Updates to Our Grantmaking Approach

As part of our continued effort to be transparent and responsive to community needs, we’ve introduced several important updates to our grantmaking approach.
These changes reflect valuable input from you – our grantee partners – and are part of a larger effort to make our process more accessible and aligned with community priorities.
Below you’ll find information on our new department name, the Community Foundation’s focus areas, the streamlined Community Grants application process, and our upcoming move from Fluxx to MyCF, our new platform for donors and nonprofit partners.
These improvements are just the beginning. We will continue to listen, learn, and adjust as we work alongside you to create a vibrant southeast Michigan where everyone can thrive.
If you have questions or want to connect further, our Community Impact team is here to support you. Contact the team at impact@cfsem.org
Thank you for all that you do for southeast Michigan.
New Name, Deeper Connections to Community
You may notice a new name in our communications: the Community Impact team. Formerly known as the Program department, this change highlights the heart of our work—collaborating with nonprofits, residents, and partners to expand access to opportunities across southeast Michigan. This new name better reflects our continued commitment to support solutions that contribute to a thriving region.
Focused Grantmaking Aligned with Regional Needs
In response to feedback from our Center for Effective Philanthropy survey and numerous conversations between our staff and community partners like you, we’re aligning our community grantmaking with five strategic focus areas—each grounded in our shared vision of a strong, agile, and resilient southeast Michigan.
Focus Areas
- Economic Opportunity
- Health Equity
- Youth and Education
- Arts and Culture
- Public Space and Environment
These focus areas, along with our Community Foundation values, will guide how we invest in long-term solutions and measure the impact of our grantmaking in the region.
Learn more about the focus areas and values
New Streamlined Grant Application Process
We are introducing a two-stage application process to make our Community Grants (formerly known as our “competitive grants”) more accessible.
- Submit a Proposal: First, organizations will be asked to submit a proposal by completing a brief form that requests some basic information and a short summary of the funding request. Organizations may submit two proposal requests at a time for consideration.
- Full Application by Invitation: Then, based on the proposal request, selected applicants will be invited to submit a full application. Those who are not invited to submit a full application will be notified in a timely manner.
This change is designed to lower barriers to entry and ensure the Community Grants program remains both strategic and responsive.
Please note that at this time, the update to our Community Grants program does not include the current application processes for our Targeted Funds, Initiatives, or Affiliate funds. This change to our Community Grants is simply the first step in our broader transition to a new approach. For details about the requirements for each program, please visit their specific pages of our website.
Visit the Grants page to learn more and get started with your Community Grants proposal request.
MyCF to Replace Fluxx as our Grant Application Platform in August
We’re also excited to be transitioning from the Fluxx portal to MyCF—our new, all-in-one platform built to support lasting, positive change in southeast Michigan.
The platform offers enhanced access to data, improved tracking tools, and a more user-friendly experience—designed to meet your needs.
Community Grant proposals that are selected for a full application will be given instructions on how to begin their application in MyCF on Aug. 8. Fluxx will be inaccessible beginning Aug. 21 due to a planned system migration. If you need to reference prior applications or reports, we strongly encourage you to download them before Aug .21.
All data will be securely migrated to our new grant management system during that period. Please note that Community Foundation staff will not have access to Fluxx during the scheduled downtime.
Questions?
For frequently asked questions, visit MyCF Navigator, the Community Foundation’s searchable FAQ site.