Hudson-Webber Foundation announced more than $1.3 million in grants to nine organizations, including an investment in SER Metro-Detroit for an innovative program that connects Detroiters with hands-on construction training while advancing neighborhood development projects. This round of grants reflects the foundation’s focus on investing in sustainable, broad-based prosperity in the Detroit through creating access and opportunities for residents to attain quality jobs, housing, and safe, thriving neighborhoods.
The foundation’s new grants contain a $650,000 investment in the community and economic development.
SER Metro-Detroit received a $250,000 grant to connect neighborhood investment to construction career pathways. The grant will support the rehabilitation of 49 units of mixed-income housing in Southwest Detroit in partnership with Shelborne Development while cultivating a qualified and adaptable workforce.
Additionally, LISC received a $400,000 grant to support affordable housing, economic development and neighborhood revitalization in Detroit through the Equitable Impact Investment Fund.
Hudson-Webber Foundation committed $300,000 in grants for policy and research to support activities aimed at moving local, state and federal policy, as well as aligning public-sector resources to improve the quality of life in Detroit. These include $200,000 to the Council of Michigan Foundations and $100,000 to Michigan Future, Inc.
The Foundation continues to invest in the built environment to support the growth of small business activity in Detroit neighborhoods. A $220,000 grant was made to Midtown Detroit Inc. to continue investment into the small business environment in Midtown and New Center. The Foundation also made a $25,000 grant to Design Core Detroit, a program of College for Creative Studies, to improve access to and awareness of professional design services for neighborhood small business. This supports Design Core Detroit’s larger strategy of positioning design industries to advance inclusive economic growth in Detroit.
There are also three grants totaling $150,000 in support of place-based safety interventions, including $50,000 to the Detroit Public Safety Foundation to support the expansion of the Ceasefire violence prevention program to additional precincts. Other investments were made in Jefferson East, Inc. and Downtown Detroit Partnership to support community-driven safety and security programming.
