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Focus: HOPE |
When compared to state and national statistics, Detroit's unemployment rate
is exceptionally high. Therefore, the Foundation strives to identify and
encourage creative new approaches for the economic development of the City of
Detroit, with emphasis on expanding employment opportunities for Detroiters. The
Foundation also is interested in business retention, creation, and attraction
within the City. Efforts to build the capacity of Detroit's economic development
agencies and to better coordinate the work of these agencies are also supported.
The Foundation takes an interest in addressing the change of Southeast
Michigan’s economy into one that is more knowledge-based.
The Foundation continues to be particularly interested in supportive training
and placement programs that prepare chronically unemployed Detroiters for
long-term employment. The recently funded Reducing Chronic Unemployment
Initiative (RCUI) continues to operate at
Goodwill Industries of
Greater Detroit, with a 2005 three-year commitment from the Foundation.
Goodwill’s successful program produces graduates that are two to three times
more likely to retain jobs than graduates of traditional programs. Work is being
done with the State of Michigan to inform public funding sources of the
conditions necessary to expand the RCUI program.
Other Grant Highlights:
$120,000 to
JVS
for an employer-assisted housing program to increase
homeownership in Detroit.
$90,000 for TechTown, the
Wayne
State University Research and Technology Park development in
Detroit, to create a master plan for the twelve-block target
area.
$50,000 to
Michigan Future, Inc. for their New Agenda for a New
Michigan project, comparing Michigan’s economic regions to
regions that have enjoyed increased per capita earnings over the
last ten years. | 
