Community Foundations

Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation "has been an agent for positive change in the Ann Arbor community. Education, health care, basic human services, transportation, the arts, youth and senior programs... it would be hard to think of even one aspect of life or one segment of the population that has not benefited from grants made by the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation."

Battle Creek Community Foundation "is a public foundation built by individuals, families and businesses that care about their community. These groups donate their time and resources to make Battle Creek a better place to live – today and in the future... The Community Foundation received gifts from individuals, corporations and organizations. These gifts are placed in endowment funds. These funds are then invested to generate earnings. The Community Foundation uses these earnings to distribute grants to a variety of non-profit programs, organizations and other community-oriented charitable efforts that benefit Battle Creek residents, and scholarships to local students."

Bay Area Community Foundation "It is through this Foundation that our community can respond to emerging and changing needs, and to sustain existing organizations and institutions through grants for community development, recreation, education, the environment, arts and culture."

Community Foundation of Greater Flint "is a nonprofit, community corporation created by and for the people of the Greater Flint Area. We are here to help our donors make a positive impact on their community through simple, powerful and highly personalized approaches to giving. People get involved with the foundation when they make a gift to benefit their favorite causes or receive a grant to do good work within the community. The foundation also brings together diverse community leaders so that they can share important community knowledge and bring about positive change."

Community Foundation for Southeastern Michigan "is strengthening the region’s quality of life by: Building ‘community capital’ – for today and tomorrow; Enhancing the region’s quality of life; Engaging people and organizations in philanthropy; Convening, planning and working for positive change; Supporting and launching new initiatives."

Fremont Area Community Foundation "is a local nonprofit organization serving the residents of Newaygo County. We connect the needs of the community with those who have the conviction to make a lasting impact. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for the people of Newaygo County. We fulfill this through five primary means: Leadership, Donors, Endowment, Grant making, and Philanthropy."

Grand Haven Area Community Foundation "is a conduit through which donors give to make positive and long-lasting differences in the lives of others" They offer a wide variety of grants and scholarships.

Grand Rapids Community Foundation "leads the community in making positive, sustainable change. Through our grant making and leadership initiatives we help build economic security, foster economic achievement, support human wellness, achieve ecological integrity, create vibrant neighborhoods, and enrich the lives of the people here."

Jackson County Community Foundation "The purpose of this foundation is to assist all citizens of greater Jackson in improving the quality of their lives. The Foundation does this by building permanent endowment funds to support its work as a community grantmaker and community leader."

Kalamazoo Community Foundation "has provided essential funding to programs that encourage individuals and families to succeed, engage citizens and youths in community activities, enrich education and learning, and foster economic growth. The Foundation’s imprint on the community is both broad and deep – you could not walk or drive but a few blocks without coming across a building, program or person that has been touched by its philanthropy."

Michigan Core Cities Fund "was established to assist Michigan communities with land acquisition and structural costs associated with economic development projects."

Midland Area Community Foundation "promotes and enables philanthropic giving to enrich and improve the lives of people in our communities. We accomplish our vision by: Attracting and holding permanent endowment funds from a wide range of donors; Identifying and addressing community needs through a strong grantmaking program; Providing leadership as a collaborator/convener on important community issues and projects."

Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation "We currently grant money to organizations in the community for healthy & senior programs, after school programs (youth), homelessness prevention, diversity education, environmental needs, health & safety programs, the arts & humanities, emergency health care, as well as operating expenses, capital needs, and educational scholarships."

Muskegon County Community Foundation, Inc. "presently supports efforts in the areas of Arts, Education, Environment, Community Development, Health and Human Services as well as Youth Development issues. It is the intent of the Foundation to reflect the collective vision of all Muskegon County residents."

Saginaw Community Foundation "has helped Saginaw County residents build a better community by linking donor interests with the community’s most pressing needs and promising opportunities."

Corporate Giving

American Express "Philanthropic Program makes grants in three major program areas: Economic Independence, Cultural Heritage and Community Service." Along with these grant programs they also focus on the performing arts through their Performing Arts Fund, which was "established to help major performing arts organizations develop and sustain a larger audience base." They also founded the American Express Partners in Preservation, which "is a joint effort between American Express, the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the World Monuments Fund to assist in celebrating and preserving historic treasures and significant cultural assets for the future."

A.M. Todd Company Foundation: Great Spirit Ventures "provides capital and strategic resources to early-stage companies focused at the intersection of food, medicine, and agriculture. We grow and support leading businesses for the healthy living marketplace."

