OVERVIEW: The Stryker Johnston Foundation invests in and collaborates with organizations working towards the elimination of intergenerational poverty in Kalamazoo County, Michigan.
IP TAKE: The Stryker Johnston Foundation is an organization best known for making headlines with its “mega-gifts.” In general, the foundation is interested in building relationships with grant partners, and it provides a range of support, but generally limits work to Kalamazoo County. This transparent funder links to a decade’s worth of financial statements on its website. Reach out with questions or general inquiries at info@strykerjohnstonfoundation.org or here.
OVERVIEW: Founded in 1995, the Stryker Johnston Foundation was established by billionaire couple Ronda Stryker and William Johnston. Ronda Stryker graduated from University of Northern Colorado and received her M.A. from Western Michigan University. She is a director of Stryker Corp., the medical equipment company founded by her grandfather, Homer Stryker. William Johnston earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Western Michigan University. He is chairman of Greenleaf Companies. The foundation seeks to “partner with organizations and groups to change the systems and structures that create intergenerational poverty, particularly among Black people, people of color, and other communities that have been left out or left behind.” Grantmaking focuses on Kalamazoo County, Michigan.
Grants for Community Development
The foundation partners with organizations that work to improve the economic security, social wellbeing and inclusion of marginalized community members. Through its grants, it also aims to “disrupt systems and structures that perpetuate generational poverty.”
Within this interest area, the foundation provides grants for general operating support, multi-year funding, specific projects or programs, collaborations or collective action efforts, capacity building and capital campaigns.
The City of Kalamazoo is the foundation’s top recipient, and it has received over $85 million in grants. Other grantees have included Family and Children Services, Edison Neighborhood Association, Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Michigan, and Kalamazoo Convent Academy.
Grants for Education
Stryker Johnston employs “anti-racist and anti-oppressive practices” in all of its grantmaking and prioritizes support for communities that have historically been marginalized and underserved.
This applies to its education funding, and the foundation donated $30 million to Spelman College in 2018. This was followed by an additional $100 million to the college in 2024 to endow scholarships and develop academic programs.
Stryker serves as vice chair of the board of the Atlanta-based HBCU.
The couple’s other work at Spelman has included supporting the Spelman College Museum of Fine Arts, science initiatives, and summer internships.
Grants for Science Research
Stryker Johnston gave $100 million to create the Homer Stryker medical school at Western Michigan University, their mutual alma mater. The foundation pledged $20 million to the Harvard Medical School Department of Global Health and Social Medicine to support equitable health care. Stryker is a member of the Harvard Medical School Board of Fellows.
Important Grant Details:
In a recent fiscal year, the foundation gave away around $19.4 million. The grant proposal process begins with a letter of inquiry submitted through the foundation’s online system.
LOIs may be submitted at any time during the year.
Inquiries that align with the foundation’s mission, funding priorities, and eligibility may be invited to submit a full proposal and/or additional organizational information.
Funding decisions are made biannually.
Direct general questions and inquiries to info@strykerjohnstonfoundation.org or here.
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