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.

Donor Story: Derek Dickow fundraises on behalf of children at networking events

“I’ve always been a big supporter of The Foundation’s work,” said Dickow. “The goal with this was to not only raise funds, but awareness about what the Foundation is doing.

Fit Kids 360: Helping families create healthy lifestyles

As with many aspects of life, childhood is when foundational habits for nutrition and physical activity are established.

A childhood mental health crisis: Meeting kids where they are

For young people, over the past several years exponential stress, frustration, and harmful events beyond their control have led to a mental health crisis. But there are ways to ensure kids receive timely, equitable access to quality mental health care.

Ashok & Ingrid Sarnaik Endowed Scholarship Creates Opportunities for Fourth Graders at Detroit Public Schools

Through the Ashok & Ingrid Sarnaik Endowment to Create Ladders of Opportunity for Youth, Darius and Kourtney were presented with $2,500 scholarships which will be used toward future educational and vocational endeavors.

What to expect from The Children’s Foundation moving forward

Since starting as President & CEO in January, a question I have received often is: what can we expect from The Foundation moving forward?

Buildup STEAM: Enabling hospitalized kids to cope and create

For kids who are in the hospital, any positive interactions go a long way. When their life is consumed by tests, tubes, and healing, any chance to experience a normal childhood is essential to their positive mental state. That’s exactly what Buildup STEAM is set out to do: enable hospitalized kids to be kids.

Child Life Services: Helping kids be kids during injury and illness

Child Life Specialist have unique training in child development, education, and psychology so they can provide patient and family-centered care using evidence-based, developmentally appropriate interventions.

TOP 10 MOMENTS OF 2022

Together, with donors and community organizations, The Foundation is finding new, significant opportunities to impact the health and wellness of children and families in Michigan not only today but for generations to come.

Snowpile delivers hope and joy to families of hospitalized children during the holidays

Snowpile provides gifts not only to children who are too sick to enjoy the holidays at home, but also for their siblings. The event brings joy to these children and their families, as well as alleviates the stress associated with holiday gift giving – including time spent shopping, cost, wrapping, and more!

DPYC: Empowering kids to give

The Detroit Philanthropic Youth Council (DPYC) launched in September 2022 as a collaboration between The Children’s Foundation, Catholic Foundation of Michigan and the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation. Their goal is to teach high school students about philanthropy and to create real, substantial community impact.

Build a Legacy of Impact

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