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Learn how starting a fund supports Michigan’s kids, forever
8pm
Detroit Opera House
1526 Broadway St, Detroit, MI 48226
Detroit’s one and only, The Coney. A messy good time with a stacked menu: all the celebs, big-name laughs, music and unforgettable moments you can handle; all in support of youth arts education in Detroit.
Get your tickets. Be a sponsor. Or do both. Don’t miss this!
Tickets go on sale Wednesday, June 24
For event related inquiries, please contact us at [email protected]
Named after our city’s most delicious dish, The Coney, presented by Rocket, is a celebrity-packed variety show that you don’t want to miss.
Detroit’s biggest stars are coming home, including Kristen Bell, Dax Shepherd, J.K. Simmons, Tim Meadows, Sam Richardshon, Diona Reasonover, Marc Evan Jackson and their friends, for one wild night celebrating everything Motor City; the music, comedy, and plenty of surprises. Will your favorite actor jump onstage for live Motown karaoke? Dominate a Coney eating contest? Hey, anything could happen. But one thing’s for sure: we’re raising money for Detroit youth arts education.
The Coney was created by renowned actor, writer, comedian, and founder of the Detroit Creativity Project, Marc Evan Jackson, in partnership with the Children’s Foundation of Michigan.
The simple (but huge!) goal? To support youth arts education in Detroit. Together, our motivation is grounded in the belief that the arts thrive when funding is thoughtful, informed, steady, and permanent.
They foster creativity, build confidence, and enhance cognitive, social-emotional, and motor skills. Creative expression allows kids to process emotions, improve problem-solving abilities, and develop critical thinking while also supporting academic growth.
Through the generosity of those like you, we’re going to make it happen.
Thank you for your interest in applying for funding to receive support for youth arts education.
The application window is not yet open and will launch after The Coney event on September 26. At this time, we are not accepting funding inquiries or Letters of Interest.
While you wait, we encourage you to prepare by taking the following steps:
Visit The Cause page and explore the Immediate Impact section to learn more about the youth arts education initiatives this fund will support.
Visit the Grant Seekers page and, under How to Apply, scroll to Step 4 to review the following resources:
Sign up for our newsletter to be among the first to know when the application window officially opens.
Thank you again for your interest in supporting youth arts education through The Coney. We look forward to sharing more information after this year’s event.
Emmy Award-winning actress and singer Kristen Bell grew up in Huntington Woods, Michigan, and has become one of Hollywood’s most beloved performers. She is best known for starring as Veronica Mars in the cult-favorite television series, Eleanor Shellstrop in NBC’s The Good Place, and as the voice of Princess Anna in Disney’s global blockbuster Frozen franchise. Most recently, Bell stars in Netflix’s hit comedy Nobody Wants This. Named one of TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in 2025, Bell continues to champion causes close to her heart while proudly representing her Michigan roots.
Raised throughout southeast Michigan—including Milford, Highland, Walled Lake, Dearborn, and Detroit—Dax Shepard has built a career spanning television, film, directing, and podcasting. After breaking out on MTV’s Punk’d, he went on to star in NBC’s Parenthood, CHiPs, Hit and Run, and numerous feature films. Shepard is also the creator and host of the award-winning Armchair Expert podcast, one of the world’s most popular interview podcasts, where he explores the “messiness of being human” with celebrities, experts, and thought leaders.
Born on Detroit’s east side and raised in Grosse Pointe, J.K. Simmons is one of the most accomplished actors of his generation. His distinguished career spans film, television, and Broadway, highlighted by an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his unforgettable performance as Terence Fletcher in Whiplash. Audiences also know Simmons from the Spider-Man films, Juno, The Accountant series, Oz, Law & Order, and countless voice acting roles. Despite his international success, Simmons has remained deeply connected to Detroit throughout his career.
Detroit-area native Tim Meadows launched his comedy career at Chicago’s legendary Second City before becoming one of the longest-serving cast members in Saturday Night Live history, appearing on the show for ten seasons. Since then, he has become a familiar face in film and television with standout roles in Mean Girls, The Ladies Man, The Goldbergs, Poker Face, and The Mandalorian. Known for his effortless comedic timing and versatility, Meadows remains one of Detroit’s most celebrated entertainers.
Born and raised in Detroit, Sam Richardson is an Emmy Award-winning actor, writer, and comedian recognized for his warmth, improvisational talent, and unforgettable performances. He earned widespread acclaim for HBO’s Veep, won an Emmy for Ted Lasso, and co-created the cult-favorite Comedy Central series Detroiters alongside fellow Detroiter Tim Robinson. Richardson has also appeared in The Afterparty, Poker Face, I Think You Should Leave, and numerous animated films and television series.
Detroit-born Diona Reasonover is an actress, writer, and comedian best known for portraying the brilliant forensic scientist Kasie Hines on CBS’s long-running hit drama NCIS. Her television credits also include Grace and Frankie, Superstore, 2 Broke Girls, Comedy Bang! Bang!, and Girl Meets World. In addition to acting, Reasonover is an Emmy-nominated television writer and an alumna of both Second City Hollywood and Upright Citizens Brigade, where she honed her celebrated improv and sketch comedy skills.
Marc Evan Jackson is an actor, writer, comedian, and passionate advocate for youth arts education. Although born in Buffalo, New York, Jackson’s professional and philanthropic heart belongs to Detroit. After joining Second City Detroit in 2001, he helped found the Detroit Creativity Project, a nonprofit that brings improvisational theater education to thousands of Detroit students each year, building confidence, communication, and creativity. As an actor, Jackson is best known for his memorable roles in Brooklyn Nine-Nine, The Good Place, Parks and Recreation, The Thrilling Adventure Hour, and numerous film and television productions. He is also the creator of The Coney, launched in partnership with the Children’s Foundation of Michigan to establish lasting support for youth arts education across Detroit.