Best Detroit Grants for Nonprofits in Michigan

The Seeding Wayne County Grant Program, operated by Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency, aims to combat poverty by providing funding to grassroots organizations in Wayne County. With a total allocation of $550,000 for the fiscal year 2026, grants range from $1,000 to $7,500. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) entities serving low-income residents and can apply for funding for direct services in areas such as education, health, and nutrition.

The Bies Family Foundation SkillPointe Scholarship provides $5,000 to support individuals pursuing careers in automotive maintenance in the Detroit area. Applications are accepted until March 31 and September 30, remaining eligible until graduation. The foundation has funded over 1,000 scholarships nationwide, raising more than $5 million to close the skills gap and enhance workforce readiness. With a high completion and employment rate among recipients, the initiative aims to uplift both individuals and the American economy.

Detroit, Michigan 501(c)(3) nonprofits focused on basic needs, income creation, stable housing, or empowering communities can access funding through Bank of America Charitable Foundation. Eligible organizations must serve low- and moderate-income communities within Bank of America’s designated markets and can support vulnerable populations such as working families, youth, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities.

The Enbridge Safe Community First Responder Program is designed to support emergency response organizations across Canada and the U.S. by providing grants for safety equipment, training, and educational programs. Launched in 2002, it has invested over $22 million in enhancing community safety. Eligible organizations include fire departments and medical services located near Enbridge operations. Grants typically range from $1,000 to $10,000, helping improve the capabilities of first responders in rural and underserved areas.

Detroit, Michigan 501(c)(3) nonprofits supporting working students with job training, skill development, placement, or career advancement can access funding through Empower Work and Total Wireless. Grants of US $50,000 - US $150,000 support existing programs and require hosting 2–4 in-person events for working students at designated local Total Wireless retail locations.

The Bank of America Charitable Foundation focuses on improving economic mobility and social progress through partnerships with nonprofits. It prioritizes basic needs, income creation, stable housing, and community empowerment. By supporting vulnerable populations, the foundation aims to enable individuals to achieve their goals and contribute positively to their communities. The foundation emphasizes sustainable progress, ensuring that all community members have access to essential resources and opportunities for growth.

May Family Foundation

Eleanor Jean May established the May Family Foundation in 2000, as a gesture of gratitude to the communities that shaped her life. The May Family Foundation is dedicated to identifying programs that strongly resonate with our mission and values as we work together to empower and uplift lives within our communities.

Our foundation provides resources and opportunities that empower young individuals to thrive and reach their full potential. Our goal is to create a brighter future for under-resourced youth in our local communities.

May Family Foundation Mentoring Grant

Our foundation strives to be engaged in our local communities beyond grant funding. We support select programs that align with our goals and form a connection through potential volunteering opportunities, site visits, and recognition of successes.

We welcome grant applications for financial support in mentoring:

• Programs that pair students with adult mentors who provide guidance and support to help students succeed academically and develop important life skills.
• These can go beyond the classroom, such as sports and recreation enrichment programs.

About Us

The Kresge Foundation is a private, national foundation that works to expand equity and opportunities in America’s cities through grantmaking and social investing in arts and culture, education, environment, health, human services and community development, nationally and in Detroit, Memphis, New Orleans and Fresno. In collaboration with our partners, we help create pathways for people with low incomes to improve their life circumstances and join the economic mainstream.

Detroit Parks Coalition 2026 Summer Parks Programming Grants (2026-05-13)

Thank you for your interest in funding opportunities from The Kresge Foundation. We make grants through seven Programs and a Social Investment Practice. Each Program has established specific objectives to advance strategic goals. These objectives are called Focus Areas. It is through Focus Areas that grant opportunities are made available to grantseekers. You can learn more about each focus area in the Our Work section under each program.

We use an array of flexible grantmaking and social investing tools. Kresge awards single and multiyear grants for general operating support, projects and planning. We also use social investing tools such as program-related investments, guarantees and equity.

The Detroit Program’s Kresge Innovative Projects: Detroit Plus initiative is launching its first-ever Cultural Heritage round, with up to $1.25 million available for community-led projects that preserve, celebrate and activate the cultural identity of neighborhoods across Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park. In partnership with Co.act Detroit and Michigan Community Resources, the program will award 10 to 15 grants of up to $100,000 each for storytelling, oral history, public art, cultural events, neighborhood signage and placekeeping work.

What this round supports

KIP:D+ Cultural Heritage is designed for projects that honor the past, care for important places and imagine the future of Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park. Both physical and nonphysical projects are eligible.