AT&T Foundation "provides grants to organizations and programs that enrich quality of life, with an emphasis on improving education, advancing community development, addressing vital community needs and enhancing unique cultural assets."

Bank of America Foundation as a foundation their "mission is to support specific nonprofit organizations’ programs that can show impact in local neighborhoods. We help build strong communities and improve the quality of life of those who live, work, and do business in our neighborhoods by providing support for better education, human services, health services, and the arts."

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation "is dedicated to improving the health of Michigan residents through the support of research and innovative health programs. To make a significant contribution to health care knowledge and its application to improve health care by: Supporting research, and effective demonstration and evaluation projects; and developing innovative and socially responsive health initiatives."

Comerica Foundation "funding priorities are focused on needs of our primary markets by making cash grants for program and capital expenses of nonprofit organizations whose mission meets the foundation’s guidelines for giving. Grant priorities include: economic self-sufficiency, neighborhood revitalization, access to the arts, healthy communities, and educational opportunities.

DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund "our mission of making a positive, lasting difference in the communities and business environments in which we do business continues to flourish. The DCC Fund focuses its efforts on programs that support the four pillars of Good Neighbor, Good Citizen. Which are: Develop a skilled workforce; Support responsive, healthy and attractive communities; Encourage employee participation and involvement; and Respond to public policy and marketplace issues."

DTE Energy Foundation "supports programs and initiatives in the following focus areas: Leadership, Education & Environment, Achieving Excellence Awards, and Development & Diversity."

Exxon Mobil Foundation "In addition to supporting arts and cultural organizations, museums, and historical associations, the Exxon Mobil Foundation has supported Exxon Mobil’s Masterpiece Theatre on PBS for more than thirty years."

Ford Motor Company Fund "is dedicated to supporting cultural life and enhancing opportunities for the people living and working in the communities where it does business. Today, they support numerous arts and educational institutions as well as cultural programs – from touring art exhibits and performing arts events – to university scholarships and educational programs for elementary school children."

General Motors Foundation, Inc. "With a strong commitment to diversity in all areas, the targeted areas of focus for GM and the GM Foundation are: Education, Health and Human Services, Civic and Community, Public Policy, Arts and Culture, Environment and Energy, and Diversity."

Kellogg’s Corporate Citizenship Fund "Based on our heritage and our business, we have chosen to focus on three major areas: Helping children and youth reach their potential; improving opportunities for minorities and women; and Strengthening Communities. We support many different programs and endeavors. We contribute money and products to a variety of causes."

Masco Corporation Foundation "is funded with contributions from Masco Corporation and supports a variety of 501© 3 charitable organizations... Masco places an emphasis on financial and in-kind product support to not-for- profit organizations that promote decent housing environments for disadvantaged, low-income families. Masco also actively supports a number of very specific arts, cultural, educational (through our matching gifts program), human service and civic initiatives in the cities where it does business or where a long-term relationship exists."

Mervyn’s Corporate Giving Program "With the focus of helping students succeed in school, Mervyns gives a limited number of grants to schools and nonprofit organizations to support programs that supplement the classroom curriculum. Programs that we have funded in the past include music and art programs, homework centers, mentoring programs and summer reading programs."

MetLife Foundation "was established in 1976 by MetLife for the purpose of supporting educational, health and civic and cultural organizations. Our goals are to strengthen communities, promote good health, and improve education."

Steelcase Foundation "which supports charitable, educational, artistic and life-enhancing programs, matches employee donations to environmental and conservation organizations. The Foundation also supports many environmental programs, including Michigan State University’s ‘United Growth’ project – a broad-based coalition of urban and rural citizens promoting effective land use practice."

TIA Foundation "was established in 1990 to benefit the entire U.S. travel industry through educational and research activities."

Whirlpool Foundation "Through the Foundation’s many programs, more than six million dollars is awarded annually. Whirlpool Foundation’s grants and its programs focus on key strategic areas that parallel our corporate values. These areas include lifelong learning, quality family life and cultural diversity."

Foundation Networking Web Sites

Council of Michigan Foundations "is a membership association of more than 400 grant makers working together to strengthen, promote and increase philanthropy in Michigan."

Foundation Center "is the nation’s leading authority on philanthropy, connecting nonprofits and the grant makers supporting them to tools they can use and information they can trust."

Funders’ Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities "is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization that exists to inspire, strengthen and expand philanthropic leadership and funders’ abilities to support organizations working to improve communities through better development decisions and growth policies. It brings together foundations, nonprofit organizations and other partners to address the range of environmental, social, and economic problems caused by development strategies that fail to consider the big picture."

