The Detroit Auto Dealers Association is known for holding one of the largest one-night fundraising events — The North American International Auto Show Charity Preview — to support children’s charities. But the DADA is also unique in that they are building a permanent endowment to support the well being of children. Fifteen years ago, this Association of hundreds of auto dealerships in southeast Michigan established a charitable fund at the Community Foundation with part of the proceeds from their annual gala fundraiser.
Their annual contributions into the Detroit Auto Dealers Association Charitable Foundation Fund have brought a total of more than $5.4 million into the fund. Over fifteen years, more than $4 million has been granted to 114 organizations. Also with annual contributions and investment growth, the DADA Endowment Fund now totals more than $2 million. That means that this endowment will continue to grow and compound over time, generating revenue that can be used to support programs. To our knowledge, this is the only auto association in the country that has created such a permanent legacy.
While the focus is on children and youth, the type of programs supported is remarkably diverse, ranging from health and human services to the arts, recreation, education and healthy living. Grants from the DADA Fund have touched all seven counties of southeast Michigan and helped children and communities large and small, rural, urban and suburban.The Detroit Auto Dealers Association is known for holding one of the largest one-night fundraising events — The North American International Auto Show Charity Preview — to support children’s charities. But the DADA is also unique in that they are building a permanent endowment to support the well being of children. Fifteen years ago, this Association of hundreds of auto dealerships in southeast Michigan established a charitable fund at the Community Foundation with part of the proceeds from their annual gala fundraiser.
Their annual contributions into the Detroit Auto Dealers Association Charitable Foundation Fund have brought a total of more than $5.4 million into the fund. Over fifteen years, more than $4 million has been granted to 114 organizations. Also with annual contributions and investment growth, the DADA Endowment Fund now totals more than $2 million. That means that this endowment will continue to grow and compound over time, generating revenue that can be used to support programs. To our knowledge, this is the only auto association in the country that has created such a permanent legacy.
While the focus is on children and youth, the type of programs supported is remarkably diverse, ranging from health and human services to the arts, recreation, education and healthy living. Grants from the DADA Fund have touched all seven counties of southeast Michigan and helped children and communities large and small, rural, urban and suburban.
826MICHIGAN – $15,000 for a unique drop-in tutoring program for students aged 8-18 from the greater Ypsilanti area
ANN ARBOR TEEN CENTER (NEUTRAL ZONE) – $25,000 to expand a program that trains student leaders in peer-to-peer diversity education throughout high schools in Washtenaw County.
CHARLES H. WRIGHT MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY – $25,000 for embedding literacy into ongoing youth workshops and summer programming.
FOCUS: HOPE – $25,000 for an after-school, project-based photography program for Detroit middle school youth.
HOSPICE OF MICHIGAN INC. – $20,000 for a Pediatric Early Care program serving infants, children, and young adults through age 21 with life-limiting illnesses.
LACASA – $50,000 to maintain critical programs for abused children while pursuing national accreditation as a Children’s Advocacy Center.
LITERACY AND BEYOND INC. – $5,000 to build home libraries for economically disadvantaged elementary and middle school students in St. Clair County.
MIDNIGHT GOLF PROGRAM – $30,000 for the evaluation of a life skills, mentoring and career prep program for high school youth in metro Detroit.
SAE FOUNDATION – $20,000 to improve the science and math proficiency of K-3 students in Detroit Public Schools.
SOS COMMUNITY SERVICES INC. – $30,000 for a parenting program for homeless families with preschool-aged children.
826MICHIGAN – $15,000 for a unique drop-in tutoring program for students aged 8-18 from the greater Ypsilanti area
ANN ARBOR TEEN CENTER (NEUTRAL ZONE) – $25,000 to expand a program that trains student leaders in peer-to-peer diversity education throughout high schools in Washtenaw County.
CHARLES H. WRIGHT MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY – $25,000 for embedding literacy into ongoing youth workshops and summer programming.
FOCUS: HOPE – $25,000 for an after-school, project-based photography program for Detroit middle school youth.
HOSPICE OF MICHIGAN INC. – $20,000 for a Pediatric Early Care program serving infants, children, and young adults through age 21 with life-limiting illnesses.
LACASA – $50,000 to maintain critical programs for abused children while pursuing national accreditation as a Children’s Advocacy Center.
LITERACY AND BEYOND INC. – $5,000 to build home libraries for economically disadvantaged elementary and middle school students in St. Clair County.
MIDNIGHT GOLF PROGRAM – $30,000 for the evaluation of a life skills, mentoring and career prep program for high school youth in metro Detroit.
SAE FOUNDATION – $20,000 to improve the science and math proficiency of K-3 students in Detroit Public Schools.
SOS COMMUNITY SERVICES INC. – $30,000 for a parenting program for homeless families with preschool-aged children.