Thank You, Joe

The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan mourns the passing of Joseph L. Hudson, Jr, business leader, philanthropist and the founder of the Community Foundation.

We honor Joe’s distinguished philanthropic work, including more than 35 years of service to the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan as a member of the Board of Trustees and its chair for 19 years.

Joe Hudson was a visionary leader who worked to improve life for all in southeast Michigan. From chairing New Detroit in 1967, to giving years of leadership to the DIA, to founding the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan in 1985, his vision of building permanent community capital became a reality. Southeast Michigan, our state and our communities are better because of Joe Hudson and we are forever grateful.

Thank you, Joe.

A video was recently created to honor Joe’s legacy with the Community Foundation.

In accordance with the family’s wishes, memorial gifts in Joseph L. Hudson Jr.’s name can be made in any amount to the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan’s COVID-19 Relief Fund and the Michigan Justice Fund.

Joseph L. Hudson, Jr.

Funding Trustee of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan

In the early 1980s, Joe Hudson recognized that for charitable organizations to be financially secure, they needed permanent capital endowments. He also knew that Detroit was the only major metropolitan area without a community foundation.

In the years that led to the official founding of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, Joe brought civic and business leaders together to build awareness and to learn about the role and structure of community foundations.

Dottie Johnson, of the Council of Michigan Foundations, and John Marshall, of the Kresge Foundation, along with Gil Hudson, helped Joe make a case for establishing the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan.

Joe challenged us to think bigger, be better and to understand our role, which is to serve. We are inspired, honored and grateful for the leadership he provided to us and across the region.