News

We are writing to share an update about AAACF’s grant programs.  Since the start of the pandemic, grantmaking Committees and staff have been working together closely to provide responsive funding to emergent needs on an ongoing basis.  This summer and fall we will have a number of grant programs and funding opportunities available that focus on continued community relief and the start of community recovery.  Please read through the program descriptions below carefully because each program has a different request and decision making process generated by grantmaking Committees and staff that are in alignment with the availability of funding and priority areas.

• The Community Grantmaking Program is seeking opportunities to invest funds in community-based projects that specifically support relief and recovery efforts related to COVID-19 and/or programs that work to bring equity/resources to marginalized communities. Grant requests that meet an emerging need in the community and/or address capacity issues at the agency, collaborative, or sector levels will be prioritized.
  Funding available: $345,320
  Contact person: Amina Iqbal, 734.663.0401 x118 or Chris Lemon, 734.663.0401 x121
• Cultural Economic Development is seeking opportunities to invest funds in new or existing programs that are serving communities through arts and culture leading to economic recovery and growth by focusing on three areas: Individual artists, COVID-19 Recovery, and Racial Equity.
  Funding available: $114,250
  Contact person: Amina Iqbal, 734.663.0401 x118
• Golden Opportunities is seeking opportunities to invest funds in new, creative, and pilot projects serving older adults that 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, are strategically designed to serve a key population of vulnerable seniors,articulate a feasible budget of resources , and a timeline for implementation. Given the current and emerging impact of COVID-19 on the older adult and caregiver population, we are also seeking funding opportunities that will support emergency and recovery efforts directly related to the pandemic. Special consideration will be given to collaborative/coordinated efforts to support service delivery, access to technology, and capacity building.
  Funding available: $118,789
  Contact person: Christopher Lemon, 734.663.0401 x121
• The Ypsilanti Area Community Fund (YACF) is seeking opportunities to invest in new or  existing programs that will support COVID-19 recovery efforts in Ypsilanti and Ypsilanti Township. We will provide directed grants with input and feedback from Ypsilanti community members and YACF committee members.
  Funding available: $54,981.94
  Contact person: Amina Iqbal, 734.663.0401 x118

Grantmaking is grounded in the following: (1) We recognize that we are experiencing an unprecedented situation in our community’s and country's history, and that inspires us to shift our mindset on what is possible and our contribution to ongoing and emergent efforts. (2) We are committed to advancing community generated solutions that contribute to the outcomes the community has for itself. (3) We will listen to our communities specific needs and collaborate to provide the most appropriate support possible in these trying times.

More details about each of the grant programs is available on the AAACF Grants Overview page.  Please direct questions and inquiries to the AAACF staff member listed with the grant program