Examples include:

• Storytelling and oral history projects
• Archiving efforts that preserve community memory
• Public art or permanent installations
• Exhibitions
• Neighborhood signage
• Cultural events and celebrations
• Activating community spaces
• Placemaking and placekeeping work

Projects should strengthen belonging, preserve stories and places, and be shaped by community voice. Applicants should be prepared to begin work soon after receiving funding and complete their projects within a 24-month grant period.

May Family Foundation

Eleanor Jean May established the May Family Foundation in 2000, as a gesture of gratitude to the communities that shaped her life. The May Family Foundation is dedicated to identifying programs that strongly resonate with our mission and values as we work together to empower and uplift lives within our communities.

Our foundation provides resources and opportunities that empower young individuals to thrive and reach their full potential. Our goal is to create a brighter future for under-resourced youth in our local communities.

May Family Foundation Community Outreach Grant

Our foundation strives to be engaged in our local communities beyond grant funding. We support select programs that align with our goals and form a connection through potential volunteering opportunities, site visits, and recognition of successes.

We welcome grant applications for financial support in community outreach:

• Programs that provide professional services to under-resourced families who may not otherwise have access.
• We support programs that help to identify existing problems or challenges in our local communities and provide the means and resources to solve them.

The Junior League of Detroit Grant aims to support organizations in Wayne County focused on improving children's health and welfare. With over $400,000 awarded annually, grants up to $25,000 are provided for various community projects. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations based in Wayne County, submitting detailed program proposals and budgets. Preference is given to new initiatives, while requests from individuals and funding for general operations are excluded.

May Family Foundation

Eleanor Jean May established the May Family Foundation in 2000, as a gesture of gratitude to the communities that shaped her life. The May Family Foundation is dedicated to identifying programs that strongly resonate with our mission and values as we work together to empower and uplift lives within our communities.

Our foundation provides resources and opportunities that empower young individuals to thrive and reach their full potential. Our goal is to create a brighter future for under-resourced youth in our local communities.

May Family Foundation Social Services Grant

Our foundation strives to be engaged in our local communities beyond grant funding. We support select programs that align with our goals and form a connection through potential volunteering opportunities, site visits, and recognition of successes.

We welcome grant applications for financial support in social services:

• Programs that protect vulnerable children and support families in need of assistance.
• We also support projects that improve community safety and guide youth to become productive and engaged adults.

The Detroit Arts Support Grant offers multi-year operating support to arts organizations in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties, funded by the Kresge Foundation and others. Launched in 2007, it aims to strengthen the arts sector by providing unrestricted funding for day-to-day operations, fostering creative expression across diverse communities. Grant sizes range from $5,000 to $100,000 annually, with partnerships streamlining the application process for nonprofits while ensuring shared learning and effective decision-making.

The T32 Postdoctoral Fellowship in Mental Health Services Research is a two-year program supported by the National Institute of Mental Health. It trains emerging researchers in health systems research focusing on mental health and suicide prevention. The fellowship emphasizes mentorship, research methods, and professional development, preparing fellows to secure independent funding. Candidates with PhDs, MDs, or equivalent degrees, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, are encouraged to apply. More information is available through the program's website.

May Family Foundation

Eleanor Jean May established the May Family Foundation in 2000, as a gesture of gratitude to the communities that shaped her life. The May Family Foundation is dedicated to identifying programs that strongly resonate with our mission and values as we work together to empower and uplift lives within our communities.

Our foundation provides resources and opportunities that empower young individuals to thrive and reach their full potential. Our goal is to create a brighter future for under-resourced youth in our local communities.

May Family Foundation Education Grant

Our foundation strives to be engaged in our local communities beyond grant funding. We support select programs that align with our goals and form a connection through potential volunteering opportunities, site visits, and recognition of successes.

We welcome grant applications for financial support in education:

• Programs and services that offer a range of activities and academic support, such as
  • homework help,
  • tutoring, and
  • extracurricular activities.
• Scholarships and financial support that help students meet their required expenses while in school.

The Enbridge Community Grant aims to enhance the quality of life in North American communities through strategic donations and sponsorships. With funding ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, the grant supports organizations focused on safety, education, environmental stewardship, and Indigenous culture. Enbridge encourages early applications, with decisions typically made within eight weeks. The grant seeks to empower local initiatives that foster community strength, vibrancy, and sustainability.

