Corporate or Foundation Partner Award

The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation was established by Mrs. Grace A. Dow in 1936 in memory of her husband, Dr. Herbert H. Dow, founder of The Dow Chemical Company. The Trust Agreement specifies that the income of the trust is used, “for religious, charitable, scientific, literary, or educational purposes for the public benefaction of the inhabitants of the City of Midland and of the people of the State of Michigan.” The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation is the sixth-largest foundation in Michigan, and since its establishment, has granted over $518 million to worthy programs and projects in Michigan.

The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation is the namesake of the only named college at Central Michigan University, and has a lifetime giving of nearly $9 million in support of several colleges on campus, making it one of the university’s single largest donors in its history. Among The Foundation’s most notable gifts are: $5 million in support of the College of Health Professions Building, $500,000 in support of the College of Health Professions Mobile Medical Unit, $2.5 million in support of the College of Science Technology Dow Science Complex, and $500,000 in support of the College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences Griffin Endowed Speaker Series. 

The Foundation’s gift of $5 million in 2000 to name the College of Health Professions supported the construction of the Health Professions Building on campus. This directly impacted the success of the college and its programs, such as the educational, research, and outreach activities available through the College’s Carls Center. The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions serves more than 10,000 individuals annually, as well as nationally-recognized leadership in its Audiology, Physical Therapy and Physician Assistant programs. 

The Foundation’s mission of supporting higher education directly contributes to the enrichment of a student’s education through the capital, intellectual and programmatic enhancements that their contributions support on campus.