2006 AnnuAl RepoRt - Skillman Foundation

Transcription

2006 Annual Report
A voice for Detroit children since 1960
Resident-led movement to remake
six Detroit neighborhoods into places
where kids matter is in full swing
High Hopes
F O U N D A T I O N
A voice for Detroit Children since 1960
2006 Annual Report
Contents
Pursuit of Happiness
Ordinary Detroiters unite to keep smiles on young faces in forgotten neighborhoods . . . 4
Caesar Chavez senior teaching youth to aim higher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Asian community opens up to Osborn grad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Our town, our teammates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Neighborhoods notion takes hold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Good Neighborhoods liaisons and locations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
The Constant Gardener
Cultivating a movement for kids in Detroit’s neighborhoods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Good Neighborhoods timeline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Financial report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Approved grants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Small-grants program lets residents take the lead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
News about the Foundation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Skillman Trustees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Skillman staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
The Skillmans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
On the front cover: Young Detroiter Nigel Wilson takes in a lofty view of Southwest Detroit from Riverside Park.
Photo by Paul Engstrom/Skillman Foundation.
On the back cover: Ravin Demonbreun, 9, in the hallway of her school, Dixon K-8, site of the Cody/Rouge
Good Neighborhoods community meetings. Photo by Paul Engstrom/Skillman Foundation.
Editing: William Hanson, Dorrian McGhee, Laura Swimmer; Design: Blue Skies Studio, Ann Arbor, Mich.
Writing: Edith Assaff, Eddie B. Allen Jr., William Hanson, Dorrian McGhee
Photography: Paul Engstrom, Clarence Tabb Jr., George Waldman, Paul W. Warner
Printing: Inland Press, Detroit, Mich.; Mailing: The Technicom Group, Highland Park, Mich.
www.skillman.org
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George Waldman/Skillman Foundation
Changing so we can be a change maker for children
K
ids matter here. That’s been our mantra the past 18 months, since
we launched our ambitious Good Neighborhoods program. Kids
the Foundation staff and its partners to make the Good Neighborhoods
downtown core of Detroit have gotten the short end of the stick. We want
program a shining success, I also believe there are untapped resources
to change that, and I believe we are well on our way.
out there that can help us transform our neighborhoods into vibrant and
Embracing a movement for kids
The Skillman Foundation is a learning organization. We know we have
Skillman, we haven been a constructive force for Detroit children for nearly
a better chance of making a difference for kids if we can learn from others,
half a century. Our current long-term focus, newly tightened as a result of a
identify change-making models that work, and bring the best of those ideas
comprehensive strategic planning process, is aligned around our two signa-
here. Our focus is Detroit, but we are learning important lessons about how
ture program areas: Good Schools and Good Neighborhoods. A third focus,
to create lasting change for children from other parts of the country.
our Good Opportunities program, is designed to support big projects that
Trustees and senior staff have visited with and learned from colleagues
advance our Good Schools and Good Neighborhoods grantmaking.
at High Tech High, a terrific school in San Diego, the Harlem Children’s
This is my first chair’s message, and I’d like to recognize and thank
Zone, a comprehensive place-based project in Harlem, and the KIPP
Skillman Foundation Trustee Lillian Bauder, my friend and predecessor as
schools in Houston. We are eager to apply some of those lessons here.
born vitality found in the Brightmoor, Cody/Rouge, Osborn, Northend, and
Detroit families in six sections of our city — we did so with a simple plan.
Southwest Detroit neighborhoods. Readers will be provoked and inspired.
We would identify the natural leaders in each neighborhood, and work
other funders to Detroit inside. But I want to personally thank our two key
That said, on the morning we launched, a frigid January Saturday at a
partners, the University of Michigan School of Social Work and the National
worn but welcoming church gymnasium in Southwest Detroit, I was nervous.
Community Development Institute, for being with us every step of the way
Would people come? Would they care enough about their children and their
on this exciting journey.
some significant changes over the past few years, and Lillian and Carol Goss
through which we are making that commitment a reality.
have done a marvelous job managing that change.
Skillman Foundation Chairman Stephen E. Ewing
I’m upbeat about Detroit, but I’m also aware of the serious problems
consensus with their neighbors about how the Foundation should spend its
that gnaw away at the fabric of our community. We are just beginning
money? And if they did, would it be enough to change the odds for kids?
this work, and much of the story has not yet been written. Our success
I needn’t have worried. More than 350 people crowded into Our Lady
for Detroit’s children. Our core grantmaking programs are the vehicles
You’ll read more about our key partnerships and our plans to encourage
closely with them and nonprofits to build a lasting movement for children.
community to sit through the demanding planning meetings to reach a
nity-based and collaborative organization. The Foundation has undergone
We’re very proud of this annual report. It captures the spirit and stub-
Neighborhoods program — a 10-year $100-million commitment to
Foundation Trustees and staff are committed to improving outcomes
Paul Engstrom/Skillman Foundation
N
early two years ago, when the Foundation launched its Good
supportive places for children. We welcome partners.
dren for nearly 50 years. Thanks to a generous gift from our founder, Rose
chair, for her role in shaping the Foundation’s transition to a more commuSkillman Foundation President & CEO Carol Goss reminisces with former neighbor Antoinette Bryan on American Street, in the Chadsey/Condon neighborhood of Southwest Detroit,
where she grew up. Bryan, 74, has lived on American Street for 47 years.
that the Foundation cannot do this work alone. As confident as I am in
matter everywhere, of course, but for too long neighborhoods outside the
The Skillman Foundation has been working on behalf of Detroit chil-
Message from the president
Oft repeated throughout the pages of this annual report is the notion
depends on a movement for children taking permanent hold in the neigh-
Queen of Angels for the first meeting. Our partnership with the neighbor-
borhoods, and, ultimately, right across Detroit. I know there are champions
hoods has been firing mostly on all cylinders ever since. I turned 60 earlier
out there who will be moved to action by something in this report. I want
this year, and I’ve spent most of my life in Detroit. I thought I knew my
to hear from them. Together, we can make Detroit work for children and
hometown pretty well. Optimist that I am, I had no idea there was this
families again.
Message from the Chair
much enthusiasm for change and such willingness among neighbors to
take on hard work to improve conditions for their kids.
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Neighborhood activist and valedictorian James Moody.
Pursuit of Happiness
Ordinary Detroiters unite to keep smiles on young faces in forgotten neighborhoods
By Edith Assaff
W
hen James Moody was a senior at the Detroit Academy
hoods, with more than 200 guns turned in on the first day.
of Arts in 2005, he became fed up with hearing
The guns were melted down, never again to present a potential
sporadic nighttime gunfire in his neighborhood.
He found students from other Detroit schools who were also
angered by gang wars, the threat of violence and the feeling
that their brothers and sisters were not safe walking to school.
These students, later dubbed the Skillman Five, approached
Sisters, from left, Yoselin Duran,
5, Reyna Duran, 10, and
Jennifer Duran, 7, play tag
in Clark Park, in
Southwest Detroit.
danger to Detroit kids.
The Skillman Five’s gun buy-back was the largest in the
city’s history.
With the launch of the Foundation’s Good Neighborhoods
program in January 2006, James Moody went on to become a
the Neighborhood Service Organization’s Youth Initiative
teen leader within his Osborn neighborhood, recruiting and
Project with an idea: They would initiate a youth-led gun
training other young people for community service projects.
buy-back program, in which guns could be traded for gift
He extended the impact of the gun buy-back by providing gun
certificates for food and gas, in order to get as many guns
safety education on the radio and in street theatre, and distrib-
out of Detroit neighborhoods as possible.
uting trigger locks to prevent gun accidents. Moody graduated
Going door-to-door with the Detroit Police, these young
president and valedictorian of his class and went on to enroll
people, with funding from The Skillman Foundation and local
in Florida A & M, a historically black college, on a scholarship
businesses, bought back 683 guns from Detroit neighbor-
from the Jalen Rose Foundation.

