Dear Community,
It has been one year since I joined the Children’s Foundation as president & CEO – and it has been an incredible learning journey.
I have learned about this Foundation’s rich history that started at Children’s Hospital of Michigan where we built a legacy of creating more equitable opportunities for kids to lead healthier lives, and the important work we continue to do there.
I have learned about our broadened effort over the past 12 years to support kids beyond the hospital, so that in addition to physical needs, we are supporting their mental and emotional health as well.
I have learned about many of you – our generous and passionate donors and community partners who want to make a difference, so our kids have the opportunity, support, and care they deserve to thrive in life.
Many times throughout the year I have been in awe of the impact we are making together. Simultaneously I have been gripped by the challenges children face and the work we have yet to do. But each day, I am proud to be part of this community that is creating long-lasting, transformational change for young people.
The Foundation has made significant strides over the past year, setting forth strategic and impactful motion to support kids; a few milestones I’d like to highlight are below:
We’ve established a responsive focus: With our Board, staff, long-time supporters, and expert community partners – we reflected on our history and where we will to concentrate efforts in the future; the result is an established mission, vision, and focus areas that match our goals in addressing the health and well-being of children in Michigan. I invite you to review our 2023 Impact Report that details the community investments we are making to support our kids.
We’ve curated a team of experts: In October 2023, Tina Kashat Casoli joined us as Vice President of Development to provide leadership, strategy, planning, and guidance for our fundraising efforts, so that we can fulfill our mission. We are also in the process of adding a Vice President of Impact. This position will help improve outcomes for kids with an intentional focus on creating sustainable community-level change – and I am excited to share with you more about the person who will fill that role, soon.
We’ve already awarded $3.5 million in grants in 2024: With thoughtful consideration from our expert community partners who are working with young people, we’ve awarded 72 grants. Each of these grants will work to improve care for kids struggling with mental health and substance use disorder, address and increase health equity and access, or provide whole care through wellness programming and research at Children’s Hospital of Michigan. Stay tuned for announcements about upcoming grant opportunities.
Although my first year in this role is complete, my learning journey is not. I look forward to getting to know you more and discovering ways that, together, we can create a place where all kids can live a healthy life.
Please join us in our impact – because kids need our help, and together we can do more.
In partnership,
Andrew Stein
President & CEO
