News

Although we have widely shared news of Helmut Stern’s amazing $16.2 million estate gift—the largest gift in AAACF’s history from an individual, Friday the 13th of September provided an auspicious opportunity to celebrate and share more of his background and lasting legacy with the community!

Thank you for your generosity and for supporting the work of Washtenaw County nonprofits! We are proud to be your philanthropic partner and we are here to assist you. (734.663.0401 / info@aaacf.org). Before the year ends, make sure you have considered opportunities and plan now for deadlines!

Given her lifelong philosophy, it is fitting that as part of her estate, Tamara provided a generous gift to the AAACF Arts Endowment. In recognition of her generosity, AAACF has established the Tamara Real Fund for the Arts within the general arts endowment.

Winners of the $2.5 million prizes for the Vital Seniors: A Community Innovation Competition were just announced by the Glacier Hills Legacy Fund (GHLF) of the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation (AAACF). The initiative, the largest of its kind in North America, was designed to catalyze high-impact innovation and create enduring outcomes for vulnerable seniors and their caregivers in Washtenaw County.

AAACF's 2017 Annual Report and 2018 Update highlight exciting activity at the Community Foundation, including the Stern Legacy Challenge and Glacier Hills Legacy Fund. The 2018 Update describes how new initiatives around these gifts are already making an impact.

Many thanks to the 430+ people who joined us for the 2018 Annual Community Meeting on May 7th! We were excited to engage with such a broad group of the community with another record crowd at Washtenaw Community College.

AAACF is pleased to announce that we are now accepting applications! Available grant programs include the Dedicated Grant Program and Community Grantmaking Program.

Helmut Stern loved the Ann Arbor area, and he chose to give back to his community in a powerful and lasting way through a $16.2 million unrestricted gift! Look for more details in the coming weeks.

The Foundation’s portfolio had a good year in 2017, gaining 16.4% for the year, and benefiting from strength in global financial markets.

We love where we live—and we know you do, too! Thank you for entrusting us with your philanthropy to enhance our community. Our Community Grantmaking Program, supported by community impact (unrestricted) and field-of-interest funds, made many grants of significance last year—and will do so, forever.