Events Calendar

There is a growing recognition across the philanthropic sector that to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion, it must approach its work through a disability lens.

Midwest Partnership states – Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, and Ohio – have more community members living in rural communities than the national average (26% vs. 20%). These 9 million people living in rural communities generally experience 1-3% higher rates of poverty and fewer opportunities for upward economic mobility. Despite this demonstrated need, nationally, we see  less than 7% of philanthropic spending in rural communities (when Missouri dug deeper, the finding was a shocking less than 1%). Through convening, funding, and advocacy, grantmakers have an opportunity to strengthen rural ecosystems by supporting alignment of local efforts and resources, championing scalable pilot programs, and promoting an asset-based approach.

Are you heading to the island for this year's Mackinac Policy Conference hosted by the Detroit Regional Chamber? If so, join us for a conversation on ways to underscore that Michigan’s charitable sector is a catalyst in Michigan’s equation for impact. We hope to connect with others on the island to build the understanding that a stronger nonprofit sector strengthens communities, and that philanthropy has a long track record of demonstrated efficiency and effectiveness in addressing community needs with public and private resources. We will also share key policy priorities to highlight while engaging with policymakers and peers on the Island and ways that CMF can support your Mackinac Policy Conference experience. We hope you can join us for this philanthropy-focused Mackinac Policy Conference preview.

Join your Michigan philanthropy peers engaged in career and technical education access and opportunities. Conversations and storytelling will focus on, but not be limited to, career and technical education program support, training, and access to programs supported by Michigan philanthropy. Stories can come from work in the K-12 space and beyond. We will meet with selected state legislators engaged in these policy-making areas, so a broader range of discussion is welcome. Career and technical education opportunities are shaping up to be an important discussion in Lansing for this legislative session.

Join your Michigan peers for a timely, informative and engaging in-person gathering in Lansing. This event will be an opportunity for family foundation executives and staff across roles to discuss emerging practices, explore trends in the sector, crowdsource ideas and problem solve challenges. We are also designing this convening to help grow your network so you can build connections with those who are similar in size, region and issue areas of focus, while also learning from the diversity of Michigan's family foundations.

How can funders reduce the burden on grantees when requesting demographic data? What information are funders collecting from their nonprofit partners, and what information is needed to make informed decisions and build trusting relationships?