September 2017 Grants Announcement

$5.5 million in new and continuing grants were approved at our September 13 board meeting. Nearly half of the grants were awarded to arts organizations, underscoring the Foundation’s commitment to a culturally vibrant City of Detroit, where the arts contribute to a sustainable region by fostering economic, social, and creative well-being. These grants include:

• A $1 million transformational grant to the Motown Museum, allowing for the opening of an Education and Community Engagement Center on the museum’s campus as part of the Museum’s $50 million campaign. The grant also provides funding for installing green stormwater infrastructure in the Center’s courtyard, ensuring an environmentally healthy outdoor space. Construction on the Center will begin in fall 2017.
• $1.4 million in continued general operating support to 44 Detroit arts organizations. Since 2010, the Foundation has awarded nearly $10 million in general operating support in partnership with The Kresge Foundation.

Another $980,000 in grants will advance green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) in the City of Detroit. Sustainability harmonizes economic, environmental, and social interests, and these projects are designed to achieve community development as well as water quality goals.

• A joint program of The Sierra Club and Friends of the Rouge, Rain Gardens to the Rescue helps Detroiters design, plant, and maintain rain gardens to manage the rain water runoff from their rooftops and beautify their homes and neighborhoods.
• Related programming at Keep Growing Detroit will provide urban farmers with the educational resources and support infrastructure they need to be good land and water stewards.

Read the complete September 2017 grants list here.