More Than $1 Million in Grants Awarded to Nearly 50 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 have announced grants totaling more than $1 million to 49 organizations through the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Funds. The endowed funds, which the Community Foundation manages, focus on regional caregiving, accessible 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 demonstrate how endowment can sustain a donor’s generosity and create lasting support for the causes and communities they cared about,” Community Foundation Vice President of Community Impact Sarah Baltman Wedepohl says. “These funds continue to improve the well-being of people throughout our region in big and small ways — providing respite for family caregivers, building accessible trails and gathering spaces, and giving young people new ways to stay active and connected. All these projects move us closer toward our shared vision of a thriving southeast Michigan while honoring Mr. Wilson’s philanthropic goals.”

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 small and midsize nonprofits.

The following grants, totaling $1,087,490, were provided by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Funds through an open, competitive application process. Grants from these funds are made annually.

13 Grants from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Fund for Caregivers ($254,650 Total)

• Cancer Support Community of Greater Ann Arbor — $25,000 for a program to address the psychosocial needs of cancer caregivers (Washtenaw, Wayne and Livingston counties)
• Dementia Friendly Saline — $21,000 to showcase a documentary series of screenings celebrating the journeys of dementia family caregivers (Washtenaw and Livingston counties)
• Gilda’s Club – Metro Detroit — $25,000 to expand free support groups, educational programs, and outreach for caregivers (Oakland, Wayne and Macomb counties)
• Hunter Hospitality House Inc. — $22,150 for a caregiver program of hospitalized older adults that provides lodging and meals (St. Clair County)
• Jewish Family Service of Metropolitan Detroit — $15,250 for a program to expand outreach and resources to caregivers (Wayne County)
• Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County, Inc. — $15,250 for JFS CARES providing respite, personal care plans and individualized wrap-around services for caregivers (Washtenaw County)
• Methodist Children’s Home Society — $15,250 to augment existing caregiver programming to celebrate and energize caregivers (Wayne County)
• Michigan Parkinson Foundation — $15,250 for Respite Assistance Program, providing caregivers with support, education and resources (Oakland, Macomb, Wayne and St. Clair counties)
• MiGen Michigan LGBTQ+ Elders Network — $15,250 to provide caregivers of older adults with light housekeeping and transportation through trained volunteers (Oakland and Wayne counties)
• Next Steps 4 Seniors Foundation — $20,000 for caregiver respite assistance program (Oakland and Macomb counties)
• Regents of the University of Michigan – Silver Club Memory Programs — $15,250 for the Silver Club to host twelve monthly pop-ups for dementia caregivers in Ypsilanti (Washtenaw County)
• The Art Experience, Inc. — $25,000 for art therapy workshops helping caregivers to reduce stress through creative expression (Oakland County)
• YMCA of Monroe — $25,000 for program to provide respite, social opportunities and resources for caregivers of older adults (Monroe County)

9 Grants from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Fund for Design and Access ($385,000 Total)

• Addison Township — $25,000 for design and build of an ADA-compliant playscape in Addison Township (Oakland County)
• Charter Township of Oxford — $50,000 for the construction of an accessible pocket park on the Polly Ann Trail (Oakland County)
• City of Dearborn — $50,000 for a universally accessible kayak launch on the Huron River at Camp Dearborn in Milford (Oakland County)
• Clyde Township — $35,000 for construction of an accessible, wooded nature trail linking Township Park to Simpson Wilderness Park and the adjoining residential neighborhood (St. Clair County)
• Erie Township — $50,000 for planning and installation of road signage and bike lane safety symbols along Summit Street and Baycreek Road (Monroe County)
• Main Street Park Alliance — $50,000 for final construction of a former industrial brownfield site into a universally accessible park connecting Chelsea’s two business districts (Washtenaw County)
• Township of Macomb — $25,000 for the first environmental and engineering feasibility study for a sustainable, river-adjacent, greenway along the North Branch of the Clinton River in Macomb Township (Macomb County)
• Village of Capac — $50,000 for design and construction of a looping walking trail, ADA-compliant amenities and a nature-based playscape at Lions Park in The Village of Capac (St. Clair County)
• Wayne County Parks — $50,000 for the development of a comprehensive and strategic master plan for the Lower Rouge River Greenway spanning from the Middle Rouge Parkway in Dearborn westward beyond the I-275 Metro Trail (Wayne County)

