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2024 Annual Report
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2024 Annual Report
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Building
a Lasting
Impact.

2024 Annual Report

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Impact – today, tomorrow, and for generations to come

Our 2024 Annual Report reflects the meaningful partnerships, shared progress, and lasting impact we’ve made together this year.

Dear Friends,

As we look back on 2024, we are reminded of the power of community. At the Children’s Foundation, our mission is simple: to improve the health and well-being of children across Michigan. Thanks to your generosity, we’ve made remarkable strides in ensuring that kids today, and for generations to come, have the support they need to thrive.

This past year was one of incredible growth. For the second consecutive year, we achieved record fundraising totals, a testament to the commitment of our donors and partners. But raising funds is just the beginning. In 2024, we granted $4.6 million across our focus areas, supporting vital programs – from programming to address the youth overdose crisis to supporting young families as they care for their babies at the earliest stages of life.

A defining moment of the year was the Michigan Central Station Children’s Endowment Initiative, a collaboration with Bill and Lisa Ford. Together, we raised more than $19 million to create lasting support in the form of endowments for 11 youth-serving organizations in the Detroit area, ensuring they will uplift kids for generations to come.

As we look ahead, we remain committed to evolving and deepening our impact in the community. To ensure young people always have the resources they need to thrive, we will: grow our endowment for kids, strengthen the organizations we support, and help donors achieve their unique philanthropic goals.

Our success is only possible because of you. While reading this report, we hope you see yourself in the work we are doing. Together, we can continue to build a lasting impact for every child.

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Andrew Stein

President & CEO

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Luanne Thomas Ewald

Chair

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Mission
The Children’s Foundation is a catalyst for change, partnering with the community to advance solutions and discoveries that improve the physical and mental health of children in Michigan.
Vision
Our vision is a Michigan where all children have equitable opportunities to lead healthy lives.

Intended Impact

Over the next 10 years, our efforts in Michigan will result in:
Thriving community organizations and equitable systems that improve the lives of children.
Innovative and collaborative solutions that advance the health of the whole child.
Sustainable sources of capital that address the needs of children now and into the future.

Together, we are creating a future where all kids in Michigan can thrive.

In 2024, the power of community and generosity came together to build lasting change – creating a stronger, brighter future for every child in Michigan through these three approaches:

  • MI Kids Forever
    • Ensuring our community always has flexible resources to respond quickly to the most urgent needs of kids.
  • Durable Youth-Serving Organizations
    • Investing in the long-term strength of youth-serving organizations so they can serve this community for generations to come.
  • Tailored Philanthropic Services
    • Partnering with donors to help them achieve their unique philanthropic goals improving the lives of kids.
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Grantmaking

Partnerships to change lives

Grantmaking Focus Areas
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Mental Health
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Substance Use
Disorder
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Health Equity
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Children's
Hospital
Of Michigan
Initiatives
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Stories of Impact

Our team is focused on supporting dynamic, long-lasting resources and solutions that make an impact on the lives of kids. Below are examples of grants we’ve made in 2024 from our grantmaking budget.

Substance Use Disorder:

Youth innovation to reduce overdose rates

By prioritizing prevention, recovery, and stigma reduction, we aim to reduce the risk of substance use disorder and its lasting impact on Michigan’s youth. That’s why the Children’s Foundation awarded 8 grants totaling nearly $600,000 to support programs addressing substance use disorder.

One of those grants supported Community Health Awareness Group (CHAG) and its Project YOUR (Youth Overdose Understanding Risks) program. This youth-led initiative trains teens to educate their peers on overdose prevention and naloxone use. With fentanyl-laced drugs putting more young lives at risk, Project YOUR offers hope – engaging teens directly and equipping them with knowledge and support to keep their friends safe.

Read Full Story
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Health Equity:

A healthy start for Michigan babies

Every child deserves the opportunity for a healthy start, but barriers can stand in the way. That’s why the Children’s Foundation supported four grants aimed at reducing obstacles to healthcare, including Rx Kids, a program providing unconditional cash assistance to expectant mothers in Flint.

Rx Kids is showing early promise that non-income-based assistance can improve health outcomes. By providing mothers with $1,500 during pregnancy and $500 monthly throughout the baby’s first year, the program reduces financial stress, empowering parents to focus on essentials like healthcare, housing, and food. Approximately 88% of participants say that Rx Kids has helped them make ends meet and feel more secure in their finances.

