Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan’s (CFSEM) Detroit Auto Dealers Association (DADA) Charitable Foundation Fund announced nine grants totaling $300,000 to support nonprofits improving the quality of life for children throughout Southeast Michigan.

According to CFSEM, the DADA Charitable Foundation Fund supports nonprofits that benefit children and youth in grades pre-K-12 throughout Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, St. Clair, Monroe and Livingston counties.

“The Detroit Auto Dealers Association Charitable Foundation Fund is an example of the power of endowment to deliver on a donor’s wishes during good times and bad,” Richard (Ric) DeVore, president of CFSEM, said. “The DADA has been building endowment with us for nearly 25 years. Even when the COVID-19 pandemic paused the North American International Auto Show Charity Preview, its biggest fundraiser, the DADA’s endowment allowed it to keep making critical grants. Fortunately, the charity preview is back, and ticket sales will once again benefit young people throughout our region.” 

The DADA Charitable Foundation Fund received more than 60 applications totaling over $2.5 million in requests for 2023. The nine approved grants focus on issues including support for youths with disabilities, suicide prevention, conflict resolution and more. 

Since its inception in 1999, the DADA Charitable Foundation Fund has provided more than $7 million to support nonprofit organizations that are improving the lives of children and youth in southeast Michigan.

According to a CFSEM press release, this year’s grants include:

• Corewell Health Center for Exceptional Families: Behavioral analysis training and credentialing for therapists treating youth with autism spectrum disorder.
• Detroit Institute for Children: Expanded learning program for youth and families with special needs.  
• Growth Works Incorporated: A curriculum expansion to train school staff, youth and community members on youth suicide prevention in Western Wayne County school districts. 
• Lawrence Technological University: A program expansion for middle school girls in STEM and engineering  
• SOS Community Services: A child abuse and neglect program that promotes kindergarten readiness for vulnerable youth in Ypsilanti.
• Crimestoppers (The Alliance For A Safer, Greater Detroit): A conflict resolution program expansion for vulnerable youth and parents in Detroit.
• The Michigan Hispanic Collaborative: A college access program for Hispanic youth.  
• The Yunion: Martial arts curriculum development for boys. 
• Wellspring: An expansion of a math program for youth in Detroit’s Brightmoor neighborhood.  

Want more?

Read the full press release.