Kresge Foundation News

Kresge commits $2.2 million for Detroit revitalization, neighborhoods

wkheron — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 21:38:23 +0000

Foundation grants in December include riverfront planning, Corktown, abandoned Southwest Detroit site; Eastern Market to create community development arm

Fri, 12/04/2015

The Kresge Foundation Board of Trustees has approved 10 grants totaling nearly $2.2 million that will flow to revitalization efforts across the city of Detroit and its neighborhoods.

“Now is the time to advance the recovery of neighborhoods across the city,” Kresge President and CEO Rip Rapson said following the conclusion of the board’s last meeting of the year at the foundation headquarters in Troy on Thursday.

FAQ available for Kresge Innovative Projects: Detroit grant opportunity to support neighborhood-based revitalization

mwhitney — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 17:06:38 +0000

Second round will support shovel-ready projects and planning; Q&A session set for Nov. 13, application deadline is Nov. 24.

Tue, 11/03/2015

Kresge’s Detroit Program has created a Frequently Asked Questions document for the second round of the Kresge Innovative Projects: Detroit grant opportunity.

Online series spotlights urban innovators across U.S.

mwhitney — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 13:59:01 +0000

Thu, 10/22/2015

A new online series launching this week features stories of people making change in cities with the goal to demystify the process of converting ideas into action.

Kresge Foundation initiative to fund more innovative neighborhood projects across Detroit

mwhitney — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 19:57:41 +0000

With first round of grants nourishing renewal around city, nonprofits are invited to submit new shovel-ready projects and seek planning support for promising ideas

Wed, 10/14/2015

To continue the revitalization of Detroit’s neighborhoods, Kresge’s Detroit Program is seeking a second round of applications for a three-year, $5 million initiative to fund Detroit-based nonprofits in transformative projects across the city.

As in its first year, Kresge Innovative Projects: Detroit grants totaling $1.5 million will be made citywide on a competitive basis. Implementation grants of between $50,000 and $150,000 will be awarded to shovel-ready projects that can begin in early 2016 and be completed within 12-18 months of the grant award.

New community organization to drive revitalization in Northwest Detroit

wkheron — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 16:07:25 +0000

Kresge supports University of Detroit Mercy in formation of Live6 Alliance, working in Livernois/McNichols Corridor.

Mon, 08/31/2015

Leading community partners today announced the formation of an organization to coordinate and promote the revitalization efforts in one of Detroit’s strongest residential neighborhoods. The Live6 Alliance will focus on strengthening the Livernois Avenue and McNichols Road (6 Mile Road) commercial corridor in Northwest Detroit.

Funders have committed a total of $700,000 over two years to facilitate the Live6 Alliance’s work.

Head Start’s successful alums are a measure of program’s success

mwhitney — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 16:40:46 +0000

Kresge support is one part of effort to ensure youngest Detroiters have access to high-quality early childhood education.

Wed, 08/19/2015

Back when Octavia Smith was a young mom, she remembers feeling like something had to give.

The community health worker commuted nearly an hour each way to her job on the midnight shift. When she got home in the morning, her two young children were waiting, ready to play.

Their father helped, but he worked the day shift. Their grandmother also pitched in to care for Shaina and Jewell. But usually Smith was on her own.

“As soon as I would walk in the house,” Smith says, “I had to attend to them, and it was wearing me down.”

23 new Detroit Revitalization Fellows to build capacity of metro organizations; new Kresge Mayor’s Fellows initiative is announced

wkheron — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 20:04:48 +0000

Urban-minded professionals to tackle Detroit issues by joining range of public and nonprofit groups; new posts will foster innovations at mayor’s office.

Mon, 08/10/2015

Nearly two dozen civic, community and economic development organizations across metro Detroit will expand their capacity to address critical local and regional issues, as they welcome the 2015-17 Detroit Revitalization Fellows.

ARISE Detroit! Neighborhoods Day brings city together

wkheron — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 14:39:20 +0000

From beautification projects to gospel concerts, more than 250 events spanned Detroit.

Fri, 08/07/2015

Thousands of Detroiters joined activities across the city for the ninth annual ARISE Detroit! Neighborhoods Day on Aug. 1. More than 200 groups – from block clubs to churches to businesses – participated in more than 250 events in the annual display of citywide work and pride.

Activities ranged from gospel concerts to sports tournaments and exhibitions, from back-to-school fairs to more than 100 cleanup and beautification projects.

Kresge president signals 6 areas of future investment in Detroit

mwhitney — Wed, 27 May 2015 20:13:41 +0000

Rapson outlines foundation's approach at Mackinac Policy Conference.