5
Moody is the sort of natural leader targeted
by the Foundation’s Good Neighborhoods
program, which aims to improve conditions
applications will be funded, and stay with that
neighborhood over a long period of time. In
from others.
“James Moody is a particularly outstanding example of neighborhood
leadership, because as a teenager, he just waded in and set not only his own
neighborhood, but the entire city on its ear,” says Frank McGhee, program
director for the Neighborhood Service Organization’s Youth Initiative Project.
“Those 683 guns will never kill, injure, or even be fired again, because of
James and his cohorts.”
McGhee said we are witnessing a new generation of Detroit leaders stepping up to take on the mantle of responsibility in their own neighborhoods.
“Skillman’s Good Neighborhoods program is providing a jump-start for
both youth and adults,” he says. “As Thomas Edison said, ‘Opportunity is
missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.’
These new leaders are not afraid to roll up their sleeves and do the heavy
lifting in order to seize the opportunity Skillman is offering to make their
neighborhoods better places for kids.”
It is natural leaders such as Moody that inspired the Foundation to launch
“The problem with many programs is that they take on too much and the
impact on any one kid is not that great, and doesn’t last that long,” Aikens
near her home.
says. “We decided to try and make a profound and lasting impact on a few
“I wanted the park to be brought back to life for the kids,” Crowell says.
kids and stay connected with them throughout their lives.”
“Where there once was life in the park, it had become dead.”
Ernest Hemingway spoke of the human need for a clean, well-lighted
In 2006, the first four neighborhoods were launched: Southwest Detroit,
place. But Crowell will tell you that it’s not just angst-ridden Hemingway
consisting of Vernor and Chadsey/Condon; Brightmoor; and Osborn.
protagonists who share this need — every individual fares better in an
Foundation Vice President Tonya Allen has spent the past two years deeply
environment that is conducive to health and safety.
involved in developing and launching the Good Neighborhoods program.
Crowell worked with Bridging Communities to obtain a Good
“The Skillman Foundation has changed its focus to become a proactive
Neighborhoods grant from the Foundation. The grant enabled them to
leader, serving a new role as catalyst in the community, and harnessing the
contract with the University of Detroit Mercy’s Detroit Design Collaborative
power of the neighborhoods to establish an action agenda for children,” Allen
to develop a master plan for the park. The plans for Dingeman Park include
says. “The initiative is directed at transforming these neighborhoods, where
a wide variety of family and youth recreational spaces, and the park was
the most children reside in the most need, into healthy, safe and supportive
recently picked as a site for the Mayor’s Motor City Make-Over. Crowell
places for kids.
was especially pleased to see Allen and her daughter who came to offer
“The Foundation supports the view that the neighborhood is the best
their support at the park’s first clean-up day.
venue for making meaningful change for families and children, because
Now Crowell serves on the small grant resident review committee
children do well when their families do well, and families do better when
for the Foundation, reviewing Good Neighborhoods grant applications.
they experience supportive neighborhoods.”
“All it boils down to is, people need to work with people,” Crowell says.
the Good Neighborhoods program, predicated on the belief that Detroiters
Back to Brightmoor, with a mission
Jamail and Nicole Aikens, co-directors of City Mission, want to have a lasting impact on
their Brightmoor associates.
Jamail Aikens, a Brightmoor resident, spent his youth in extreme poverty and
learned as a child to shoulder what Detroit poet Robert Hayden called “love’s
austere and lonely offices.”
“I know what it’s like to care for toddler siblings for days at a time,
City Mission began with mentoring and tutoring services, and grew to
include leadership development for children and young people. It now has
an elementary school, City Mission Academy, serving grades K-4. Plans are
lives of Detroit children and their parents and their schools,” says Foundation
wondering if my mother would ever come home,” Aikens says. “I know what
underway to build a new school that will extend the grade level through
President Carol Goss. “We have changed the landscape for kids in many
it’s like to be a child who looked into an empty refrigerator and wondered if
middle school.
ways, but well-being indicators for kids in Detroit are actually getting worse.
I would eat that day, to not have heat in the winter time, and to live without
electricity and running water.”
“We felt a change of direction was needed for our work. We have not
Aikens succeeded, with the help of a caring adult mentor, in completing
reached the neediest kids with intensity or duration. We felt our efforts had
Parents who enroll their children at City Mission Academy or engage them
in other programs find that they are also the beneficiaries of services as they
are drawn into the City Mission family.
not been broad enough or gone deep enough and had not gone where the
high school and went on through college, culminating with a masters in
Carolina Glover, for example, works as office manager at City Mission
kids live, nor were they sustained over time.”
business administration. As an adult, he remembered the life-changing
while her children attend City Mission Academy. She is studying English as a
impact a mentor had on him, and decided to make this happen for other
second language at City Mission and plans to start her own business making
kids from similar circumstances. He and his wife, Nicole, moved back to
matching dresses for little girls and their dolls.
Goss and the Foundation Board of Trustees had a radical new approach
to the problem: Serve kids where they live, let the residents themselves decide
6
One hundred of them are engaged at City Mission in one capacity or another.
developed a special interest in rejuvenating run-down Dingeman Park
in these neighborhoods live in poverty.
“For more than 20 years, The Skillman Foundation has been investing in the
In the City Mission subcommunity, approximately 1,500 children reside.
of my house and joined with other people.” She began to volunteer and
all children/youth in Detroit, or more than 65,000 kids. Half of the children
Building community,
by being community
has grown steadily each year, and City Mission now tutors 80 students.
pretty much as a keep-to-herself person. One day, as she says, “I came out
six neighborhoods comprise 30 percent of
And given support, they will don the overalls and do the work.
What began with seven students and seven volunteer tutors in 1998
But it wasn’t always this way. Crowell lived 19 years in Southwest Detroit
(Central), and Cody/Rouge. Together, these
know what to do to make their own neighborhoods healthy places for children.
them the opportunity to graduate and achieve their career goals.
borhood, to make each block proud.”
Osborn, Vernor, Chadsey/Condon, Northend
Good Neighborhoods program is a “jump-start for both youth and
adults,” says Neighborhood Service Organization’s Frank McGhee.
nonprofit they founded to help children develop academically, giving
have a dream, I have a passion,” says Crowell. “A passion to rebuild the neigh-
Detroit neighborhoods of Brightmoor,
to identify the practical actions needed, and
child at a time. Jamail and Nicole are co-directors of City Mission, the
Southwest Detroit (Vernor and Chadsey/Condon) neighborhood. “I don’t
invest $100 million over 10 years in the
the foresight to nail the problems, the insight
Brightmoor to help restore life and hope to their old neighborhood, one
A supportive neighborhood is what Sheila Crowell has in mind for her
program, the Foundation has pledged to
Like Moody, these natural leaders have
their ideas and garner support and solidarity
residents a role in determining which grant
launching the 10-year Good Neighborhoods
for kids in six Detroit neighborhoods.
the energy and determination to carry out
Residents light the way
what the funding priorities should be, give
A city of natural leaders
Harlem Children’s Zone President/CEO Geoffrey Canada, an informal advisor to The Skillman Foundation, shown
with Carol Goss and Tonya Allen, spoke with Skillman Foundation grantees and neighborhood activists in Detroit
earlier this year.
u
7
If failure is an option, Andrea Hernandez
doesn’t appear to know it.
A native of Mexico who moved to
Southwest Detroit with her family at age
5, Hernandez is determined to rise above
adverse elements of her culture’s and
Andrea Hernandez of Southwest Detroit.
community’s lowest expectations.
“Southwest Detroit is primarily a Hispanic
community, so everybody here is kind of taught from a young age that we’re not really
going to go anywhere,” said Hernandez, 16, who attends Caesar Chavez Academy.
“So a lot of people drop out of school and go to work. A lot of the girls get pregnant.
“You sort of think you’re not going to go anywhere in life. It’s low morale. That’s
what it is.”
Fortunately for her, as the eldest of five children, Hernandez said her parents
pushed the family in a different direction, seeking work and knowing no one except
a few family members.
“They’ve always taught us that we’ve got to do something with our lives,”
she said. “That’s the reason we came over here.”
Determined to live up to her parents’ expectations, Hernandez hopes to take
other youths along on her journey. In 2007, she joined The Skillman Foundation’s
Good Neighborhoods Initiative. Launched in January 2006, the program provides
full-scale support to six neighborhoods where more than 65,000 youth live, including
Southwest Detroit, the Brightmoor area, and the Osborn, Northend and Cody/Rouge
high school communities. Primarily targeting the 50 percent of youth who live in
poverty throughout these areas, Good Neighborhoods seeks to work directly with
citizens and parents, develop partnerships with organizations involved in youth
projects and support exemplary models of success in designated neighborhoods.
“What interested me is that I live in the neighborhood and I see the problems
that are going on,” Hernandez said. “I’m the type of person that, when I see a problem
going on, I don’t want to just sit by and watch it happen.”
Hernandez attended the program’s initial planning meeting, where she and
other youths collectively brainstormed to create a concept that eventually will be
incorporated with the long-range Good Neighborhoods effort.
“They defined problems and we had to find a way to fix them,” she said.
“We came up with the idea to set up a youth center.”
Since the first session, Hernandez became involved with a youth council
through the Detroit Hispanic Development Corp., and she eagerly awaits the
chance to become more active with Good Neighborhoods.
An academically top-ranked junior last school year, Hernandez is eager
to complete her senior year at Caesar Chavez and study business in college.
Her hope is that, through involvement and with Good Neighborhoods’
ongoing support, she will soon see a transformation and greater optimism
among her Southwest Detroit peers.
“Basically, I would like to see youth in the community change their minds
about what they could be and their potential,” she said. “I want them to see that
they have the biggest potential in the whole country. I’m sure you’ve heard that the
Hispanic population is growing faster than any other, so I want them to realize the
advantage they have right here in Southwest Detroit.”
— By Eddie B. Allen Jr., a Detroit-based freelance journalist
8
Chris Herriotte and his wife, Pat, both work at City
Asian community
opens up to Osborn grad
encouraging relative-providers to become trained as
Mission where their second-grader attends City Mission
licensed child care providers, thus enabling them to be
Academy and their other children participate in other
eligible for an even higher subsidy, and also enabling them
programs. Pat serves as marketing assistant and Chris is
to provide care for non-relative children, which would
director of maintenance but plans to go to college in the fall
create new entrepreneurial opportunities in the community.
to study business administration. He has initiated his own
Deal and Bryant approached Detroit Parent Network
program at City Mission, “Rites of Passage,” a 12-week
with their idea of canvassing the Southwest community to
program that targets young men of junior high and high
determine the number of relative-providers, to inform rela-
school age and teaches them important issues related to
tive-providers of the child-care licensing requirements, and
manhood and making good life choices. Chris refers to City
to encourage to them to seek licensing, whether or not the
Mission as “an oasis in the desert.”
relative-provider program was cut. Together, they applied
One of the Foundation grants City Mission received
funded a college tour for City Mission kids. Chris and Pat’s
for and received a Good Neighborhoods learning grant.
“We were so impressed by the insight that Ms. Deal and
seventh-grade daughter, Iyahanna, participated in the tour,
Ms. Bryant demonstrated in tackling this problem with a
visiting historically black colleges and Ivy League colleges.
goal of turning it into a better opportunity for everyone,”
When staff at Wellesley College in Massachusetts, one of the
says Sharlonda Buckman, executive director of Detroit
Seven Sisters Ivy League women’s colleges, told Iyahanna
Parent Network. “This is the kind of program that we see
they hoped they would see her back in a few years as a
every day in our parent members. Detroit Parent Network
Wellesley student, Iyahanna said, “Thank you, but I’m going
was founded on the principle that parents can do what is
to Princeton!’’
best for their children with the support of other parents and
funders such as Skillman. Evelyn and Charlace are great
A city of entrepreneurs
Henry Ford’s admonition about turning obstacles into
opportunties is advice well-taken by Southwest Detroit residents Evelyn Deal and her daughter Charlace Bryant, whose
ability to turn lemons into lemonade was demonstrated
when they learned that the State of Michigan’s relative-providers child care subsidy program was slated to be cut.
Deal and Bryant realized that this would be a major
obstacle and could result in a child care crisis for Southwest
Detroit. But they also saw it as an opportunity. The relativeproviders program reimburses family members who provide
day care for parents receiving DHS services. The elimination
of this program would be keenly felt in Southwest Detroit,
where the Latino community relies heavily on extended
family to provide child care. The cut would result in a loss of
child care availability for the children in the community, the
loss of income for those relative-providers, and hardship for
the families who depend on relatives as a low-cost source of
child care to be able to work outside the home.
But Deal and Bryant saw the potential program cut as an
opportunity to take Southwest Detroit to the next level by
examples of parent leaders and neighborhood leaders.”
According to findings of a recent Skillman-funded
survey by Lawrence Technological University, it appears
that entrepreneurs in the Osborn neighborhood have a
host of resources and support to tap.
Bob Inskeep, executive director of Lawrence Tech’s
Center for Non-Profit Management, is in the business of
ensuring success. The center helps nonprofit leaders
become effective managers. He is also active in promoting
plans for a university-wide Center for Entrepreneurship at
Lawrence Tech.
During the fall of 2006, Lawrence Tech’s Center for
Nonprofit Management began work on a Good
Neighborhoods planning grant to evaluate the potential for
micro-enterprise in the Osborn neighborhood. Osborn
youth and adults were hired as resident surveyors to
conduct a survey of the neighborhood in order to measure,
among other things, how interested Osborn youth, adults
and business owners would be in learning how to establish,
grow and maintain small businesses in the Osborn community. They polled 209 youth, 108 adult residents and 24
u
Maichou Lor vividly remembers the rejections from black children during her playground
days on Detroit’s east side.
“Go back to your own country, you Chinese!” they would say.
She was no more Chinese than her would-be playmates, but it didn’t make any
difference.
Born in Thailand, Lor moved to Detroit with her parents when she was 3 and spoke
little English during those early, culturally shocking years. As a member of the Hmong
(also Mong) people, who originated in Asia and now represent about 270,000 residents
of the United States, Lor began a difficult growth process that included respecting her
family’s traditional ways, while becoming “Americanized” in her new country.
“I kinda got bullied around a little bit,” Lor, now 17, said with a good-natured
chuckle.
Today, she chuckles and smiles often, but then, it was a gradual process as
she began learning English and dealt with the ignorance of her schoolmates and
neighborhood peers.
By the time she was 9, Lor found the courage to approach a new group of black
children, inviting herself into their closed circle.
“I told them, ‘I’m not Chinese anymore,’ and I started telling them about my culture,”
she said. “They actually listened, and asked ‘What is Hmong?’ They started opening up to
me, so I started opening up to them.”
With the support of a Skillman Foundation grant, Lor and fellow members of the
Detroit Asian Youth Project (DAY) have been opening up to each other and the community
throughout 2007. The program, which pairs young Asians like Lor with college-aged,
Asian mentors, enables them to explore history, hidden talents and engage in
philanthropic efforts. The members meet weekly at St. Raymond’s Church in Detroit
during the school year and three times a week during the summer.
“We learn about self-confidence, promoting other youth to do better in Detroit,
and also, we do a lot of community service,” said Lor, who has worked two years in
the project.
Lor is one of about 20 members and mentors who participate in the program.
The group recently visited the Freedom House in Detroit, where the youths interviewed
facilitators at the refugee housing and resource network for a planned documentary.
Not only has she made new friends in the program and within the local Asian
community, but Lor became popular with the black students at Osborn High School,
where she recently graduated with a 3.97 grade average. She plans to attend the
University of Detroit Mercy, where she’ll study nursing on a full-tuition scholarship.
Her difficult experience as a newcomer to the United States, combined with
her journey of personal growth and exploration — academically and socially through
the DAY program — helped influence Lor’s valedictorian speech.
“We have waited for this day, but this is only
Maichou Lor of Osborn.
the first step towards success,” she told Osborn’s
commencement audience. “We all have made the
right decisions to stay, be brave, dream big.”
Lor said her commitment to pursuing all of
her goals will largely be influenced by opportunities
provided through Skillman and DAY.
Lor offers her thanks to the Foundation.
Then she laughs that happy laugh again.
Caesar Chavez
senior teaching
youth to aim
higher
— By Eddie B. Allen Jr., a Detroit-based
freelance journalist
in developing entrepreneurial skills, and their experience and willingness to
the Osborn community. His vision for the future of Osborn is “to have more
help develop entrepreneurs and various micro-enterprises.
stores owned by black people who live in the neighborhood.”
“We were delighted to discover hundreds of young people and adults
“It’s clear that many important conditions and resources already exist
who want to learn how to start their own Osborn businesses,” Inskeep says.
within the Osborn community necessary to create micro-enterprises and the
“In light of this overwhelming desire, they deserve the support needed to
entrepreneurs needed to run them,” Inskeep says. “Not only do youth and
make their vision a reality.”
adults possess a vision of the type of businesses sorely needed in the commu-
ACTS: A Call to Service, bringing the faith-based community together to
Lambert, who plans to attend Wayne State University, also volunteers in
community business owners about the type of business needed, their interest
provide seamless non-school hours programs and services for children.
“I’m so pleased to see the faith-based community once again step up
for the Good Neighborhoods program,” says Thornton. “New leaders are
emerging who may not have previously played a leadership role in their
place of worship, but the program gives everyone the opportunity to lead.”
The planning process that has rolled out this past year in the first four
nity, they appear to have the all important motivation to take steps to start a
neighborhoods was initially centered on establishing a neighborhood goal
Seventy-one percent of the youth and adults surveyed indicated an interest
business. Equally important, various business owners, school officials and
for kids. Having residents reach a consensus on one neighborhood goal
in starting their own business in the Osborn neighborhood. Fully 73 percent
other community leaders from within Osborn have been identified as poten-
was essential before anything else could proceed, Goss said.
tial partners in helping to train, mentor and support future entrepreneurs.”
“If people take on too much, they get fragmented and fatigued and
Although there are resource gaps in the Osborn community, Inskeep says
they begin to lose heart,” Goss says. “We wanted the neighborhood to come
that proven models and assistance for planning, funding, and launching new
to agreement around one goal, then develop multiple strategies to achieve
businesses can be placed within reach of the residents of Osborn by tapping
Ed Egnatios, Skillman Foundation senior program officer, oversees all Good Neighborhoods
grantmaking activity, and is the primary contact for the Vernor and Chadsey/Condon neighborhoods in Southwest Detroit.
a number of resources from throughout the metropolitan Detroit area. With
proper funding and coordination, these resources can be leveraged to develop
and strengthen Osborn residents’ skills to help them launch new or expand
existing businesses and enhance their overall quality of life.
Ordinary Detroiters step up
Sheila Crowell is an example of the many new neighborhood leaders who
have emerged in the context of the Good Neighborhoods program.
Survey results revealed strong entrepreneurial interest within Osborn.
than 300 people who typically attended each meeting. At the last of the large
meetings in each neighborhood, a celebration was held with an emotional
“march of the children,” followed by music and dance performances by the
neighborhood’s talented young people and adults.
Residents have led the Good Neighborhoods process in every step,
including serving on grant review committees and on a variety of neighborhood action planning teams for developing the final implementation plans
neighborhood. “The Good Neighborhoods program is a proving ground
starting or expanding a business in Osborn. Eighty-three percent of these
business owners indicated an interest in hiring Osborn youth to help them
learn about managing a small business. Ninety-four percent of the youth
ages 13–19 responding indicated a willingness to consider attending training
to teach them the skills needed to plan and launch a business venture.
Additionally 95 percent of the youth surveyed indicated a willingness to
