The Carls Foundation has broadly defined charitable purposes, but the principal purpose and mission of the Foundation as outlined by its donor-founder and its Trustees is as follows:
- Children’s Welfare (primarily in Michigan) including:
- Health care facilities and programs, with special emphasis on the prevention and treatment of hearing impairment;
- Recreational, educational and welfare programs especially for children who are disadvantaged for economic and/or health reasons; and
- Preservation of natural areas, open space and historic buildings and areas having special natural beauty or significance in maintaining America’s heritage and historic ideals, through assistance to land trusts and land conservancies and directly related environmental educational programs.