Funders

The Surdna Foundation seeks to foster sustainable communities in the United States — communities guided by principles of social justice and distinguished by healthy environments, strong local economies, and thriving cultures.

For over five generations, the Foundation has been governed largely by descendants of John Andrus and has developed a tradition of innovative service for those in need of help or opportunity.

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The Foundation’s role is more than funder. We bring ideas and people together. We attract others to our work. Along with our partners, we are embedded in our community so that we can understand things from the ground level, and help outside investors understand where they can have impact. The Foundation invests $17 million a year, backed by our nearly half-billion-dollar endowment, in six investment areas:  Education, Safety, Social Innovation, Neighborhoods,  Community Leadership, and Youth Development. We leverage our legacy of results and innovation to attract others to invest in leaders, organizations, and networks taking bold action for children. We believe in working in an embedded way with our partners, and we believe in incorporating the voices of residents and youth in the work. We are open to new ideas, and we have no interest in maintaining the status quo if it isn’t working for kids.

Learn more about the Skillman Foundation

The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation affirms its founder’s vision of a world in which each of us is in partnership with the rest of the human race — where each individual’s quality of life is connected to the well-being of the community, both locally and globally.

We pursue this vision through creative grantmaking, thoughtful communication and other activities that enhance community in its many forms. The same vision of shared learning shapes our internal culture as we strive to maintain an ethic of respect, integrity and responsibility. The Foundation seeks to strengthen, in people and their organizations, what Mr. Mott called “the capacity for accomplishment.”

Learn more about the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation

The McGregor Fund is a private foundation organized “to relieve the misfortunes and promote the well-being of mankind.” It was established by a $5,000 deed of gift from Tracy W. McGregor in 1925. Later it was augmented to nearly $10 million through subsequent gifts from Mr. McGregor and his wife, Katherine Whitney McGregor.

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In collaboration with our grantees and partners, we seek to use these grantmaking and investing tools to create pathways for vulnerable people to improve their life circumstances and join the economic mainstream.

In 2014, the Board of Trustees approved 408 awards totaling $242.5 million. That included a $100 million award to the Foundation for Detroit’s Future, a fund created to soften the impact of the city’s bankruptcy on pensioners and safeguard cultural assets at the Detroit Institute of Arts. A total of $138.1 million was paid out to grantees over the course of the year. In addition, our Social Investment Practice made commitments totaling $20.4 million in 2014.

Learn more about the Kresge Foundation

Knight Foundation supports transformational ideas that promote quality journalism, advance media innovation, engage communities and foster the arts. We believe that democracy thrives when people and communities are informed and engaged.

Welcome to Knight Foundation video

Learn more about the John & James L. Knight Foundation

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation was established in 1930 by breakfast cereal pioneer W.K. Kellogg, who defined its purpose as “…administering funds for the promotion of the welfare, comfort, health, education, feeding, clothing, sheltering and safeguarding of children and youth, directly or indirectly, without regard to sex, race, creed or nationality.…” To guide current and future trustees and staff, he said, “Use the money as you please so long as it promotes the health, happiness and well-being of children.”

The foundation receives its income primarily from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation Trust, which was set up by Mr. Kellogg. In addition to its diversified portfolio, the trust continues to own substantial equity in the Kellogg Company. While the company and the foundation have enjoyed a long-standing relationship, the foundation is governed by its own independent board of trustees. The foundation receives its income primarily from the trust’s investments.

Over the years, the Kellogg Foundation’s programming has continued to evolve, striving to remain innovative and responsive to the ever-changing needs of society. Today, the organization ranks among the world’s largest private foundations, awarding grants in the United States, Mexico, Haiti, northeastern Brazil and southern Africa.

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The basic purpose of the Hudson-Webber Foundation is to improve the vitality and quality of life of the metropolitan Detroit community. The Foundation concentrates its giving primarily within the City of Detroit and has a particular interest in the revitalization of the urban core because this area is a focus for community activity and pride and is of critical importance to the vitality of the entire metropolitan community.

Since 1939, the Foundation has provided grants totaling over $160 million, 98% of which has been given to institutions and programs directly benefiting the metropolitan Detroit area. During 2013, the Foundation provided grants totaling more than $7 million.

At present, the Foundation concentrates its efforts and resources in support of projects within four program missions, each of which has a significant effect upon the vitality and quality of life of the community. In addition, in 2008 the Foundation adopted a goal of attracting and retaining 15,000 new, young talented Detroiters to live and work in Greater Downtown Detroit by 2015 (the “15×15 Initiative”).

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The Ford Foundation was established on Jan. 15, 1936, with an initial gift of $25,000 from Edsel Ford, whose father Henry, founded the Ford Motor Company. During its early years, the foundation operated in Michigan under the leadership of Ford family members. Since the founding charter stated that resources should be used “for scientific, educational and charitable purposes, all for the public welfare,” the foundation made grants to many kinds of organizations.

Today, the Ford Foundation, led by Darren Walker, the Foundation’s tenth president, remains committed to advancing human welfare. Headquartered in New York City, the Ford Foundation makes grants in all 50 states and, through 10 regional offices around the world, support programs in more than 50 countries. Over the years, their trustees have been drawn from the United States, Latin America, Africa and Asia and have brought experience in business, government, higher education, law, nonprofit management and the civic sector with a diversity of approaches and continuity of purpose.

The Ford Foundation’s programs continue to serve the public welfare by strengthening democratic values, reducing poverty and injustice, promoting international cooperation and advancing human achievement.

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The mission of the Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation is to enrich humanity by strengthening and empowering children and families in need. While remaining flexible in their approach, they give priority to: Providing for the needs of and ensuring the future of the Jewish people and Respecting their legacy and commitment to the Detroit community. Areas of critical importance include education, arts & culture and health with particular attention to HIV/AIDS.

Learn more about the Max M. and Marjorie Fisher Foundation

Since 1984, the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan has served as a vehicle for donors, volunteers and community members to identify important issues, share ideas and build financial resources to make positive long-term change.

Every day, the Community Foundation is helping individuals, businesses, nonprofit organizations and other foundations meet their charitable and financial goals by providing tools and resources that make giving to one’s community easier, flexible and effective.

The Community Foundation exists in perpetuity to enhance the quality of life of the citizens in southeast Michigan in the seven counties of Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Monroe, Washtenaw, Livingston and St. Clair. They also help donors invest in organizations they care about nationwide.

They are building permanent community capital in the form of endowments that create a base of stable financial support for the region. They do this by:

• Making strategic investments in programs and organizations that benefit the region
• Equipping organizations and the public with knowledge and information that will lead to positive change
• Building endowment – community capital – to meet our region’s needs today and tomorrow
• Providing expert assistance to donors and their advisers in their charitable planning

Learn more about the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan