Lynch & Ngong 1

Leah Lynch and Hope Ngong

Professor Ryan Flaherty

English 3020

10 April 2017

Funders Catalogue for Brightmoor Artisans Collective

Problem Statement

Brightmoor Artisans Collectives (BAC) main goal as an organization is to provide fresh,

healthy food in a neighborhood that has limited access to it otherwise Brightmoor. As the area

could be defined as afood desert, there are no grocery stores nearby. Residents of the area -

especially those without a means of transportation - are forced to live off of food that is not very

nutritious or fresh. As stated on their website, BAC has four major functions within the

community of Brightmoor: a caf (and farmers market during specific seasons), a community

kitchen, a kitchen classroom, and a community creation space. They are in the process of

receiving a commercial license for their kitchen, and have the goal of creating a space for

artisans and entrepreneurs to distribute their goods to the local community.

BAC is well on their way to making these goals a reality, as they have already installed

their commercial kitchen and are awaiting a license, are nearly finished with the construction on

their caf, and already host a number of events, such as cooking classes and farmers markets. As

they near the end of their first set of projects, funding will be a critical part of employing their

efforts into the community, and give them flexibility in utilizing their space. As a civic

organization, BAC relies on grants for any funding they may need. There are many ways to

receive this funding, but one of particular interest is grants. Writing a grant requires in-depth

familiarity with an organization, and most organizations prefer that they are written by someone
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who is a major part of the organization. As Brittany, BAC director, described it to me, its like

giving a part of an organizations soul to a funder (Bradd). Because of this reason, the effort of

the research project is to identify potential funders for BAC, and create a funders catalogue for

BAC to use when applying for grants. To clarify, a funder is an organization that provides

funding to an organization or individual (Funder). The difficulty, when evaluating this project,

will be in identifying applicable grants. What funders are available to meet specific needs of

Brightmoor Artisans Collective, who have those funders funded in the past, and how much

funding have they given?

Results/ Annotated Funders Catalogue

1. W.K. Kellogg Foundation

a. Focus Areas
i. Focus areas: educated children, healthy children, secure families, community & civic
engagement, racial equity
b. Applications
i. No deadlines
c. Similar Projects/ Amount Funded
i. *Note: Michigan is a focus area, so there are many. Perhaps view the link for more examples.
ii. Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan
1. Michigan
2. Amount: $3,500,000 from 2017-2022
3. Project: Expand the capacity of Detroit's newly established entrepreneurship eco-system to
function as an advocate and anchor of employment equity and to strengthen its sustainability as a
source for new jobs and careers for vulnerable families in all neighborhoods.
iii. Starfish Family Services, Inc.
1. Michigan
2. Amount: $450,000 from 2017-2020
3. Project: Identify and disseminate lessons learned in replicating high-quality programs across
Detroit's early childhood education system by supporting the evaluation of Thrive by Five
Detroit- an unique Head Start collaboration of four high-capacity human service organizations
iv. HealthConnect One
1. USA Wide
2. Amount: $2,249,974 from 2017-2019
3. Project: Strengthen the voice of vulnerable communities in maternal and child
health/breastfeeding decision making by developing effective and authentic community
leadership and by organizing a coordinated national network. (W. K. Kellogg Foundation).
v. New Harvest Christian Center Inc.
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1. Michigan
2. Amount: $50,000 from 2015-2018
3. Project: Increase access to early childhood education programs by vulnerable children likely to
enter Battle Creek Public Schools by transitioning their informal childcare program to a high-
quality early learning center. (W. K. Kellogg Foundation).

vi. Avivar Capital, LLC

1. Michigan, California
2. $175,000 from 2017-2018
3. Project: Increase access to healthy, affordable food for Michigan children and families with
limited access; ensure equitable access to food, jobs, ownership & flexible investment capital;
and drive economic development. (W. K. Kellogg Foundation).
d. W.K. Kellogg Foundation. W.K. Kellogg Foundation, www.wkkf.org/. Accessed 10 Apr. 2017.

