Enabling Communities
Strong, engaged communities are necessary to call for, create, and maintain strong systems. Our Enabling Communities investments undergird our efforts across the three youth-serving systems we focus on and include support for parent engagement, community leadership, public policy, nonprofit community journalism, and narrative change.
Recent Grants
Michigan League for Public Policy
$85,000.00
This grant provides continued general operating support to the Michigan League for Public Policy (MLPP), a statewide, non-partisan policy institute ... More
Michigan Future, Inc.
$100,000.00
This grant supports Michigan Future to continue research, analysis, and coalition-building to influence state systems and policies to raise standards ... More
Global Philanthropy Partnership
$40,000.00
This grant will support the creation of a Principles Guide to help more practitioners in the field access and apply ... More
BMe Networks
$325,000.00
This grant will continue to support the Skillman BMe Vanguard Fellowship to cultivate Black Detroit leaders whose dedication to improving ... More
Wayne State University
$50,000.00
The grant will support the Damon J. Keith Center at Wayne State University by building capacity to provide strategic guidance ... More
Community Development Advocates of Detroit
$450,000.00
This grant continues support to Community Development Advocates of Detroit (CDAD) to build youth and resident power, connection, and influence ... More
Institute for AfroUrbanism
$200,000.00
This grant provides continued support to the Institute of AfroUrbanism (IAU)—a Detroit-based, Black-woman owned think tank and action lab—to support ... More
We the People – MI
$50,000.00
This grant will support We the People – Michigan (WTPMI) in mobilizing and amplifying the voices of Detroit residents and ... More
Michigan League for Public Policy
$85,000.00
This grant provides continued support to the Michigan League for Public Policy (MLPP), a statewide, non-partisan policy institute that is ... More
Vision to Learn
$100,000.00
This grant will support Vision to Learn (VTL) build on existing relationships and successes, solidifying majority funding in Medicaid match ... More
Institute for AfroUrbanism
$200,000.00
This grant provides continued support to the Institute of AfroUrbanism (IAU)—a Detroit-based, Black-woman owned think tank and action lab—to support ... More
We the People – MI
$50,000.00
This grant will support We the People – Michigan (WTPMI) in mobilizing and amplifying the voices of Detroit residents and ... More
Michigan League for Public Policy
$85,000.00
This grant provides continued support to the Michigan League for Public Policy (MLPP), a statewide, non-partisan policy institute that is ... More
Friends of the Children-Detroit
$75,000.00
This grant will enable Friends of the Children – Detroit (Friends-Detroit) to continue and amplify their two-generation programming approach. Specifically, ... More
Michigan’s Children
$125,000.00
This grant continues to support Michigan’s Children in uplifting the voices of youth as state and local governments continue to ... More
Muckrock Foundation Incorporated
$200,000.00
This grant will provide general operating support to Outlier Media, a BIPOC-led Detroit-based nonprofit news organization that utilizes an innovative ... More
Mothering Justice
$50,000.00
This grant supports Mothering Justice’s work to empower mothers of color to influence policy. Specifically, this grant will aid Mothering ... More
The Center for Michigan, Inc.
$85,000.00
This grant will provide continued general operating support to BridgeDetroit, a project of Center for Michigan. BridgeDetroit will continue producing ... More
Detroit Parent Network
$350,000.00
This grant will provide operating support to Detroit Parent Network (DPN) as it continues to strengthen its presence as a ... More
GreenLight Fund, Inc.
$600,000.00
This grant provides continued support for GreenLight Fund to launch its second local fund. Leveraging the national model, GreenLight Fund ... More
University of Detroit Mercy
$192,500.00
This grant provides seed building support to the Institute of AfroUrbanism (IAU)—a Detroit-based, Black-woman owned think tank and action lab—to ... More
Detroit Regional Chamber Foundation, Inc.
$150,000.00
This grant provides support to the Detroit Regional Chamber’s (DRC) efforts, leadership, and capacity-building to engage and support corporate leaders ... More
Detroit Future City
$150,000.00
This grant provides support to Detroit Future City (DFC) to deepen their engagement with Detroit youth to inform their data, ... More
Council of Michigan Foundations, Inc.
$150,000.00
This grant provides contribution to the established Council of Michigan (CMF) Statewide Equity Fund. The fund is a member-pooled fund ... More
Citizens Research Council of Michigan, Inc.
$100,000.00
This grant provides support to Citizens Research Council of Michigan (CRC) to sustain and strengthen the CRC Detroit Bureau, enabling ... More
BMe Networks
$300,000.00
This grant will continue to support the implementation of the Skillman BMe Vanguard Fellowship to cultivate Black Detroit leaders whose ... More
New Detroit, Inc.