Michigan Humanities Council "offers four main grants programs: ‘We the People’ grants, ‘Strengthening Michigan Communities Through the Humanities’, quick/planning grants, and Arts & Humanities touring program grants."

Government Funding

GRANTS.GOV "allows organizations to electronically find and apply for more than $400 billion in Federal grants."

Institute of Museum and Library Services "provides funds to State Library Administrative Agencies (SLAAs) using a population-based formula. State libraries may use the appropriation to support statewide initiatives and services. They also may distribute the funds through subgrant competitions or cooperative agreements to public, academic, research, school, and special libraries in their state."

The International Fund for the Promotion of Culture "finances in part projects within the field of cultural development, which are proposed by institutions, organizations, associations or individuals."

Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs (MCACA) www.michigan.gov/arts "annually, awards matching grants to non-profit organizations throughout the state."

Mini-Grant Regional Regranting Program "provides funding to select non-profit organizations to administer and regrant at the local level on behalf of the Council supporting small arts and cultural projects throughout the state in 19 designated regions."

National Endowment for the Arts "is a public agency dedicated to supporting excellence in the arts, both new and established; bringing the arts to all Americans; and providing leadership in arts education." They are also the nation’s largest annual funder of the arts.

National Endowment for the Humanities "is an independent grant-making agency of the United States government dedicated to supporting research, education, preservation, and public programs in the humanities."

National Park Service "grants help protect our nation’s significant historic and cultural sites and preserve our diverse cultural heritage."

National Trust for Historic Preservation "They offer several types of financial assistance to nonprofit organizations, public agencies, for-profit companies, and individuals involved in preservation-related projects."

Preserve America "The grants are designed to support a variety of activities related to heritage tourism and innovative approaches to the use of historic properties as educational and economic assets."

Private Foundations

The Alcoa Foundation "Four distinct Areas of Excellence provide thematic focus to the global allocation of our philanthropic resources. The majority of our grants fit within one of the following areas: Conservation and Sustainability, Safe and Healthy Children and Families, Global Education and Workplace Skills, and Business and Community Partnerships."

The Americana Foundation "the purpose of the Foundation is to support educational and advocacy programs that address the preservation of American agriculture, the conservation of natural resources, and the protection and presentation of expressions of America’s heritage."

Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts "is committed to the precept that the arts are essential to an open, enlightened democracy. It therefore seeks to advance an inclusive cultural dialogue by providing resources to organizations that support artists reflecting a diverse society and by affirming that freedom of artistic expression is fundamental to such a society and must be vigorously protected. To advance these values, grants are awarded to not-for-profit organizations in the United States and occasionally abroad under specific guidelines."

The Annenberg Foundation "exists to advance public well- being through improved communication. As a principal means of achieving this goal, the Foundation encourages the development of more effective ways to share ideas and knowledge. The Annenberg Foundation focuses on four major program areas: Education and Youth Development; Arts and Culture; Civic, Community and the Environment; and Health and Human Services."

The Carls Foundation "has broadly defined charitable purposes, but the principal purpose and mission of the Foundation as outlined by its donor-founder and Trustees is as follows: Children’s Welfare (primarily in Michigan) including- Healthcare facilities and programs, with special emphasis on the prevention and treatment of hearing impairment; Recreational, educational and welfare programs especially for children who are disadvantaged for economic and/or health reasons; and Preservation of natural areas, open space and historic buildings and areas having special natural beauty or significance in maintaining America’s heritage and historic ideals, through assistance to land trusts and land conservancies and directly related environmental educational programs."

Charles Stewart Mott Foundation "Through its four programs, and their more specific program areas, the Foundation seeks to fulfill its mission of supporting efforts that promote a just, equitable and sustainable society. Inherent in all grant making is the desire to enhance the capacity of individuals, families or institutions at the local level and beyond. The foundation hopes that its collective work in any program area could lead toward systematic change."

Doris Duke Charitable Foundation its mission "is to improve the quality of people’s lives through grants supporting the performing arts, wildlife conservation, medical research and the prevention of child maltreatment, and through preservation of the cultural and environmental legacy of Doris Duke’s properties."

The Ford Foundation "is a resource for innovative people and institutions worldwide." Their goals are: "strengthen democratic values, reduce poverty and injustice, promote international cooperation and advance human achievement."

Frey Foundation "is a family foundation that invests in change. We work in partnership with organizations, agencies and other funders, which have a track record of success and a deep commitment to the West Michigan community. Our grant making focuses on six interrelated aspects of community life: Arts, Capital Projects, Children, Civic Progress, Environment, Philanthropy."