The first on our list, The Kellogg Foundation, is a foundation that focuses on promoting
the health of children, educating children, secure families, community and civic engagement, and
racial equity. They work mainly through the donation of funding to smaller, civic organizations
that do the actual ground work (W. K. Kellogg Foundation). They partner those looking to
give and looking to receive, so you can donate to the cause or apply for funding from the cause.
The Kellogg Foundation is a rather large organization, which receives a considerable number of
applications per year, but BAC may have a good shot at receiving funding from this organization
because one of its major focus areas is Michigan.

2. Skillman Foundation
a. Focus Areas
i. Education, safety, community leadership, and youth development
b. Applications
i. New grant inquiries should be submitted approximately two months in advance of Trustee
meeting dates. The Skillman Foundation Board meets in March, June, September and
December. (Skillman).
c. Is Closing Schools a Fake Fix? Skillman, www.skillman.org/. Accessed 10 Apr. 2017.

The Skillman Foundation is ranked fourth on Crains Detroit Business largest foundations
in Detroit. Its primary missions are to develop schools and businesses for primarily 6 Detroit
neighborhoods. This organization, unlike many, does not have rolling admission, but rather an
application deadline of 2 months before each committee meeting. This is a positive sign because
it means they have a community looking through all of the proposals at once, which makes it
more personable. The organization really pushes for community engagement and bringing the
community together through funding local projects. Brightmoor could certainly look into
receiving meaningful funding from the nonprofit because they are a grassroots organization, have
been there for a long time, are run by locals in the community, and serve their neighborhood in a
variety of ways.
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3. Presbyterian Mission Agency/ Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People

a. Focus Areas / Project Requirements
i. Economic development initiated by those who will directly benefit from the efforts, economic
equity, environmental consciousness, and peace.
b. Applications
i. No application deadlines, review may take up to 6 months
c. Similar projects that have been funded and amount (2015):
i. We the People of Detroit (Detroit Water Crisis Hotline)
1. Detroit, MI
2. Amount funded: $15,000
3. Project: An advocacy project to provide short term water supplies for members to avert a public
health crisis, restore water to affected and high risk members and implement policy to ensure
fresh clean water is delivered to low income residents at an affordable cost. (Presbyterian).
ii. Unity in Our Community Time Bank
1. Detroit, MI
2. Amount funded: $12,701
3. Project: The project is an alternative economic model to assist members of this group in their
efforts to formalize the exchange of people's time and talents to meet one another's needs without
exchanging money. (Presbyterian).
iii. Rockaway Wildfire
1. Queens, NY
2. Amount funded: $15,000
3. Project: A coalition of community groups working together to get a Community Benefits
Agreement package that benefits the members/residents in the coalition as a developer plans to
develop an 81-acre tract of land in East Far Rockaway. (Presbyterian).
d. Home. Presbyterian Mission Agency, www.presbyterianmission.org/. Accessed 10 Apr. 2017.

This one is a bit tricky and hard-to-tell because of its religious affiliation and distance. I
was quite surprised to find the vast variety of projects they have funded, including some in
Detroit! After reading through their website, I learned that they do not take religion into concern
when evaluating potentials grantees. They also prefer community-led civic nonprofits who focus
on community and culture. As said quite poetically in what they look for in an organization, Be
presented, owned, and controlled by the group of economically poor people who will benefit
directly from it. This, of three other criteria, fits Brightmoor perfectly, in that it is community-
run and directly benefits those living in the community. I believe BAC would have an excellent
chance at receiving funding from this organization.

4. Charles Stewart Mott Foundation

a. Focus Areas
i. Environment, Education, Civil Society, Flint Area
b. Applications
i. Submit a letter of interest
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c. Similar Programs / Amount Funded

i. *Note: They admit that they usually only provide long-term funding for established grantees, but
are open to funding to funding innovative projects by people with expertise.
ii. Points of Light Foundation
1. -++Atlanta, GA
2. Amount: $50,000, $250,000
3. Project: Education, youth engagement
d. Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. Mott Foundation, www.mott.org/. Accessed 10 Apr. 2017.