consider learning business skills from current business owners, providing
a minimum wage stipend was paid to them.
Johnnie Lambert, an Osborn High School senior who served as a resident
surveyor for the project, was surprised by how many young girls had hopes
of owning their own businesses.
“More girls than boys said they wanted to start a business,” he says. “They
were mostly interested in starting hair salons or day care centers. The boys
tended to be more interested in having a music store.”
10
around critical issues identified by each neighborhood.
for this type of leadership. We have leaders who have no official position
Throughout the process, grant funds have been available, as long as
with an agency but who have initiated programs and actions for kids on
Sharnita Johnson, Skillman Foundation program officer, is the primary contact for the Osborn
and Northend neighborhoods.
hoods. What people have done on a shoe-string is amazing. What they can
do with a little organized support is astounding.”
Sharnita Johnson, Skillman program officer for the Osborn neighborhood, concurs. The Foundation’s small grants program, Community
Connections, is directed by residents who review applications and make
recommendations on funding and projects for the neighborhood.
“I am always impressed by the insight of the neighborhood leaders,
most of whom have no grant-making experience or organizational
neighborhood goal — learning/planning grants less than $5,000 to acquire
determine needs of youth and families; small grants less than $5,000 for
individual residents and neighborhood groups to help them launch ideas
with a nonprofit fiduciary; and large grants for more extensive or longer
term projects and partnerships. To date, the Foundation had invested
more than $12 million in the initial four neighborhoods and dozens of
community organizations.
“We wanted to identify people and organizations already doing work with
affiliation, but who have emerged as champions for youth and their
kids without much support — the natural leaders who are out there on their
community, and who can assess grant applications with a seasoned
own making a difference for kids in their neighborhood,” Goss says. “We want
eye,” Johnson says.
to lift up those people and provide them with enough support to take their
The leadership that the faith-based community has shown especially
ideas up a notch, or 10 notches. We want people to feel there’s hope.”
pleases Robert Thornton, Skillman program officer for the Brightmoor
community. Thornton headed Skillman’s five-year faith-based initiative,
the applications demonstrated that the project in question supported the
knowledge about the status of neighborhood assets and problems and to
of current or former business owners surveyed indicated an interest in
smaller targeted focus group meetings, took place in each neighborhood to
voting devices were used to expedite voting at the large meetings by the more
Ed Egnatios, Skillman senior program officer for the Southwest Detroit
their own as they saw the need, long before Skillman came to their neighbor-
A series of a half-dozen large neighborhood meetings, along with many
establish goals and strategies that residents could agree upon. Electronic
“We often hear it said that leadership is action, not position,” says
“We were delighted to discover hundreds of young people and adults who want to learn
how to start their own Osborn businesses,” says Bob Inskeep, executive director of
Lawrence Tech’s Center for Non-Profit Management.
that goal.”
u
Robert Thornton, Skillman Foundation program officer, is the primary contact for the
Brightmoor and Cody/Rouge neighborhoods.
11
According to the many neighborhood leaders who
have been involved with the Good Neighborhoods
program since its inception, there is indeed hope.
This is confirmed by the number of new leaders
in neighborhoods such
as abandoned buildings,
junk vehicles, and illegal
of the onset of a socially
neighborhoods.
Tony Russell and his wife, Valerie, serve
as co-pastors of New Covenant of Peace in
foot patrols.
“I believe that the program coming to our area
has brought hope,” Russell says. “There’s a buzz . . .
“I don’t see the lethargy and apathy I used to see,” says Tony Russell, shown with his wife, Valerie. The Russells are
co-pastors of New Covenant of Peace, in the Osborn neighborhood.
Dennis Talbert, a Brightmoor resident, is pastor of the Student Ministries
Department (SMD) at Rosedale Park Baptist Church and is also president of
the Michigan Neighborhood Partnership, a faith-based nonprofit dedicated
to building capacity in small organizations.
that has had an impact not only on residents, but on other investors and
donors as well. Skillman has become a catalyst for significant change in
all the neighborhoods.”
Father Edward Zaorski, vicar for the Southwest Vicariate of the
Archdiocese of Detroit, has seen people emerge as neighborhood leaders
“Good Neighborhoods is probably one of the most unique programs
from the Catholic Churches he pastors (All Saints, St. John Cantius, St. Andrew
developed by any foundation or organization to impact children and youth
& Benedict, and St. Stephens/Mary Mother of the Church, where he is tempo-
in any community,” he says. “For Skillman to say, ‘We’re going to walk with
rary administrator). Father Zaorski grew up in Southwest Detroit and is reas-
you to see systemic change in the lives of your children’ — this is a bold move
sured by the emergence of grassroots leadership that he has witnessed in the
Good Neighborhoods program while serving on
“Skillman has become a catalyst for significant change in all the neighborhoods,” says Dennis Talbert, Brightmoor
resident and pastor of the Student Ministries Department at Rosedale Park Baptist Church.
Skillman’s small grant resident review committee.
“Skillman is one of the few organizations to act
upon the assumption that every person has an intuitive
knowledge of their own situation and what is best for
themselves and their children,” he says. “Skillman is
not only allowing, but encouraging, leadership at the
grassroots level. And they are in for the long term. I
see people rising up to new leadership roles because
they believe Skillman will keep its promises.”
Mike Fisher, president and CEO of Detroit
Community Initiative, has lived in the Osborn neighborhood for 21 years. His agency is helping young
leaders emerge by engaging them in community
problem solving.
cies come in and do studies
on us, but nothing ever
happened,” Hawkins says.
Hawkins, who serves
as executive director of
the Trinity Community
for and received a Good
Development Center in
Neighborhoods grant to
Brightmoor, sees the value
demonstrate a new model
of the elderly as leaders, and
of collaborative neighborhood problem solving.
is especially concerned about
“I see people rising up to new leadership roles because they believe Skillman will keep its promises,” says
Father Edward Zaorski, vicar for the Southwest Vicariate of the Archdiocese of Detroit.
the needs of re-parenting
charged us into action. I don’t see the lethargy and apathy I used to see.”
“We’ve had a lot of agen-
had any movement.”
“The goal of our project is
Skillman’s new program has lifted us — turbo
come and go over the years.
can render an entire neigh-
His agency applied
role in community security through radio and
seen projects and programs
“This is the first time we’ve
itable,” Fisher says.
A Neighborhood) recruits men to take an active
community activist, and has
destructive process that
borhood virtually uninhab-
Osborn. Their MAN Network (Maintaining
who have been in the trenches struggling feel that
of dangerous conditions
dumping are symptoms
stepping up and making things happen in their
there’s a stir . . . there’s hope. Grassroots people
“The ongoing presence
Sowing the seeds of hope
to achieve systemic change in
how government and community work together, smarter
and faster to address persistent neighborhood problems
that affect Detroiters’ quality
grandparents.
“So many of our young
people are being raised by
their grandparents and their
grandparents have difficulty
dealing with this generation
because it is so different from
theirs,” Hawkins says. “Most
of life.”
of the people who are elderly
Twenty-five Osborn youth
received training in such
have their grandchildren
technologies as GPS (Global
living with them, so when you
Positioning Systems) and GIS
serve the elderly you are bene-
(Geographic Information
fiting young people as well.”
Tonya Thomas Jefferson, a
Systems) mapping of
Southwest Detroit resident
dangerous neighborhood
conditions, as well as education in community problem
“The goal of our project is to achieve systemic change in how government and community work together,” says
Mike Fisher, president and CEO of Detroit Community Initiative.
solving. The young people are
who works as a community
nutrition assistant for the city
and also serves as resident
also gaining experience working on neighborhood problems with govern-
co-convener for the neighborhood’s Youth/Family Economic Well-Being
ment representatives from the Eastern District of the Detroit Police
Action Planning Team, sees young people as untapped family leaders.
Department and the Mayor’s office.
Her Skillman-funded project focused on getting kids to lay a foundation
“The Good Neighborhoods program has created the momentum to see
significant change in the neighborhoods,” Fisher says. “And the rate of change
will be accelerated because of the innovative projects funded by Skillman.”
Lucinda Hawkins, a longtime Brightmoor resident, has always been a
for staying healthy through good nutrition and exercise.
“A lot of kids out of necessity actually do their own meal preparation
at home,” she says. “We show them how to make healthy choices, and also
how to help their parents set healthy menus and make better choices in
u
13
focused on selecting common neighborhood goals/strategies; making
sure the voice of the residents is heard at the many community meetings;
and harnessing the action teams in each neighborhood to develop implementation plans.
“When I see what youth, residents and agencies can accomplish together with
the structure and resources from NCDI, Skillman and other key partners, I am
excited about what these neighborhoods will accomplish over the next 10 years,”
Gulley says.
Another key partner in the Good Neighborhoods work is the University of
Michigan School of Social Work, which provides technical support. Professor
Larry Gant leads the U-M team on the ground. Besides providing continuous
research and data for the Good Neighborhoods program, Gant’s team offers
residents workshops on such topics as fundraising and grant writing. The
U-M team along with Detroit Parent Network Facilitator Yolanda Eddins also
“We’ve had a lot of agencies come in and do studies on us, but nothing ever happened,”
says Brightmoor resident and activist Lucinda Hawkins.
spearheaded the first community focus groups for the program. Eddins led
12 focus groups — two in each neighborhood — to gather preliminary insight
the supermarket, and when ordering out in restaurants. Kids have a lot
on what the critical issues were as perceived by residents.
of influence with their parents. If we reach the children, we can change
“The passion that came out of those focus groups convinced me that the
the home environment. The Foundation is helping to encourage kids to
program was right on target,” Eddins says. “People want so much change in
assume this role.”
their neighborhoods. I definitely got the feeling that they wanted to be more than
a voice but an active part of the change while staying involved. They want more
A little help from our friends
for the children.”
One important reason for the success of the Good Neighborhoods program
Kids matter here
is the passion of the many people who have been instrumental in helping
Skillman reach the community. Especially crucial are the community liaisons
For all its success, the first year of the Good Neighborhoods program has had its
who work at the neighborhood level helping residents and agencies come
rough spots as the plan unrolls. The amount of time spent in meetings for the
together: Maria Anita Salinas in Southwest Detroit; Quincy Jones in Osborn;
program has been challenging for some agencies. Residents have also voiced
and Arlene Kimbrough in Brightmoor. Two new liaisons — Lamont Cole
concerns about the number of meetings and the lengthy process.
in the Northend (Central), and Kenyetta Peoples in Cody/Rouge — were
But generally the time and thought involved in unrolling the program is
hired in September 2007. This group of community organizers serves as
appreciated, as it ensures an inclusive endeavor that calls everyone to action.
Much time is expended, for example, on attending to details that make
funding, and supporting residents and organizations already involved
everyone feel comfortable and included, such as interpreters at meetings
in doing the work. The action plans were developed by residents, led by
for non-English speaking Latino, Arabic, and Hmong residents, as well as
a resident co-convener and a host agency. A process is in place in each
translation of written materials.
neighborhood for “checking-in” via on-going, community-wide meetings;
“Although Skillman has done an excellent job of drawing upon lessons
from previous initiatives around the country, a well-developed road map
communication; and engagement activities.
“The action plan for each neighborhood is not about determining ‘This is
for this kind of neighborhood work simply does not exist,” says Prudence
what we will do,’ ” says Allen. “It’s about standing up in 10 years and saying,
Brown, research fellow at Chapin Hall Center for Children at the University
‘This is what we have done.’ Kids matter here. Today. And forever more.”
Good Neighborhoods work, and has helped the Foundation develop and
of Chicago. “As a consequence, the Foundation recognizes that it must take
As the Good Neighborhoods program rolls out in the Northend and
implement the framework for community involvement in the program.
a flexible, entrepreneurial approach that is highly responsive to demands
Cody/Rouge neighborhoods this fall, one thing is clear: Ordinary Detroiters
and opportunities on the ground, testing new strategies and discarding
have limitless enthusiasm and energy for transforming their neighborhoods
ones that are not working.”
into places where children can thrive.
the neighborhood arm of the National Community Development Institute
in Detroit. NCDI, which is based in Oakland, Calif., is a partner in the
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow speaks with Brightmoor residents last year.
“We could not have accomplished all that we have in Brightmoor, Osborn,
Chadsey/Condon and Vernor without our incredibly dedicated community
Skillman staff has tried to be responsive to feedback from residents and
liaisons,” says Kelley D. Gulley, president and CEO of NCDI. “They live
“It’s what keeps us going,” says Allen. “We feed off that people power in
agencies in order to keep the program agile and flexible. Any difficulties
the neighborhoods. We knew it was out there, but we had no idea it would be
make things happen.”
encountered will not deter the Foundation from its 10-year commitment
this strong. It’s given everyone at the Foundation such high hopes for Detroit,
in the six neighborhoods.
for our neighborhoods, and, most importantly, for our children.”
steam for the past two years with Allen and the Foundation’s staff to organize
and roll out the framework in each neighborhood. In any neighborhood, you
might see the NCDI team working to get residents and agencies together and
Paul W. Warner/Skillman Foundation
in, or were raised in, these neighborhoods and are the front line troops who
Gulley and Dr. Omowale Satterwhite, founder of NCDI, have worked full
14
Osborn homeowner Roslyn McKenney and her children Emanuel and Nathaniel get a home energy consultation from George Highgate of WARM Training Center, as part of the Osborn
Energy Savers program.
Meanwhile, community action plans have been completed for the first
four neighborhoods and residents are addressing how to ensure that their
— Edith Assaff is a Berkley-based writer who has chronicled the Good Neighborhoods
program since its inception.
comprehensive plans are implemented, including identifying and securing
15
Our town, our teammates
T
community liaisons are Detroiters with deep
he Skillman Foundation’s 10-year $100-
roots in their respective neighborhoods.
million Good Neighborhoods program targets
six Detroit neighborhoods. More than 65,000
(Photographs and contact information for
children live in these neighborhoods, roughly
the community liaisons are above and below
30% of the child population in Detroit. Half of the
the map on the adjacent page.)
Though neither is from Detroit, NCDI’s
children in these neighborhoods live in poverty.
Kelley Gulley and Omowale Satterwhite are
The six neighborhoods are:
charismatic and captivating community
 Southwest Detroit (Vernor
builders and public speakers. The Good
and Chadsey/Condon)
 Brightmoor
 Osborn
 Northend
 Cody/Rouge
University of Michigan team: From left, Project Coordinator Kristin
E. McGee, Dean Paula Allen-Meares, Project Manager Kara L. Ziedins,
Professor Larry M. Gant, Associate Professor Leslie D. Hollingsworth,
and Assistant Professor Trina R. Shanks. Not pictured: Tammy Miller,
senior executive secretary, and Patricia Miller, program manager.
Osborn Community Goal:
Families have all of the resources and
support necessary to make their children
successful in life.
Northend Community Goal:
Northend is a proactive community organized
to provide a high-quality education and
resources to meet the needs of its children
and families.
Quincy Jones
Osborn community liaison
National Community Development Institute
Matrix Human Services Center
13560 East McNichols
Detroit, MI 48205
Phone: 313.526.4001
Fax: 313.526.6319
Mobile: 313.384.0582
[email protected]
Lamont R. Cole
Northend community liaison
Vanguard Community Development
Corporation
2758 E. Grand Blvd.
Detroit, MI 48211
Phone: 313.841.7380
Fax: 313.841.3730
Mobile: 313.213.1618
[email protected]
Arlene Kimbrough
Brightmoor community liaison
Brightmoor Community Center
14451 Burt Road
Detroit, MI 48223
Phone: 313.531.0305
Fax: 313.531.7336
Mobile: 313.384.3727
[email protected]
Neighborhoods process involves an often
grueling schedule of community meetings,
Good Neighborhoods locations
but both Gulley and Satterwhite have
approached each meeting with such vigor
Osborn
and candor that they were able to quickly
The Good Neighborhoods program’s chief
objective is to transform Detroit’s neighborhoods
win the trust and affection of Detroit
into healthy, safe and supportive environments
residents.
75
“The Skillman Foundation’s Good
for children, youth, and their families by working
directly with concerned citizens and other
Neighborhoods program is flipping the switch
stakeholders.
in neighborhoods and communities,” says
10
NCDI leaders: President & CEO Kelley D. Gulley, left, and founder,
Dr. Frank J. Omowale Satterwhite.
from the University of Michigan School of Social Work, and the Oakland,
friend in these communities. Yes, Skillman is a funder, but to the children
California-based National Community Development Institute. NCDI
and residents of the neighborhoods, they are much, much more.”
Hamtramck
96
Gant. “It’s truly becoming an embedded and
deeply rooted champion, institution, and
Detroit-based community development experts
Highland
Park
Brightmoor
University of Michigan Professor Larry M.
On the ground in the neighborhoods, the
Foundation’s two key partners are a team of
Brightmoor Community Goal:
All Brightmoor youth will have access to
and participate in a range of year-round
programs during non-school hours that
encourage academic growth and positive
social development.
Northend
94
Detroit
cody/
Rouge
Downtown
Chadsey/Condon
We are not alone: Neighborhoods notion takes hold
The Skillman Foundation is part of a growing community of funders, agencies, and government officials that are working to transform Detroit neighborhoods.
Some of the other important neighborhood programs going on in Detroit include:
 NEXT Detroit Neighborhood Initiative (NDNI), a City of Detroit five-year strategy designed to improve basic quality-of-life issues such as cleanliness, safety and beautification by utilizing growth and development strategies in six neighborhoods. Neighborhoods include: Brightmoor; 7 Mile/Livernois;
Grand River Greenfield; Northend; East English Village; and the Osborn community.
 Neighborhoods NOW, a comprehensive community investment strategy of Detroit LISC (Local Initiatives Support Coalition).
Metro Detroit Regional Investment Initiative (MDRII), a LISC program to address social and economic inequities between Detroit neighborhoods
and the suburbs.
 The Detroit Program, a multiyear five-part strategy to contribute to the long-term health and stability of the Detroit region developed by the Kresge
Foundation.
 The Detroit Neighborhood Fund, a program run by the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan. The goal of this fund is to stimulate investment
in neighborhoods on Detroit’s near-eastside.
Cody/Rouge Community Goal:
All children live in a village where they are
safe, healthy, and educated, and have access
to unlimited resources.
Kenyetta M. Peoples
Cody/Rouge community liaison
Cody High School
18445 Cathedral
Detroit, MI 48228
Mobile: 313.213.1346
[email protected]
southwest
detroit
Vernor
75
Southwest Detroit Community Goal:
All youth have positive development opportunities
in their homes, schools and neighborhoods.
Maria Salinas
Southwest Detroit senior community liaison
Latino Family Services Center
3815 W. Fort Street
Detroit, MI 48216
Phone: 313.841.7380,
extension 153
Fax: 313.841.3730
Mobile: 313.384.2173
[email protected]
 John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, will invest $24.3 million over the next five years to increase community development in six selected Detroit
neighborhoods, and to increase access and diversity in arts organizations in Southeast Michigan.
16
17
WH: How was the Good Neighborhoods program developed?
WH: Skillman is taking risks too, right?
TA:The first thing we did was to determine what kids need in their
TA: Absolutely! We’re telling everyone that this new work is going to pay
communities to be safe, healthy, well educated and prepared for the
more dividends for Detroit children. So if we don’t do it right, it is
future. We looked at our own grantmaking to see what was working
unlikely people will be willing to continue to invest in this work. Not
and what wasn’t. Then we talked to lots of nonprofit executives, resi-
just in Detroit, but across the country. So we carry a great burden.
dents, and community leaders to make sure that their voices were
heard. We took a hard look at qualitative and quantitative data about
WH: So why are we taking these risks?
neighborhoods. We wanted to know how children were doing. We
TA: We want to have a bigger impact than we’ve had in the past. Although
looked at key indicators and
our previous grantmaking was successful
Census data. Then program staff,
for the kids it touched, it didn’t affect
and later our Trustees, toured
enough kids. I always liked that Moms
several neighborhoods in Detroit
Mabley quote — “If you always do what
to get a close-up look at what was
going on in the neighborhoods.
We also brought in outside
experts to help us get the initiative off the ground. We considered what hasn’t worked in other
parts of the country. This effort,
we hope, avoids those mistakes.
“We’re enlisting the help of residents, parents, and adults to create a city that works for all kids,” says Skillman Foundation Vice President of Program Tonya Allen, shown here with her
daughters Alanna, left, and Brianna.
The constant gardener
