The Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation announced $6.6 million in new and ongoing grants during its January 2024 grant cycle.  

“We are continually inspired by the progress and impact our grant partners are having in communities in the Great Lakes region and are honored to support work that Fred and Barbara Erb would have found compelling,” said Melissa Damaschke, president of the Erb Family Foundation. 

The Foundation is excited to provide grant funding to both longtime and new nonprofit partners.  

People First Economy received $300,000 over two years to support small businesses in Southeast Michigan with the goal of creating sustainable, lasting, and equitable economic growth. Through grant funding, the organization will launch at least two Good for Michigan cohorts for regional participants and expand the resources available to small and local businesses in the region. 

Alliance for the Great Lakes received $600,000 over four years for monitoring efforts and work to establish baseline water quality conditions in the Bear/Black Creek and Saline River sub watersheds. This data will inform conservation practices that are needed to improve the health of the Western Lake Erie Basin. 

Wayne State University received $100,000 to engage residents in Detroit’s first watershed management plan on the city’s eastside. 

In the January 2024 grants cycle, Erb Family Foundation is also supporting the following organizations, among others: 

• Belle Isle Conservancy received $150,000 over two years to support the expansion of stewardship and advocacy on Belle Isle, aiming to strategically enhance the park’s environment and visitor experience through community engagement and effective communication. 
• Jazz at Lincoln Center received $40,000 to provide scholarships for Detroit area music educators to participate in Band Director Academy in New York City in order to strengthen their abilities to provide jazz instruction in their classrooms. 
• Northeast-Midwest Institute received $185,000 over two years to build bipartisan engagement on issues impacting the Great Lakes. 
• National Fish and Wildlife Foundation received $600,000 for the Southeast Michigan Resilience Fund to expand green stormwater infrastructure and improve habitat quality and connectivity to enhance public spaces. 
• Council of the Great Lakes Region received $200,000 over two years to deepen the engagement of bi-national businesses in coordination of socioeconomic and environmental policy and strategy.  
• Ecology Center received $125,000 for their continuing efforts to improve air quality and public health in Detroit and Wayne County. 
• Continued general operating and project support was granted to watershed organizations in the Great Lakes region including the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority, Huron River Watershed Council, Clinton River Watershed Council, River Raisin Watershed Council, Friends of the Detroit River, and Friends of the Rouge.