News

We are pleased to introduce the new Youth Council members who are joining the committee this academic year! They represent a wide variety of backgrounds and perspectives in our community, which are critical to the thoughtful decisions of the Youth Council. These Washtenaw County high school students oversee annual grants of $85,000+ and volunteer in the community.

Growing older impacts all of us, and we can influence that process to be about healthy and fulfilling aging. We commissioned original research to explore this concept, the AAACF Washtenaw County Healthy & Fulfilling Aging Systems Research Report. We contracted with Root Cause, a national research firm specializing in community development and systems change, to learn from older adults and caregivers in Washtenaw County what matters most to those aged 55+ and potential community-driven solutions.

Join your community foundation for Washtenaw County on Monday, September 27 from 4-5:00pm.

Last week, we announced that Neel Hajra, who has been part of AAACF for 11 years—6 years as its chief executive officer (CEO), has been named CEO of the Michigan Health Endowment Fund. Neel was actively recruited for this rare opportunity to remain in his hometown of Ann Arbor while leading a large private foundation with a statewide service area.

AAACF invites you to attend two virtual community gatherings this month: Farewell to Neel Hajra, CEO on 9/10/21 and The Concept of Community: A Washtenaw County Virtual Conversation on 9/27/21.

AAACF’s Neel Hajra, who has been part of the Community Foundation for 11 years—the last 6 years as its chief executive officer (CEO), has just been announced by the Michigan Health Endowment Fund (the Health Fund) as its new CEO. Neel was actively recruited for this rare opportunity to remain in his hometown of Ann Arbor while leading a large private foundation with a statewide service area.

We celebrate the summer season of traditions, celebrations, and transitions in this issue including: Trustee Transitions & Leadership, Audited Financials & Save the Date, CSP Graduates & Neel's Blog on Outcomes, Youth Council Graduates and 2021 Grants, Spring 2021 Grants: YACF, COVID-19, Arts, and Community, Volunteer Recognition: Norman Herbert, Buhr Foundation Celebration Video, and 2021 Young Citizens of the Year

The EmpowerMENt Fund, seeded with $1M by an anonymous donor, supports efforts that uplift young Black males in Washtenaw County while promoting their educational success. The EmpowerMENt Fund recently made grants to Mentor2Youth and Washtenaw My Brother's Keeper (WMBK).

This spring, AAACF is sharing fresh ideas for Washtenaw County and a focus on the future during this season of blooming and renewal. In this issue learn about Forging New Paths: Impact Investing Blog by Jillian Rosen, Empowering Young Black Men: WMBK & Mentor2Youth Grants, The Value of Sharing Knowledge: The Free College Movement, and Buhr Foundation Transition Continues Philanthropy for Community.

James W. (Jim) and Marla J. Gousseff loved the Ypsilanti community where they had resided since 1963—deeply engaging during their lifetimes and leaving a lasting impact through a $1.8 million estate gift to the Ypsilanti Area Community Fund (YACF), the sole affiliate fund of AAACF, realized in December 2020.