Cultivating a movement for kids in the
fertile ground of Detroit’s neighborhoods
Tonya Allen, Skillman Foundation vice president of program, is the architect
of the Foundation’s 10-year $100-million Good Neighborhoods program. A
native Detroiter, Allen attended Cass Tech High School, and has a bachelor’s
18
WH: Can you explain the origins of the Foundation’s Good Neighborhoods
program?
TA:Our neighborhood work is driven by Carol’s (Skillman Foundation
WH: As the Good Neighborhoods
program is moving into the final
two neighborhoods — Cody/
Rouge and the Northend — what
have we learned?
TA:The last two years have really
demonstrated what we believed
“People want to make a
you always did, you will always get what
difference in Detroit,
you always got.” We had to stop doing our
and they’re doing
to get the same old results — which don’t
that in every way
years ago the late Bill Beckham (former
that they
talking about the urgency of Detroit, and
work the traditional way or we were going
have enough impact. I remember several
Skillman Foundation president) and I were
how so few people were paying attention to
know how.”
its needs. I’ve thought about that conversa-
— Tonya Allen,
we have to do it right now, and it has to be
Skillman Foundation
vice president
of program
tion a lot. If we’re going to restore Detroit
our chief priority.
WH: What do you hope the Good
Neighborhoods program does for Detroit?
going into this work that there
TA:Transform neighborhoods to be
are hundreds of thousands of
healthy environments for children. We’re
Detroiters who want this city to
trying to build a system of care for children
come back. All they were waiting
from ages zero to 18. We’re enlisting the
for was someone to ask them to
help of residents, parents, and adults to
degree in sociology, and master’s degrees in social work and public health,
President & CEO Carol Goss) vision and experience in communities.
get involved. The other thing we learned is that people will do things
create a city that works for all kids. I believe we can do that and change
from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Crain’s Detroit Business named
First, she is passionate about helping kids with the greatest need.
differently if you just ask them to do so.
the culture of this city to be very responsive to children. If we do that
Allen a 2007 40 Under 40 winner, an annual award that recognizes Detroit’s
Second, she draws from her work in the Northend community in
emerging leaders. Allen joined the Skillman Foundation in 2004. She has also
Detroit. She led one of the first comprehensive community efforts in
WH: What do you mean?
worked as a program officer for the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and
the country: The KYIP initiative at the Kellogg Foundation. She learned
TA:There is tremendous collaboration going on among the philanthropic,
Thomspon-McCully Foundation, and as executive director of Detroit Parent
a lot about what it takes to make neighborhoods better for kids. We built
private, and public sectors. The City of Detroit’s recognition that neigh-
TA: Quantifying what we’re doing and showing success. I have no doubt that
Network. She discussed the history and strategy of the Good Neighborhoods
on her work there and my own experience as a staff person managing
borhoods and city services are important is an example. Nonprofits are
in a few years we will be there. But right now it’s very hard to see. These
program with William Hanson, Skillman Foundation director of communica-
the Annie E. Casey’s Rebuilding Communities Initiative on the east side
working differently too. They’re not being territorial and are more
are hugely complex problems we’re dealing with — 50 or 60 years of
tions & technology.
of Detroit, and running Detroit Parent Network, helped.
willing to take risks.
decline. It’s not realistic to turn it around overnight. Therefore, we have
Detroit will be a place where people want to live and invest in.
WH: What is the hardest thing about this neighborhood work?
19
to be patient even though we have high expectations and we will hold
WH: What exactly is Skillman’s role?
poorer and poorer families. Families have moved to the outskirts of the
neighborhood to use it so they can be safe and happy. Nobody told her
ourselves accountable. I hope we can improve the educational environ-
TA:Two roles: Grantmaker and change maker. Our grantmaking will fund
city where housing stock is stronger, yet these neighborhoods don’t have
to do this. She did it because she knew it was right. She understood how
ments for children, and increase the numbers of caring adults who
projects that help kids and make neighborhoods better places. The
the social service supports out there. We haven’t paid attention to these
she could help and make it better. Her contribution wasn’t big in scope
interact with these children. If we do that, we will create a tipping point
change making aspect is really about attracting others to the community
neighborhoods. Lots of kids live in these neighborhoods, but, unfortu-
but it was big to the kids in her community. So we have to figure out
where it will be easier for children to be safe, to avoid crime, to go to
so that our collective investments create critical mass. Together all chil-
nately, there are not enough resources to support them or their families.
ways to keep her going so she doesn’t burn out, and find others like her.
college, and to be involved in the reclaiming of their communities.
dren — not just a few children — can benefit.
Natural leaders play a critical role whether The Skillman Foundation is
WH: We’ve now been at this for nearly two years. How would you describe
there or not; they are the backbone to any community.
your outlook?
WH: What process is in place for evaluating the work?
WH:Explain change making?
TA: We have engaged Brandeis University’s Heller School for Social Policy
TA:The Foundation has always been proactive in championing ideas and
TA: I’m extremely optimistic. I feel like the stars are aligning. A lot of
WH: What about the role of the young people?
and Management to facilitate the evaluation for the entire program.
getting others to support them. We have a rich history with this through
things we believe are being affirmed. People are getting involved and
TA: So often as adults we believe we know what’s best for kids, and for the
We also have a national panel of advisors who will help us think through
grantmaking initiatives: Parenting Matters, Youth Sports and Recreation,
investing in so many things. We didn’t think things would happen so
most part, we do. But sometimes we’re clueless and we forget what it’s
our evaluation. It’s fundamentally going to look at the neighborhood
Schools of the 21st Century. Now, though, we want to take advantage of
quickly. The response from the community has been overwhelming.
like to be young. So they keep us young, in touch with their reality and
trajectory, and see if we can make it go up rather than down. The thing
our clout as a civic player to influence others to support our agenda for
People want to make a difference in Detroit, and they’re doing that in
give us direction. Young people really have the vision that we don’t.
about evaluation is that we can’t promise causality. So we’re not
children. We think people trust our opinion and our work, so we want to
every way that they know how.
They see the possibilities in ways adults don’t. They are not confined
suggesting our work will do that. But what we are sure of is that we can
tap that goodwill to help move forward efforts that benefit kids. I believe
help create an environment that breeds creativity and civility, and we
that there are lots of people who don’t live in the city anymore who still
WH: Can you explain what a natural leader is?
example of this was in Southwest Detroit when that community was
can make sure that there are adults out there who are looking out for
care deeply about Detroit. They are successful people. And we want to tap
TA:The concept of a natural leader, or natural helper, is that there are
deciding its goal. Adults were backing safety and education. Youth in
children. And we want other funders, other champions for Detroit to get
their resources and talents to help the city.
to the same boundaries and limitations that adults adhere to. The best
involved. But can I say that Skillman grantmaking will do that alone?
people already in communities who are doing good things. So we
that neighborhood really wanted youth development. They told the
want to support them. In Brightmoor, Kathy Aska is a prime example.
adults that positive youth development will address safety and education
No, I can’t. But I can say that our resources will create the catalysts for
WH: What do the six neighborhoods tell us about Detroit in 2007?
She decided there was no reason that Brightmoor shouldn’t be clean.
as well as the whole child. They really took a leadership role in all of that
change in these neighborhoods.
TA:They tell us that Detroit’s demographics are changing. We’re losing our
So she organized a community clean-up with her neighbors. She also
and adults followed. So I know that young people can lead and inspire,
has play equipment in her backyard, and she encouraged kids in her
but only when adults are smart enough to allow them to do so.
middle class and becoming poorer. The neighborhoods are housing
Good Neighborhoods timeline: the first two years
At Trustee retreat,
Foundation selects six
Detroit neighborhoods
to work in: Brightmoor,
Northend, Cody/Rouge,
Osborn, and Southwest
Detroit (Vernor and
Chadsey/Condon)
20
JulY
2005
Good Neighborhoods
Learning Partnership
commences
Community Connections
small grants program
launched
Brightmoor chooses
community goal
Foundation holds first meetings with stakeholders in
Brightmoor and Osborn
Trustees approve Good
Neighborhoods strategy
September
2005
First full-scale community
meeting takes place in
Southwest Detroit
Southwest Detroit
chooses community goal
Southwest Detroit community
celebration held
Osborn chooses
community goal
First full-scale community
meetings take place in
Brightmoor and Osborn
JanuaryMarchAprilMay
2006
2006
2006
2006
Brightmoor community
celebration held
Osborn community
celebration held
Brightmoor youth
summit held
June–JulyAugustoctober
2006
2006
2006
Neighborhood Action
Planning Teams develop
Action Blueprints for
Southwest Detroit,
Osborn and Brightmoor
Youth summits held
in Osborn and
Southwest Detroit
JANUARYAPRIL–MaY
2007
2007
First full-scale
community meetings
are held in Cody/Rouge
and Northend
September
2007
21
WH: Do you ever fear that the Good Neighborhoods program will fail?
in the same neighborhood, but I’m still of the neighborhood. I know the
TA:No, I don’t. I really believe in the power of people. The Foundation’s
challenges that exist there. I may not experience those challenges and
money is just a carrot to get people involved. But people are the ultimate
conditions anymore, but I haven’t forgotten them. You can turn stumbling
resource and the ones who will be responsible for making this work
blocks into stepping stones. That’s the one truth I know.
WH: Since this work started, Skillman has added a lot of new staff, you’ve
This isn’t a job for me. It’s a ministry and a way of life. I grew up in a
become a vice president, and you had a baby. The last couple of years have
really poor community in Detroit, and I have been able to be successful,
been eventful for you and for the Foundation, haven’t they?
but I also haven’t forgotten all the people I knew who didn’t make it out.
Balance sheet
ASSETS
successful. I’m not afraid of failing at all. I’m more afraid of what will
happen if we don’t do this work or if we don’t take a stand for children.
Financial report
TA:That’s true, and I’ve been blessed with having a wonderful family. But I
want kids in these neighborhoods to have the same opportunities that my
That’s what drives me.
own children have. So many kids in America — like my own kids do —
WH: What did you learn from that period in your life?
grow up with so much. And kids in these neighborhoods have so little.
TA: What’s helped me be successful was not a set of programs. And so I don’t
There’s a picture in my office of a little girl in diapers who is playing alone
think that a few programs are going to save kids. What saves kids are
in a Detroit street. I keep it up as a reminder of why we’re in neighbor-
adults in neighborhoods who care about them being successful. So my
hoods and why we can’t turn our backs on kids — even if their parents
work at Skillman is aimed at helping to support those adults in the neigh-
have. I hope none of us at The Skillman Foundation loses sight of that.
borhoods who can influence kids and make a real difference. I don’t live
That’s what our work is about.
2006
2005
Cash and cash equivalents
11,273 Investments, at fair value
534,254 Other, including accrued interest and dividends
11,773 Total assets
557,300 LIABILITIES AND UNRESTRICTED NET ASSETS
10,324
506,261
1,813
518,398
Grants payable
13,400 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
3,029 Unrestricted net assets
540,871 Total liabilities and unrestricted net assets
557,300 9,617
3,723
505,058
518,398
Statements of income, expenses and changes in unrestricted net assets
Community planning process (six to 12 months)
Foundation convenes meetings with neighborhood stakeholders and natural leaders to
begin planning and outreach. Community
comes together at series of meetings to
decide on key goal for improving lives of
children in neighborhood. Youth summits
held to increase involvement of
neighborhood children.
The Good
Neighborhoods
process
1
A 10-year
collaboration
3
2
Readiness
(two to three years)
Action Planning Teams meet to
hammer out/implement strategies for
achieving neighborhood goal. Strengthen
the leadership and capacity for neighborhoods to make and sustain change.
Implementation (three to six years)
 Foundation invests and scales final strategies
 Action strategies implemented
 Marshalling of resources
 Ongoing sharing of information and community-Foundation communication
 Demonstrate improvements
22
INCOME
2006
2005
Interest
5,988 Dividends, other
6,742 Investment management fees
(2,109)
Total assets
10,621 EXPENSES
3,181
3,699
(2,073)
4,807
Grants paid
27,341 Grant related expenses
423 Administrative expenses
4,232 Federal excise and other taxes
1,012 Total Expenses
33,008 Grants and expenses in excess of income
(22,387)
20,398
512
4,485
414
25,809
(21,002)
Realized gain on securities
Change in unrealized market appreciation
Increase in unrestricted net assets
Unrestricted net assets, beginning of year
Unrestricted net assets, end of year
19,882
12,883
11,763
493,295
505,058
37,852 20,348 35,813 505,058 540,871 All amounts shown in thousands
23
2005 Grants Approved
CHILDREN’S RELATIONSHIPS
Alternatives for Girls, Detroit, MI
To provide services to homeless and at-risk girls living in central and southwest Detroit.
Unpaid
12/31/04
2005
Paid
Approved
Unpaid
12/31/2005
2005
Paid
Approved
Unpaid
12/31/2005
State of Michigan — FIA, Detroit, MI
To improve access to supportive services for non-custodial fathers and increase their involvement in the lives of their children
through coordinated services within the Department of Human Services.
600,000
—
300,000
300,000
Tomorrows Child Michigan SIDS, Inc., Lansing, MI
To develop and implement a comprehensive campaign to reduce infant mortality related to unsafe sleep practices through
the training of nurses and the education of young parents.
60,000
—
60,000
—
Volunteers in Prevention, Probation and Prisons, Inc., Detroit, MI
To match more high-risk children with mentors and enhance outcomes of those children though a partnership with the
faith community.
340,000
—
170,000
170,000
38,000
—
38,000
—
3,501,000
1,723,500
3,442,500
1,782,000
Abayomi Community Development Corporation, Detroit, MI
For collaboration of faith-based organizations providing high-quality after-school program activities to children who reside in
northwest Detroit.
—
75,000
75,000
—
—
50,000 50,000
—
Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services, Dearborn, MI
To plan a family literacy program expansion to engage fathers and children as part of the Hamtramck Fatherhood Initiative.
—
25,000 25,000
—
Arab-American and Chaldean Council, Lathrup Village, MI
To provide parents who are new refugees and immigrants with the essential parenting skills that will enable them to become
more effectively engaged in their children’s education and development.
100,000
—
100,000
—
Children’s Aid Society, Detroit, MI
To provide onsite crisis intervention and follow-up services to youth referred to Detroit Police precincts for gang activity.
440,000
—
220,000
220,000
The YES Foundation, Bingham Farms, MI
To foster positive, nurturing and sustained relationships between children in grades K-1 and their parents through targeted
literacy-based interventions.
Children’s Charter of the Courts of Michigan, Inc., Lansing, MI
To improve the substance abuse assessment and referral skills of home visitors through comprehensive skills training.
—
160,000
80,000
80,000
TOTAL CHILDREN’S RELATIONSHIPS
City of Detroit, Detroit, MI
To improve the health and life-course of low-income, first-time mothers and their children in two Detroit neighborhoods
through home visits.
200,000
—
200,000
—
—
180,000
180,000
—
Covenant House of Michigan, Detroit, MI
To enable youth ages 13–17 that are homeless or in crisis to improve academic achievement.
225,000
—
225,000
—
Action Against Crime & Violence Education Fund, Lansing, MI
To help expand and improve quality programs for children and youth in the Detroit area through advocacy.
—
55,000
55,000
—
Detroit Parent Network, Detroit, MI
To support the development and institutionalization of the Detroit Parent Network, for leadership development of parents.
100,000
—
100,000
—
Alkebu-lan Village, Detroit, MI
To pilot and expand a martial arts after school program in the Osborn community.
—
200,000
100,000
100,000
Detroit Youth Foundation, Detroit, MI
To conduct a series of televised and community forums, entitled: “the Cosby Controversy.” The dialogues will act as a call
to action to support effective parenting.
—
160,000
160,000
—
American Institute for Social Justice (ACORN), Detroit, MI
To host a free tax site in the Osborn neighborhood to help families file for the Earned Income Tax Credit to increase revenue
for low-income working families.
—
105,000
105,000
—
Development Centers, Detroit, MI
To provide outreach services, including home visits and parent support groups, to parents with children from birth to five in
northwest Detroit.
122,000
—
122,000
—
Benjamin E. Mays Male Academy Association, Detroit, MI
For collaboration of faith-based organizations providing high-quality after-school program activities to children who reside in the
Gratiot/Van Dyke/Mack area on Detroit’s east side.
—
75,000
75,000
—
Greater Detroit Area Health Council, Inc., Detroit, MI
To support a broad coalition of agencies, the Lead Elimination Program of Detroit (LEAP Detroit) to conduct education and
outreach activities to prevent and remediate lead poisoning in infants and children.
200,000
—
200,000
—
Brandeis University, Waltham, MA
To support the evaluation of the third phase of the Foundation’s Youth Sports and Recreation Initiative.
—
300,000
170,000
130,000
150,000
50,000
100,000
300,000
—
300,000
—
To support the evaluation of the Foundation’s Culture and Arts Youth Development Initiative.
—
The Guidance Center, Southgate, MI
To develop a partnership between Head Start programs and community child care programs in order to increase the number
of low-income children in full day Head Start programs.
—
225,000
75,000
150,000
Homes for Black Children, Detroit, MI
To improve the foster care system’s capacity to provide permanent placements for abused and neglected children in
their neighborhoods.
100,000
—
Cable Communications Public Benefit Corporation, Detroit, MI
To make available more sites and opportunities for Detroit youth to access the SCOOP media production program during
non-school hours.
—
75,000
75,000
—
Michigan Council on Crime and Delinquency, Lansing, MI
To improve the parent child relationship of incarcerated women and increase the literacy of their children using a formal
literacy program.
411,000
268,000
Cathedral Community Services, Inc., Detroit, MI
For collaboration of faith-based organizations providing high-quality after-school program activities to children who live in
Detroit’s cultural center community.
City Connect Detroit, Detroit, MI
To establish an organization designed to increase the revenues from county, state and federal funding sources and
national foundations to support collaborations among Detroit’s public institutions and nonprofit agencies.
240,000
—
240,000
—
To make data more available to nonprofits and public institutions that support children and families.
83,000
—
83,000
—
College for Creative Studies, Detroit, MI
To deliver high quality, arts-based, youth development programs in Detroit neighborhoods.
178,000
—
89,000
89,000
Communities in Schools of Detroit, Inc., Detroit, MI
To build the program delivery capacity of local after school providers through professional development at the “Accept the
Challenge” conference.
—
25,000
25,000
—
To establish a visual arts program for underserved Detroit middle and high school students.
—
255,000
75,000
180,000
300,000
—
300,000
—
Council of Michigan Foundations, Grand Haven, MI
To build the capacity of the Council of Michigan Foundations to strengthen philanthropy in Detroit and Southeastern
Michigan for the benefit of low-income children and families.
—
75,000
25,000
50,000
Detroit 300 Conservancy, Detroit, MI
To support programming for children and to attract families to the Campus Martius Park located in downtown Detroit.
100,000
—
50,000
50,000
Coalition on Temporary Shelter, Detroit, MI
For general support to assist parents and children who are homeless.
National Center for Strategic Nonprofit Planning and Community Leadership, Washington, DC
To support the convening and sharing of best practice fatherhood programs at the Seventh Annual International
Fatherhood Conference in Detroit.
Northeast Guidance Center, Detroit, MI
To design and implement a Family Life Center that will offer centralized and coordinated comprehensive family services on
Detroit’s eastside.
—
—
—
25,000
100,000
143,000
25,000
—
75,000
—
75,000
—
Oakland Livingston Human Services Agency, Pontiac, MI
To align multiple social service agencies’ support systems for children of incarcerated and probationer parents, particularly fathers.
—
300,000
100,000
200,000
Oakwood Healthcare System Foundation, Dearborn, MI
To support an education and outreach project to reduce asthma attacks and hospitalizations for children and youth in Detroit and
surrounding communities in Wayne County.
—
300,000
100,000
200,000
190,000
—
95,000
95,000
Southwest Counseling and Development Services, Detroit, MI
To offer family literacy programs to low-income Latino families and build the capacity of the community to increase awareness
and access to early childhood education programs.
—
373,500
124,500
249,000
Spaulding for Children, Southfield, MI
To increase access to prenatal care for low-income women and reduce risk factors for child maltreatment among children
ages 0–3 in Detroit.
—
150,000
150,000
—
Poverty and Social Reform Institute, Warren, MI
To integrate early childhood education services, adult literacy and parenting education into a comprehensive family literacy program.
24
Unpaid
12/31/04
HOME AND COMMUNITY
Community Foundation For Southeastern Michigan, Detroit, MI
To support the Greenways Initiative which improves the use of natural resources in communities and physically revitalizes
several Detroit neighborhoods through the creation of safe routes to school, work and play for children and families.
