Leading Boldly
2025 CMF Annual Report
Leading Boldly
Our CMF community of philanthropy is a vibrant and highly-connected network of diverse organizations working with rural, urban and suburban communities and nonprofits to create a positive and lasting impact across a range of critical issue areas, including education, health and human services, housing, economic development, civic and community engagement and beyond.
Michigan philanthropy convenes and collaborates across sectors, tests new ideas, and invests in community-centered solutions. The work of foundations is advanced in alignment with each organization’s unique mission and values and the charitable goals of its donors – a vital leadership role in community, protected by the First Amendment rights of speech, assembly and association.
We invite you to explore CMF’s 2025 Annual Report, featuring data, insights, and stories about your peers that can inform your own practices in supporting nonprofit partners through disruption, engaging in trust-based philanthropy, and sharing the value of the charitable sector while relationship-building with policymakers.
With bold leadership, together, we can pave new paths forward.
A Message from CMF’s Board Chair & the CEO
In this Annual Report, you will find stories of Michigan philanthropy in action that can inform and inspire us all to take the next bold steps to strengthen communities and live into our nation’s aspirations toward a more perfect union.
Beth Ardisana
Board Chair
CMF
Trustee
Charles Stewart Mott Foundation
Kyle Caldwell
President & CEO
CMF
Leading Through Disruption
In 2025, our communities and nonprofit partners faced unprecedented challenges amid a rapidly changing policy landscape. Learn how several CMF members leveraged their communications strategies, partnerships and relationships with policymakers to support their nonprofit partners and Michigan children and families.
Mobilizing a Rapid Response to Feed Michigan Families
When a temporary federal pause in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits created uncertainty for thousands of Michigan families in 2025, Michigan philanthropy quickly mobilized, working in coordination with nonprofit partners and other service providers to swiftly support children and families facing urgent and widespread food insecurity. The Michigan Health Endowment Fund authorized $2.5 million in rapid-response funding.
A Path Forward Toward a Healthy Democracy
The Fred and Barbara Erb Family Foundation launched its Democracy program with the belief that healthy democracy is essential for success across all of its program areas. The family foundation shared that 2025 highlighted for their team that democracy faces real challenges and civil society organizations across our state continue to show extraordinary courage and steadiness, even with limited resources.
Bold Commitment to Equitable Rural Housing & Development
Allegan County Community Foundation announced a commitment to impact investing, pledging up to 5% of its endowment – nearly $1.5 million – for projects that address affordable housing and workforce development in the county. Learn how their announcement has already helped attract developers and advance their housing goals.
Data for Equity: From Silos to Shared Knowledge
In 2025, the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation (AAACF) launched a powerful resource to strengthen local decision-making and accelerate equity-focused solutions. Through its Community Data Hub, AAACF is rethinking how to fill critical information gaps at the local level by building a comprehensive, open-access data hub designed to inform, connect and empower.
Prioritizing Rest, Joy & Wellness for Nonprofit Leaders
Supporting nonprofit leaders is embedded in how the Wege Foundation shows up for its nonprofit partners. In partner conversations, the foundation seeks to be intentional about finding out about people’s needs related to self-care and wellness. This feature story unpacks the foundation’s current approach to supporting wellness activities and its vision for this support in the future.
Community Voice is Shaping the Future of the Keweenaw Heartlands
Located at the very tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula, the Keweenaw Heartlands contains over 32,500 acres of community-driven impact. Supported by the Keweenaw Community Foundation and informed by public input, partnership and passion, the Heartlands reflect an evolving story of forestland that flourishes when local voices help guide its future.
Youth Leaders Champion New Community Space to Support Mental Health
Years in the making with funding, strategic planning and volunteer efforts provided from the Youth Advisory Council at the Capital Region Community Foundation, a newly constructed Labyrinth prepares to welcome the community. The goal: give young people in the region a safe place to reduce stress and relax their minds.
Bringing the Vision of Rural Communities to Life Through Listening & Trust Building
In rural communities, relationship building is everything. The Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan is walking alongside the City of Onaway to develop a trailhead project in Onaway through the CMF/Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Spark Grants Program Partnership. This project has helped the community foundation build stronger relationships in Onaway and learn alongside them as the project moves forward.
A Commitment to Gun Violence Prevention & Intervention
The Joyce Foundation supports research and education focused on evidence-informed policies and strategies to reduce gun violence and help make communities safer through its Gun Violence Prevention & Justice Reform program. Through policy engagement, funding advocacy and organizing, the foundation has seen how far the field has come in only a few years and continues to expand its focus areas to advance community violence intervention.
Redefining Impact: Trust at the Heart of Giving
At Dawn Foods, a corporate giving program, they recognize that trust-based philanthropy is about building authentic, long-term relationships with their community partners that are grounded in mutual respect, transparency, and shared purpose. They model this by supporting—not steering—those doing the vital work on the ground and in community.
Supporting Nonprofit Partners Amid Uncertainty
The Song Foundation continues to explore how philanthropy can show up in community throughout Southeast Michigan. Part of this reimagining is supporting its nonprofit partners through trust-based philanthropy and creating spaces to learn from its partners and celebrate their work.
What's New for You
Check out highlights of new and enhanced supports, resources, learning opportunities, partnerships and connections across our pillars of Equity, Policy, People and Practice we launched in 2025 in service to you, your staff, trustees and partners.
CMF Financials & Member Engagement
We are deeply grateful for your continued trust in and support of CMF, and we are proud to serve as diligent stewards of your financial investment. Review our 2025 financials and learn how CMF members are serving in leadership roles and engaging across our community of philanthropy.
