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 the previous calendar year, applications must be sent by February 1. (e.g. applications recieved throughout 2025 and early 2026 will be reviewed in Feb/March 2026)

• 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. A new request must be submitted annually to be considered for the sequential grant cycles.

• 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.

While we will consider all applicants, we give strong preference to organizations with smaller budgets where a small grant can have a big impact. We encourage organizations with annual budgets under $1,000,000 to apply.

100 Friends, California & Worldwide

Adopt A Class, Cincinnati, OH

Breakthrough, Cincinnati, OH

Community Matters, Cincinnati, OH

Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati

The East End Adult Education Center, Cincinnati, OH

Earthwork Farm, Michigan

Feed the Soul, Cincinnati, OH

FLOW, For Love of Water, Traverse City, MI

Freedom to Read Foundation, Chicago, IL

GiGi's Playhouse, Cincinnati, OH

Henry Hosea House Soup Kitchen, KY

Inland Seas Education Association, Traverse City, MI

LEAD Training, Cincinnati, OH

The Literacy Network of Greater Cincinnati DBA Queen City Book Bank

Michigan Advocacy Program

Michigan League of Conservation Voters Education Fund

Montana Environmental Information Center 

National Writers Series, MI

On the Ground Global, Traverse City, MI

Reef Expeditions, OH

Row By Row, MI

Soaring Unlimited, Michigan and Haiti

Scrap2Home, Cincinnati, OH

Transform, Cincinnati, OH

Unadilla Community Farm Education Center, West Edmeston, NY 

UpSpring, Cincinnati, OH

Womens Foudnation of Minnesota Immigrant Rapid Response

World Central Kitchen

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 $3,800

(based on all grants made 2016-2025)

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 in Michigan, Ohio, New York State, and Montana.