New fund will support grandparents and relatives raising children in Detroit’s Brightmoor neighborhood as part of broader philanthropic commitments honoring Fisher’s legacy
Detroit, Mich. (June 10, 2026) — The Children’s Foundation of Michigan has received a $250,000 gift in honor of Marjorie S. Fisher to establish the Grandparents Parenting Again Fund, a new endowment dedicated to supporting grandparents and other kinship caregivers in Detroit’s Brightmoor neighborhood. The gift honors the 10th anniversary of the passing of philanthropist Marjorie S. Fisher and reflects her lifelong commitment to children and families.
In addition to establishing the endowed fund, supplemental funding has also been provided to support three years of immediate grantmaking while the endowment grows, ensuring resources are available right away for local caregivers and families.
The Children’s Foundation of Michigan will steward and grow the fund for long-term impact and will work alongside Brightmoor community leader and kinship care advocate, Ora Williams, to help guide annual grantmaking.
Kinship caregivers, including grandparents, relatives and close family friends raising children when parents are unable to do so, often step in unexpectedly and with limited support. Across Michigan, nearly 55,000 grandparents are responsible for raising their grandchildren, according to U.S. Census data.
“For many grandparents and kinship caregivers, raising children is both a blessing and a challenge,” said Ora Williams, Brightmoor community leader and kinship care advocate. “They open their hearts and homes because family comes first, often without knowing where support will come from. This fund is an investment in those caregivers and in the children whose lives are strengthened by their love, stability, and commitment. It will make a real difference for families in Brightmoor and beyond.”
“Grandparents and kinship caregivers are an essential but often overlooked support system for children and families,” said Andrew Stein, President & CEO of the Children’s Foundation of Michigan. “This gift honors Mrs. Fisher’s extraordinary legacy by supporting caregivers who provide stability, love, and connection for children in their communities. We are deeply grateful to the Fisher family for their continued commitment to Detroit’s children and families.”
The Grandparents Parenting Again Fund builds upon support the Fisher family has provided to kinship care efforts since 2022 and reflects Mrs. Fisher’s longstanding belief in strengthening opportunities for children and families.
“My mother loved being a grandmother – and this commitment honors her compassion and deep belief that children thrive when surrounded by caring family and community,” said Julie Fisher Cummings, daughter of Marjorie S. Fisher and a trustee of the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation. “Grandparents and kinship caregivers quietly hold families together every day, often while facing enormous financial and emotional challenges themselves. We hope this investment helps shine a light on their importance and encourages broader support for their work.”
The gift is part of a broader philanthropic commitment honoring Marjorie S. Fisher’s legacy. In addition to this initiative in Detroit and the relaunch of the Tooth Fairy mobile dental van program in South Florida fueled by resources Mrs. Fisher left behind to continue her work after her passing, the Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation is committing more than $5 million over the next five years to organizations serving children and families in Detroit and South Florida.
Detroit based partners receiving support from the Foundation include: Gleaners Community Food Bank and Forgotten Harvest in collaboration with the Brightmoor Connections Food Pantry, Yad Ezra, City Year – Gompers School Corps, Grow Detroit’s Young Talent for summer jobs for Brightmoor young people, College for Creative Studies to fuel Brightmoor after school arts, and Sphinx Organization providing musical instruction and summer camps for children in Brightmoor and surrounding neighborhoods.
For more information about the Children’s Foundation of Michigan, visit YourChildrensFoundaiton.org.
About the Children’s Foundation of Michigan
The Children’s Foundation of Michigan promotes health and wellbeing for children in Michigan through strategic grantmaking, advocacy, and fundraising efforts. The Foundation has a legacy of supporting efforts that create more equitable opportunities for kids, stewarding philanthropic funds from Children’s Hospital of Michigan dating back more than 130 years. Today, the Foundation advances the possibilities of philanthropy by building endowment for Michigan’s kids, improving durability of youth-serving organizations, and supporting donors in achieving their unique giving goals.
Learn more at YourChildrensFoundation.org.
About the Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation
The Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation’s core philosophy is grounded in the beliefs of our founders and the family’s shared Jewish values that life’s purpose is found in service to others. The mission of the Foundation is to enrich humanity by strengthening and empowering children and families in need. In the Jewish tradition of tzedakah (justice), the Foundation works to repair the world (tikkun olam) alongside those who share our mission.
Contact: Kari Radjewski
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