The Green and Blue Network (GBN), a CMF affinity group, has been deeply engaged in addressing environmental and public health issues across our state. Ahead of Earth Day, we’re sharing how the GBN will engage with state department leaders to discuss how philanthropy and government can partner to enhance, impact and contribute to Michigan’s environmental quality.

GBN and CMF’s Rural Philanthropy Affinity Group will travel to Lansing on April 28 to engage with several state department leaders. Hosted by the Governor’s Office of Foundation Liaison (OFL) and CMF, attendees will have the chance to meet with the new directors of various Michigan state departments and agencies.

GBN co-chairs John Erb, chairman of the Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation and Dave Mengebier, president and CEO of the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation, CMF Trustee and CMF Government Relations Public Policy Committee co-chair, shared more about their upcoming visit to Lansing.

According to the GBN co-chairs, the primary goal of these visits is to hear from leaders of the departments and agencies with principal responsibilities for protecting and restoring Michigan’s environment as well as Governor Gretchen Whitmer's environmental policy advisor about their priorities for 2023 and for the remainder of Whitmer's second term.  

“A corollary objective and consistent through line in all of Michigan philanthropy’s interactions with state and federal policymakers is this: there are a wide range of opportunities for the public and nonprofit sectors to work collaboratively to enhance impact, in this case contributing to our state’s environmental quality, so we will want to emphasize this theme with the policymakers,” Mengebier said.

Mengebier shared that policymakers are keenly interested in exploring how they can partner with nonprofit and private sector stakeholders to accomplish their goals. These visits will serve as an opportunity for Michigan philanthropy to highlight where it is directing grant dollars to preserve and restore Michigan’s air, land and water resources.

“CMF staff and the leadership of the GBN have been working together on a communications piece we’ll share with the government representatives highlighting environmental projects CMF members are funding across Michigan and how our resources often fill gaps, meet matching requirements and leverage additional government funding for greater impact. Our hope is that this day will spark additional discussions and opportunities for further collaboration,” Mengebier said.

CMF members will have the chance to meet the new directors of the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy; Department of Natural Resources; Michigan State Housing Development Authority; and Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Office of Rural Development director Sarah Lucas and Senior Policy Advisor to the governor Kara Cook will join us for this information-packed day, along with a representative from the Public Service Commission.

“Arranging this information exchange with these directors and the governor’s office is a unique opportunity we hope CMF members will take advantage of. I would add that the OFL has been instrumental in making the arrangements for what I think will be a very interesting and informative day. We’re very grateful for their support,” Mengebier said.  

Building upon these state department meetings, GBN is working closely with CMF’s Government Relations and Public Policy team to host similar conversations with state legislators.

In addition, John Erb and Melissa Damaschke, Erb Family Foundation vice president for programs, are leading GBN’s planning of an environmentally-focused educational outing for CMF members in connection with the CMF 51st Annual Conference in Detroit this fall. Details about the outing and other conference experiences will be released later this year.

The co-chairs encourage and welcome other members of the CMF community to join the GBN.

“We’re looking for other foundation leaders who share our perspective that protecting our Great Lakes, responding to climate change and protecting our state’s beautiful natural environment should be among Michigan philanthropy’s top priorities. We also see environmental protection as central to CMF’s equity-centered strategy. We know the health and wellbeing of underserved, disadvantaged communities are disproportionately affected by poor air and water quality, so participating in GBN, sharing ideas and exploring opportunities to mitigate these impacts is an important goal of our affinity group,” Mengebier said.  

Want more?

Register to join GBN in Lansing on April 28 for an opportunity to meet with state department leaders.

Stay connected and learn from experts and each other about leading environmental issues and how to make more effective and intentional environmental grants, impact environmental policy and leverage grant dollars through the Green and Blue Network online community.