Thu, 05/28/2015

The Kresge Foundation will invest in large-scale Detroit projects that convert blighted land into “mixed-use, mixed-income, amenity-rich neighborhoods of opportunity,” foundation President and CEO Rip Rapson announced Thursday at the Mackinac Policy Conference of the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Former Detroit emergency manager praises philanthropic role in ‘Grand Bargain’ that helped resolve financial crisis

mwhitney — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 19:49:40 +0000

Kevyn Orr’s remarks come at annual Council on Foundations gathering.

Wed, 04/29/2015

During a session at the Council on Foundations annual meeting in San Francisco, Kevyn Orr reflected on his duties as the city of Detroit’s emergency manager and discussed the role philanthropy played in the successful resolution of Detroit’s municipal bankruptcy. The hour-long session, “Making Our Hardest Cities Whole Again: Lessons From Detroit and Beyond,” was hosted by Rip Rapson, Kresge’s president and chief executive officer.

NEA Chairwoman Jane Chu, Kresge President Rip Rapson to discuss art and community

mwhitney — Thu, 16 Apr 2015 16:02:39 +0000

Conversation will be livestreamed on Saturday as part of Art X Detroit celebration.

Thu, 04/16/2015

Jane Chu, chairwoman of the National Endowment of the Arts, will discuss art and community with Rip Rapson, Kresge’s president and CEO, Saturday at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit.

The conversation – “Why the Arts Matter: A Conversation on Arts, Engagement and Community” – will be moderated by Juanita Moore, president and CEO of the Wright Museum.

Initiative supports 18 neighborhood revitalization efforts in Detroit

mwhitney — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 13:55:23 +0000

Nonprofits across city to share $1.6M through Kresge Innovative Projects: Detroit.

Wed, 04/01/2015

Organizations working to strengthen Detroit neighborhoods will receive $1.6 million for 18 projects through a Kresge Foundation initiative.

Neighborhood projects
See a full list of the implementation and planning grants. View a map of the projects and project areas.

Neighborhood projects

See a full list of the implementation and planning grants.

View a map of the projects and project areas.

Detroit mayor's State of the City address recaps year of fast-paced change

mwhitney — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 21:03:47 +0000

Kresge president: Duggan's accomplishments offer city resident's hope for the future

Wed, 02/11/2015

On Feb. 10, 2015, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan delivered his first State of the City address at the historic Redford Theatre. Kresge Foundation President Rip Rapson offers this commentary and analysis.

It was uplifting and sobering to hear Mayor Mike Duggan’s State of the City address last night – a moment when the full import of the city’s trajectory – past, present, and future – was cast in bright relief.

Kresge CEO explores role in arts and culture in Detroit in Federal Reserve journal

mwhitney — Tue, 13 Jan 2015 18:19:04 +0000

Article part of special issue focused on contributions of artists and arts organizations in community development.

Tue, 01/13/2015

The Center for Community Development Investments at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco focuses on creative placemaking in the newest issue of its journal Community Development Investment Review.

The themed issue includes articles by experts in multiple disciplines, all addressing the importance of artists and arts organizations in community development. Together, the articles encourage greater incorporation of creative approaches in placemaking.

Early childhood education: Kresge pledges $20M to White House initiative

wkheron — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 18:42:26 +0000

Business, philanthropies and nonprofits invest in high-quality education for nation’s youngest individuals.

Wed, 12/10/2014

The Kresge Foundation has committed $20 million over five years to help ensure Detroit’s youngest children have access to high-quality early childhood education and are well prepared for school.

FAQ available for Kresge Innovative Projects: Detroit grant opportunity

wkheron — Mon, 24 Nov 2014 18:26:07 +0000

Grants are to help Detroit-based nonprofits in efforts to strengthen neighborhoods.

Mon, 11/24/2014

Kresge’s Detroit Program has updated the Frequently Asked Questions document for the Kresge Innovative Projects: Detroit grant opportunity. The update is based on questions raised during a Nov. 17 question-and-answer session. Members of the Detroit Program team and Detroit Future City fielded questions at the event, which was held at TechTown in Detroit.

Time to return to the business of rebuilding, says Kresge CEO as Detroit bankruptcy ends

wkheron — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 20:12:20 +0000

Fri, 11/07/2014

At the conclusion of Detroit's bankruptcy, Rip Rapson issues a statement in behalf of the foundation's trustees and staff.

The whole world should be looking at Detroit and the state of Michigan right now, witnessing one of the great demonstrations in this new century of community resilience, pride and hope. U.S. Judge Steven Rhodes today accepted the stakeholder-approved plan of adjustment, resolving this unprecedented bankruptcy.

65 greater Detroit arts and cultural organizations get Kresge grants

JAMcGovern — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 16:17:15 +0000

Two-year grants totaling more than $4.1 million help fund day-to-day expenses.