25
Unpaid
12/31/04
Unpaid
12/31/2005
Unpaid
12/31/04
—
28,000
28,000
—
Mount Clemens Community School District, Mount Clemens, MI
To expand before and after school extra-curricular educational activities to additional Mount Clemens Community School students
and their parents to improve MEAP scores and parental literacy.
Detroit Science Center, Detroit, MI
To train and retain volunteer Science Docents to serve as guides for students visiting the Detroit Science Center.
70,000
—
70,000
—
Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts, Inc., Detroit, MI
To support a neighborhood-based performing arts program in Detroit recreation centers.
Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Inc., Detroit, MI
For the Civic Philharmonia youth orchestra program that provides ongoing music instruction students and broadens and
diversifies the Detroit Symphony Orchestra civics program.
230,000
—
115,000
115,000
Focus: HOPE, Detroit, MI
To expand a youth photography program and offer high school students opportunities to work with professional artists as
instructors and mentors.
—
300,000
125,000
175,000
Free Press Charities, Detroit, MI
To provide matching funds for 2005 Children First Summer Dreams Wish Book, which identifies summer youth activities in
need of support.
—
500,000
500,000
—
34,000
—
34,000
—
To support the Executive Director transition through a one-time grant to cover organizational costs associated with the
replacement of the Executive Director.
Girls Scouts of Macomb County — Otsikita Council, Inc., Clinton Township, MI
For continuation of the Girl Scouts of Macomb County collaboration with the Macomb Intermediate School District to expand the
Girl Scouting in Any Language program to the Hispanic and Hmong girls in Macomb County.
Girl Scouts of Metro Detroit, Detroit, MI
To support programs that develop various life skills in girls, ages 5-17, who live in Detroit and other underserved communities
in the tri-county area.
For the Studio 2B program which links pre-teens and teen minority girls from economically disadvantaged communities with
young adult mentors.
Hartford Agape House, Inc., Detroit, MI
northwest Detroit.
InsideOut Literary Project, Detroit, MI
To expand the youth literary arts program, including the Citywide Poets program, and strengthen organizational operations.
Local Initiatives Support Corporation, New York, NY
To help spur physical development in neighborhoods such as clinics, schools, childcare and recreation facilities, planned green space
and affordable housing which contribute to healthy environments for children to thrive.
—
160,000
160,000
—
135,000
—
135,000
—
—
75,000
75,000
—
200,000
—
100,000
100,000
—
1,500,000
500,000
1,000,000
Matrix Theatre Company, Inc., Detroit, MI
To develop and implement a program that engages young people in the development and production of original theatre.
80,000
—
80,000 —
Mayor’s Time, Detroit, MI
To support advocacy and communications to strengthen the after school field and offer leadership training for large after-school
program providers.
275,000
—
275,000
—
Metro Detroit Habitat for Humanity, Detroit, MI
To create a park and playground for children in southwest Detroit as a part of the 22nd annual Jimmy Carter Work Project and a
comprehensive housing plan for the area.
—
75,000
75,000
—
Michigan Association of Community Arts Agencies, Lansing, MI
To support the Community Arts Leadership Academy and to build leadership skills and improve organizational capacity of local
arts-based, youth development providers through professional development.
—
25,000
25,000
—
Michigan League for Human Services, Lansing, MI
For the 2005 Kids Count in Michigan Data Book, which provides credible information on the well-being of children in Michigan.
—
85,000
85,000
—
Michigan Neighborhood Partnership, Detroit, MI
To provide training and technical assistance to clusters of churches and other houses of worship participating in the Foundation’s
Faith-Based Initiative.
—
150,000
150,000
—
Michigan Women’s Foundation, Livonia, MI
To expand the youth grantmaking program in four Detroit neighborhoods (Brightmoor, Cody/Rouge, Chadsey/Condon and Vernor).
—
500,000
150,000
350,000
Michigan’s Children, Lansing, MI
To support general operations of Michigan’s Children, a statewide child advocacy organization, to provide critical data and analysis
that supports advocacy for positive outcomes for children.
100,000 —
100,000 —
To increase public awareness of public investments in children in the state budget and to enhance the ability of policymakers and
the public to be involved in budget advocacy.
—
Michigan’s Thanksgiving Parade Foundation, Detroit, MI
For the Skillman Foundation Float and Balloon and the design contest, which allows elementary students to use literature to design
a float or balloon for the Thanksgiving Day Parade.
—
Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit, Detroit, MI
To improve the capacity of Mosaic Youth Theatre to serve youth and extend its programs further into neighborhoods, as part
of the Culture and Arts Youth Development Initiative.
26
2005
Paid
Approved
100,000
300,000
110,000
—
100,000
110,000
100,000
200,000
—
—
2005
Paid
Approved
Unpaid
12/31/2005
—
125,000
125,000
—
150,000
—
—
150,000
National Community Development Institute, Oakland, CA
To work with six targeted communities to implement the planning phase of the Good Neighborhood Initiative.
—
666,000
400,000
266,000
National Conference for Community and Justice, Inc., New York, NY
To continue the Leadership in the New Century (LINC) program that equips teachers and school administrators to promote
diversity and inclusion among high school students.
—
70,000
70,000
—
Neighborhood Service Organization, Detroit, MI
To expand a youth-led anti-violence campaign in collaboration with local high schools in Northeast Detroit to decrease the use
of gun violence among vulnerable youth.
—
225,000
75,000
150,000
New Detroit, Inc., Detroit, MI
To build the organizational and program capacity of small to medium size, faith-based nonprofits in metro Detroit.
—
150,000
150,000
—
To provide general operating support for New Detroit’s continued leadership in advancing regional economic and social equity.
—
100,000
100,000
—
People’s Community Services of Metropolitan Detroit, Detroit, MI
To implement the Neighborhood Fine Arts and Culture Partnership Initiative, a comprehensive arts and culture program for
youth in three neighborhood centers.
—
150,000
50,000
100,000
To create a barrier-free playground for children in southwest Detroit at the Delray Neighborhood House. The playground
will be accessible to all children including children with disabilities.
—
55,000
55,000
—
Regents of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
To engage Detroit and suburban youth in a facilitated process to discuss and mitigate racial isolation.
—
125,000
125,000
—
200,000
—
100,000
100,000
To establish a technical assistance center for the implementation of the Foundation’s Neighborhood Strategy.
—
900,000
446,000
454,000
The Safe Center, Inc., Detroit, MI
For collaboration of faith-based organizations providing high-quality after-school program activities to children who reside
in northeast Detroit.
—
75,000
75,000
—
Salvation Army, Southfield, MI
To build capacity of Detroit Salvation Army to serve more youth in high-quality programs during non-school hours at six
Community Centers.
100,000
—
100,000
—
The Sphinx Organization, Inc., Detroit, MI
For the Sphinx Preparatory Music Academy, to provide free, high quality classical music instruction to underserved Detroit
middle school aged youth,
100,000
—
100,000
—
St. Paul Community Development Corporation, Detroit, MI
For collaboration of faith-based organizations providing high-quality after-school program activities to children who reside in the
Lafayette/Gratiot corridor on Detroit’s eastside.
—
75,000
75,000
—
Think Detroit, Inc., Detroit, MI
To build organizational capacity by developing a sustainable unrestricted funding base to support ongoing sport programs for
Detroit children and youth.
—
50,000
50,000
—
To bring high quality athletic leagues and positive adult role models to three Detroit neighborhoods: Eliza Howell (Brightmoor),
Jayne Field (east side Detroit) and Patton Park (southwest Detroit) where organized leagues do not currently exist.
350,000
—
140,000
210,000
United Way for Southwester Michigan, Detroit, MI
For nonprofit facilities center that helps nonprofit organizations plan, fund and execute effective capital projects.
The Foundation’s support is designated for organizations that serve children and youth.
300,000
—
300,000
—
Vanguard Community Development Corporation, Detroit, MI
Detroit’s North-end neighborhood.
—
75,000
75,000
—
To expand its Urban Artist Collective program to serve more youth and promote their positive development through multi-media
design, literary and performing arts in Detroit’s North-end neighborhood.
—
225,000
75,000
150,000
Vista Maria, Detroit, MI
To build capacity of the Wayne County child welfare system to care for special needs children in the community.
—
50,000
50,000
—
Vital Investments Serving in Our Neighborhoods, Detroit, MI
For collaboration of faith-based organizations providing high-quality after-school program activities for children and youth
in Detroit’s southeast neighborhoods.
—
75,000
75,000
—
To conduct a multi-level, comprehensive evaluation of the Foundation’s faith-based Initiative.
27
Unpaid
12/31/04
VSA arts of Michigan, Detroit, MI
To provide emotionally and cognitively disabled youth with hands-on arts experiences to build vocational and life skills.
2005
Paid
Approved
Unpaid
12/31/2005
2005
Paid
Approved
Unpaid
12/31/2005
50,000
—
50,000
—
Marygrove College, Detroit, MI
To provide academic leadership and technical assistance to the YES Foundation’s Yes for Prep program.
—
900,000
300,000
600,000
Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
To assess and identify neighborhood data in Detroit’s subcommunities to determine strategies and build community readiness
for developing a local children’s agenda.
—
50,000
50,000
—
Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
To encourage Detroit Public School students to pursue a career in teaching and take full advantage of the
Broad Future Teacher Scholarship Program.
—
130,000
130,000
—
YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit, Detroit, MI
To support the implementation of the Youth Media Program at Western International High School in Southwest Detroit.
—
300,000
125,000
175,000
National Alliance of Black School Educators, Washington, D.C.
To sponsor the Skillman Leadership Institute for metropolitan Detroit principals as part of the 33rd Annual Conference in Detroit.
-—
55,000
55,000
—
50,000
—
50,000
—
—
25,000
25,000 —
—
80,000
80,000
—
To support the activities of the Transition Committee to the Detroit Public Schools to make recommendations to
improve school operations.
To build the capacity of the newly elected members of the Detroit Board of Education to govern the Detroit Public Schools
and undertake their governance role.
—
20,000
20,000
—
To promote academic excellence while increasing the number of Detroit area students exposed to and prepared for careers
in math, science and engineering.
—
100,000
100,000
—
262,000
—
262,000
—
—
School District of the City of Detroit, Detroit, MI
To provide a comprehensive program of professional development for veterans and aspiring principals based on standards
for effective principals.
—
165,000
165,000
—
4,544,000
To provide a full complement of management and curricular support and services to schools funded by the Good Schools
grant initiative.
268,000
—
268,000
—
Academy of the Americas, Detroit, MI
To support professional development and training for staff and parents.
—
25,000
25,000
—
A. Douglas Jamieson Elementary School, Detroit, MI
To recognize and reward aspiring schools.
—
15,000
15,000
—
Alonzo W. Bates Academy, Detroit, MI
To create a wireless internet environment to enhance student instruction and support.
—
100,000
100,000
—
Anthony Wayne Elementary School, Detroit, MI
To provide academic support to improve student achievement.
—
15,000
15,000
—
Antoine Cadillac School, Detroit, MI
—
10,000
10,000
—
Youth Law Center, San Francisco, CA
To engage the faith-based community as advocates for youth in foster care in recruitment of supportive services.
Youth Popular Culture Institute, Inc., Clinton, MD
For a multimedia project which documents the process and outcomes of the “A Call to Service” faith-based Initiative in
a creative and quality manner.
Youth Sports and Recreation Commission, Detroit, MI
For the Youth Sports and Recreation Commission to continue the After-School Forum, a program designed to build
the capacity of youth development agencies in the city of Detroit to operate high quality programs.
400,000
For general support for the Youth Sports and Recreation Commission.
930,000
To support strategic planning and implementation of a new program to increase volunteerism, individual activism and positive
media coverage to improve neighborhoods for Detroit youth and families.
TOTAL HOME & COMMUNITY
—
4,755,000
—
—
300,000
9,344,000
400,000
930,000
300,000
9,555,000
—
—
To develop a comprehensive early childhood program focusing on early literacy through professional and parent training, and
support for the grade level transition for pre-kindergarten through first grade children.
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Archdiocese of Detroit, Detroit, MI
To provide a comprehensive program of professional development for veteran and aspiring principals based on standards
for effective leadership in education.
180,000
—
180,000
—
The Charter Schools Development & Performance Institute, Mount Pleasant, MI
To provide a comprehensive professional development program for veteran and aspiring principals based on standards for
effective principals.
115,000
—
115,000
—
Coleman A. Young Foundation, Detroit, MI
To expand the Post Secondary Readiness Planning Program that supports 8th graders in their transition to high school
and helps 9th graders pursue and stay on a college-bound course.
350,000
—
125,000
225,000
Communication Media Arts High School, Detroit, MI
To transform the Communication Media Arts (CMA) High School into a small high school model of success.
Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program, Detroit, MI
To expand the year-round math, science and engineering program to serve 500 additional students in grades 4–12 and
their parents.
The Detroit Catholic Pastoral Alliance, Detroit, MI
For a planning grant to determine the feasibility of a new co-ed Catholic High School in Detroit.
Good Schools: Making the grade Initiative
—
160,000
1,500,000
—
500,000
160,000
1,000,000
—
—
50,000
50,000
—
Bethany Lutheran School, Detroit, MI
—
15,000
15,000
—
Detroit Executive Service Corps., Southfield, MI
To implement a Principal Leadership Development Program that provides training and technical assistance for the purpose
of improving student achievement.
376,000
—
188,000
188,000
Brady Elementary School, Detroit, MI
—
15,000
15,000
—
75,000
75,000
—
447,000
—
223,000
224,000
Burton International, Detroit, MI
To provide computer-aided instruction during the school day and academic support in an after-school program.
—
To inform parents of the education achievement gap and create public will to decrease it.
15,000
15,000
—
—
45,000
45,000
—
Casimir Pulaski Elementary/Middle School, Detroit, MI
—
The Engineering Society of Detroit, Southfield, MI
For a Math and Science Awareness/Outreach program to support students attending Detroit, Pontiac, Oak Park and
Southfield Schools.
Chandler Park Academy — Greenfield, Detroit, MI
—
15,000
15,000
—
To expand support and increase capacity among providers to make universal preschool a reality for low-income
families in Detroit and Wayne County.
—
80,000
80,000
—
Christ The King School, Detroit, MI
To expand the art and science program and replace the heating system in the school.
—
50,000
50,000
—
High Tech High Foundation, San Diego, CA
To provide technical assistance to new urban High Tech High inspired Schools.
—
400,000
200,000
200,000
Chrysler Elementary School, Detroit, MI
To use technology to improve student achievement.
—
50,000
50,000
—
75,000
—
75,000
—
Clara W. Rutherford Academy, Detroit, MI
—
15,000
15,000
—
—
380,000
380,000
—
Coleman A. Young Elementary School, Detroit, MI
—
10,000
10,000
—
Lighthouse of Oakland County, Inc., Pontiac, MI
To provide bridge support for the Montessori preschool and kindergarten program for at-risk children in Pontiac.
To expand the Marygrove College Technical Assistance Center for the Good Schools Initiative.
28
Unpaid
12/31/04
29
Unpaid
12/31/04
30
2005
Paid
Approved
Unpaid
12/31/2005
Unpaid
12/31/04
2005
Paid
Approved
Unpaid
12/31/2005
Cornerstone Schools Association, Detroit, MI
For expansion of the Individual Learning Through Technology and Data Analysis Program.
—
100,000
100,000
—
Peter Vetal School, Detroit, MI
—
10,000
10,000 —
Daniel Webster Elementary School, Detroit, MI
—
15,000
15,000
—
Plymouth Educational Center, Detroit, MI
—
15,000
15,000 —
Dixon Elementary School, Detroit, MI
To implement a curriculum enhancement program that strengthens teaching in language arts, science and computer science.
—
50,000
50,000
—
Robert Burns School, Detroit, MI
To offer summer and after-school programs to improve student achievement and fitness levels.
—
50,000
50,000
—
East Bethlehem Lutheran School, Detroit, MI
—
15,000
15,000
—
Saint Cecilia Grade School, Detroit, MI
—
15,000 15,000 —
Eber W. Yost Academy, Detroit, MI
To support technology upgrades to improve student achievement.
—
10,000
10,000
—
Saint Scholastica Elementary School, Detroit, MI
—
15,000 15,000 —
Edward A. MacDowell Elementary, Detroit, MI
—
15,000
15,000
—
Samuel D. Holcomb Elementary School, Detroit, MI
To enhance instruction and maintain “high-tech” school culture.
—
100,000 100,000 —
Fairbanks Elementary School, Detroit, MI
—
10,000
10,000
—
Samuel Gompers Elementary School, Detroit, MI
To increase student achievement on MEAP assessment by expanding technology and cultural programs.
—
100,000
100,000
—
Foreign Language Immersion and Cultural Studies Elementary School, Detroit, MI
To support the Teacher Cluster Student Enrichment Program that provides fine arts classes for students.
—
50,000 50,000
—
Schulze Elementary School, Detroit, MI
—
15,000
15,000
—
Genesis Elementary School, Detroit, MI
To utilize and upgrade technology to improve student achievement.
—
15,000
15,000
—
St. Timothy Lutheran Christian Day School, Detroit, MI
—
15,000
15,000
—
Greenfield Park Elementary School, Detroit, MI
—
10,000
10,000
—
Thomas A. Edison Elementary School, Detroit, MI
—
15,000
15,000
—
Harms Elementary School, Detroit, MI
—
15,000
15,000
—
Thurgood Marshall Elementary, Detroit, MI
—
15,000
15,000
—
Hattie M. Carstens Elementary School, Detroit, MI
To improve student achievement on standardized tests.
—
25,000
25,000
—
Timbuktu Academy of Science & Technology, Detroit, MI
—
15,000
15,000
—
Isaac Crary Elementary School, Detroit, MI
To implement the Learning, Earning, Acquiring, and Preparing (L.E.A.P.) education program.
—
50,000
50,000
—
Ulysses S. Grant Elementary and Middle School, Detroit, MI
—
15,000
15,000
—
James E. Vernor Elementary School, Detroit, MI
—
15,000
15,000
—
William Davison Elementary School, Detroit, MI
To use technology to improve student achievement.
—
75,000
75,000
—
James Edmonson Elementary School, Detroit, MI
—
15,000
15,000
—
William D. Wilkins Elementary School, Detroit, MI
To provide student enrichment programs and to upgrade technology in classrooms.
—
25,000
25,000
—
John R. King Academic and Performing Arts Academy, Detroit, MI
To expand the performing arts and health and fitness programs for the student body.
—
50,000
50,000
—
William J. Beckham Academy, Detroit, MI
—
10,000
10,000
—
John S. Newberry Elementary School, Detroit, MI
To develop an after-school program to improve academic achievement and provide social activities for students.
—
10,000
10,000
—
Woodward Public School Academy, Detroit, MI
—
10,000
10,000
—
Laurence A. McKenny Elementary School, Detroit, MI
To increase library and media center resources, and provide summer and after-school programs.
—
15,000
15,000
—
YMCA Service Learning Academy, Detroit, MI
To implement a math enrichment program to strengthen student achievement.
—
50,000
50,000
—
Logan Elementary School, Detroit, MI
—
15,000
15,000
—
Louis Pasteur Elementary School, Detroit, MI
—
15,000
15,000
—
—
178,200
178,200
—
Loving Elementary School, Detroit, MI
—
15,000
15,000
—
Cranbook Educational Community, Bloomfield Hills, MI
Scholarships for eight academically gifted, minority youth from the Detroit area to attain the skills necessary to be future leaders
who will be successful in challenging higher education settings.
Mann Learning Community, Detroit, MI
—
15,000
15,000
—
Detroit Country Day School, Beverly Hills, MI
Scholarships for eight academically gifted, minority youth from the Detroit area to attain the skills necessary to be future
leaders that will be successful in challenging higher education settings .
—
174,330 174,330 —
Mark Twain School and Academy, Detroit, MI
To update and renovate a media center.
—
15,000
15,000
—
—
116,640
116,640
—
Mary McLeod Bethune Academy, Detroit, MI
—
10,000
10,000
—
Roeper City and Country School, Bloomfield Hills, MI
Scholarships for six academically gifted, minority youth from the Detroit area to attain the skills necessary to be future
leaders who will be successful in challenging higher education settings.
—
149,596
149,596
—
Owen Elementary School, Detroit, MI
—
15,000
15,000
—
University Liggett School, Grosse Pointe, MI
Scholarships for eight academically gifted, minority youth from the Detroit area to attain the skills necessary to be future
leaders who will be successful in challenging higher education settings.
Nataki Talibah Schoolhouse of Detroit, Detroit, MI
To support teaching and learning strategies that will increase social studies MEAP scores by 20%.
—
100,000
100,000 —
Peter Monnier Elementary School, Detroit, MI
—
15,000
15,000 —
Skillman Scholars Program
31
Unpaid
12/31/04
Skillman College Scholarships
2005
Paid
Approved
Unpaid
12/31/2005
—
58,488
57,488
—
100,000
—
50,000
50,000
Vanguard Community Development Corp., Detroit, MI
To establish a school management capacity to replicate the High Tech High model.
—
500,000
500,000
—
To expand Wayne State University Math Corps programs to serve 200 additional students grades 7–12 during
the summer and on Saturday during the school year.
—
125,000
125,000
—
To support the evaluation of the Good Schools Making the Grade Initiative.
—
450,000
150,000
300,000
Student Mentor Partners, Detroit, MI
To expand and enhance mentoring services to students in the Student Mentor Partners Program, which provides
support for them to attend private schools.
For the YES for PREP program, which identifies, develops and prepares high achieving 7th and 8th grade
minority youth in the city of Detroit to reach their fullest potential as scholars and leaders in school and the community.
TOTAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
756,000
3,089,000
—
7,292,254
252,000
7,089,254
Unpaid
12/31/04
Michigan Association of United Ways, Lansing, MI
To provide relief funds that meet the special needs of individuals and families that have relocated to Michigan due to
Hurricane Katrina.
3,291,000
GRANTMAKING OPPORTUNITIES
32
Unpaid
12/31/2005
—
25,000
25,000
—
250,000
—
250,000
—
Michigan Nonprofit Association, Lansing, MI
For 2005 Institutional membership dues.
—
2,500
2,500
—
Neighborhood Funders Group, Washington, DC
For 2005 general operating support.
—
2,000
2,000
—
Old Newsboys and Goodfellow Fund of Detroit, Detroit, MI
