique opportunities to address significant national and international problems. Proposals for these Exploratory and Special Projects grants also are by invitation only.

Because we focus on grantmaking that aligns with the goals and objectives of our program teams, and because we stick with issues and organizations for the long haul, there are limited funds to support new work in any given year. For these reasons, the Foundation does not accept unsolicited letters of inquiry or proposals.

 

Our Programs

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Civil Society

We work to foster engaged, empowered and equitable communities throughout the world.

Explore All Civil Society Work

Our Programs

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Education

We fund efforts to expand learning opportunities and supports for children, particularly those from low‑ and moderate-income communities.

Explore All Education Work

Our Programs

A young Black man wearing a gray hoodie and plastic glove stands on a beach holding a large orange bucket that he is using during a cleanup.

Environment

We support programs around the world that protect communities and the ecosystems upon which they depend.

Explore All Environment Work

Our Programs

Three young people look at water test results in a water testing lab.

Flint Area

We support efforts to help our hometown of Flint solve problems, create opportunities and build a vibrant future for the community and its residents.

Explore All Flint Area Work

We provide a lot of long-term funding, but we welcome innovative ideas.

The Mott Foundation often provides long-term support to established grantees, but we occasionally fund new initiatives from innovative groups with deep expertise in their areas of interest. The best way to understand our approach? See the kind of projects we’re already funding.

Grants Database