The Charles Stewart Mott foundation is a funder established in Flint, MI. They fund a
number a projects, many in flint and around the world (Charles). This source is a bit of a
gamble, because they already have many established partnerships and mostly fund efforts in
Flint, MI. There is hope, though, because of their focus on community and environment.To apply
for a partnership, you have to submit a letter of interest. BAC may have a good chance at
receiving funding because of their locally-driven effort, and that they do work with the
environment and children in a community with struggling public schools (Brightmoor).

5. General Motors Foundation

a. Focus Areas
i. A special focus on Detroit through Hometown Giving
ii. STEM Education, Vehicle & Road Safety, and Sustainable Communities
b. Applications
i. Hometown Giving proposals deadline: May 12th, 2017
ii. Submit a letter of inquiry
c. Similar Programs / Amount Funded
i. They have an eligibility quiz available at
http://www.cybergrants.com/pls/cybergrants/quiz.display_question?
x_gm_id=1753&x_quiz_id=7310&x_order_by=1
d. Giving Back. Giving Back | About Us | GM.com, www.gm.com/company/giving-
back/about.html. Accessed 10 Apr. 2017.

General Motors has a page on their website titled Giving Back, in which their grant and
partnership information can be found. They accept two sorts of partnerships: Hometown
Giving and STEM Education (Giving). Brightmoor Artisans Collective has a decent shot at
receiving funding from the company because of GMs hometown giving initiative. GM has a
special focus on economic development, which fits BAC well. BAC has initiatives in making its
neighborhood economically independent, which GM may or may not be interested in investing.
Their website leads me to believe they would, because of their specific page, Building
Sustainable Communities. They focus on specifically the poorest neighborhoods, but depending
on the initiative, BAC may have a chance at receiving funding.

6. Ford Foundation
a. Focus Areas
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i. Civic engagement and government, creativity and free expression, equitable development,
gender, racial, and ethnic justice, inclusive economies, internet freedom, youth opportunity and
learning, beyond current issue structure
b. Applications
i. No deadline
ii. https://www.fordfoundation.org/work/our-grants/idea-submission/
c. Similar Programs / Amount Funded
i. State Voices
1. United States
2. Amount: $875,000
3. General support to help grassroots organizations advance social justice policy and increase civic
engagement at the state level
ii. Peoples Action Institute
1. United States
2. Amount: $300,000
3. Project: civic engagement and government, inclusive economies (Ford).
d. Walker, Darren, et al. Home. Ford Foundation, 28 Feb. 2017, www.fordfoundation.org/.
Accessed 10 Apr. 2017.

The Ford Foundation also has established partnerships already, but they work to build-up
local economies. BAC has great potential to receive funding for their independent efforts of
establishing an independent economy in Brightmoor. They encourage nonprofits to apply
through their online form (Ford). I noticed that many of the organizations they have funded
include Inc. after their name, or seem very official and business-like, which isnt like BAC
(Ford). I believe, though, that if they had a project planned with potential, they could receive
funding from this organization.

7. Kresge Foundation
a. Focus Areas:
i. Arts & culture, Detroit, education, environment, health, human services
b. Applications:
i. No deadlines, except for specific projects
c. Similar Projects / Amount
i. Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs, Inc.
1. Calabasas, CA
2. Amount: $150,000
3. Project: This grant will help the Building Equity and Alignment for Impact Initiative strengthen
the U.S. (Kresge).
ii. Community Development Advocates Detroit
1. Detroit, MI
2. Amount: $75,000, $75,000, $150,000
3. Project: The organization is the trade association for nonprofit community development
organizations that share a commitment to promoting community-based, sustainable development
grounded in grassroots participation and empowerment. It is using this grant to develop seven
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placemaking projects in Detroit neighborhoods through collaboration with Detroit Future City
and the Project for Public Spaces. (Kresge).
d. The Kresge Foundation. The Kresge Foundation, 6 Apr. 2017, kresge.org/. Accessed 10 Apr.
2017

