$2.3 Million in Grants March 2015

$2.3 Million in Grants March 2015

One of our goals is to promote green infrastructure as a way to beautify vacant land and neighborhoods in the city while eliminating untreated sewage discharges into the Detroit River and improving resiliency and quality of life. Seven grants totaling $1.7 million will support efforts to leverage federal and private investment and engage adults and youth in advancing the movement:

  • The Nature Conservancy will help the city of Detroit and Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) create enabling conditions for green infrastructure including policies and ordinances and public-private investment opportunities.
  • Eastern Market Corporation will establish a Stormwater Management District as part of its 2025 Strategy.
  • Joy-Southfield Community Development Corporation will work with Wayne County to explore a transportation grant to create an environmentally sustainable, aesthetically pleasing a vibrant commercial corridor along Joy Road between Evergreen and Southfield.
  • Clean Water Fund will work with Clinton River Watershed Council, Macomb County and others to advance green infrastructure around Lake St. Clair.
  • Student Conservation Association will expand its service learning programs for Detroit high school students that include clearing trails in Rouge Park, leadership development and outdoor recreation.
  • Detroit Future City will continue to work with the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, DWSD and other partners as the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Shoreline Cities grant moves into implementation phase, installing and monitoring green infrastructure treatments on more than 50 vacant lots on the city’s near east side. Under a second, contingent grant, they would help the City of Detroit develop three innovative resiliency projects that potentially could leverage millions of dollars in federal and private funding.

The remaining $600,000 in grants supports the Foundation’s goals to:

  • Encourage local and federal policies, development practices, and individual actions to maximize our freshwater resource as a valuable asset;
  • Promote “triple bottom line” development and public policies that are socially equitable and sensitive to environmental and public health concerns; and
  • Support cultural activities and public art as a way to help strengthen neighborhoods and the region.

Those grants include ongoing operating support for five watershed organizations, two policy groups, Powerhouse Productions Carpenter Exchange program and RecoveryPark’s farming operations.

Please click here for our complete grants list.