News & Stories

The Yunion: Innovation in increasing access to mental health care for our youth

The Yunion expands mental health access in Detroit schools through a closed-loop referral system ensuring culturally responsive care for youth.

Collaboratives for kids: Maximizing impact through funding partnerships

For many nonprofits, establishing an agency endowment can feel like something to revisit later—when resources feel more abundant or fundraising pressures ease. But agency endowments aren’t about waiting for the perfect moment. They’re about making an intentional investment in your organization’s future, creating long-term stability and sustaining your mission for generations to come.

Building for Forever: What it takes to strengthen youth-serving organizations for the long term

What does it take to ensure Detroit’s youth-serving organizations are here for generations to come? Through the Michigan Central Station Children’s Endowment Initiative, 11 organizations are building permanent endowments—supported by matching funds, technical assistance, and hands-on coaching. The result is more than financial growth; it’s a shift from short-term survival to long-term strength for the children and families they serve.

Improving mental health for kids and teens through the power of the podcast

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, an alarming 32 percent of American teens between the ages of 13 and 18 have an anxiety disorder at some point. To address and improve this statistic, The Children’s Foundation continues to prioritize funding programs and solutions that address mental health for children and adolescents.

Donor Story: Steve Gunn, small business owner, practices generosity beyond financial contributions

In 2001, Steve Gunn decided to open his car wash business – but it was in 2013, the year he had children, that he was inspired to make his work more meaningful. That is when he decided to start raising funds for local charities by incorporating a Penny Power Program.

A letter from Larry – October 2020

Hello and welcome to fall and October. The Children’s Foundation is planning for a very busy fall as we get ready for the Jamie Daniels Foundation’s Second Annual Celebrity Roast. This year the virtual event will be celebrating the career of Hall of Fame NHL legend, Scotty Bowman.

Get to know: Cynthia Ford, Vice Chair, Board of Trustees

What does it mean to you to be a Trustee at Children’s Foundation? It means I have the privilege of playing a leadership role among a team of exceptional colleagues...

Camp Catch A Rainbow provides colorful, virtual camp experience for kids with cancer

“I’m not sure if there is a way to put into words what Camp Catch A Rainbow has meant to our son..."

A letter from Larry – September 2020

Welcome to September and the end of summer. We recently held the Fourth Annual Derby for Kids on Saturday, September 5 at the fabulous Country Club of Detroit. As we all know, this normally takes place in early May but with the COVID-19 environment, the Kentucky Derby was postponed until September.

Giving Gardens provide healthy and nutritious produce to food insecure families

The COVID-19 outbreak has had a devastating impact on food insecurity and nutritious food access throughout the Metro Detroit region. In response, Big Green Detroit has adapted twenty-one school learning gardens into “giving gardens”, which was enabled through a $10,000 grant from Children’s Foundation.

Hurley Medical Center’s Food FARMacy improves health conditions and food insecurity

When living in poverty, like 60% of children in Flint, Mich., access to healthy food can be a challenge. As a result, poor diet and nutrition can lead to health and behavioral issues including obesity, diabetes, attention deficit disorder, and more.

Donor Story: Mable Jones establishes a lasting legacy

All her life, Mable Jones has felt compassion for children – that they should have opportunities to live healthy lives filled with opportunity, regardless of the challenges they may face.

Foundation grantee continues research with funding from National Institutes of Health

In 2017, with $75,000 from The Children’s Foundation, Arash Javanbakht, M.D., Psychiatrist and Director of Stress, Trauma and Anxiety Center at Wayne State University, launched an unprecedented study exploring the mental health impact of war trauma on Syrian children and families now living in Southeast Michigan.

Build a Legacy of Impact

Learn how starting a fund supports Michigan’s kids, forever