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The Southfield Community Foundation
is committed to enhancing the lives of those who work and
live in Southfield and Lathrup Village. It accomplishes this
through the support of initiatives and programs not traditionally
funded by government. The Foundation accepts and administers
gifts from many sources to help meet the changing needs of
the community.
Foundation grants are directed by the Board of Directors with
the assistance of community volunteers and staff. The Foundation
currently awards approximately $50,000 annually in grants
and scholarship awards. Grants range in size from approximately
$500 to $5,000. Grants are ordinarily made for a period of
one year.
In the distribution of its funds, the Southfield Community
Foundation does not discriminate based on age, sex, color,
religious affiliation, national origin, individuals with disabilities
or the programs to be benefited.
GRANT-MAKING PRIORITIES
The Foundation's priority is
to fund grants and programs that have the potential for positive
impact on the lives of people who work and live in Southfield
and Lathrup Village. It focuses on projects not adequately
served by existing community resources and in six particular
areas of interest: Community Building, Youth Development,
Senior Adults, Public Education, Arts & Culture and the
Celebration of our Diversity.
Proposals which identify a problem,
propose a well-defined solution to that problem and appropriately
measure the effect of that solution are strongly encouraged.
The Foundation believes that cooperative and collaborative
efforts play an important role in community building. The
Foundation also encourages those organizations submitting
proposals to develop multiple sources of project support.
Community Building. A strong, thriving
community is the product of many diverse activities. The Foundation
seeks projects and programs that successfully encourage volunteerism,
philanthropy, community pride and identity, civic responsibility,
community appearance, and the development of environmental and
recreational assets.
Youth Development. Our children are our future and are
in need of positive role models, peer influences and energies
channeled to appropriate activities to become productive adults.
The Foundation supports providing constructive life choices
through youth-directed educational, recreational and problem-solving
activities and alternative choices that provide assistance for
youth development.
Senior Adults. Southfield is blessed with a large senior
adult community. The Foundation seeks projects and programs
that address quality of life issues for seniors, especially
emergency and crisis management programs through Southfield's
Human Services Department.
Public Education. Educational opportunities and academic
excellence are critical to the future of our youth. The Foundation
funds proposals which promote special creative efforts, innovative
academic programming and instructional excellence.
Arts & Culture. Cultural enrichment is one of life's
fundamental cornerstones. To enhance quality of life, youth
development, senior recreation and reflection, and business
retention, the Foundation encourages efforts in dance, theater,
concerts, symphonies, orchestras, music, lecture series, travel
and hands-on classes that stimulate educational creativity and
enjoyment of the performing and visual arts.
Celebration of Diversity. Perhaps Southfield's greatest
strategic strength is that of the diversity of its human resources.
The opportunity for personal and professional growth through
exposure to multiple cultures, religions and generations is
limited only by our willingness to explore. Southfield is a
cosmopolitan center and an international city. The Foundation
seeks projects and programs that celebrate our diversity and
encourage human and corporate growth through the active exploration
of our differences.
WHAT WILL NOT
BE FUNDED
The Foundation does not generally
fund grants for:
- Operational, maintenance,
or ongoing expenses
- Programs or projects that
duplicate existing services and/or programs
- Sectarian or religious organizations,
programs or activities
- Individuals
- Testimonial dinners, fund-raising
events or advertising
- Payments of loans, interest,
taxes or debt retirement
HOW TO APPLY
Grant seekers are encouraged
to call the Southfield Community Foundation (248-351-1320)
to review the scope and appropriateness of their proposals
before submitting a formal application. Grant requests to
the Southfield Community Foundation must be submitted in writing.
A one to two page letter is generally sufficient and should
contain a brief overview of your organization and its mission,
a description of the problem you are seeking to solve, the
methods you will employ, and how you will know whether or
not you succeeded. The following attachments must be included
for your proposal to be considered:
- A complete, detailed budget
of the project for which the funds are
requested
- An audited copy of your last
annual financial statement
- A list of your current board
of directors and/or governing board
- Proof of tax-exempt status
(usually your IRS tax exemption recognition
letter)
Grant requests and other correspondence
should be sent to the address below.
REVIEW
PROCESS
Careful consideration is given
to each grant request as it is received. Proposals are reviewed
by the Foundation's Executive Director in terms of general
eligibility and conformity to Foundation guidelines and fund
availability. Proposals are then reviewed, as appropriate,
by one of the Foundation's standing committees (Grant, SPS
Education, Youth Advisory, or Executive Committee). Proposals
that receive committee endorsement are then forwarded to the
Foundation Board of Directors for final determination. The
Foundation's Board of Directors meets approximately six times
a year.
Grant seekers will be notified
in writing of the final status of their request. If a grant
has been approved, the recipient organization/group will enter
into a Grant Agreement with the Foundation. This agreement
fully explains the rights and responsibilities of the grantee,
including, but not limited to the submission of a final report
either verbally, in writing, or both, to the Foundation Board
of Directors.
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