For distribution of gift packages during the holiday season, and contributions addressing the basic needs of children.
—
10,000
10,000
—
The Philanthropy Roundtable, Washington, DC
2005 membership.
—
500
500 —
Rosa Institutional & Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development, Detroit, MI
To support the work of Rosa & Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development to engage youth in programming to develop
leadership and life skills.
—
25,000
25,000
—
—
36,000
36,000
—
Michigan K.I.D.S., Inc., Detroit, MI
To provide the Detroit Free Press/Yak’s Corner to 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students in Detroit schools to increase interest
in reading and improve literacy skills.
504,000
2005
Paid
Approved
Association of Black Foundation Executives, New York, NY
—
5,750 5,750 —
State of Michigan, Lansing, MI
For Katrina evacuee assistance.
90,000
90,000
—
—
20,000 20,000 —
United Negro College Fund, Inc., Fairfax, VA
To support the general operations of UNCF and its 38-member historically black colleges and universities in the United States.
—
Black United Fund, Inc., Detroit, MI
To provide general operating support for Black United Fund’s Annual Private Sector Campaign, which provides grants
to small nonprofit organizations that do not meet the Foundation’s grantmaking requirements.
—
25,000
25,000
—
City of Southfield, Southfield, MI
To support Katrina evacuee families in need of assistance to maintain the health & welfare of their children.
—
24,000 24,000 —
United Way for Southeastern Michigan, Detroit, MI
To support the 2005 Torch Drive Annual Campaign in reaching its $66.5 million goal. This grant is made to UW as
a member of the corporate community.
100
100
—
—
20,000 20,000 —
Women & Philanthropy, Washington, DC
For 2005 Individual membership dues.
—
Matching Gifts
—
954,317
954,317
—
Council on Foundations, Washington, DC
—
35,000 35,000 —
President’s Discretionary Grants
—
200,000
200,000
—
Crossroads of Michigan, Detroit, MI
To provide support services to Detroit-area indigent families and working poor.
—
40,000 40,000 —
(337)
(337)
—
500,000
1,966,029
2,466,029
Forgotten Harvest, Inc., Southfield, MI
For general support to distribute 1,250,000 pounds of fresh food items to Detroit-area emergency food distributors
serving families with children.
—
200,000 200,000 —
11,845,000
20,325,783
22,552,783
The Foundation Center, New York, NY
2005 general operating support.
—
10,000 10,000 —
Grantmakers for Children, Youth and Families, Silver Spring, MD
2005 general operating support.
—
5,000 5,000 —
Grantmakers for Education, Portland, OR
—
5,000 5,000 —
Grantmakers for Effective Organizations, Washington, DC
—
1,000 1,000 —
Grantmakers in Health, Washington, DC
—
2,000 2,000 —
Grantmakers in the Arts, Seattle, WA
—
300 300 —
The Heat and Warmth Fund, Detroit, MI
To support efforts providing emergency heating assistance for low-income households in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb Counties.
—
200,000
200,000
—
The Heat and Warmth Fund, Detroit, MI
To support efforts providing emergency heating assistance for low-income households in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties.
250,000
—
250,000
—
Independent Sector, Washington, DC
—
12,500
12,500
—
For emergency assistance with the settlement of Hurricane Katrina victims.
—
15,000
15,000
—
Michigan Association for Evaluation, Detroit, MI
For 2005 Individual membership dues.
—
400
400
—
Returned Funds
TOTAL GRANTMAKING OPPORTUNITIES
TOTAL GRANTS
9,617,000
Volunteers transform Lafayette Park in Southwest Detroit into a vibrant playground.
33
2006 Grants Approved
Unpaid
12/31/05
Unpaid
12/31/05
CHILDREN’S RELATIONSHIPS
2006
Paid
Approved
Unpaid
12/31/2006
Unpaid
12/31/2006
Covenant House Michigan, Detroit, MI
—
350,000 350,000 To support the construction of a small charter high school for homeless and at-risk students.
—
Covenant House Michigan, Detroit, MI
—
175,000 175,000 To enable youth to succeed academically and socially while establishing or strengthening their family support system. —
—
50,000 50,000 To provide homeless and at-risk girls and young women pathways out of poverty and opportunities to transform their lives.
—
The Detroit Catholic Pastoral Alliance, Detroit, MI
—
40,000 40,000 For the study to determine the feasibility of a new Catholic high school in the City of Detroit.
—
Children’s Aid Society, Detroit, MI
220,000 —
220,000 To provide on-site crisis intervention and follow-up services to youth referred to Detroit Police precincts for gang activity.
—
Detroit Educational Television Foundation WTVS, Channel 56 in Detroit, Detroit, MI
To increase the demand for good schools through The Good Schools: Making the Grade television show.
50,000 —
Children’s Charter of the Courts of Michigan, Inc., Lansing, MI
80,000 —
80,000 To improve the substance-abuse assessment and referral skills of home visitors through comprehensive skills training.
—
Detroit Executive Service Corps, Southfield, MI
188,000 —
188,000 To implement a Principal Leadership Development Program that provides training and technical assistance for the purpose
of improving collaboration between and among the city’s school administrators to improve student achievement.
—
224,000 —
224,000 To inform parents of the education achievement gap and create public will to decrease it.
—
City of Detroit, Detroit, MI
—
150,000 150,000 —
To improve the health and well being of low-income, first-time mothers and their children in two Detroit neighborhoods.
Coalition on Temporary Shelter, Detroit, MI
—
180,000 180,000 To support the general operations of a multi-site, emergency homeless shelter that serves Detroit’s families and children.
—
—
750,000 250,000 For general operating support and core activities to help Detroit parents advocate for improved outcomes for their children.
500,000
Michigan Council on Crime and Delinquency, Lansing, MI
268,000 —
134,000 To improve the parent-child relationship of incarcerated women and increase the literacy of their children using a formal
literacy program.
—
50,000 Development Centers, Inc., Detroit, MI
—
115,000 115,000 —
To create the conditions necessary to ensure access to high-quality, affordable preschool for all four-year-olds in Brightmoor.
—
134,000
—
70,000 70,000 To provide high-quality training to Brightmoor child care and education providers, and to develop community awareness about
the importance of high-quality preschool experiences. —
Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency, Pontiac, MI
200,000 —
100,000 To align multiple social service agencies to support children of incarcerated and probationer parents, particularly fathers.
100,000
Harding Elementary School, Detroit, MI
—
124,000 124,000 To support innovative strategies for school improvement which will result in increased high-quality educational opportunities
for families in the Brightmoor Community. 100,000
High Tech High Foundation, San Diego, CA
200,000 —
100,000 To provide technical assistance to create a new High Tech High school in Detroit.
100,000
Oakwood Healthcare System Foundation, Dearborn, MI
200,000 —
To support an education and outreach project to reduce asthma attacks and hospitalizations for children and youth in
Detroit and surrounding Wayne County communities.
—
—
International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit, Detroit, MI
—
30,000 30,000 To support Project Achievement, a tutoring program designed to improve the academic performance of minority and economically
disadvantaged students in the Detroit Public Schools.
—
672,000
—
1,800,000 1,800,000 To further implement and expand the Good Schools: Resource Center, the technical assistance arm of the
Good Schools: Making the Grade Initiative.
300,000
Southeastern Michigan Health Association, Detroit, MI
—
50,000 50,000 For the Growing Well Collaborative to engage community residents and health providers in designing of a five-year action
plan to improve the health of Detroit’s children in four target areas.
—
600,000 —
300,000 To provide academic leadership and technical assistance to the YES for PREP program that prepares Detroit students
to enter competitive college prep programs. 305,000
Southwest Counseling and Development Services, Detroit, MI
249,000 —
124,500 To offer family literacy programs to low-income Latino families and build the capacity of the community to increase awareness
and access to early-childhood education programs.
124,500
Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
—
450,000 145,000 To expand the Future Teachers for Social Justice program that engages 10th, 11th and 12th graders from
Detroit Public Schools in preparation for college and teaching careers.
The Ophelia J. Berry Fund, Inc., Englewood, NJ
—
50,000 50,000 To expand a college-prep program that successfully enrolls Detroit youth into college.
—
Spaulding for Children, Southfield, MI
—
125,000 125,000 To reduce child maltreatment in at-risk families by providing prevention and intervention services within The Skillman Foundation’s
six targeted neighborhoods.
—
—
300,000 100,000 For summer Engineering Academy to promote academic excellence while increasing
the number of Detroit area students exposed to and prepared for careers in math, science and engineering.
200,000
State of Michigan, Lansing, MI
—
30,000 30,000 To help the State of Michigan secure a federal waiver that allows it to use Title IVE funds to prevent foster care placement in
Detroit and other communities.
—
—
510,000 170,000 To continue to implement and expand the services of the Good Schools Making the Grade Management and
Technical Support Team.
340,000
State of Michigan — Department of Human Services, Lansing, MI
300,000 —
300,000 To improve access to supportive services for non-custodial fathers and increase their involvement in the lives of their children
through coordinated services within the Department of Human Services.
—
100,000 Poverty and Social Reform Institute, Warren, MI
95,000 —
95,000 To integrate early childhood education services, adult literacy and parenting education into a comprehensive family literacy
program at the Mt. Calvary Community Family Center located in south Warren.
Poverty and Social Reform Institute, Warren, MI
To create a Family Resource Center in the Brightmoor community that will provide education and outreach for parents
of preschoolers.
34
2006
Paid
Approved
—
1,082,000 410,000 Good Schools: Making the Grade Initiative
Volunteers in Prevention, Probation and Prisons, Inc., Detroit, MI
170,000 —
170,000 —
To build program capacity to match more high-risk children with mentors and enhance outcomes of those children through a
partnership with the faith community.
A. Douglas Jamieson Elementary School, Detroit, MI
—
85,000.00
85,000.00
—
Alexander Macomb Elementary School, Detroit, MI
—
25,000.00
25,000.00
—
TOTAL CHILDREN’S RELATIONSHIPS
Alice McLellan Birney Elementary School, Detroit, MI
—
25,000.00
25,000.00
—
—
100,000.00
100,000.00
—
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
—
25,000.00
25,000.00
—
Burton International, Detroit, MI
—
100,000.00
100,000.00
—
Carlyle Stewart Elementary School, Detroit, MI
—
60,000.00
60,000.00
—
Charles L. Spain Elementary/Middle School, Detroit, MI
—
40,000.00
40,000.00
—
Chrysler Elementary School, Detroit, MI
—
50,000.00
50,000.00
—
1,782,000 2,417,000 2,568,500 1,630,500
Archdiocese of Detroit, Detroit, MI
—
182,000 182,000 To improve the educational environment of Detroit’s parochial elementary schools through the development of site-based
school improvement teams.
—
Coleman A. Young Foundation, Detroit, MI
225,000 —
125,000 To expand the Post Secondary Readiness Planning Program, to support 8th graders in their transition to high school and
help 9th graders get and stay on a college-bound course.
100,000
35
Unpaid
12/31/05
2006
Paid
Approved
Unpaid
12/31/2006
David Ellis Academy, Detroit, MI
—
100,000.00
100,000.00
—
David Ellis Academy, Detroit, MI
—
40,000.00
40,000.00
—
Detroit Edison Public School Academy, Detroit, MI
—
100,000.00
100,000.00
—
Fairbanks Elementary School, Detroit, MI
—
75,000.00
75,000.00
—
Foreign Language Immersion and Cultural Studies School, Detroit, MI
—
50,000.00
50,000.00
—
Friends School in Detroit, Detroit, MI
—
75,000.00
75,000.00
—
Friends School in Detroit, Detroit, MI
—
25,000.00
25,000.00
—
Guyton Elementary School, Detroit, MI
—
25,000.00
25,000.00
Hattie M. Carstens Elementary, Detroit, MI
—
25,000.00
Heilmann Park Elementary School, Detroit, MI
—
John R. King Academic and Performing Arts Academy, Detroit, MI
Unpaid
12/31/04
2005
Paid
Approved
300,000 —
150,000 To support the evaluation of the three-year pilot phase of the Good Schools: Making the Grade Initiative.
150,000
—
50,000 50,000 For evaluation of the Detroit Digital Learning Community (DDLC) at Crockett Technical High School.
—
To develop a comprehensive plan for creating a digital learning program in Detroit public high schools.
—
75,000 75,000 —
—
100,000 100,000 To provide program management support for the Skillman Scholars Program.
—
504,000 —
252,000 To support high-achieving Detroit youth in reaching their fullest potential as scholars and leaders in school and the community.
252,000
—
25,000.00
—
TOTAL
25,000.00
25,000.00
—
—
50,000.00
50,000.00
—
Home and Community
Katherine B. White Elementary, Detroit, MI
—
25,000.00
25,000.00
—
—
Langston Hughes School for the Fine and Performing Arts, Detroit, MI
—
25,000.00
25,000.00
—
Abayomi Community Development Corporation, Detroit, MI
—
50,000 50,000 To support a collaboration of faith-based organizations providing high-quality after-school program activities to children who reside
in northwest Detroit and focusing on the newly created Wait Up! Program.
Mann Learning Community, Detroit, MI
—
85,000.00
85,000.00
—
—
25,000.00
25,000.00
—
Action Against Crime & Violence Education Fund, Washington, DC
—
110,000 55,000 To build legislative support to sustain and expand access to quality early-learning and after-school programs for disadvantaged
families in the Detroit area.
55,000
Marvin L. Winans Academy of Performing Arts, Detroit, MI
Marvin L. Winans Academy of Performing Arts, Detroit, MI
—
25,000.00
25,000.00
—
—
25,000.00
25,000.00
—
Alkebu-Lan Village, Detroit, MI
100,000 —
100,000 For a martial arts after-school program in the Osborn neighborhood.
—
Samuel Gompers Elementary School, Detroit, MI
Sherrard Elementary School, Detroit, MI
—
10,000.00
10,000.00
—
—
Thirkell Elementary School, Detroit, MI
—
75,000.00
75,000.00
—
—
100,000 100,000 To grow and nurture a cadre of youth leaders in Southwest Detroit through community service, civic engagement and training.
Timbuktu Academy of Science & Technology, Detroit, MI
—
10,000.00
10,000.00
—
—
University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy, Detroit, MI
—
75,000.00
75,000.00
—
American Institute for Social Justice, Washington, DC
—
150,000 150,000 To reduce poverty in Osborn and Brightmoor neighborhoods by increasing access to the Earned Income Tax Credit for
low-income families. Woodward Public School Academy, Detroit, MI
—
15,000.00
15,000.00
—
150,000
Woodward Public School Academy, Detroit, MI
—
35,000.00
35,000.00
—
Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services, Dearborn, MI
—
225,000 75,000 To support the implementation of a youth multi-media program in the Chadsey/Condon neighborhood in Southwest Detroit to
engage Arab-American, African-American and Latino youth.
Benjamin E. Mays Male Academy Association, Detroit, MI
—
50,000 50,000 To support a collaboration of faith-based organizations providing high-quality non-school program activities to children who reside in
the Gratiot/Van Dyke/Mack area on Detroit’s eastside.
—
Black Family Development, Inc., Detroit, MI
—
250,000 125,000 To organize and support block-clubs and provide leadership training for Osborn residents. 125,000
100,000 —
50,000 To support evaluation of the Foundation’s Culture and Arts Youth Development Initiative. 50,000
130,000 —
130,000 To support the evaluation of the third phase of the Foundation’s Youth Sports and Recreation Initiative.
—
Bridging Communities, Inc., Detroit, MI
—
15,000 15,000 To expand youth understanding of senior citizens through a series of after-school youth-elder dialogues. —
Brightmoor Community Center, Detroit, MI
—
100,000 100,000 To develop a youth and parent leadership component in conjunction with out-of-school, youth-centered
programming in the Brightmoor Community. —
Skillman Scholars Program
Cranbrook Educational Community, Bloomfield Hills, MI
—
189,843 189,843 For scholarships for eight academically gifted, minority youth from the Detroit area to attain the skills necessary
to be future leaders who will be successful in challenging higher education settings.
—
Detroit Country Day School, Beverly Hills, MI
—
to be future leaders that will be successful in challenging higher education settings .
—
Roeper City and Country School, Bloomfield Hills, MI
—
101,025 101,025 For scholarships for six academically gifted, minority youth from the Detroit area to attain the skills necessary
—
University Liggett School, Grosse Pointe, MI
—
—
2,291,000 7,961,919 7,905,919 Cable Communications Public Benefit Corporation, Detroit, MI
150,000 —
—
To support the expansion of multi-media programming for Detroit youth through an afterschool media-arts program.
Skillman College Scholarships
36
Unpaid
12/31/2005
2,347,000
150,000
—
—
Cathedral Community Services, Inc., Detroit, MI
—
50,000 50,000 To support a collaboration of faith-based organizations providing high-quality out-of-school program activities to children who
live in Detroit’s cultural center community.
500,000
—
900,000 300,000 To support Boys 2 Men, a drop-out prevention and recovery program for African-American teen males living
in Detroit’s Northend neighborhood.
600,000
—
750,000 250,000 To develop nonprofit collaborations that solicit revenues from county, state and federal funding sources to address community
issues facing children and families.
120,000
Wayne County Community College District, Detroit, MI
—
325,000 325,000 To develop a middle college program that provides students access and support to enroll in community
college courses while they are in high school.
—
—
240,000 120,000 To continue to expand Detroit Data Partnership’s capacity as a clearinghouse for community data and to support data
evaluation in the Good Neighborhoods Initiative. City Connect Detroit, Detroit, MI
—
240,000 80,000 To support the Mayor’s Next Detroit Initiative through the creation of an Office of Neighborhood Investment for the City of Detroit.
160,000
Wayne County Regional Educational Service Agency, Wayne, MI
—
50,000 50,000 To support a countywide comprehensive system of early childhood services and supports in Wayne County.
—
—
51,500 51,500 —
Student Mentor Partners, St. Clair Shores, MI 50,000 —
50,000 To expand and enhance mentoring services to low-income students enrolled in private schools as a part of the
Student Mentor Partners Program.
37
Unpaid
12/31/05
2006
Paid
Approved
Unpaid
12/31/2006
City Mission, Detroit, MI
—
200,000 100,000 To expand after-school programming for youth through the implementation of block club captains as primary recruiters of
youth and volunteers.
100,000
City Year, Inc., Boston, MA
—
600,000 200,000 To establish teams of young adult volunteers in an elementary school in each of the Good Neighborhood Initiative communities.
400,000
College for Creative Studies, Detroit, MI
89,000 —
89,000 To provide arts-based youth development programs in two Detroit neighborhoods in collaboration with community-based,
youth serving agencies. —
—
200,000 200,000 To increase after-school programming in neighborhoods with high concentrations of children and limited services.
—
180,000 —
85,000 To support visual arts program for underserved Detroit middle and high school students.
95,000
—
1,475,000 475,000 To support a collaboration of schools and community organizations to expand out-of-school time programming that benefits children
in four Detroit neighborhoods. 1,000,000
—
300,000 100,000 To support an extensive field-trip series exposing children and families to a diversity of experiences so that each can more intentionally
plan their futures.
200,000
50,000 —
25,000 To build the capacity of the Council of Michigan Foundations (CMF) to strengthen philanthropy in Detroit and Southeast Michigan for
the benefit of low-income children and families.
25,000
Detroit 300 Conservancy, Detroit, MI
50,000 —
50,000 To establish programming for children and families at the downtown Detroit’s Campus Martius Park.
2006
Paid
Approved
Unpaid
12/31/2006
Latino Family Services, Inc., Detroit, MI
—
5,000.00
5,000.00
—
Life Directions, Inc., Detroit, MI
—
5,000.00
5,000.00
—
Madison Community Resource Center, Detroit, MI
—
5,000.00
5,000.00
—
Mercy Education Project, Detroit, MI
—
5,000.00
5,000.00
—
Michigan Hispanic Fund, Detroit, MI
—
3,000.00
3,000.00
—
—
120,000.00
120,000.00
—
Neighborhood Centers Inc., Detroit, MI
—
5,000.00
5,000.00
—
Neighborhood Centers Inc., Detroit, MI
—
3,450.00
3,450.00
—
Prevention Network, East Lansing, MI
—
100,800.00
100,800.00
—
Southwest Counseling and Development, Detroit, MI
—
4,500.00
4,500.00
—
United Generation Council Theatrical Troupe, Detroit, MI
—
5,000.00
5,000.00
—
—
5,000.00
5,000.00
—
NCDI, Detroit, MI
To support four work groups in each Good Neighborhood Initiative communities to develop actions plans to reach their community goals.
—
120,000 —
120,000
—
—
Hartford Agape House, Inc., Detroit, MI
—
50,000 50,000 To support a collaboration of faith-based organizations providing high-quality out-of-school program activities to children who reside in
northwest Detroit.
—
Inside Out Literary Arts Project, Inc., Detroit, MI
100,000 —
100,000 To support youth literary arts programs and strengthen organizational operations.
—
Detroit Community Initiative, Detroit, MI
—
80,000 80,000 To implement the Retro-Neighborhood Initiative to provide neighborhood improvement and community unification in Osborn area. 230,000
Inside Out Literary Arts Project, Inc., Detroit, MI
—
300,000 100,000 To support a youth development program in Vernor and Osborn Neighborhoods that uses creative instruction in poetry, performance,
graphic arts and other media. 200,000
Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation, Detroit, MI
—
345,000 115,000 To establish urban arts afterschool and summer programs for youth ages 12–18.
Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Inc., Detroit, MI
115,000 —
115,000 For the Civic Philharmonic (formally Philharmonia) youth orchestra program that provides ongoing music instruction to students
and diversifies the Detroit Symphony Orchestra civics program.
—
—
50,000 50,000 To develop a plan to make the Unity Park neighborhood a supportive and nurturing place for children and families to live.
—
65,000
Local Initiatives Support Corporation, New York, NY
1,000,000 —
500,000 To help spur physical development in neighborhoods such as clinics, schools, childcare and recreation facilities, planned greenspace
and affordable housing which contribute to healthy environments for children to thrive. 500,000
Detroit Youth Foundation, Detroit, MI
—
150,000 85,000 To support the engagement of youth (ages 11–19) in the planning phase of the Good Neighborhoods Initiative.
The Edison Institute, Inc., Dearborn, MI
—
50,000 50,000 To provide technical assistance and learning activities for the Foundation’s Culture and Arts grantees to improve their ability
to serve children.
—
Matrix Human Services, Detroit, MI
—
300,000 150,000 To provide coordinated programs and services for families and children, grades 4–7, in the Osborn neighborhood.
150,000
75,000
Matrix Theatre Company, Inc., Detroit, MI
—
300,000 100,000 To prepare youth for engaged citizenry through training in theatre arts in a Good Neighborhoods Initiative’s community.
