News

Capacity Building for Social Movements: Grants for “capacity building” have been a central focus for AAACF for decades. Capacity building is an equivocal concept because there can be both tangible and intangible outcomes across multiple levels, from micro to macro. The Nonprofit Quarterly says: “It can be helpful to think of capacity building through the lens of who (e.g., people, organizations, networks), what (e.g., knowledge, skills, processes), and how (e.g., training, peer learning, technical assistance).”

In the spirit of a new year and decade, we’re largely looking forward in this newsletter. 2019 was another strong year, thanks to our generous community! This spring, we will share news of gifting, granting and investment performance—as well as new staff hires, as we expand our abilities to serve Washtenaw County.

The Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation (AAACF) recently awarded over $1 million in grants from the Glacier Hills Legacy Fund (GHLF) to support vulnerable seniors and their caregivers in Washtenaw County. The GHLF was established through the generosity of Ann Arbor's Glacier Hills Senior Living Community and Trinity Health Senior Communities of Livonia, MI.

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 across Washtenaw County, which are critical to the thoughtful decisions of the Youth Council. These local high school students oversee annual grants of $80,000+ and volunteer in the community.

In this issue read highlights of the Stern Legacy Celebration, learn about CultureMakers, and stay up to with year-end deadlines and reminder.

The 2019 CED "In Our Neighborhood" grant program is now open! There are countless groups and connections between individuals that together make up our community in Washtenaw County. These "neighborhoods" that we live in are both literal (defined by geography) and figurative - some of us might be members of "neighborhoods" that are based on our vocation or social identity. "Arts and Culture" form the connective tissue that makes these neighborhoods thrive, allowing us to access our individual creative spirit, meaningfully connect with others, support economic activity, and give voice to our many and diverse experiences.

The Senior Community Investment Officer leads key strategic grantmaking programs, oversees other ongoing grantmaking activities, and supports community leadership initiatives. Works with and supports the Vice President of Community Investment on the development, direction, and implementation of AAACF’s core grantmaking initiatives. Leads internally and externally with humility and a service-oriented mindset...

AAACF is pleased to announce a new grant program focusing on senior needs in our community! On behalf of the Glacier Hills Legacy Fund, AAACF is seeking opportunities to invest funds in new, creative, and pilot projects serving older adults. We are seeking ideas and interventions will meet an emerging need in the community and/or address capacity issues at the agency, collaborative, or sector levels. We are particularly interested in ideas and interventions that make the case for why now is the time for this project, is strategically designed to serve a key population of vulnerable seniors, and articulates a feasible budget of resources and timeline for implementation.

In this issue see our new Trustees, read about the Community Scholarship Program Luncheon and Annual Trustee Leadership Dinner, get updated on Youth Council's Year-End Reception, and learn about the Sister Yvonne Gellise Fund Match Opportunity!

At a luncheon sponsored by Dykema on June 12, AAACF gathered scholars, donors, supporters, volunteers, and partners who make the Community Scholarship Program a true “community” initiative. A unique model among community foundations, the program concept borne here is attracting attention for potential replication across Michigan and beyond.