Children’s Foundation Announces Recipients of Michigan Central Station Children’s Endowment Initiative

The Children’s Foundation, in partnership with Bill and Lisa Ford, has announced the selection of 11 youth-serving organizations for the Michigan Central Station Children’s Endowment Initiative. This philanthropic effort provides each organization with the opportunity to establish a $1.5 million permanent endowment at the Children’s Foundation, so they can continue to serve Detroit area children forever, ensuring their permanence — like Michigan Central itself.

The Initiative was launched alongside Ford Motor Company’s restoration of Michigan Central Station. The grand reopening in June 2024 featured a fundraising campaign for the Initiative with an initial goal of $10 million to support 10 organizations with an endowment. Due to the outpouring of generosity of more than 300 donors, including individuals, foundations, and companies, over $19 million was raised, allowing for support of 11 youth-serving organizations.

"The re-opening of Michigan Central Station was a milestone moment for Ford Motor Company and Detroit, and we wanted to build on that excitement to make an even bigger impact on our city’s future with an endowment campaign benefitting youth organizations,” said Bill and Lisa Ford. “We are in awe of the generosity from hundreds around our region who helped us exceed our goal, making a sustainable commitment to 11 youth-serving organizations that will impact generations to come.”

The 11 selected organizations will receive a $500,000 permanent endowment at the Children’s Foundation. Over two years, each organization will work to fundraise an additional $500,000, which will be matched by the Initiative, dollar-for-dollar. This means each organization has the potential to build a $1.5 million endowment by the end of 2026. Additionally, they will take part in a strategy consulting cohort to strengthen their long-term impact on young people, which includes grant support in 2025 and 2026, along with other capacity-building investments.

The 11 selected organizations are:

• Birth Detroit: A Black midwifery-led, community-based, maternal health practice that provides safe, quality, loving prenatal, birth, and postpartum care and education to pregnant people and families in Detroit.

• Brilliant Detroit: A neighborhood-powered model focused on building “kid success neighborhoods”—connected places where families with children 0-8 have everything needed to thrive.

• Chaldean Community Foundation: Dedicated to improving the stability, health, and wellness of those they serve through advocacy, acculturation, community development, and cultural preservation.

• Children's Center: Empowers children and families in Detroit and Wayne County by supporting vulnerable youth facing trauma, mental and behavioral health challenges, developmental disabilities, and experiences with foster care and adoption.

• InsideOut Literary Arts: The oldest and largest literary arts organization in Detroit cultivates literary and academic skills in partnership with schools, cultural institutions, and community-based organizations across Metro Detroit.

• Judson Center: A nonprofit human services agency that has been providing comprehensive care for 100 years to children, adults, and families impacted by abuse and neglect, autism spectrum disorder, and developmental, behavioral, and physical health challenges, empowering them to achieve their maximum potential.

• LAHC: Leaders Advancing and Helping Communities empowers communities through education, workforce development, public health, and social services, including programs in behavioral health, substance misuse prevention, nutrition, physical fitness, and economic well-being.

• Midnight Golf: Helps Detroit’s most driven students overcome barriers and develop the skills they need to achieve success in education, work, and life through mentorship, life skills training, mindset coaching, admissions counseling, college tours, and financial aid.

• Ruth Ellis Center: Creating opportunities with LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness and/or facing barriers to health and well-being. The Center provides essential services, including primary and behavioral healthcare, permanent supportive housing, and safety-net resources.

• SER Metro-Detroit: A community resource to address the employment and economic inequities of Hispanic and other underrepresented Detroit residents through education, training, job placement, financial education, and economic supports.

• Starfish Family Services: Champions children and families in Metro Detroit, providing integrated programs in early education, behavioral health, and parental support, fostering resilience and growth through a holistic approach that ensures long-term success.

For more information about the Initiative and the selected organizations, or to give to their campaigns, click here.