200,000
Focus: HOPE, Detroit, MI
175,000 —
100,000 For a youth photography program and to offer high school students opportunities to work with professional artists as instructors
and mentors.
200,000
Free Press Charities, Inc., Detroit, MI
—
500,000 500,000 To provide matching funds for the 2006 Children First Summer Dreams Wish Book, which publicizes and showcases summer youth
programs in need of support. —
Mayor’s Time, Detroit, MI
—
300,000 100,000 To build the capacity of youth-serving organizations to use a web-based information system to ensure consistent data collection of
youth participation in after school programs.
Mercy Education Project, Detroit, MI
—
204,000 110,000 To improve and expand a girls afterschool one-to-one tutorial program for reading and math.
94,000
—
160,000 160,000 To support the Positive Youth Development program which develops various life skills for girls ages 5–17 in the Tri-County area.
—
Michigan League for Human Services, Lansing, MI
—
85,000 85,000 To support the 2006 Kids Count in Michigan Data Book, which provides credible information on the well-being of children in Michigan.
—
—
300,000 100,000 To provide school-based intervention and resources for girls ages 11–17 to gain skills, tools and ambition to pursue college. 200,000
Michigan Neighborhood Partnership, Detroit, MI
—
150,000 150,000 To provide training and technical assistance to the clusters of churches participating in the Foundation’s Faith-based Initiative.
—
Michigan Opera Theatre, Detroit, MI
—
225,000 75,000 To support positive youth development through the Building Bridges Through Creativity Program by providing opportunities
for disadvantaged youth in the Franklin Wright Settlements to participate in opera and dance.
150,000
200,000 —
100,000 To increase awareness of public investments for children’s issues in the state budget and to enhance advocacy among policymakers
and the public.
100,000
—
25,000 25,000 For a bridge grant to support the general operations of Michigan’s Children, a statewide child advocacy organization to
provide critical data and analysis that supports advocacy for positive outcomes for children.
—
Michigan’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Foundation, Detroit, MI
—
110,000 110,000 To support the Skillman Foundation’s Float and Balloon design contest which utilizes literature as a teaching tool for
elementary school children in a rewards-based competition.
—
Good Neighborhoods Planning Grants
38
Unpaid
12/31/05
—
4,000.00
4,000.00
To provide grants to advance community planning and learning efforts in Skillman designated neighborhoods.
—
Bridging Communities, Inc., Detroit, MI
—
—
Casa De Unidad, Detroit, MI
—
4,950.00—
Communities in Schools of Detroit, Detroit, MI
—
5,000.00
5,000.00
—
Creative Community Pathways, Inc., Detroit, MI
—
5,000.00
5,000.00
—
—
4,700.00
4,700.00
—
Latin Americans for Social and Economic Development, Inc., Detroit, MI
—
5,000.00
5,000.00
—
600.00
600.00
4,950.00
39
Unpaid
12/31/05
Unpaid
12/31/2006
Unpaid
12/31/05
2006
Paid
Approved
Unpaid
12/31/2006
VASTMI Accounting Aid Society, Detroit, MI
—
114,600 114,600 To implement a neighborhood-based tax and asset-building services site for low-income families with children in southwest Detroit.
—
VSA Arts of Michigan, Detroit, MI
—
150,000 50,000 To provide emotionally and cognitively disabled youth with hands-on arts experiences to build self-esteem and life skills.
100,000
150,000 —
To expand the Urban Artist Collective program to serve more youth and promote positive development through multi-media design,
literacy and the performing arts.
75,000
Michigan Women’s Foundation, Livonia, MI
350,000 —
150,000 To expand the Young Women for Change youth grantmaking program in four Detroit neighborhoods (Brightmoor, Cody/Rouge,
Chadsey/Condon and Vernor). 200,000
—
250,000 100,000 To upgrade the main auditorium at the Detroit Institute of Arts to support Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit live theatrical performances.
150,000
—
300,000 100,000 To expand youth performing arts training and educational programs into three targeted neighborhoods.
200,000
Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts, Detroit, MI
150,000 —
75,000 To support a neighborhood-based performing arts program in Detroit recreation centers managed by Music Hall Center, a large
cultural institution.
75,000
—
50,000 50,000 To support a collaboration of faith-based organizations providing high-quality out-of-school program activities to children
who live in Detroit’s Northend neighborhood.
—
—
120,000 120,000 To support the Good Neighborhoods Communications Program which engages and involves community residents,
nonprofits, and community partners in the long-term work of the program.
—
—
25,000 25,000 To identify and share neighborhood data, and serve as a data consultant to the Good Neighborhood Initiative.
—
398,000
YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit, Detroit, MI
175,000 —
100,000 To support a youth media arts program.
75,000
—
845,000 447,000 To support technical assistance and communications for the Good Neighborhoods Initiative that will strengthen community
planning, resident engagement and the transition to the Readiness Phase.
—
2,550,000 850,000 For general operating support for the Youth Sports and Recreation Commission.
1,700,000
266,000 —
266,000 To work with the six targeted communities and Foundation staff to implement the planning phase of the Good Neighborhoods Initiative.
—
250,000
Neighborhood Centers, Inc., Detroit, MI
—
125,000 125,000 To support the Springwells Village Development Collaborative’s efforts to organize youth development activities and create physical
spaces to support them. —
—
500,000 250,000 To support a nonprofit and media collaboration to increase volunteerism, individual activism and positive media
coverage of positive neighborhoods and schools efforts in Detroit, ARISE Detroit.
Neighborhood Service Organization, Detroit, MI
To expand a youth-led anti-violence campaign in collaboration with local high schools in Northeast Detroit to decrease the use
of gun violence. 40
2006
Paid
Approved
150,000 —
75,000 TOTAL HOME AND COMMUNITY
75,000
4,544,000 16,018,800 75,000 11,189,800 9,373,000
GRANTMAKING OPPORTUNITIES
—
164,000 164,000 To determine the capacity needs of small and medium-sized nonprofits in the six targeted communities of the
Good Neighborhoods Initiative.
—
—
150,000 150,000 To build the organizational and program capacity of small / medium size community-based and faith-based nonprofits in
metro Detroit.
—
100,000 —
50,000 To support a multi-disciplinary arts and culture program for youth in two neighborhood centers.
50,000
The Pewabic Society, Inc., Detroit, MI
—
150,000 75,000 To expand a high school ceramics apprentice program.
75,000
Prevention Network, East Lansing, MI
—
334,200 334,200 To develop and oversee the learning and small grants programs of the Good Neighborhoods Initiative.
—
—
450,000 150,000 To engage young people in efforts to reduce racial segregation in metropolitan Detroit. 300,000
100,000 —
100,000 For the multi-level, comprehensive evaluation of the Foundation’s faith-based initiative.
—
454,000 —
454,000 To establish a technical assistance center for the implementation of the Foundation’s Good Neighborhoods Initiative. —
—
50,000 50,000 To support a collaboration of faith-based organizations providing high-quality out-of-school program activities to children
who reside in Northeast Detroit.
—
—
60,000 60,000 To support a collaboration of faith-based organizations to pilot a community policing model targeting men residing in the
Osborn neighborhood.
—
The Sphinx Organization, Inc., Detroit, MI
—
345,000 115,000 To support a performing-arts program in two Skillman Foundation Good Neighborhoods (Chadsey/Condon and Vernor).
Association of Black Foundation Executives. New York, NY
—
5,000 5,000 2006 Institutional membership dues.
—
Boardsource, Inc., Washington, DC
—
5,000 5,000 For 2006 Institutional membership dues.
— Council of Michigan Foundations, Grand Haven, MI
—
75,000 25,000 To support the Office of the Foundation Liaison for continued coordination of public/private projects between the Governor’s
office and Michigan philanthropy.
50,000
—
—
Council on Foundations, Washington, DC
—
—
Crossroads of Michigan, Detroit, MI
—
40,000 40,000 To support the general operating expenses of Crossroads outreach services for low-income families in the city of Detroit.
—
Forgotten Harvest, Inc., Southfield, MI
—
200,000 200,000 To provide support for the distribution of fresh food items to Detroit-area emergency food distributors serving families with children.
—
The Foundation Center, New York, NY
—
10,000 10,000 For 2006 general operating support.
—
Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, MI
—
15,000 15,000 To support the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership.
—
Grantmakers for Children, Youth and Families, Silver Spring, MD
—
—
Grantmakers for Education, Portland, OR
—
—
230,000
Grantmakers for Effective Organizations, Washington, DC
—
—
—
50,000 50,000 To build organizational capacity by developing a sustainable, unrestricted funding base to support ongoing sports programs
for Detroit youth.
—
Grantmakers in Health, Washington, DC
—
—
—
210,000 —
210,000 To bring high-quality athletic leagues and positive adult role models to three Detroit neighborhoods, Eliza Howell (Brightmoor),
Jayne Field (eastside Detroit) and Patton Park (southwest Detroit) where organized leagues do not currently exist.
—
Grantmakers in the Arts, Seattle, WA
—
300 300 For 2006 Institutional membership dues.
Independent Sector, Washington, DC
—
—
University Cultural Center Association, Detroit, MI
—
25,000 25,000 To sponsor the 2006 Detroit Festival of the Arts and to pilot a new interactive children’s exhibit in the Children’s Fair. —
Michigan Association for Evaluation, Detroit, MI
—
40 40 For 2006 Individual membership dues.
—
41
2006
Paid
Approved
Unpaid
12/31/05
Unpaid
12/31/2006
Michigan K.I.D.S., Inc., Detroit, MI
—
225,000 225,000 To provide copies of the Detroit Free Press and YAK’s Corner to all 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students in Detroit to promote
informational literacy.
—
Michigan Nonprofit Association, Lansing, MI
—
—
Neighborhood Funders Group, Washington, DC
—
—
—
25,000 25,000 For a bridge grant to provide general operating support for New Detroit’s continued leadership in advancing regional
economic and social equity.
—
Old Newsboys Goodfellow Fund of Detroit, Detroit, MI
—
10,000 10,000 To provide general operating support for distribution of gift packages and services addressing the basic needs of children.
—
The Philanthropy Roundtable, Washington, DC
—
500 500 For 2006 Associate membership.
—
Southfield Community Foundation, Southfield, MI
—
100,000 100,000 To support and develop the creation of a comprehensive youth center designed and led by youth.
—
United Negro College Fund, Inc., Fairfax, VA
—
90,000 90,000 To support the general operations of UNCF and its 39-member Historically Black Colleges and Universities, (HBCU), in the United States.
—
United Way for Southeastern Michigan, Detroit, MI
—
30,000 30,000 To support the 2006 Torch Drive annual campaign in reaching its $61 million goal. —
Women & Philanthrophy, Washington, DC
—
100 100 For 2006 Individual membership dues.
—
“People need to work with people,” says Sheila Crowell, a Community Connections panelist and Southwest Detroit resident.
President’s Discretionary Grants
300,480 300,480 Matching Gifts
1,037,269 1,037,269 Returned Grants
(1,310,620)
(310,620)
938,069 1,888,069 TOTAL GRANTMAKING OPPORTUNITIES
—
Small-grants program lets
residents take the lead
50,000
Community Connections driven by neighborhood’s goals for children
Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm walks with students from Brenda Scott Middle School in Detroit in September. The governor, joined by Skillman Foundation President & CEO Carol Goss,
was in the Osborn neighborhood to highlight the state’s Safe Routes to School program.
By Edith Assaff
T
he Skillman Foundation is putting its money where its mouth is when
it says the Good Neighborhoods program is a resident-led initiative —
right up to and including decision-making about funding.
“Community Connections grants are small grants — up to $5,000 —
to support their core business,” says Johnson. “Our primary grantmaking
serves that purpose. Community Connections supports funding for residentinitiated projects and programs.”
that can be initiated by residents if they see an unmet need for children in their
In fact, the applications are peer-reviewed, meaning that the neighbor-
neighborhood,” says Sharnita Johnson, Skillman’s program officer who oversees
hood residents make recommendations regarding which applications should
the Community Connections grants. “The initiative was established to make
receive funding. A resident panel of people from the neighborhoods meets
the Good Neighborhoods program more responsive to residents by giving them
monthly to review Community Connections grant applications, and
the opportunity to personally advance the neighborhood’s goal for children.”
Prevention Network facilitates the review process. The goal is to have full
Since only nonprofits with audited financials of at least $100,000 annually
can receive foundation funding, individuals cannot apply for funding to
42
“This is not another way for larger nonprofits to access Skillman funds
representation from each of the Good Neighborhoods as the program evolves.
“The resident review panel is a hard-working group of people,” says Lisa
develop a project in their neighborhood. As a result of the Foundation’s part-
Leverette, Community Connections coordinator. “To meet every month and
nership with Prevention Network, the Community Connections program is
read dozens of applications is very demanding work. What drives them is
designed so that residents, youth and families can partner with a smaller
their love for the children and their excitement about the innovative projects
nonprofit, which will serve as the fiduciary for the grant.
they see coming out of the neighborhoods.”
43
The grant application process itself is a learning experience, Leverette
says.
“One applicant received technical assistance for two rounds before she
have become very passionate about community development and youth
because of spiraling debt and little or no savings,” Young says. “We have the
empowerment.”
power now to help our children to avoid common financial mistakes by
Cynthia Wishart, director of St. Christine Christian Services and the project’s
helping them grow up money smart.”
coordinator. “Attendance far exceeded our goals.”
The mission of Destiny Investments Initiatives is “to develop young
was ultimately funded. Technical assistance is available to the applicant
women into purpose-driven and destiny-minded women who will be para-
The group offered an eight-week program called “How Money Works for
throughout the application process and is also available if the applicant is
gons of excellence, integrity and nobility.” Webb believes that this can best
Kids,” which helped 25 students ages 10 to 18 learn simple financial strategies
recruited children, Corpus Christi Parish provided transportation and facili-
St. Christine Christian Services and Shurly Family Learning Center
be accomplished by empowering
that will make them better equipped to deal with money matters later in life.
ties for the camp, Leland Missionary Baptist Church parking lot was a pick-up
particular applicant was not only
girls spiritually, intellectually and
The class explored topics such as saving money, budget basics, credit cards,
point for gathering kids, and Northwest Detroit Youth Coalition provided
financially. The group offered
philanthropy and the financial advantage to starting young. In the final week,
additional financial assistance. Young people had a home-cooked breakfast
personal and professional develop-
Young met with the parents and implemented a savings and budgeting plan
and lunch every day, participated in fun and enriching activities and formed
ment workshops with 15 girls on
for every family. Each child
topics such as hygiene, etiquette,
opened his or her own savings
drug prevention, presentation skills
account at Fifth Third Bank,
and leadership.
which offered to open the
valuable member of the resident
review panel.”
Community Connections grants,
along with small learning grants, also
serve to infuse resources immediately
The mentoring program has
into neighborhoods to get momentum
friendships, says Wishart.
declined and wishes to reapply. This
funded, she went on to become a
accounts with a parent’s
“It was great watching the
older children develop a protective
interest in the younger children
and seeing them respond posi-
going on the ground while the lengthy
received much acclaim and has given
planning process rolls out.
rise to a second generation of young
Young’s catch-phrase: It
leaders: Four of the initial group of
doesn’t matter how much you
Johnson says. “They want to get started
girls who were mentored have estab-
make, it matters how much you
doing the work. The Community
lished their own nonprofit, Young
save. She drives home the point
participated in an overnight
Connections grants allow them to
Ladies of Distinction, in order to
by explaining that a person
lock-in. Other activities included
resource action projects that can have
engage in program planning and
making $30,000 a year who
basketball, music, dance, arts and
an immediate impact on kids as soon
workshop facilitation for their peers.
saves 10 percent of her income
crafts, money management and a
as the neighborhood goal is deter-
This new nonprofit has also applied
will be more secure than a
trip to the Henry Ford Museum.
mined by residents.”
for and received a Community
person who earns $100,000 a
Connections grant for “Ladies in
year but habitually overspends
Leadership Catalyzing Change,” a
by 10 percent. The person with
two-week program focusing on
the lower income ends up with
personal development and empower-
$30,000 in savings in 10 years,
ment for girls.
while the person with the larger income ends up $100,000 in debt in 10 years.
“People get bored with planning,”
Youth empowering youth
In the Vernor neighborhood on
Detroit’s Southwest side, a group of
young people is not waiting for adults
to provide needed programs. Instead
Fahmi Gelan, 10, takes part in a recent community meeting in Southwest
Detroit. She attended the meeting with her father, Hussein Gelan, and her
brother Radwan Gelan.
nonprofit and has received a Community Connections grant to launch a
mentoring program for girls in the neighborhood.
Jennifer Webb, a University of Michigan student who was born and raised
in Southwest Detroit and graduated in 2005 from Renaissance High School, is
passionate about bringing quality sustainable programming to an area with
“Running their own nonprofit
gives them an opportunity to demon-
the group has established its own
DeAndre Portis, 10, bows his head in prayer before the meal at a recent community meeting in
Southwest Detroit.
Young also stresses to young people the importance of philanthropy.
“Our children need to know that they can go to college, live a better life
Young’s involvement in Good Neighborhoods includes serving on the
Community Connections resident-review panel as well as on the Special
students or young professionals — founded a nonprofit, Destiny Investment
making the same financial mistakes she had made. She founded the nonprofit
Initiatives, Inc.
neighborhood,” says Webb, a 19-year-old junior majoring in public policy. “I
“My biggest joy was watching
at what they do not yet have,” she says.
Becoming financially stable
“There was a tremendous amount
Children ages 10 and older
the Destiny Investment Initiatives mentoring program,” Webb says. “This is
our way of empowering young women to be the next generation of leaders.”
tively with one another,” she says.
of bonding between students.”
and give back to their community with what they have and not keep looking
Osborn resident Sabrina Young wanted to ensure that young people avoided
was determined to see that these programs were available to other girls in my
signature.
strate through direct application some of the concepts they have learned in
few opportunities for youth. She and seven of her friends — all college
“I thought of the kind of programs I wish had been available to me, and I
44
“The collaboration helped us reach more kids than we expected,” says
Opportunities Action Planning Team for Osborn.
14-, 15- and 16-year-olds outside
playing games with the younger
kids,” Wishart says.
Children-led program, policies
The Westside Cultural and Athletic Club’s seven-week summer camp stands
out for three reasons: it’s been running continuously for 31 years in
Southwest Detroit’s Chadsey/Condon neighborhood; it served 160 children
ages 5–18 this past year; and the children set the policies and program.
“During the winter, the young people who attended the summer camp
form committees to determine next year’s program,” says Ericka Wright,
executive director, who coordinates the program. “There is a policy
Collaboration for kids
committee, a program committee and a field trip committee.”
Sabrina Young and Associates, which offers a financial literacy program for
In Brightmoor, the community took a different approach that led to reaching
Grandparent picnic in which kids host seniors, or a teen club in which young
youth in the Osborn neighborhood that is funded by a Community
more children in the area. Five neighborhood organizations collaborated to
people serve as assistant coaches, play leaders and aides. Other activities
Connections grant.
offer four continuous weeks of summer day camp for 67 neighborhood kids,
include a football clinic, a basketball tournament, arts and crafts, life skills,
ages 5–17.
conflict resolution, literacy and nutrition.
“Statistics show that many adults are facing a serious financial crisis
As a result, the camp offers innovative activities, such as an Adopt-a-
45
The Community Connection resident review
panelists and their neighborhoods* are:
Elaine Bourne — Osborn
News about the Foundation
Sheila Crowell — Chadsey/Condon
Carol Goss named James A. Joseph Lecturer
Crystal Epps — Brightmoor
Skillman President & CEO Carol Goss was the recipient of the prestigious
Brian Hardaway — Osborn
James A. Joseph Lecture Award from the Association of Black Foundation
Andrea M. Cole, Skillman
Tonya Thomas Jefferson — Chadsey/Condon
Executives, and delivered the 16th James A. Joseph Lecture during the
Foundation Treasurer & CFO, has
Mia Lee — Osborn
Council of Foundations’ Annual Meeting in Seattle, Washington. The award
been named executive director of
Mary Luevanos — Vernor
was established in 1991 as a tribute to Joseph, former ambassador to South
the Detroit-based Ethel & James
James Martin — Chadsey/Condon
Africa, ABFE co-founder, and distinguished leader in the field of philan-
Flinn Foundation. Cole, who will
Otis Mathis — Vernor
thropy. The Lecture recognizes an outstanding individual whose leadership
begin her new job in January,
Rito Villareal — Vernor
and contributions as a visionary philanthropic leader have helped advance
has been with The Skillman
Sabrina Young — Osborn
progressive philanthropic ideals, strengthen grantmaking institutions and
Foundation for 20 years. “Everyone
Father Edward Zaorski — Vernor
build vital Black communities.
here will miss Andrea terribly,” said
Skillman CFO to run
new foundation
Andrea M. Cole
Eric Price, 9, left, Juan Gutierrez, 11, and Allan Veestra, 14, romp with Eric and Allan’s
dog in Stanton Park at Porter and 18th streets in Southwest Detroit.
Community Connections small
grants can be awarded for:
“My favorite activity is a contest for teenage boys to see who could come