Supporting programs that tackle the factors affecting health equity among children, youth, and families is essential to our mission.

Read Full Story
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Children’s Hospital of Michigan Initiatives:

Supporting Child Life Specialty Services

When Daniela was diagnosed with leukemia at 16, her world changed overnight. Hospital stays, chemotherapy, and a bone marrow transplant took a toll – not just physically, but emotionally. She missed out on school, friends, and key milestones.

Thanks to a variety of Child Life Specialty Services supported by the Children’s Foundation, Daniela found comfort in Art Therapy, which helped her process her emotions. A hospital schoolteacher kept her on track academically, and she finished high school with a 3.7 GPA.

In 2024, we awarded $562,000 toward Child Life Specialty Services – because kids rely on these programs for hope and healing. Now in remission and starting college, Daniela’s story shows why we support programming that ensures young patients at Children’s Hospital of Michigan have the resources they need to thrive.

Read Full Story
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2024 Grants

In 2024, we awarded $4.6 million through 89 grants, supporting 26 organizations that are working to improve the lives of children in Michigan.

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Download list of 2024 Grants
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Michigan Central
Station Children’s
Endowment Initiative

A symbol of Detroit’s resilience, Michigan Central’s reopening ignited the community’s lasting commitment to youth – fostering an effort that builds more durable youth-serving organizations. This initiative ensures support, opportunity, and a brighter future for generations to come.
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11
Organizations
Select organizations will spend two years building durability so they can serve Detroit-area youth in perpetuity.
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In partnership with Bill and Lisa Ford, the Foundation established the MCS Children’s Endowment Initiative,

which ran a fundraising campaign alongside the Station’s opening. The effort raised more than $19 million, nearly doubling its goal – a true statement to the philanthropic spirit of those who care deeply about the children of Detroit. This Initiative is a lasting commitment to kids and their future, reflecting the community’s hope that 11 local youth-serving organizations will endure forever – just like Michigan Central.

A celebration of this campaign was held alongside the Station’s opening festivities on June 6, 2024, providing a first look at the stunning renovation and an encore performance from Diana Ross.

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White text on a light background reads "$19+ Million Raised.
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“By creating an endowment, this effort helps make sure youth-serving organizations have what they need to serve children now and into the future.”
Andrew Stein, President & CEO
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Committee Members
A diverse group of local leaders followed a transparent, equity-driven process to select the organizations.
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Youth
Advisors
Young people ages 17-24 reflected youth-voice, guiding the committee throughout the selection process.
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Donors
Generous individuals, foundations, and companies invested in this Initiative that supports Detroit-area kids.
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0
Organizations
These organizations will spend two years building durability so they can serve Detroit-area youth, forever.
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Selected Organizations

Each selected organization received a $500,000 endowment at the Children’s Foundation and joined a two-year cohort to strengthen their impact.

With additional grants and capacity-building investments through 2026, they can raise another $500,000, matched dollar-for-dollar. This initiative gives each organization the opportunity to build a $1.5 million endowment, ensuring long-term sustainability for our young people.

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Youth advisors with Lisa Ford and Andrew Stein.
Learn more about non-profit endowments
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SER Metro-Detroit Jobs for Progress, Inc. logo featuring "SER" in large blue letters and "METRO-DETROIT JOBS FOR PROGRESS, INC." in black and white text below.
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Learn More About These Organizations

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“We are in awe of the generosity from hundreds around our region who helped us exceed our goal, making a sustainable commitment to 11 youth-serving organizations that will impact generations to come.”

Lisa & Bill Ford

Co-Chairs,
Michigan Central Station Children’s Endowment Initiative Campaign

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Fundraising

The generosity of our donors is core to our work, giving millions each year to improve the lives of kids in Michigan.

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Donor Story

Honoring John G. Levy’s lifetime commitment to children

For more than 45 years, John G. Levy dedicated his time, leadership, and heart to Children’s Hospital of Michigan and the Detroit Medical Center. From his early days as a volunteer to serving as Chair of the Governing Board, John’s passion for helping children was lifelong and impactful.

To honor his extraordinary impact, the hospital’s main lobby now bears his name – the John G. Levy Lobby – featuring an interactive donor wall designed to bring joy to young patients. More than 150 donors came together to raise over $375,000 to establish the John G. Levy Endowment at the Children’s Foundation, ensuring Child Life Specialty Services continue to provide comfort and healing for young patients.

