Stryker Johnston Foundation
/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 foundation is interested in building relationships with grant partners and provides a range of support, but limits work to Kalamazoo County. This funder accepts letters of inquiry via its website.
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 Stryker Johnston Foundation “envision[s] a world where everyone has the opportunity to live a safe, healthy, productive, and fulfilling life” and invests in and collaborates with organizations working towards the elimination of intergenerational poverty in Kalamazoo County, Michigan.
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.
Grants for Education
The couple donated $30 million to Spelman College in 2018, and they gave 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
The couple gave $100 million to create the Homer Stryker medical school at Western Michigan University, their mutual alma mater. They 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.
Grants for Community Development and Human Services
In 1995, the couple launched the Stryker Johnston Foundation, which partners with organizations and initiatives working to strengthen and build thriving, equitable communities. The foundation currently “invests in and collaborates with organizations and initiatives working towards the elimination of intergenerational poverty in Kalamazoo County, Michigan” and focuses on place-based investing and fostering strong relationships. Grantees have included Family and Children Services, Edison Neighborhood Association, Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Michigan, and Kalamazoo Convent Academy.
Important Grant Details:
In a recent fiscal year, the foundation gave away around $19.4 million. Past grantees include Family and Children Services, Edison Neighborhood Association, Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Michigan and Kalamazoo Convent Academy. For additional information about past grantees, see the foundation’s tax statements.
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 by biannually.
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