Brightmoor has a good chance at becoming partners with the Kresge Foundation mostly
because of what they fund for and their relative distance. The Kresge Foundation focuses on arts
and culture, environment, health, human services, education, and especially Detroit (Kresge).
Kresge is located in Troy, Michigan and funds to several organizations in the area (including
Detroit). Not only do they fund locally, but nationally throughout American cities (Kresge).
Kresge even funds to Wayne State University, which increases Brightmoors chances of being
funded since Brightmoor is already linked with Wayne States non-profit partners. Brightmoor is
a grassroots organization that inspires to reproduce a healthy lifestyle throughout the Brightmoor
neighborhood. Kresge Foundation funds to organizations goals who are similar to Brightmoors
goals.
8. McGregor Fund
a. Focus Areas
i. Basic needs, recovery and restoration, skill building
b. Applications
i. No deadlines
ii. http://www.mcgregorfund.org/grant-process/
c. Similar Programs / Amount Funded
i. Cass Community Social Services
1. Detroit, MI
2. Amount: $100,000
3. Project: Tiny Homes Project
ii. Chalkbeat
1. Detroit, MI
2. Amount: $50,000
3. Project: Launch for Chalkbeat, community engagement
d. McGregor Fund McGregor Fund, www.mcgregorfund.org/. Accessed 10 Apr. 2017.

McGregor Fund is located in Detroit, MI and funds for basic needs for the well being of
humankind. A motto they have dedicated their organization regarding their mission goes, to
relieve the misfortunes and improve the wellbeing of humankind.This has been their motto
since 1925 and has been a constant improvement since (McGregor). They fund to a wide
diversity of organizations mostly for basic needs, skill building, or restoration. Brightmoor has
the opportunity to be partners with McGregor because of their relative grant amount. McGregor
is also located in Detroit as is Brightmoor. This increases their chances of being recognized
immensely. As McGregor funds for basic needs such as sustainable healthy food, Brightmoor
could benefit immensely by an offer of McGregor since Brightmoors goal is to provide a
sustainable amount of food to the neighborhood and to who needs it.
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9. Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan

a. Focus Areas
i. Promotes facilitate permanent change in the seven counties: Wayne, Oakland, Monroe,
Macomb, Washtenaw Livingston and St. Clair. (Community for S.E MI).
b. Applications
i. No deadlines
ii. Read guidelines, call program officer to share idea, submit application
c. Similar Programs / Amount Funded
i. *Note: Stated that they fund to organizations who focus on a long-term vision for the
organization. We want to support you at key moments in time along your path as a growing
organization (Community for S.E MI).
ii. Initiatives:
iii. The Greenways Initiative- connects communities, fosters increased engagement with the
outdoors, promotes healthier lifestyles, and provides safe alternatives to motorized
transportation (Community for S.E MI).
d.Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan. Community Foundation for
Southeast Michigan, cfsem.org/. Accessed 10 Apr. 2017.

I have a firm belief in Brightmoor that they will go far when it comes to achieving their
goals, and Community of Southeast Michigan funds to organizations who are loyal, promising,
and optimistic. Brightmoor balances between present goals and long term visions, which attracts
funders who support dreams such as Brightmoors. Community of Southeast Michigan funds
develop and nurture programs that create lasting, positive benefits (Community of S.E MI).
This funder focuses on putting towards the money that is going to make a lasting change in
multiple peoples lives. They have the see the potential in an organization in order to become
partners, and Brightmoor applies to all of the requirements. Community of Southeast Michigan
funds amounts ranging from $5,000 to $1 million (Community of S.E MI), so there is a long
field.

10. DMC Foundation

a. Focus areas
i. Promoting the health,wellbeing, and vitality of people in the metropolitan Detroit area
(DMC).
b. Applications
i. *Note: The Foundation will make grants to 501(c)(3) organizations, government entities, school
districts and universities. We do not make grants to individuals, fundraising drives or events,
conferences, sectarian religious programs, or to cover deficits or previously incurred obligations
(DMC).
ii. View guidelines, deadlines, and proposal format. Submit application.
c. Similar Programs/ Amounted Funded
i. Wayne State University School of Medicine
1. Location: Detroit, MI
2. Amount: $99,984
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3. Project: Advance in research for the health and wellbeing.

ii. Community Foundation of Greater Flint
1. Location: Flint, MI
2. Amount: $1,100
3. Project: Healthy living in Southeast Michigan.
d. DMC Foundation. DMC Foundation | Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan,
cfsem.org/foundation/dmc-foundations/. Accessed 10 Apr. 2017.

