More Than $1 Million in Grants Awarded to 42 Nonprofits from Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Funds at the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan

The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation today announced grants totaling more than $1 million to 42 organizations through the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Funds. The endowed funds, which the Community Foundation manages, focus on regional caregiving, design and access to public spaces, youth sports, and the Grosse Pointe communities.  

The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation established the funds at the Community Foundation to support issues that were important to the late Ralph C. Wilson, Jr., a Detroit native, former Grosse Pointe resident, and the founder and longtime owner of the Buffalo Bills football team. Endowed funds at the Community Foundation are designed to grow over time and provide funding in perpetuity for charitable causes according to a donor’s wishes.    

“The Wilson Legacy Funds continue to improve the well-being of people in rural, suburban and urban communities throughout our seven-county region,” Community Foundation President Nicole Sherard-Freeman says. “From transportation for caregivers and construction of an accessible nature trail, to coaching for girls field hockey and inclusive theater performances, these grants demonstrate the positive impact that can happen when donors, philanthropy, communities and nonprofits work together.”  

The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Funds at the Community Foundation are complementary to the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation’s efforts to create an immediate impact within the communities of southeast Michigan and western New York. The Legacy Funds are a generous, important tool of support, particularly for a range of smaller and midsized nonprofit organizations. Grants from these funds are made annually, and information on the next round of grantmaking will be available this fall.   

The following grants, totaling $1,001,264, were among those provided by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Funds through an open, competitive application process. 

11 Grants from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Fund for Caregivers ($240,880 Total)  

• Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute (Detroit) — $20,000 for an oncology nurse caregiver program providing resources leading to greater self-care, stress reduction and increased job satisfaction  
• Dementia Friendly Saline (Saline) — $25,000 for a companion program pairing experienced dementia family caregivers with those new to the role  
• Franklin-Wright Settlements, Inc. (Detroit) — $10,000 for a caregiver respite program to assist those caring for elderly adults by providing reprieve  
• Hannan Center (Detroit) — $25,000 for the Tailored Activity Program (TAP), providing individualized activities to caregivers and people with dementia 
• Hunter Hospitality House Inc. (Port Huron) — $11,000 for a program providing lodging and essential resources to caregivers traveling to Port Huron with family member for medical care  
• Jewish Family Service of Metropolitan Detroit (West Bloomfield) — $25,000 for a pilot project to focus on male caregivers by creating dedicated groups, expanding access to long-term care planning, and conducting outreach through a new caregiver hub  
• Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County, Inc. (Ann Arbor) — $25,000 for JFS CARES to provide respite, develop personal care plans, and individualized wraparound services for caregivers  
• Regents of the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) — $24,880 for Silver Club to host nine monthly educational pop-ups for dementia caregivers and their loved ones  
• Regents of the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) — $25,000 for a program to train navigators to assist caregivers, serving as a link between patients, providers and community resources in cancer care  
• The Art Experience, Inc. (Pontiac) — $25,000 for art therapy workshops for caregivers providing opportunities for creative self-expression and emotional support 
• YMCA of Monroe (Monroe) — $25,000 for a self-care opportunities program for volunteer caregivers, prioritizing those in historically marginalized and rural areas 

8 Grants from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Fund for Design and Access ($318,384 Total) 

• Community Foundation of St. Clair County (Port Huron) — $50,000 for improvements to a fishing pier and restoration of a ferry dock along the Blue Water River Walk 
• Charter Township of Clinton (Clinton Township) — $50,000 for a universal kayak and canoe launch at Budd Park along the Clinton River    
• Charter Township of Oxford (Oxford) — $50,000 for the design work for a pedestrian and bike path in Seymour Lake Township Park    
• Eden Gardens Community Association (Detroit) — $43,384 for a safe walking and biking environment for residents    
• Emmett Township (Emmett) — $25,000 for the design and construction of a wooded nature trail within Emmett Township Park    
• Ira Township (Ira Township) — $25,000 for the purchase and installation of an accessible paddle craft launch within new township park located along the Swan Creek  
• Joe Louis Greenway Partnership (Detroit) — $50,000 for transforming vacant land along the greenway into community-designed spaces that reflect local identities and priorities    
• Lynn Township (Yale) — $25,000 for construction of an accessible nature trail that connects ADA parking with a play area and picnic area within the township park  

18 Grants from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Fund for Youth Sports ($358,000 Total)  

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeast Michigan (Ypsilanti) — $20,000 for launching a Sports Buddies model program with an emphasis on mental health supports through play and recreation  
• Clark Park Coalition (Detroit) — $20,000 for expanding free and flexible youth sports programs  
• Community Care Organization (Detroit) — $25,000 for providing recreational opportunities to youth in foster care  
• Detroit Horse Power (Detroit) — $10,000 for summer and after-school horseback riding programs that instill social-emotional skills for Detroit youth 
• Detroit Police Athletic League, Incorporated (Detroit) — $25,000 for a pilot girls flag football league in partnership with Detroit middle schools  
• Detroit United Lacrosse Association (Royal Oak) — $25,000 for introducing more youth to lacrosse  
• Figure Skating in Harlem, Inc. – Detroit (Detroit) — $20,000 for expanding and sustaining programs to provide year-round opportunities  
• Free Bikes 4 Kidz (Detroit) — $10,000 for refurbishing used bicycles and distributing them to youth  
• Friends of Detroit Rowing, Inc. (Grosse Pointe) — $20,000 for continued expansion of outreach efforts and Learn to Row classes and camps  
• Great Lakes Regional Field Hockey Inc. (Chelsea) — $25,000 for teaching field hockey in local communities to provide opportunities for young girls to learn the sport  
• Kids on the Go (St. Clair Shores) — $25,000 for inclusive and adaptive sports and wellness programs for children with a wide range of physical and/or developmental disabilities  
• Michigan Scholastic Cycling Association (Brighton) — $15,000 for implementing mountain biking and trekking adventure programs at local parks 
• Monroe County Opportunity Program (Monroe) — $20,000 for expanding the offerings of the Center Youth League, including swimming and flag football 
• NW Goldberg Cares (Detroit) — $25,000 for a summer sports sampling camp to provide neighborhood children access to a safe location to get outside and play 
• Sheriff PAL Program (Pontiac) — $23,000 for expanding PeeWees programming for preschool-based physical activity in Pontiac and the surrounding area  
• Special Olympics Michigan, Inc. (Bloomfield) — $10,000 for young athletes with intellectual disabilities to participate in select sports alongside peers and family members  
• YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit (Detroit) — $15,000 for training coaches from the community to deliver the Girls on the Run program locally  
• YMCA of Monroe (Monroe) — $25,000 for creating a youth sports training model and developing a youth coaches mentoring program 

5 grants from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Fund for Grosse Pointe Community Assets ($84,000 Total) 

• Grosse Pointe Symphony Orchestra Society (Grosse Pointe Farms) — $15,000 for providing lessons and coaching to local musicians  
• Grosse Pointe Theatre, Inc. (Grosse Pointe) — $10,000 for theater performances serving neurodiverse individuals with sensory sensitivities, cognitive disabilities and autism  
• Grosse Pointe War Memorial Association (Grosse Pointe Farms) — $20,000 for a yearlong series of programs commemorating the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War 
• Grosse Pointe Woods Foundation (Grosse Pointe Woods) — $17,000 for a safe and accessible area for children and families to enjoy Ghesquiere Park 
• Services for Older Citizens (dba The Helm) (Grosse Pointe Farms) — $22,000 for the continued improvement of the acoustics at the active senior community center 

To learn more about the endowment, visit CFSEM.org/Wilson.