$200,000.00
This grant will enable New Detroit to accelerate efforts to develop a new offering in their Just Suite curriculum offerings ... More
Data Driven Detroit, L3C
$320,000.00
This grant continues support for Data Driven Detroit, L3C (D3), an independent regional data hub to advance data initiatives, including ... More
Wayne State University
$821,000.00
This grant continues support to Wayne State University’s Detroit Education Research Partnership (DERP) and provides critical leverage funding that will ... More
Vision to Learn
$100,000.00
This grant will support Vision to Learn to build on existing relationships and successes, solidifying majority funding in Medicaid match ... More
Michigan’s Children
$200,000.00
This grant will support Michigan’s Children to strengthen their capacity as the organization looks to uplift the voices of youth ... More
United Way for Southeastern Michigan
$250,000.00
This grant will seed support to launch a coordinated cross-sector campaign to get as many Detroit families enrolled to receive ... More
The Center for Michigan, Inc.
$75,000.00
This grant will provide general operating support to BridgeDetroit, a project of Center for Michigan. BridgeDetroit will continue producing public ... More
Michigan Future, Inc.
$250,000.00
This grant enables Michigan Future to build on organizational strengths in research and analysis to move to influence state systems ... More
Kaleidoscope Pathways, LLC
This contract enables Kaleidoscope Partners, LLC (KPLLC) to design and implement monitoring, evaluation,and learning strategies that assess the progress of ... More
Detroit Parent Network
$110,000.00
This grant provides operating support to Detroit Parent Network (DPN) as it continues to build organizational capacity, strengthen financial stability ... More
Data Driven Detroit, L3C
$115,000.00
This grant continues support for Data Driven Detroit, L3C (D3)—an independent, regional data center—to update and maintain the State of ... More
Wayne-Metropolitan Community Action Agency
$35,000.00
The purpose of the project is to provide a platform and support tailored to the needs of youth ages 13-24 ... More
Cody Rouge Community Action Alliance, Inc.
$150,000.00
This grant will provide continued support to the Cody Rouge Community Action Alliance, Inc. (CRCAA). CRCAA is an important community ... More
BMe Networks
$450,000.00
This grant will continue to support the implementation of the Skillman BMe Vanguard Fellowship, launched in 2019, to cultivate Detroit ... More
Detroit Public Schools Foundation
$50,000.00
This grant will continue support of a dedicated staff position housed at Cody High School (CHS) to accelerate improvements and ... More
Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation
$450,000.00
This grant will provide funding to Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation (DESC), the lead implementation agency for the Grow Detroit’s Young ... More
Urban Alliance Foundation, Inc.
$175,000.00
This grant continues support of Urban Alliance (UA)’s work in Detroit with the High School Internship Program (HSIP). This year-long ... More
Brilliant Detroit
$125,000.00
This grant will support a joint effort between Brilliant Detroit and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. These ... More
Michigan League for Public Policy
$105,000.00
To support the activities of the 2019 Kids Count in Michigan project, providing timely information on the well-being of children ... More
Michigan Nonprofit Association
$100,000.00
Continued support for Detroit outreach, with a focus on youth and historically under-counted communities, for the Michigan Nonprofits Count campaign ... More
Michigan Public Health Institute
$425,000.00
To manage a team of local and national evaluators that will execute the strategic evaluation and learning plan to advance ... More
Michigan Thanksgiving Parade Foundation
$85,000.00
Support for the annual Skillman Foundation Float Design Contest, bringing the artwork of a Detroit youth to the national stage ... More
Michigan’s Children
$125,000.00
Continued support for general operations as well as the dissemination of a “Children’s Playbook," advancing policies and funding to improve ... More
Tides Foundation
$100,000.00
(As fiduciary for the NAACP Detroit Branch) To provide youth leadership development and academic scholarships, entrepreneurship training, opportunities for women- ... More
United Way for Southeastern Michigan
$500,000.00
This grant will provide seed funding for the recently established COVID-19 Community Health Fund to help ensure families in need ... More
Michigan Council on Crime and Delinquency d/b/a Michigan Center for Youth Justice
$100,000.00
This grant will provide general operating support to the Michigan Council on Crime and Delinquency d/b/a Michigan Center for Youth ... More
Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, Inc.
$120,000.00
(As fiduciary for Executives Alliance) Continued general operational support to the Executives Alliance to invest in young men of color ... More
Excellent Schools Detroit
$400,000.00
(As fiduciary for Community Education Commission) Continued support for the Community Education Commission to serve multiple critical functions that enable ... More
Detroit Public Schools Community District
$220,000.00
To establish School Advisory Councils districtwide ... More
Education Trust, Inc.
$250,000.00
Continued operating support for Education Trust Midwest, a local operation of a national education policy and advocacy organization focused on ... More
Foundation for Detroit’s Future
$175,000.00
Continued support to provide funding for the City of Detroit's general, police, and fire retiree pentions as a part of ... More
Greenlight Fund Inc.