The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, established in 2015, focuses on community transformation in Southeast Michigan and Western New York. With a spend-down structure by 2035, the foundation prioritizes collaborative investments in key areas like active lifestyles, success preparation, caregiver support, and economic development. Emphasizing urgency and innovation, it seeks to create lasting impacts by fostering partnerships and supporting visionary projects that address significant community needs.

The CFSM Youth Leadership Grants support youth-led programs that empower young people to take leadership roles within their communities in southeast Michigan. Established in 1991, this initiative encourages youth participation in grant proposal reviews and has funded over $1.8 million in youth-serving grants. Grants typically range from $2,500 to $20,000, fostering partnerships and enhancing young people's awareness of critical local issues. Applications are reviewed by the Youth Advisory Committee, ensuring youth voices are central to the decision-making process.

ATI Physical Therapy is dedicated to enhancing community health and wellness through its sponsorship and donation initiatives. With a mission to exceed customer expectations, ATI actively engages in philanthropic efforts that improve lives and promote quality care beyond clinic walls. They encourage requests for support while emphasizing a review process that ensures timely responses. Partnering with local organizations, ATI aims to elevate awareness of health and wellness, impacting thousands of lives each year.

Out-of-school time and youth sports programs serving ages 5–18 in Southeast Michigan, including Detroit, can apply for Michigan Afterschool Partnership’s With Youth For Youth grants; awards up to US $100,000 for youth-centered programming. Eligible efforts must operate outside the traditional school day and embed youth voice, equity, safety, and leadership development.

The Andersons Fund Supporting Organization aims to enhance the quality of life for individuals and families in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan, particularly in the greater Toledo area. It supports nonprofit organizations with grants for programs in education, social services, mental health, urban affairs, natural resources, and the arts. The Fund prioritizes capital projects and evaluates the financial stability and operational issues of requesting organizations.

The Mud Hens-Walleye Transportation Fund supports schools and nonprofit organizations in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan by providing transportation grants for attending Toledo Mud Hens baseball and Toledo Walleye hockey games. With awards up to $1,000, the fund aims to eliminate financial barriers for educational field trips to these events. Eligible applicants must demonstrate financial need and adhere to specific guidelines regarding the use of funds for transportation services.

The PNC Foundation's Grow Up Great Grant is a significant initiative aimed at enhancing educational opportunities for children from birth to age 5. With a commitment of $500 million, this program focuses on improving school readiness through support in vocabulary development, social-emotional learning, and the arts. By partnering with community-based nonprofits, PNC aims to foster stronger, smarter, and healthier communities, ensuring a brighter future for the next generation.

Detroit, Michigan 501(c)(3) nonprofits and public agencies serving youth can apply for Skillman Foundation’s President’s Discretionary Fund, with awards of US $2,500 - US $10,000 for small, one-time projects. Funding can support pilot programs, youth-focused efforts in areas like health, housing, or justice, and occasional event sponsorships that benefit Detroit youth.

The Ethel and James Flinn Foundation aims to enhance mental health services in Michigan through its Capacity Building & Advocacy Grants. These grants, up to $50,000, support non-profit organizations in improving service quality and expanding access. The Foundation prioritizes collaboration, equity, and dignity, fostering initiatives that reduce stigma and enhance treatment practices. By integrating mental health into primary care and advocating for policy changes, the Foundation seeks to empower underserved communities and promote a holistic approach to mental health care.

The Ethel and James Flinn Foundation is dedicated to enhancing mental health treatment for children and youth in southeast Michigan. With 1 in 5 youths facing serious mental health challenges, the Foundation funds evidence-based projects ranging from $50,000 to $75,000 annually to improve access to care. By implementing best practices in behavioral health, the Foundation aims to address the significant gaps in treatment and support, fostering better outcomes for young individuals and their families.

The Ethel and James Flinn Foundation aims to enhance adult mental health services in Michigan through evidence-based practices. Their grants, ranging from $50,000 to $100,000 annually, support governmental and non-profit organizations in implementing innovative treatments. Focused on reducing stigma, improving access, and fostering collaboration, the foundation emphasizes the importance of research-informed approaches to bridge the gap between knowledge and practice in mental health care.

The Fred and Barbara Erb Family Foundation supports arts and culture initiatives in Southeast Michigan, with a focus on strengthening jazz culture and mentorship traditions. They provide funding for professional development opportunities for artists and promote audience engagement through music education. The foundation envisions a vibrant cultural landscape and is committed to making bold investments that address community needs while fostering collaboration among local organizations.