3 We believe that art helps us see the world in new ways. In 2012, we began to commission videos by local artists to tell the stories of the people behind the work we support. Partnering with artists to interpret our work is important to us, and we expanded that partnership this year by commissioning Judy Bowman to create the cover art for this report. Her piece, The Sparkling Waters of Detroit, is a powerful reminder that our work furthering sustainability is primarily about people. People were at the center of my parents’ vision for a sustainable world—a world that balances the environmental, economic, and social interests of current and future generations. Our Foundation continues that legacy. We aspire to a world where individuals, nonprofits, government, and the business community work together towards an environmentally healthy, culturally vibrant metro Detroit region. Situated in an important urban center in the Great Lakes region, we view the environment and the arts as intersecting paths to the greater whole of the sustainable world that my parents sought. By choosing to depict a young girl playing in the clear waters of Belle Isle Beach, Judy captures how people can relate to the Great Lakes. As she explains in her artist statement, “The waters pulled people together to create memories of fishing, canoeing, viewing the Fourth of July fireworks, feeding the ducks, and family love.” The Sparkling Waters of Detroit demonstrates how the environment and the arts come together through and for people. This report features people who, through their work in environment and the arts, are building a sustainable world. We hope that you share our excitement about their work, and that you might consider how you can cultivate sustainability in your community as well. I’d like to close with noting that this year marked the end of ten years of service for two of our founding board members, Ira Jaffe and Susan Cooper. Ira, our founding board chair, was instrumental in my parents’ philanthropy, in addition to being my father’s lawyer and close friend for over 40 years. Susan, a co- founder of the East Michigan Environmental Action Council, met my father through their shared service on the Cranbrook Institute of Science board. Ira and Susan were with the Foundation from our first board meeting in October 2007 to their departure from the board in June 2017. Their input was critical as we built and grew the Foundation. I am grateful for their leadership and insight and am pleased that Ira will continue with us as Chair Emeritus. At the same time, I am happy to announce the appointment of our two newest board members, Lawrence Garcia and Rhonda Welburn. Thank you for your continued interest, John M. Erb, President Letter From the President The symbol through- out this report is a reminder of our triple-bottom-line definition of sustainability. We invite you to explore our website to learn more about the Erb Family and the Foundation’s interests— www.erbff.org.