Press Room
DHDC awarded four new grants from Michigan-based foundations
DHDC is pleased to announce the recent success of four funding proposals to Michigan foundations for monies totaling nearly $400K. The grants were awarded between April and June and will provide support to both our program work and general operations. DHDC is proud to be able to partner with these four Michigan based foundations to deliver the highest quality programs and services available to the residents of Southwest Detroit. “At DHDC we believe that working together is how we transform our communities” said Angela G Reyes, Founder and Executive Director. “This funding is a huge step forward in expanding our capacity and therefore our long-term sustainability in responding to the needs of Southwest Detroit.”
- Skillman Foundation, Detroit-$150,000 DHDC has been part of the Skillman Foundation Good Neighborhood Initiative for over 3 years. The most recent award was to continue the work of our Youth Leadership program that serves 100 DHDC youth annually. The Skillman Foundation was created in 1960 and is a private philanthropy whose chief aim is to help develop good schools and good neighborhoods for children.
New Support
- Kresge Foundation, Troy, MI-250,000 for operating support over two years In light of the current economic crisis the Kresge Foundation has recently refocused its work on Detroit. DHDC was awarded a two year grant for operating support in recognition of its position as an anchor agency in the Southwest Detroit community and long history of gang prevention and youth leadership development. The Kresge Foundation is a national, private foundation that seeks to influence the quality of life for future generations by creating access and opportunity in underserved communities, improving the health of low-income people, supporting artistic expression, assisting in the revitalization of Detroit, and advancing methods for dealing with global climate change.
- Kellogg Foundation, Battle Creek, MI – $110,000The W.K. Kellogg Foundation was established in 1930.The organization supports children, families and communities as they strengthen and create conditions that propel vulnerable children to achieve success as individuals and as contributors to the larger community and society. The new DHDC funding from the foundation will provide support for Youth Leadership and Family Literacy Programs.
- Erb Family Foundation, Birmingham, MI – $75,000 DHDC begins a new initiative in community advocacy and environmental justice with our first grant, for one year, from the newly created Erb Family Foundation. The Erb Family Foundation’s mission is to nurture environmentally healthy and culturally vibrant communities in Metro Detroit, and support initiatives to restore the Great Lakes basin. The foundation is particularly focused on improving water quality, especially in the watersheds impacting metro Detroit and Bayfield, Ontario, promoting environmental health and justice and supporting arts as a means to revitalize the metropolitan Detroit region. Beginning in July, DHDC will launch the Community Advocacy Project (CAP) whose aim is to train and support community advocates to more effectively address health disparities and environmental justice issues in Southwest Detroit. The CAP will use an issues platform of environmental justice and an implementation strategy of advocacy rooted in rigorous policy training of youth and adults and community organizing to achieve its primary objectives: Harnessing public awareness of environmental justice issues in SWD and using that awareness to create safer, healthier communities.

