NEWS & PRESS


Detroit Auto Dealers Association fund at the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan announces $300,000 in grants, tops $7 million in giving

In Press Release

The Detroit Auto Dealers Association Charitable Foundation Fund at the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan announced today that it has made nine grants totaling $300,000 to support nonprofits improving the quality of life for children throughout our region. These grants bring the DADA’s total giving since 1999 to more than $7 million, speaking to the lasting power of endowment. 

The DADA Charitable Foundation Fund at the Community Foundation supports nonprofits that benefit children and youth in grades pre-K-12 throughout Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, St. Clair, Monroe and Livingston counties. The fund is supported by proceeds from the North American International Auto Show Charity Preview. 

“The Detroit Auto Dealers Association Charitable Foundation Fund is an example of the power of endowment to deliver on a donor’s wishes during good times and bad,” says Community Foundation President Richard (Ric) DeVore. “The DADA has been building endowment with us for nearly 25 years. Even when the COVID-19 pandemic paused the North American International Auto Show Charity Preview, its biggest fundraiser, the DADA’s endowment allowed it to keep making critical grants. Fortunately, the charity preview is back, and ticket sales will once again benefit young people throughout our region.” 

The need in southeast Michigan is great. The DADA Charitable Foundation Fund at the Community Foundation received more than 60 applications totaling over $2.5 million in requests for 2023. The nine approved grants range from $25,000 to $50,000 and focus on issues including support for youths with disabilities, suicide prevention, conflict resolution and more. 

“Our relationship with the Community Foundation is unique among auto trade associations nationally — a permanent legacy to benefit our region for generations to come,” says 2023 DADA President Karl Zimmermann. “The next generation faces immense challenges and holds infinite promise. We are honored to support organizations throughout southeast Michigan that work every day to help these young people build a brighter future.”

 This year’s grants include: 

  • Corewell Health Center for Exceptional Families (Southfield) $34,500 for behavioral analysis training and credentialing for therapists treating youth with autism spectrum disorder  
  • Detroit Institute for Children (Commerce Township) $45,000 for an expanded learning program for youth and families with special needs  
  • Growth Works Incorporated (Plymouth) $45,500 for a curriculum expansion to train school staff, youth, and community members on youth suicide prevention in Western Wayne County school districts  
  • Lawrence Technological University (Southfield) $25,000 for a program expansion for middle school girls in STEM and engineering  
  • SOS Community Services (Ypsilanti) $25,000 for a child abuse and neglect program that promotes kindergarten readiness for vulnerable youth in Ypsilanti  
  • Crimestoppers (The Alliance For A Safer, Greater Detroit) (Southfield) $25,000 for a conflict resolution program expansion for vulnerable youth and parents in Detroit  
  • The Michigan Hispanic Collaborative (Ann Arbor) $25,000 for a college access program for Hispanic youth  
  • The Yunion (Detroit) $50,000 for martial arts curriculum development for boys  
  • Wellspring (Detroit) $25,000 for an expansion of a math program for youth in Detroit’s Brightmoor Neighborhood  

The North American International Detroit Auto Show Charity Preview, a signature fundraising gala for children’s charities, takes place during the Detroit Auto Show at Huntington Place. The Detroit Auto Show is one of the most influential annual automotive events in the world and a showcase for emerging technologies. This year’s Charity Preview is on Friday, September 15. For more information, visit naias.com.

Learn more about the DADA Charitable Foundation Fund