Beautification of outdoor spaces
up with the most nutritious meal plan,” Wright says. “The winner got to see

Mentoring , tutoring and other positive youth programs

Increased and improved community interaction

Intergenerational experiences

Youth development and building youth leadership

Building a community organization’s leadership and
his menu prepared and served to all the other kids.”
The children harvested fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers and blueberries in the Youth Adult Neighborhood Commitment Park, also funded by a
Community Connections grant.
“They got to actually taste the difference between food that has been
capacity
processed to death or has sat in a truck and on a grocery shelf for weeks, and
food that has just come out of the ground,” Wright says. “They were amazed.”

A Community Connections grant helped to provide better equipment for
the summer camp, extend services to a greater number of kids and expand


Developing money management, employment, education
financing and other knowledge/skills for career
year of the Good Neighborhoods program in the four neighborhoods —
the planning process. Each of these grants has helped neighbors realize the
Arts and culture, including public art such as murals and
street performances
grants, totaling more than $250,000, that have been awarded during the first
Brightmoor, Osborn, Vernor and Chadsey/Condon — that have completed
Building alliances between grassroots groups and establishing youth and family serving agencies
field-trip activities.
These stories illustrate only a few of the many Community Connections
* Three Brightmoor positions reserved; one Chadsey/Condon
position reserved.
development

Service learning and civic engagement
neighborhood goal for their kids.
This modest small-grants program is truly the heart and soul of the
Good Neighborhoods program. It reflects the values that ground the initiative
— the belief that residents know how to do what needs to be done for children to grow up safe, healthy, educated and successful in their neighborhood.
46
Complete list of small grants
www.skillman.org
Rediscovering a River
Detroit’s much-anticipated RiverWalk has transformed a large chunk of Downtown into a perfect sport for kids of all ages. An impressive stop along the pathway is a carousel that — instead
of horses — features 10 species of wildlife native to the Detroit Riverfront. The carousel, the work of sculptor Jeffrey Briggs, was funded by a $1.2-million Skillman Foundation grant.
47
Foundation President & CEO Carol Goss. “We’re losing a remarkable woman,
but we’re also very proud that Andrea will lead a new and important Detroit
Foundation, whose mission is to improve the mental health system. We wish
Foundation
welcomes new
high school intern
Skillman Trustees
her all the best. I’m confident she’ll be a terrific leader.”
Carnisha Gilder, 17, joined the
Good Schools
Guide available
Foundation in August. Gilder is
a straight-A 11th-grader at Cass
Tech High School in Detroit. She
The 2007 Good Schools
primarily supports the work of
Guide, A Report Card for
the grants management and
Detroit Families, was
operations teams.
Carnisha Gilder
published earlier this year.
Call the Foundation or visit
Crain’s honors Goss, Allen
www.skillman.org to get a
free copy. The Foundation
also awarded more than
$2.2 million in grants to
Detroit elementary,
middle and high schools
Crain’s Detroit Business named The Skillman Foundation’s Carol Goss as one
of Metro Detroit’s Most Influential Women, an honor bestowed every five
years to Southeast Michigan’s most dynamic and powerful women. The
Stephen E. Ewing, Chair
David Baker Lewis, Vice Chair
Lizabeth Ardisana
Ralph W. Babb, Jr.
Lillian Bauder
William M. Brodhead
Edsel B. Ford, II
Carol Goss
publication also named Tonya Allen to this year’s 40 Under 40 list, which
recognizes Detroit’s emerging leaders.
during the third year of
Good Schools Guide
2007
the multimillion-dollar
Good Schools: Making
the Grade initiative.
The schools received from $10,000 to
$100,000 each. This year’s 102 winning schools were honored at a Good
Schools Celebration of Excellence dinner and program at the Detroit Marriott
Renaissance Center on May 17.
Public policy fellow
joins team
Kenita Montgomery, a native
of Oakland, Calif., has joined
the Foundation as program
policy fellow. Montgomery has
a bachelor’s degree from Yale
University and a Master of
New Web site coming
Public Policy degree from the
Gerald R. Ford School of Public
The Skillman Foundation is in the final phase of completely transforming
Policy at the University of
its Web site. The new site, developed by Arlington, Virginia-based Beaconfire
Michigan in Ann Arbor. Her
role at the Foundation is to
Kenita Montgomery
support and advance the Foundation’s change making strategies.
48
Consulting, will be launched in early 2008. It will have many new and interactive features, including a searchable grants database. Visit the site at
www.skillman.org.
Amyre Makupson
Eddie R. Munson
Robert S. Taubman
49
Skillman
Staff
50
Senior
Management
Team
Carol Goss
President &
Chief Executive Officer
Tonya Allen
Vice President,
Program
Andrea Cole
Treasurer
& Chief Financial Officer
William Hanson
Director of Communications
& Technology
Alan Harris
Chief Investment
Officer
Rhonda Anderson
Administrative Assistant to Vice
President, Program
Jared Atabuatsi
Intern
(Cass Technical High School)
Ashley Bush
Intern
(Cass Technical High School)
Steve Catallo
Investment
Officer
Dorrian McGhee
Communications
Manager
Lisa Cylar Miller
Special Projects
Officer
Suzanne Moran
Grants
Manager
Danielle Olekszyk
Controller,
Assistant Treasurer
Marie Colombo
Knowledge Management
Officer
Heather Dombrowski
Operations
Manager
Ed Egnatios
Senior Program Officer,
Good Neighborhoods
Julie Ermler
Accounting
Manager
Tamalon Overton
Program
Associate
Arnett Parham
Executive Assistant
to the President
Stacey Parker
Administrative
Assistant
Lan Pham
Program
Associate
Sharnita Johnson
Program
Officer
Rhonda Jordan
Program
Associate
Shirley Ingraham
Technology
Manager
Kristen McDonald
Senior Program Officer,
Education
Erica Raglin
Grants
Assistant
Jaime Schubring
Receptionist/Administrative
Assistant
Simonne Searles
Administrative
Assistant
Robert Thornton
Program
Officer
51
The Skillman legacy
47 years later, kids still matter here
I
n three years The Skillman
In 1939, Robert Skillman
Foundation will celebrate its
returned to 3M to negotiate the
50th anniversary. Rose Skillman,
purchase of the Studebaker plant
our founder, spent much of her
on Piquette Street in the
time worrying about the needs of
Milwaukee Junction area of
children — especially vulnerable
Detroit’s Northend neighborhood.
children. She’s been gone for
He also coordinated the project
nearly a quarter-century, but her
that would transform the facility
unwavering advocacy for children
into an adhesive plant. He worked
lives on.
for this company as an executive
consultant until his death in 1945.
Rose and Robert Skillman,
both born in Ohio, married in
After Robert’s death, Rose
Cincinnati in 1907. One of the
Skillman continued to live in
early pioneers in the growth of the
Bloomfield Hills and Florida for
Minnesota Mining and
nearly 40 more years until her
Rose Skillman
Manufacturing Company, Robert
death in 1983. In addition to her
served as the company’s sales
love of animals — particularly
representative for the eastern half
horses and dogs — and her appre-
of the country, developed 3M’s
ciation of the arts, Rose Skillman’s
foreign sales in England and
commitment to the welfare of
Europe, and became the compa-
vulnerable children continued to
ny’s vice president and director.
grow. Initially, she made charitable
Following several initial years of
contributions to organizations that
struggle, the company flourished
served children. Subsequently, she
as continuous advances in tech-
worked with her attorney and
nology led to the inventions of
accountant to incorporate The
waterproof sandpaper, masking
Skillman Foundation in December
tape and scotch tape.
1960. She served as president until
After a long career at 3M,
she was named honorary chair in
Robert retired and moved with
1964. She remained a Trustee of
Rose to Bloomfield Hills, Mich.,
the Foundation until her death.
Robert Skillman
The Skillman Foundation staff
and Winter Park, Fla. In
52
Bloomfield Hills, the Skillmans purchased Fairfield Farms, which they trans-
and Trustees are committed to honoring Rose Skillman’s dreams, and
formed into a replica of a white-fenced Kentucky farm, complete with a
to use our grantmaking funds and institutional clout to be an effective
stable of horses and colts.
voice for Detroit children.
“In order to survive, a poor child in Detroit — like those with whom I work in Harlem — must navigate
an unending obstacle course: abysmal schools, lousy health care, ever-present violence, crumbling housing
stock. That child, however, has an important ally in The Skillman Foundation, which has the vision, resources and
intellectual capital to address these challenges in a holistic way. The Skillman Foundation is not just trying to beat
the odds, but to improve them.”
— Geoffrey Canada
President/CEO, Harlem Children’s Zone, New York City (shown at left)
OPPORTUNITIES
A Voice for Detroit Children Since 1960
F O U N D A T I FOO UNN
100 Talon Centre Drive
Suite 100
Detroit, MI 48207
Phone: 313.393.1185
www.skillman.org
D A T I O N

2006 AnnuAl RepoRt - Skillman Foundation

Transcription

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