“John knew the value of Child Life Services,” shared his wife, Nancy Levy. “That’s why my daughters, Jody and Melissa, my son-in-law Ryan, and I created this endowment – to ensure kids today, and for generations to come, have the support they need.”

John’s legacy lives on through this endowment, bringing hope to children and families when they need it most – just as he always did.

Read More About the John G. Levy Endowment
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John G. Levy's grandchildren are the first to interact with the wall.
“That’s why we created this endowment – to ensure kids today, and for generations to come, have the support they need.”

Nancy Levy

Read More About the John G. Levy Endowment
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Join us in building a lasting impact

Your philanthropic partnership helps ensure we can address today’s challenges while creating a better future for Michigan’s kids. By growing our endowment for kids, strengthening youth-serving organizations, and supporting donors in reaching their philanthropic goals, together, we’re building a stronger future for young people.
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Invest in the future of Michigan kids
Support our flexible MI Kids Forever Fund or a Field of Interest aligned with your passions.
How To Donate
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Attend or sponsor an event
100% of proceeds are granted out into the community.
Get Involved
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Host a fundraiser
Help raise awareness and funds for the Children’s Foundation and the work we do to help all kids thrive.
How To Help
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Create lasting impact
Establish or contribute to an endowment that supports a non-profit you care about.
Get Started
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Establish a Customized Fund
This fund addresses the issues important to you and allows you to be involved in the process.
Next Steps
Simple blue outline of Michigan’s state map with a smiling cartoon baby face over the lower peninsula on a light background.
Invest in the future of Michigan kids
Support our flexible MI Kids Forever Fund or a Field of Interest aligned with your passions.
How To Donate
Blue outline of a piggy bank with a dollar coin being inserted in the slot.
Host a fundraiser
Help raise awareness and funds for the Children’s Foundation and the work we do to help all kids thrive.
How To Help
A blue smiley face is drawn in the center of three concentric circles with arrows, creating a sense of movement or flow around the smiling face.
Create lasting impact
Establish or contribute to an endowment that supports a nonprofit you care about.
Get Started
A teal check mark inside a teal circle on a light gray background, symbolizing approval or completion.
Attend or sponsor an event
100% of proceeds are granted out into the community.
Get Involved
Blue icon of a plant with two leaves and a stem, topped with a circular coin featuring a dollar sign, symbolizing financial growth or investment.
Establish a Customized Fund
This fund addresses the issues important to you and allows you to be involved in the process.
Next Steps
Contact us for more information
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2024 Highlights

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Breakfast of Champions | March 21 & October 26
Read More
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Detroit Chamber’s Mackinac Policy Conference | May 30, 2024
Read More
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Jamie Daniels Foundation Recognized with National Visionary Award | June 19, 2024
Read More
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21st Paul W. Smith
Golf Classic | July 29, 2024
Read More
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Dave Coulier wins for kids on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire | August 9, 2024
Read More

Breakfast of Champions I March 21 & October 26

Detroit Chamber’s Mackinac Policy Conference | May 30

Jamie Daniels Foundation Recognized with National Visionary Award | June 19

21st Paul W. Smith Golf Classic | July 29

Dave Coulier wins for kids on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire | August 9
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Leadership

Our Board

Officers

Luanne Thomas Ewald, Chair

Cynthia N. Ford, Vice Chair

Fred Minturn, Vice Chair

Lizabeth Ardisana, Secretary

Andy Zaleski, Treasurer

learn more about our board and staff

Trustees

John D. Baker, M.D.

John Barker

Karl Bell

Michael Ben

Tom Berman

Stephen J. Blahunka

Gregory Bockart, Jr

Brian Calka

James F. Carr, Jr.

Ajay Chawla

Dan Cornwell

Lauren Cotton

Robert Davies

Zenna Faraj Elhasan

Terry Gardner

Erica Ward Gerson

Peter Ginopolis

Richard Haddad

Gretchen Holloway

Lorron James

Steve Jbara

Mable V. Jones

Laura Kowalchik

David Kwon, M.D.

Edward C. Levy, Jr.

Sarah (Johnson) McDade, M.D. 

Anita Masters Penta

Erik Morganroth

Samuel Shaheen, M.D.

Donnell R. White

Lyle M. Wolberg

learn more about our board and staff
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Financials

Our financial statements are audited on an annual basis and are available below.

Audited Financials
Annual ReportDOWNLOAD

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