The DMC Foundation is a supporting organization to the Community Foundation for

Southeast Michigan and focuses on the metropolitan Detroit area rather than the seven counties
that Southeast Michigan funds. The DMC Foundation, is dedicated to promoting the wellbeing
of people in the metropolitan Detroit area through the support of health-related research,
education and community benefit activities (DMC). The DMC is moreso trying to maintain a
healthy lifestyle around Detroit. BAC is an organization whose main priority is producing
healthy foods for the neighborhood.

Discussion
Our research question is What funders are available to meet specific needs of Brightmoor

Artisans Collective, who have those funders funded in the past, and how much funding have

they given?. After studying the variety of foundations and organizations, we have learned that it

is quite difficult to try to find a foundation that fits an organizations requirements. There are so

many types of foundations that seem to be the same as the others, but they always find a way to

divide themselves from the others. While looking for foundations that met BACs needs, we have

learned that most foundations are funded by other organizations, and some do not even fund

money themselves, instead through their partners. Although it was difficult to find organizations

that fit these needs, we did learn the art of foundations, how they work, and what a large majority

fund. To me, it was self satisfying to touch knowledge on these organizations, for it gave me a

sort of self assurance in humanity. I never knew of all the sorts of foundations. Our results

consist of the Funders catalog we have created. We originally shot for 20 foundations on the

catalog, but since it was much more time consuming and articulate than we had imagined, we
 Lynch & Ngong 10

ended up with 10. Although short in number, they are all credible foundations that Brightmoor

has a great shot at pairing up with.

I imagine to further my work into the catalog. Considering how time consuming it was, it would

be nice to finish it on a good note. To further this project, we could continue to search the

thousands of diverse foundations until we find the unique ones that Brightmoor has a good shot

at. We could aim for that 20. After making an effective Funders catalog that BAC can find useful

for when applying for grants, we have realized that grant writing has to be done a certain way,

and I can imagine how difficult it could be to write one and express an organization in words.

Therefore, this Funders catalog will be useful nonetheless of not reaching the goal of 20

foundations.

Works Cited

Bradd, Brittany. Personal interview. 26 March 2017.

Brightmoor Artisans Collective. Brightmoor Artisans Collective, n.d.

http://www.brightmoorartisans.org/. Accessed 28 March 2017.

Brightmoor Facebook. Brightmoor Artisans Collective Facebook. Facebook, 2017.

https://www.facebook.com/pg/backitchen/about/?ref=page_internal. Accessed 28 March

2017.

Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, n.d. www. mott.org.

Accessed April 2017.

Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan. Community Foundation for Southeast

Michigan. n.d. cfsem.org/. Accessed 10 Apr. 2017.

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DMC Foundation. DMC Foundation. DMC Foundation | Community Foundation for

Southeast Michigan, n.d. cfsem.org/foundation/dmc-foundations/. Accessed 10 Apr.

2017.

Ford Foundation.Ford Foundation. n.d. www.fordfoundation.org. Accessed 9 Apr. 2017.

Funder. Business Dictionary. n.d. www.businessdictionary.com. Accessed 9 Apr. 2017.

Giving Back. General Motors. 2017. www. gm.com/company/giving-back/about.html.

Accessed

9 Apr. 2017.

Grants. W. K. Kellogg Foundation. n.d. W. K. Kellogg Foundation. www.wkkf.org. Accessed 9

Apr. 2017.

McGregor Fund McGregor Fund. n.d. www.mcgregorfund.org/. Accessed 10 Apr. 2017.

Presbyterian Mission Agency. n.d. Presbyterian Mission Agency.

www.presbyterianmission.org.

Accessed Apr. 10 2017.

The Kresge Foundation. The Kresge Foundation, 6 Apr. 2017, kresge.org/. Accessed 10 Apr.

2017

W. K. Kellogg Foundation. W. K. Kellogg Foundation. 2016. www.wkkf.org.

Accessed Apr. 10 2017.