$100,000.00
Continued support for the Greenlight Fund platform in Detroit to bring best-in-class national nonprofits to fill local service gaps ... More
Invest Detroit Foundation
$400,000.00
Continued support for the development of a child-focused neighborhood plan for the Warrendale/Cody Rouge neighborhood, setting a framework for significant ... More
Data Driven Detroit, L3C
$125,000.00
Continued support for independent regional data center Data Driven Detroit to collect, analyze, and disseminate information to support evidence-based planning, ... More
BMe Networks
$250,000.00
To launch the Skillman BMe Vanguard Fellowship, training and connecting local leaders to champion youth and advance a narrative about ... More
Council of Michigan Foundations
$75,000.00
To support CMF's leadership of statewide philanthropy on critical statewide policy issues through the Office of the Foundation Liaison and ... More
Council of Michigan Foundations
$295,000.00
Fellowship support for three early-career professionals to learn and contribute to the fields of philanthropic communications, program strategy, and evaluation ... More
Council of Michigan Foundations
$200,000.00
To support start-up operations of Launch Michigan, a partnership of business, education, labor, philanthropy, and civic leaders committed to developing ... More
Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan
$250,000.00
To contribute to the creation of a $1-million endowment to support the Detroit Youth Choir, providing training in vocal performance ... More
Center for Effective Philanthropy
$23,981.00
Continued support to implement a Grant Partner Perception Survey to provide critical information for the Foundation’s results-focused learning, continuous improvement, ... More
Campaign for Black Male Achievement Inc.
$475,000.00
Continued support to improve outcomes for Black and brown boys through the MBK Detroit Innovation Challenge, in partnership with the ... More
Recent News
Learning & Evaluation Reports
Safety Strategy Review 2013-2016
Prepared by JFM Consulting Group A review of the Foundation’s safety strategy from 2013-2016, during which time the Foundation set ... More
Kids Matter Here: An Analytic Review of the 10-year Good Neighborhoods Initiative
In 2006, the Skillman Foundation set out to change conditions for Detroit kids by creating the 10-year, $120-million Good Neighborhoods ... More
Civic Leadership: Highlights from the Good Neighborhoods Initiative
Authored by Mark A. Lelle An examination of the Skillman Foundation's civic leadership practice. Download the report ... More
Strengthening Grassroots Community Leadership in Detroit
An evaluation report on the Community Connections Grants Program (2006-2015), a resident-centered grant program working to strengthen civic engagement and ... More
The Added Value of Long-Term Investment in Neighborhoods: Two Case Studies from the Skillman Foundation’s Good Neighborhoods Initiative
What difference can 10 years of steady, responsive philanthropic support make to a resourceful but distressed neighborhood? What is the ... More
Neighborhood Impact Statements
Written by Neighborhood Governance Organizations The Good Neighborhoods Initiative was structured around residents leading change in the their neighborhoods. To ... More
Maximizing Returns: Investing in Nontraditional Leaders
Co-authored by resident leaders Mohammad Dawood, Jerry Ann Hebron, Lisa Luevanos, Mary Luevanos and Victor Robinson Learnings from a group ... More
A Decade in Review: Conditions in Detroit and the Skillman Good Neighborhoods
Authored by Data Driven Detroit A report on the overall context for the initiative that draws from a wide range ... More
Community Leadership Strategy: the Arc of Learning, and Neighborhood Profiles
By the University of Michigan Curtis Center This report describes the strategy for building community leadership during the initial years ... More
Social Innovation: Accomplishments and Early Lessons
Authored by Susan Parker, Clear Thinking Communications This report explores the Skillman Foundation's use of innovative financial tools and relationships ... More
Smart Collaboration at the Grassroots Level
This report examines how to build powerful collaborations through the lens of the Community Connections Small Grants Program. View the ... More
State of the Detroit Child 2012
The typical data picture one gets for Detroit is fragmented, based on a series of individual, topic-specific portraits. The Skillman ... More
Good Neighborhoods, Good Schools and Skillman’s Strategy for Place-Based Change
This report provides an overview and topline analysis of the Foundation's place-based work from 2008 to 2010. View the full ... More
Resilience, Resolve, Results: a Compilation of Readiness Phase Studies of the Skillman Foundation’s Good Neighborhoods and Good Schools Initiative, 2008-2010
This report is a compilation of the executive summaries of the Readiness Phase evaluation reports and provides an overview of ... More
Changing the Odds for Kids (Part One): What Capacity Do the Supports and Opportunities in the Six Good Neighborhoods Provide for Young People and What Characteristics of a System are in Place?
This first assessment of the systems of supports and opportunities (SOSO) informs the Foundation and its partners about availability and ... More
State of the Detroit Child 2010
The typical data picture one gets for Detroit is fragmented, based on a series of individual, topic-specific portraits. The Skillman ... More
Concerning Kids: A Skillman Foundation Study
Concerning Kids: A Skillman Foundation Study was the first-ever comprehensive series of polls on what residents of metropolitan Detroit think, ... More