INITIATIVES

We create and fund strategic initiatives that improve the quality of life in our region today and help position it for a stronger tomorrow.

Inclusive Arts Fund In December of 2021, The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation announced a $100 million commitment to transform the financial strength and long-term viability of Southeast Michigan’s arts and culture community through the establishment of an endowment at the Community Foundation that will support the sector now and forever.      Learn More
Michigan Justice Fund The Michigan Justice Fund is an investment in the development of a roadmap to chart out a collaborative philanthropic strategy to create a thriving enabling environment in Michigan necessary to advance justice reform initiatives. Learn More
Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Fund for Caregivers The Caregivers Fund, managed by the Community Foundation, supports projects within southeast Michigan that assist caregivers of persons who are unable to fully care for themselves and are part of an underserved community, with a preference for requests to provide support to caregivers of older adults. Learn More
Project Play The purpose of the initiative is to seek both community-wide and specific-stakeholder input to collaboratively build local solutions that address a goal of “building communities in which all children have the opportunity to be active in sports.” Though the change in name, our purpose and mission remain the same. Learn More
Pontiac Funders Collaborative The Pontiac Funders Collaborative supports Pontiac organizations to increase capacity and achieve shared goals. Learn More
Community Policing Innovations Initiative The goal of the Community Policing Innovations Initiative is to provide the guidance and support necessary for local communities in partnership with local law enforcement, to develop community-driven, substantive, and pragmatic changes in the way that policing and public safety services are provided. Learn More
Detroit Journalism Engagement Fund The purpose of the Detroit Journalism Engagement Fund is to increase the quality, outcomes and reach of journalism in the region, with an emphasis on engagement, innovation and the equitable recovery of Detroit. Learn More
The Great Lakes Way All residents and visitors of southeast Michigan are connected to and benefit from world-class freshwater, wildlife, recreation, and heritage right in our backyard through a Great Lakes Way. A Great Lakes Way will be an interconnected set of 156 miles blueways and 160 miles greenways stretching from southern Lake Huron through western Lake Erie. Learn More
Michigan Opioid Partnership The Michigan Opioid Partnership is a public-private collaborative including the State of Michigan and key philanthropic organizations who share the goal of decreasing Michigan opioid overdoses and deaths. Learn More
New Economy Initiative The New Economy Initiative is working to diversify the regional economy of southeast Michigan and stimulate entrepreneurial development. Learn More
Detroit Regional Workforce Partnership The Detroit Regional Workforce Partnership exists to cultivate an environment where businesses, government entities, and educational institutions collaborate seamlessly, ensuring that a robust and dynamic talent pool has access to the employment opportunities that propel southeast Michigan towards sustained economic growth. Learn More

Past Initiatives

On The Table On October 4, 2017, over 2,000 people across the southeast Michigan region gathered in small groups to share food and discuss how to make their communities places where young people can grow and thrive. Learn More
Supporting Brightmoor Leaders The Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation’s Supporting Brightmoor Leaders program provides capacity building grants to social impact organizations and individual neighborhood leaders within the Brightmoor neighborhood. Learn More
Detroit Neighborhood Fund The Detroit Neighborhood Fund's goal was to build stronger, healthier neighborhoods in Detroit’s near-east side by convening community leadership and improving the engagement, empowerment and capacity-building of the residents and organizations in the target communities. Learn More
Future of Information Reliable sources of community information are critical for an informed and engaged society. The Future of Information series will connect national leaders in data and information science, first amendment policy and law, educational policy and information, and other topics with local residents who are concerned about how changes in information are impacting their communities and democracy. Learn More
Arts & Culture Challenge Providing sorely needed operating funds and support for arts and cultural organizations in southeast Michigan during tough economic times was the purpose behind the Arts & Culture Challenge. Learn More
Emergency Food and Shelter The Community Foundation Challenge — Emergency Food & Shelter was launched in the fall of 2010 to provide much-needed operating funds and fundraising training for emergency food and shelter providers. Learn More
Senior Engagement Program To help drive creative new ways to keep seniors productive and connected to their communities, the Community Foundation launched the Senior Engagement Program to explore and support innovative new volunteer-driven, community-based programs designed to help seniors live independently as they age. Learn More
YOUth Voice for Social Justice The YOUth Voice for Social Justice project was created to help local youth address the social justice issues they face every day. Over a three-year period, young people received the training, funding and support necessary to create and manage youth-led solutions to community needs. Learn More
Healthy Food Connect Healthy Food Connect is a regional initiative of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan to increase healthy food access for children and seniors in the seven counties of southeast Michigan. Learn More
Southeast Michigan Counts A complete and accurate census count is vital for communities to illustrate local needs, for businesses to offer goods and services, and for governments to distribute funds equitably. Undercounting the population has serious impacts for the region. Southeast Michigan Counts supports local efforts for a complete and accurate count and promote census and civic participation throughout the region. Learn More