22 Grants from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Fund for Youth Sports ($362,840 Total)

• A Positive Seed Corporation — $10,000 for expanding a summer skateboarding and mental well-being program (Wayne County)
• Athletic Factory, Inc. — $12,500 for a youth summer recreational basketball league (St. Clair County)
• City of Berkley Parks and Recreation — $12,500 for a mobile recreation unit to provide quality recreational opportunities for youth in Berkley (Oakland County)
• City Of Saline — $9,500 for a drop-in summer park program that promotes play, physical fitness and social interactions for school-age youth (Washtenaw County)
• Clyde Township — $24,000 for renovation of two tennis courts for youth to sample tennis and pickleball in Clyde Township (St. Clair County)
• Detroit Horse Power — $12,500 for summer and after-school horseback riding programs for Detroit youth ages 5-12 (Wayne County)
• Detroit Police Athletic League, Incorporated — $15,000 for IMPACT Training program for youth volunteer coaches/mentors in Detroit (Wayne County)
• Detroit United Lacrosse Association — $15,000 for an ongoing lacrosse program supporting youth in Detroit ages 3-12 (Wayne County)
• Figure Skating in Detroit — $15,000 for the expansion of skating, fitness and athletic programs for Detroit youth (Wayne County)
• Free Bikes 4 Kidz – Detroit — $10,000 for a bike and helmet giveaway program for youth (Wayne County, with an emphasis on Detroit)
• Great Lakes Regional Field Hockey, Inc. — $20,000 for increasing access to field hockey for youth in southeast Michigan (Wayne, Livingston, Oakland and Monroe counties)
• Huron River Watershed Council — $12,500 for expanding access to recreation through nature-based youth sports sampling experiences (Wayne, Oakland, Livingston, Monroe and Washtenaw counties, with a strong emphasis on Ypsilanti)
• Joe Louis Greenway Partnership — $18,000 for expanding access to recreation for youth along the Joe Louis Greenway (Wayne County)
• Kids on the Go — $24,930 for inclusive and adaptive sports and wellness programs for youth with physical and/or developmental disabilities (Wayne, Macomb and Oakland counties)
• Michigan Scholastic Cycling Association — $20,000 for expanding coach education and training programs for volunteer coaches of youth cycling teams (Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, Wayne, Monroe and Washtenaw counties)
• Michigan State University Extension Oakland County 4-H Youth Development — $18,000 for expanding mobile outdoor education and increasing access to recreation for youth (Oakland County, with an emphasis on northern Oakland County)
• NW Goldberg Cares — $15,000 for sports engagement through inclusive movement-based programming (Wayne County)
• Reggie McKenzie Foundation Inc. — $20,000 for free after-school and summer programming offering sports and life skills for youth 8-14 in Detroit and Highland Park (Wayne County)
• Sheriff PAL Program — $22,950 for semi-structured sports sampling and playground activities in Pontiac (Oakland County)
• Summerfield School District — $15,460 for improving youth sports playing fields in Petersburg (Monroe County)
• YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit — $15,000 for recruiting and retaining coaches for Girls on the Run and PACE programs (Wayne, Macomb and Oakland counties)
• YMCA of Monroe — $25,000 for expanding access to youth sports in rural areas (Monroe County)

5 Grants from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Fund for Grosse Pointe Community Assets ($85,000 Total)

• Choir One Voice, Inc. — $10,000 for two introductory choral workshop series for girls in grades one through four (Wayne County)
• Grosse Pointe Foundation for Public Education — $15,000 for an outdoor obstacle course at Pierce Middle School that enhances the field and playground and supports fitness, creative play and social-emotional learning (Wayne County)
• Grosse Pointe Historical Society — $20,000 for upgrading historical, immersive experiences including exhibitions and displays (Wayne County)
• Grosse Pointe War Memorial Association — $20,000 for a free 12-month literary arts and wellness initiative designed to promote healing, resilience and connection among veterans (Wayne County)
• Schaap Center (formerly known as the Grosse Pointe Park Council for the Arts) — $20,000 for a fundraising and marketing strategy to secure sustainable revenue, grow diverse audiences and strengthen the region’s newest cultural organization as an accessible hub for arts and community connection (Wayne County)