Wed, 10/15/2014

Sixty-five arts and cultural organizations in the Detroit metropolitan area will receive two-year grants to help support their operations.

The grants totaling more than $4.1 million were made by Kresge’s Detroit Program.

2014 Eminent Artist Bill Rauhauser celebrated in monograph

JAMcGovern — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 16:22:40 +0000

Publication surveys life and work of photographer who chronicled streets of Detroit.

Fri, 10/03/2014

Kresge President Rip Rapson on Thursday presented the foundation’s 2014 Eminent Artist with a commemorative monograph celebrating his life and work.

Bill Rauhauser, an iconic Detroit photographer and educator, received the monograph at the Virgil Carr Center, in downtown Detroit, during the opening of a two-week show of his works.

Foundations provide nearly $4M to Head Start providers in Detroit

mwhitney — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 15:53:06 +0000

Initiative supports ‘birth-to-5’ approach, including services to expectant mothers.

Thu, 09/11/2014

Detroit Head Start providers will receive nearly $2 million a year for two years through grants announced by the Detroit Head Start Early Childhood Innovation Fund.

The grants are part of an initiative by eight foundations that are part of the Southeast Michigan Early Childhood Funders Collaborative: the W. K. Kellogg Foundation, the Skillman Foundation, the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation, the McGregor Fund, the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, the Jewish Fund, PNC Foundation and Kresge.

A Detroit high school builds city’s revival into its lesson plans

mwhitney — Mon, 08 Sep 2014 19:54:25 +0000

Detroit Future City framework becomes a guide for reading, writing and boarding up vacant buildings.

Mon, 09/08/2014

Detroit’s east side can be a rough place. Teenagers pass empty houses and see signs of illicit activity on their way to school.

But one Edwin Denby High School teacher wouldn’t let the neighborhood’s problems rob the 200-member senior class of its hopes for a better future. Jonathan Hui, a recent University of Michigan graduate, believed something could be done.

Detroiters come together for Neighborhoods Day

JAMcGovern — Tue, 05 Aug 2014 15:06:31 +0000

Annual event blends beautification, community celebration

Tue, 08/05/2014

Some 200 community activities unfolded in Detroit for the eighth annual Neighborhoods Day Aug. 2.

Events ranged from cleanup projects to food and entertainment.

The day is organized by the group Arise Detroit! with support from Kresge's Detroit Program.

Blight task force addresses a major Detroit problem; one Detroiter who has lived with the problem is hopeful

wkheron — Wed, 28 May 2014 00:08:33 +0000

Pilot project in Springwells contributes to developing next steps for eradicating a ‘cancer' on community

Tue, 05/27/2014

Over the years, Springwells Village resident Ann Byrne has seen a number of homes demolished in her community in southwest Detroit.

But she’s seen recently how deconstruction of an abandoned house differs starkly from the chaotic demolition process she had grown accustomed to.

Early childhood funders commit $4.5 million to Head Start in Detroit

wkheron — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 22:50:24 +0000

New effort promotes program innovation, quality improvement and coordination.

Tue, 03/04/2014

The Detroit Head Start Early Childhood Innovation Fund announces the formation of a new $4.5 million fund to benefit Head Start programs in Detroit.

The fund will award competitive grants to newly selected Head Start sites to foster innovation and collaboration, and support better services and outcomes for young children and their families.

Projects exemplify Kresge commitment to Detroit Future City

wkheron — Fri, 31 Jan 2014 00:46:35 +0000

Development framework gains traction with projects in neighborhoods across Detroit.

Tue, 02/04/2014

A year ago, the long-awaited Detroit Future City framework was released to rousing applause from a room of 250 Detroiters, a cross-section of leaders from politics and business to community activism and philanthropy.

Kresge among philanthropies helping Detroit honor its commitments to retirees and preserve art assets

mwhitney — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 15:25:36 +0000

Mon, 01/13/2014

A foundation working group, which includes the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, William Davidson Foundation, Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation, Ford Foundation, Hudson-Webber Foundation, Kresge Foundation, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, McGregor Fund and Charles Stewart Mott Foundation today issued the following statement.

Photographer Bill Rauhauser selected as 2014 Kresge Eminent Artist

JAMcGovern — Tue, 07 Jan 2014 17:09:34 +0000

Thu, 01/09/2014

Iconic Detroit photographer and educator Bill Rauhauser has been named the 2014 Kresge Eminent Artist.

Rauhauser has devoted more than 60 years to “being there” – being present and engaged on the city’s streets, inside the studio and inside the classroom. He joins five other artists who have since 2008 received the award and $50,000 prize in recognition of professional achievements, contributions to the cultural community and dedication to Detroit and its residents.