Nearly $13M Awarded to Legacy, Great Lakes, and Democracy Partners

Today, we announced nearly $13 million in new and ongoing grants to strengthen the systems and institutions that sustain our democracy, protect the Great Lakes, enrich our cultural landscape, and honor Fred and Barbara Erb’s legacy.

“These investments reflect our enduring commitment to Southeast Michigan and the broader Great Lakes region, and they build on our vision of creating lasting impact during the Foundation’s final decade,” said Melissa Damaschke, president of the Fred and Barbara Erb Family Foundation. “As we continue moving through our spenddown, we are deeply committed to supporting our partners to help carry Fred and Barbara’s legacy forward, creating a better world for current and future generations.”

Carrying Forward Fred and Barbara’s Legacy

This fall, the Foundation made a significant legacy investment: a $6 million grant to the Detroit Zoological Society to complete the Fred and Barbara Erb Discovery Trails.

The seven-acre interactive experience will invite children and families into gardens, treehouses, and animal encounters that spark curiosity and wonder. From a flourishing farmer’s market that connects play to sustainability, to an accessible aerial adventure that elevates guests above the ground, the Fred and Barbara Erb Discovery Trails will create spaces where learning and imagination meet. Children will also engage directly with animals, from feeding chickens to carefully interacting with stingrays and bamboo sharks, allowing them to deepen their awareness of and relationship with nature.

By helping bring Fred and Barbara Erb Discovery Trails to completion, the Foundation is carrying forward a long-time connection to an organization that was important to Fred and Barbara. The Erb family and the Detroit Zoo also share deep roots in Royal Oak, going back as far as Fred’s grandfather who was the postmaster and general store proprietor.

Strengthening Leadership for the Great Lakes

That same spirit of stewardship extends to the Great Lakes — a resource Fred and Barbara cherished deeply. This fall, the Foundation is supporting organizations that strengthen leadership at every level of governance to protect the world’s largest freshwater system.

• The Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors & Premiers received $170,000 to future-proof the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact, a landmark agreement that safeguards Great Lakes water from large-scale diversion.

• The Council of State Governments Midwestern Office received $550,000 for the Great Lakes Legislative Caucus to create space for state and provincial legislators to collaborate and innovate on basin-wide policy.

• The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative received $775,000 to advance freshwater leadership across a network of local elected officials in more than 350 communities in the U.S. and Canada.

• The International Association for Great Lakes Research (IAGLR) received $665,000 to ensure that fact-based science is shaping decisions that protect the Great Lakes. Science plays a critical role in guiding policymakers as they develop policies and programs to safeguard water quality, restore habitats, and support resilient communities across the region. IAGLR is deepening the connection between research and action and ensuring that diverse voices help define the future of our shared waters.

Together, these investments reinforce a deliberate strategy: equipping governors, premiers, legislators, and local leaders with the tools to protect the Great Lakes today and into the future. Find the full list of Great Lakes grants here.

Sustaining Arts & Culture

Thriving communities are not defined by natural resources alone but also by the creativity and culture that bind people together. This fall, the Foundation continued its multi-year support for the Detroit Sound Conservancy, advancing efforts to preserve and share the city’s rich jazz heritage through the restoration of the historic Blue Bird Inn. Investments like this affirm our belief that arts and culture are essential to nurturing creativity, fostering belonging, and enriching the cultural fabric of Southeast Michigan.

Defending Democracy

A healthy democracy underpins all of our program areas — from clean water to thriving cultural institutions. This fall, the Foundation deepened its investment in organizations that safeguard democratic institutions, expand civic participation, and uphold the rule of law.

• Detroit Disability Power received $120,000 to ensure people with disabilities in Southeast Michigan have equitable access to the ballot. Building on its polling-location accessibility audits, the organization will expand public engagement around the barriers voters face and help ensure that election processes reflect the principle that democracy must be accessible to all.

• States United Democracy Center received $800,000 to preserve the rule of law in Michigan. By providing legal, research, and communications expertise, the organization helps protect democratic institutions and ensures that state leaders can act with integrity and independence as they protect public safety and uphold the rule of law.

These investments reflect the Foundation’s belief that democracy must be nurtured and defended. By supporting organizations that protect the Constitution, preserve the rule of law, and ensure that every voice is heard, we are working toward a stronger, more equitable future for Southeast Michigan and beyond.

Supporting Sustainable Business

In addition to growing our economy, businesses are key partners in building stronger communities and a healthier planet. Based on feedback from our partners, the Foundation updated our Sustainable Business guidelines to explain how we will help the small business community in Southeast Michigan adopt better people and planet practices.

Our grants will continue to support increased access to technical assistance and expert guidance. This will help entrepreneurs learn about and adopt practices that are better for their employees, community, and the environment. This work builds on the region’s strong network of business support organizations and will further strengthen the collaboration among partners who share a commitment to sustainable business.

See Grants List