Flint’s recovery received a welcome jolt today, as 10 foundations based in Michigan or with roots here announced a charitable gift of up to nearly $125 million, with most support connected to Flint’s ongoing water crisis.
Far from another bottled-water donation, the foundations vowed to support programs in such areas as early childhood education, health interventions for residents exposed to high lead levels, and economic development in this long-struggling city.
Up to $100 million of the gift will come from the hometown Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, the philanthropies said in a press release.
“Flint’s water crisis is far from over,” Ridgway White, Mott’s president, said in the release. Kellogg Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, the Ford Foundation and The Skillman Foundation (Disclosure: Kresge, Kellogg, Mott and Ford have all offered financial support to The Center for Michigan or Bridge Magazine).
The Flint gift marks the second time in recent years that heavyweights in the nonprofit sector have contributed a substantial cash infusion to correct, or try to correct, a crisis caused at least in part by government.
Big givers
The 10 foundations, and their gifts, as they describe them:
Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, up to $50 million over the first year and up to $100 million total over five years, with grants across all six priority areas, as well as investments in K-12 education;
FlintNOW Foundation, committing continued support from a $10 million pledge to aid in a broad range of relief and revitalization efforts in Flint.
W.K. Kellogg Foundation, up to $5 million over the next year to support children’s education, health and well-being, backed by significant investments in community engagement.
The Kresge Foundation, up to $2.5 million for operations and recovery programs of select nonprofit partners, to enhance civic capacity and community engagement.
Carnegie Corporation of New York, committing $1 million to support the educational needs of children in Flint.
Ford Foundation, committing $1 million to the health needs of the Flint community.
The Hagerman Foundation, $1 million over the first year to support the non-profit sector and efforts to revitalize Flint’s economy, with plans to support education, health and wellness over the long term.
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, $1 million to support children’s health needs through the Flint Child Health & Development Fund of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint.
Ruth Mott Foundation, $1 million for the short- and long-term needs of Flint children and adults, in addition to investments already made.
Skillman Foundation, committing $500,000 immediately, with the potential for an additional $1.5 million over the next three years, to support civic capacity, as well as childhood health, nutrition and literacy.
In 2014, the so-called “grand bargain” saved the Detroit Institute of Arts’ collection from liquidation and was a major factor in the ultimate resolution of that city’s bankruptcy proceedings. Water experts in Flint and state government absorbed much of the blame for the Flint crisis.
Family health, including a dollar-for-dollar match of up to $5 million in donations made to the Flint Child Health & Development Fund through the end of 2016. The fund will provide support over the next 20 years for interventions for Flint children exposed to lead.
Early childhood education, so that young children in Flint can be admitted to Early Start, Head Start and Great Start Readiness programs.
Improving the city’s nonprofit sector, which the foundations said have been challenged by early response to the crisis.
Community engagement, through promotion of civic engagement and local decision-making.
Economic development, to attempt to correct the damage done to the city’s businesses by the water crisis.
