Since 1939, the Foundation has provided grants totaling nearly $145 million, 98% of which has been given to institutions and programs directly benefiting citizens of the metropolitan Detroit area. During 2008, the Foundation provided grants totaling more than $7 million.

At present, the Foundation concentrates its efforts and resources in support of projects within five program missions, each of which has a significant effect upon the vitality and quality of life of the community. In addition, in 2008 the Foundation adopted a goal of attracting and retaining 15,000 new, young talented Detroiters to live and work in Greater Downtown Detroit by 2015 (the "15:15 Strategy").

"Young, Talented Detroiters" is intended to include all who bring a vitality and talent to Detroit. However, for purposes of measuring success, the Foundation is tracking college graduates under the age of 35 as the "young" and "talented."

The Foundation considers "Greater Downtown Detroit" to be the area bordered by New Center to the north, Eastern Market to the east, the Riverfront to the south, and Corktown to the west.

Pursuing the 15:15 Strategy is not a radical departure from the way the Foundation has worked historically within its existing five mission areas: Physical Revitalization, Economic Development, Arts, Safe Community, and Detroit Medical Center. The Strategy provides greater geographic and results-oriented focus for the Foundation’s programming. Within the pages of this web site is further information about each of the program missions and the connection to the 15:15 Strategy.

The Foundation’s adoption of the 15:15 Strategy is driven by necessity and opportunity. The City of Detroit has a disproportionally low number of young, college-educated residents (15,000 households) when compared to other Great Lakes’ cities. If the City of Detroit were to have a proportional amount of young, college-educated residents to Chicago it would have 136,000 households. If proportional to Minneapolis, Detroit would have 85,000 young, college-educated households. (Source: Young Talent in the Great Lakes: How Michigan is Faring, Michigan Future). If this trend of losing young talent is not reversed, Detroit and its suburbs will not be able to maintain a competitive economy; Detroit will become older, less educated and poorer. Absent a growing base of educated, younger residents, programs dealing with all other aspects of quality of life – art & culture, education, human services, etc. – have little chance of succeeding.

As the data that pointed to the necessity of the 15:15 Strategy was assembled, it became increasingly clear that new opportunities to create jobs and places that attract young talent were growing in Detroit despite challenging economic times. Philanthropy, local and national, is taking a new interest in Detroit. Detroit’s largest Greater Downtown anchor institutions – Wayne State University (WSU), Detroit Medical Center (DMC), and Henry Ford Health System (HFHS) – are operating in growing industries and will continue to make substantial investments in their campuses. Employers in Greater Downtown who employ mostly college-educated professionals will see upwards of 50% of their workforce retire over the next eight to ten years, creating opportunities for young people to live and work downtown. These three groups – Philanthropy, Anchor Institutions, and Employers – will be the engine of the 15:15 Strategy.

The Strategy also seeks to promote equity by creating employment opportunities, engaging in workforce preparation and education programs, and improving safety for existing Detroit residents.

The 15:15 Strategy relies upon stakeholders and partners playing crucial roles in the development of the future of Detroit – government, philanthropy, nonprofits, business leaders, entrepreneurs, and individuals. Together with these partners, the Foundation will be working to enhance quality of life in the City of Detroit through the 15:15 Strategy.

The Foundation is in the first year of this evolving strategy to attract and retain 15,000 new, young talented Detroiters. As the strategy evolves, the Foundation’s efforts and grantmaking will evolve with it.