Ruth Mott Foundation awards 17 grants totaling more than $1.4 million

FLINT, Michigan — The Ruth Mott Foundation awarded 17 grants totalling more than $1.4 million to support programs that support youth, public safety, economic opportunity, and neighborhoods in north Flint. 

A majority of the grants went to programs serving youth, the first priority area identified in the Ruth Mott Foundation strategic plan. The programs are designed to spark and develop creativity as well as provide mentoring, academic support, and character development for young people in north Flint. The Ruth Mott Foundation worked with north Flint residents to develop its strategic plan and its priority focus areas. 

The grants issued include:  
• $267,400 to the Genesee County Land Bank Authority for the Clean & Green program, in which community groups and organizations help clean, maintain, beautify and repurpose otherwise vacant properties in Flint.
 
• $250,000 to Fresh Start Community Development Center for site acquisition and other activities related to the development of a new grocery store in north Flint that will improve residents’ access to affordable, fresh, healthy food.
 
• $169,440 to SIPI Inc., for the North Flint Capacity Building program, in which SIPI assists selected nonprofits with strengthening their operations through activities such as fundraising efforts, board training, communications help, assistance with reporting and other means of support.
 
• $105,000 to the Neighborhood Engagement Hub for its operations as a neighborhood center in north Flint that serves as a source of information, education, facilitation, project development and advocacy. The Hub also operates the Community Tool Shed, where residents can borrow tools and equipment for low to no cost.
 
• $75,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flint & Genesee County for the Out of School Time Mentoring Program, which matches north Flint youth with adult mentors who provide positive interactions designed to improve participants’ social and educational outcomes.
 
• $75,000 to the Hispanic Technology and Community Center of Greater Flint for its operations as a north Flint neighborhood hub providing access to computer technology, bilingual instruction in Spanish and English, Spanish translation services, youth programming and property maintenance. The on-site Martus/Luna Food Pantry also provides free food to the community each week.
 
• $75,000 to InvolvedDad for the IMPACT Father Engagement program, which offers parenting education and life skills training for noncustodial fathers and their children living in north Flint.
 
• $75,000 to United Way of Genesee County for the R.L. Jones Community Outreach Center, which offers an array of supports and direct services to thousands of vulnerable and homebound Flint residents combating the ill effects of the water crisis.  
 
• $60,000 to Child Care Network Washtenaw Regional 4C for the Family Support Program, which provides scholarships for high-quality childcare for young children from north Flint families facing challenging circumstances.
 
• $58,464 to Legal Services of Eastern Michigan for the North Flint Legal Outreach & Immersion Project, which offers free, civil legal support services to low-income, north Flint residents who are recently employed or enrolled in parenting education and job training programs.
 
• $53,190 to the Greater Flint Arts Council for the Shop Floor Theatre Company’s Creative Learning Program, which will provide theatre-based, afterschool programming to 90 north Flint youth at three sites.
 
• $51,400 to the CPSA Courier for its operation as a north Flint-based weekly newspaper that provides free news and information to the community and serves as a resource and connector for neighborhood groups and organizations.
 
• $27,515 to the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Flint for Bangtown Productions’ Studio on the Go Expansion Project, an afterschool program that uses hands-on lessons with professional-grade technology to connect and expose north Flint youth to careers in the industries of music production, technology and videography.
 
• $25,000 to the YMCA of Greater Flint for the Heart of Worship Dance Studio’s afterschool youth development program offering free performing arts classes in liturgical dance, mime, expressive dance, hip-hop, ballet and dance fitness for north Flint youth ages 4-18.
 
• $24,000 to Delta Research and Education Foundation for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority’s Academy, EMBODI & GEMS programs, which offer afterschool youth development that engages north Flint young people through mentoring and academic supports.
 
• $20,000 to the Student Advocacy Center of Michigan for the Flint Education Advocacy program, which will provide advocacy trainings and support to families of students who have experienced chronic suspensions, expulsions and other behavioral or academic challenges in school.
 
• $12,730 to El Ballet Folklórico Estudiantil for its twice-weekly afterschool Mexican Folklórico Dance & Music Programs in English and Spanish for Richfield Public School Academy students in north Flint.