News

The Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation is pleased to announce the launch of the EmpowerMENt's first open grant program. The purpose of the EmpowerMENt Fund is to support efforts that uplift young Black males in Washtenaw County while promoting their educational success.

In this issue: AAACF Vision & Updates Video, Save The Date for Sept 13 Community Meeting, Honoring Trustee Transitions, Trustee Dinner & CSP Celebration

This grant program is comprised of numerous Field of Interest Funds with an array of funding priorities, each Fund having its own dedicated purpose. We will distribute over $120,000 in competitive grants to local nonprofits delivering program and services in Washtenaw County aligned with each Fund's purpose.

In this issue: Gathering Together—"Plan B” & Beyond, Impact from Your Place-Based Giving, In Loving Memory of Connie Dunlap, Pursuing Healthy & Fulfilling Aging, and EmpowerMENt Fund Updates

We mourn the recent loss of Connie Dunlap, a dear friend of the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation. In September 2017 in connection with renovations at the AAACF offices, a space was named in honor of this extraordinary volunteer and donor: The Connie Dunlap Library, in memory of Robert Bruce Dunlap (Connie’s beloved husband). The library signage and a commemorative tree plaque reflect gifts made in honor of Connie Dunlap from many community members touched by her gifts of time, generosity, and wisdom over many years—from Ozone House to Glacier Hills Foundation to the U-M Library, which she oversaw for many years.

AAACF is pleased to announce a new grant program focusing on senior needs in our community! Glacier Hills Legacy Fund "Golden Opportunities" Grant Program: The Glacier Hills Legacy Fund (GHLF) Advisory Committee at the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation (AAACF) recognizes that there are long standing inequities that exist for many older adults and caregivers in Washtenaw County. While solutions to many inequities require deep investments into systems level changes, the GHLF Committee sees value in targeted solutions that provide a more immediate patch in services to reduce inequities.

As we hope for a brighter 2022 for all, we are also grateful for what we accomplished together in 2021 for Washtenaw County. In this issue, we look back and look forward: Welcome to Shannon Polk as President & CEO, 2021 Year in Review, Forever Washtenaw blog by Sean White, 2022 Scholarship Applications, and 2021 Grant Highlights.

The Community Foundation's commitment to impact investing continues to grow — and with it, we're growing the team! AAACF has just added a dedicated staff member, Sean White, as our Impact Investment Manager. Sean will provide leadership to significantly grow the portion of AAACF’s portfolio dedicated to local investments that generate both financial and social returns.

The Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation (AAACF) Board of Trustees has selected Shannon E. Polk, J.D., D. Min., as its next President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Polk is an accomplished nonprofit leader with demonstrated success as an executive director, trainer, consultant, and board member as well as comprehensive experience in philanthropy including grantmaking, estate planning, and fundraising. She has most recently led The Witness Foundation and consulted with the Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area to facilitate staff competency in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

The Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation and United Way of Washtenaw County are looking to provide capacity building opportunities for organizations doing racial equity/social justice work through access to consultants via the Catchafire platform.