The Skillman Foundation

This story originally appeared in the Council of Michigan Foundations (CMF) Weekly Download. Click here to read the original post.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced last week during her State of the State address that her office is partnering with a number of CMF members to help families navigate the 3rd-grade reading law.

The Battle Creek Community Foundation, Community Foundation of Greater Flint and The Skillman Foundation were named by the governor during her televised State of the State address for their commitment to this partnership.

Those foundations along with the Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) have indicated their commitment to be a part of a collaboration with the governor’s office that will share information about what is being done to support Michigan’s children in the area of literacy and to discuss new strategies to support families.

“Across our state, funders and nonprofits have been helping families understand the law and the supports available to keep their children progressing at grade level. These efforts have varied from community to community,” Punita Dani Thurman, vice president of program and policy for The Skillman Foundation said. “This partnership will establish shared approaches and resources to ensure parents can navigate the reading law and its impact.” 

As we know Michigan philanthropy is working every day to support families and communities across the state. Literacy is an issue area in particular that many CMF members have been working deeply in, some for the last decade or more. This work is a partnership with educators and with nonprofit partners leading on the ground efforts. 

“In Flint, we see every day that our focus on early childhood education has made a tremendous positive impact on children and families. To help families navigate third-grade success, we will continue our partnership and support of the Flint and Genesee Literacy Network,” Isaiah Oliver, president and CEO, Community Foundation of Greater Flint said. “Our entire community is being uplifted by the Network’s two-generation approach to literacy and working with parents as the best advocates for their children.”

CMF and the Office of Foundation Liaison (OFL) are supporting CMF members in this collaboration as foundations work with their nonprofit partners to support families.

Want more?

Read the full text of Governor Whitmer’s State of the State address.