STORIES


Stories of growth, stories of impact, stories from our community.

Strengthening the Workforce: Michigan Works! Initiative to Support Returning Citizens

This story is featured in the Michigan Justice Fund’s 2023 Annual Report.    Headquartered in Lansing, Michigan Works! is deeply integrated into local communities through offices and physical service centers...

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Empowering Change: How GRWRC’s New Beginnings Program Transforms the Lives of Incarcerated Women

This story is featured in the Michigan Justice Fund’s 2023 Annual Report.    Throughout its history, GRWRC has been a trailblazer, introducing innovative approaches tailored to uplift disadvantaged populations and...

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Supporting democracy requires us to step up 

Democracy is not a spectator sport. It gives us the opportunity to shape our communities, but to do so, it requires us to be well informed and fully engaged in...

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Q&A: Sticking with philanthropy is ‘worth the effort’ says trustee emeritus Jim Nicholson

For the past 30 years, James B. (Jim) Nicholson has served the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan with a steady voice and a generous spirit, through good and challenging times. ...

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Meet the Team: Nicole Sherard-Freeman, our Chief Operating Officer

Nicole oversees the Foundation’s donor services, finance, grantmaking services, program and the Detroit Regional Workforce Partnership and New Economy Initiative (NEI) teams. We caught up with Nicole and asked her...

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Community Foundation team builds bridges at Mackinac Policy Conference

Last week, the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan attended the 2024 Mackinac Policy Conference, hosted by the Detroit Regional Chamber. Over four days, our team had the opportunity to connect...

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Thriving Together: Transforming Southeast Michigan’s LGBTQ+ Community Through Philanthropy

As we celebrate Pride Month in southeast Michigan, I'm reminded of the profound impact philanthropy and the Community Foundation has had on our LGBTQ+ community....

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Building a thriving community, one ‘everyday interaction’ at a time

The life-changing lesson Mr. Rogers taught me As a child, I would sit in front of our television and watch an older man with a red cardigan sweater open the...

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Community Foundation team inspires, puts values into action at volunteer event

Last October, volunteers from our staff joined Life Remodeled: The Six Day Project to beautify Detroit’s Cooley community.  Nearly half of our staff dedicated their day to make a hands-on impact...

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Thriving Together: Philanthropy’s Vital Role in Fostering Mental Health in Southeast Michigan

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness and understanding of mental health issues. At the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, we recognize the profound impact...

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