Posted on January 17, 2008

Kresge Foundation Awards Nearly $50 Million in Fourth-Quarter Grants

The Kresge Foundation in Troy, Michigan, has announced nearly $50 million in fourth-quarter grants to organizations in twenty-eight states, the District of Columbia, Canada, and South Africa.

The awards reflect the foundation's new grantmaking approach, which includes advancing low-income opportunity, promoting community impact in ways most needed by residents, encouraging innovation and risk-taking, fostering interdisciplinary solutions, advancing ecological sustainability, and valuing diversity in board governance. "Our new values criteria focus our grantmaking and reflect our strategic priorities," said Kresge board chair Elaine D. Rosen. "As always, we continue to support organizations working in the health, environment, human services, education, arts and culture, and community development fields."

Twelve grants were awarded to health and human services organizations, including Boston-based Fenway Community Health, which received $1.75 million for a new medical center. Challenge grants totaling $6.35 million were awarded to institutions that educate underserved populations, including Northwestern College in St. Paul, Minnesota ($750,000); Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi ($1.5 million); and Temple University in Philadelphia ($1 million).

Through its Detroit Program, the foundation awarded grants totaling $12.9 million to help address the subprime mortgage and housing foreclosure crisis, spur new business development, and bolster health care for homeless individuals. Each grant was designated for operating support, working capital, or growth capital — types of support currently under development for the foundation's other fields of interest — and grantees included the Detroit Parent Network ($300,000), Michigan Future, Inc. ($230,000), and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation - Detroit ($1.5 million). In addition, through its special International Initiative in South Africa, the foundation awarded $3 million to the University of the Western Cape in Bellville for the construction of a new life sciences building.

"In the 21st century, promoting human progress means working to influence the quality of life for future generations by creating access and opportunity for poor and disadvantaged children and adults, advancing methods for mitigating and adapting to global climate change, and supporting the revitalization of our home community, the Detroit metropolitan area," said Kresge president Rip Rapson. "It also requires having a variety of grantmaking tools at our disposal to meet the particular needs of a given organization."

For a complete list of fourth-quarter grantees, visit the Kresge Foundation Web site.