I am pleased to share the news of $4.6 million in new and continuing grants approved at our December 5 board meeting. At $1.15 million, the largest grant continues support for a coalition working to involve Detroiters in scaling up green stormwater infrastructure. The program’s keystone is an ambassador network of neighborhood leaders and nonprofits that are...
On November 14, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American history and Michigan Science Center launched the Ripple of Impact: Museum Stormwater Initiative. Guided by research showing that museums are trusted spaces for learning and conversation, the event brought together diverse perspectives on water access and stewardship in Detroit. The Museum Stormwater Initiative centers...
The Foundation’s Investment Committee recently voted to invest a portion of our $300 million endowment in ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) funds to begin to better align our investments with our programmatic mission and values. As family business owners concerned with the environment, Fred and Barbara Erb believed that sustainability – the harmonizing of economic,...
Toxic green slime is growing in lakes all over the country, including Lake Erie. It prevents us from recreational activities like swimming and fishing, and in some cases, contaminates our drinking water supply. Polluted runoff from agricultural fields and urban areas fuels the growth of these harmful algal blooms. Our foundation has supported over $14 million...
I am pleased to share the news of $7.1 million in new and continuing grants approved at our June 7 board meeting. Grant highlights include: $2 million as a challenge grant for the Detroit Zoo to create a new Great Lakes center in Macomb County. The center will use sustainable design and innovative programming to...
A key component of sustainability is equity. In addition to the redevelopment of policies and programs, seeking equity calls for diverse voices forging solutions that benefit all. The University of Michigan Environmental Fellows Program diversifies environmental and conservation philanthropy by supporting the career aspirations of graduate students from traditionally underrepresented populations. On May 23, the Foundation hosted this...
We are pleased to share our foundation’s 2017 annual report. Covering one year and $11.3 million in grantmaking, the report showcases people and organizations who are advancing sustainability through work in the environment and the arts. We hope that you share our excitement about their efforts and enjoy viewing the short videos embedded throughout the report. The report’s...
Detroit’s innovative bioretention gardens were featured in “Secret Gardens,” produced by Detroit Public Television’s Great Lakes Bureau and aired February 28, 2018 through the PBS Sci Tech Now program. A 2015 Erb grant helped create The Great Lakes Bureau to create, curate and distribute timely, topical stories about the Great Lakes ecology, economy and cultural history, building...
We are pleased to share this memo illustrating financial, operational, and programmatic themes in the Detroit arts sector. Published by the Kresge and Erb Family Foundations, the report is the result of a joint review of 68 metro Detroit arts organizations, encompassing a wide range of budget sizes, geographies, and disciplines. Erb’s partnership with Kresge is designed...
The Foundation is pleased to welcome Lawrence Garcia and Rhonda Welburn to our board! A graduate of the U-M Law School and Duke University, Lawrence Garcia founded his own law firm, the Garcia Law Group, to fulfill his personal mission of creating Michigan’s first Latino law firm. He is the president of the Cesar Chavez Academy and...