Harry A. and Margaret D. Towsley Foundation "In 1959, Margaret created the Harry A. and Margaret D. Towsley Foundation with an initial gift of $4 million in Dow Chemical Company stock. While the Foundation’s initial goals were typical of general family foundations, its mission later became focused on programs promoting education, health care, shelter, and nutrition for children. As its assets grew, its areas of concentration expanded into college and university education, medical education, Planned Parenthood, and interdisciplinary programs with the schools of law and social work. These areas reflected Dr. and Mrs. Towsley’s common interest in teaching."

The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation "was established by Mrs. Grace A. Dow in 1936 in memory of her husband Dr. Herbert H. Dow, founder of The Dow Chemical Company. The Trust Agreement specifies that the income of the trust is to be used ‘for religious, charitable, scientific, literary, or educational purposes for public benefit of the inhabitants of the City of Midland and of the people of the State of Michigan."

Hudson-Webber Foundation "The basic purpose of the Hudson Webber Foundation is to improve the vitality and quality of life of the metropolitan Detroit community. The Foundation concentrates its giving primarily within the city of Detroit and has a particular interest in the revitalization of the urban core because this area is a focus for community activity and pride and is of critical importance to the vitality of the entire metropolitan community."

Irving S. Gilmore Foundation "The mission of the Foundation is to support and enrich the cultural, social, and economic life of Greater Kalamazoo. The priorities of the Foundation are: The Arts, Culture and Humanities; Human Services; Education and Youth Activities; Community Development; and Health and Wellbeing."

James C. Acheson Fund "This was established to award grants for general charitable purposes."

J. Paul Getty Trust "provides support to institutions and individuals throughout the world, funding a diverse range of projects that promote the understanding and conservation of the visual arts. The grant-making foundation furthers the work of all Getty Programs. The Foundation also encompasses the Getty Leadership Institute, the leading source of continuing professional development for current and future museum leaders."

The Kresge Foundation "is a $3 billion national foundation that builds stronger nonprofit organizations – catalyzing their growth, helping them connect with their stakeholders, and challenging them with grants that leverage greater support."

McGregor Fund "has continued to be faithful to the stated intent of the donors. Grants to relieve misfortune and promote well being are made in the following program areas: human services, education, health care, arts and culture, and public benefit. The area of principal interest to the McGregors’, metropolitan Detroit and the tri-county area, remains the primary focus of the fund."

NYFA INTERACTIVE "helps artists turn inspiration into art by giving more money and support to individual artists and arts organizations than any other comparable institution in the U.S. Our goal is to provide the time and resources for the creative mind and the artistic spirit to think, work, and prosper."

The Pollock-Krasner Foundation Their "mission is to aid, internationally, those individuals that have worked as artist over a significant period of time. The Foundation’s dual criteria for grants are recognizable artistic merit and financial need, whether professional, personal or both."

Rockefeller Foundation For arts and culture their goal is "to give full expression to the creative impulses of individuals and communities in order to enhance the well-being of societies and better equip them to interact in a global and dynamic world." They achieve this goal by "supporting resilient and creative communities; fostering creativity and knowledge; and enhancing creativity and innovation in a global age."

The Skillman Foundation "is a private philanthropy committed to helping children in metropolitan Detroit by improving their homes, schools, and neighborhoods. Skillman grant making supports nonprofit organizations, schools, and agencies in Wayne, Macomb, and Oakland counties, with a special emphasis on organizations working in the city of Detroit."

The Wallace Foundation "is currently active in three focus areas: Building Appreciation and Demand for the Arts; Education Leadership; and Out-of-School Learning." Basically with these programs they hope to: "Make the arts a part of many more people’s lives working with exemplary arts organizations and through more opportunities for arts learning; Develop effective education leadership, especially among principals and superintendents, to improve student learning; Improve the quality of out-of-school learning opportunities for children and families and promote learning as a core community value."

William Randolph Hearst Foundations "The charitable goals of the two Foundations are essentially the same, and reflect the philanthropic interests of William Randolph Hearst—Education, Health, Social Service and Culture. Within these four areas, the Foundations assist institutions in providing opportunities to underserved and underrepresented population. Specific guidelines for each of these funding categories has been established by the Directors of the Hearst Foundations, and are described in each section."

W. K. Kellogg Foundation Their mission is to "help people help themselves through the practical application of knowledge and resources to improve their quality of life and that of future generations."

Updated 11/27/2006

Cultural Economic Development, Department of History, Arts and Libraries
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