Focus on Community
2025 Impact Report
We believe our region thrives when people have access to opportunities, essential services and vibrant public spaces. This is the theory of change behind our work. More plainly put, it’s the reason we believe our five focus areas will work in tandem to help create a thriving southeast Michigan. Each story in this report highlights a different focus area and how our support for it impacts the community.
OUR IMPACT
By the Numbers
Thanks to our generous donors and funders, we were able to continue supporting the vital work of community partners that make southeast Michigan a desirable place to live, work and play for all people, today and tomorrow.
$1.3 Billion+
in Assets
5,000+
Donor Relationships
250+
Nonprofit Partners
$128 MILLION+
GRANTS DISTRIBUTED
4,700+
Donor Relationships
$113 MILLION+
NEW GIFTSMESSAGE FROM OUR CHAIR AND PRESIDENT
THRIVING TOGETHER
Strategic Plan Updates
One important element of our 10-year strategic vision, “Thriving Together,” is to become a better reflection of what we hear from our donors, grantee partners and community members. During our 2025 annual meeting, we were proud to share that — in response to feedback we’ve received and data we’ve gathered throughout our strategic planning process — we’ve made several key changes to how we operate.
We streamlined our grantmaking process to create efficiencies for grantseekers and staff, including a simplified, time-saving application process where grantseekers submit a simple proposal request before being invited to apply.
We aligned our community grantmaking strategy with five focus areas – Economic Opportunity, Health Equity, Youth and Education, Arts and Culture, and Public Space and Environment – each grounded in our pursuit of a strong, agile and resilient southeast Michigan.
We renamed our Program department the Community Impact team to more clearly reflect the essence of our work.
We renamed our Program department the Community Impact team to more clearly reflect the essence of our work.
FOCUS AREAS
Impact Stories
Explore examples of how we’ve invested in our five focus areas to help create a thriving southeast Michigan.
Support Our Focus Areas
Your gift to our Southeast Michigan Forever Fund ensures that people throughout our region have greater access to jobs, healthy food, educational opportunities, community theater and vibrant public spaces.
COMMUNITY LEADERS
Focus on Giving
Stories that highlight how three of our partners are making a positive difference.
OUR FINANCIALS
OUR FINANCIALS
Financial Overview
Our continued contribution to a thriving southeast Michigan relies on having a sustainable financial foundation, guided by our values of operational excellence, trust and integrity. During 2025, in sync with our 10-year strategic plan, we implemented several changes to our investment program that position us to move forward with confidence as a responsible steward of our community’s philanthropic dollars.
