Prior to 2014, the Michigan Masonic Charitable Foundation (MMCF) had largely focused their grantmaking efforts on programs and services benefiting masons and the families of masons or contributed matching funds to programs led by individual masonic lodges.
Prior to 2014, the Michigan Masonic Charitable Foundation (MMCF) had largely focused their grantmaking efforts on programs and services benefiting masons and the families of masons or contributed matching funds to programs led by individual masonic lodges. However, when the water crisis hit Flint, the 30,000-member statewide foundation decided they wanted to do more to benefit others. MMCF contributed $100,000 from a rarely-used fund to help children overcoming the long-term health effects associated with the water crisis.
The foundation saw the impact of that gift and agreed it was time for a more long-term effort that would expand their outreach.
The first part of that expansion was a partnership with author and journalist Mitch Albom and his S.A.Y. Detroit charities. Walt Wheeler, executive director, MMCF, notes that the foundation spent a year in planning before making a pledge of $5 million over ten years.
“We really liked the work they were doing and that every dollar goes directly to programming,” Wheeler told CMF. The administrative costs of S.A.Y. Detroit are covered entirely through private contributions.
Wheeler says after learning about the organization’s efforts, MMCF had said the funds could be used for any of their work as desired, but did request the bulk of their contribution go toward the S.A.Y. Detroit Play Center at Lipke Park, a facility where local children can enjoy high quality programming in the arts and athletics with their commitment to earning a minimum 3.0 GPA.
"The play center has a recording studio, robotics classes, exercise classes and athletic fields donated by professional sports teams,” Wheeler explains. "Before kids can participate, though, they spend an hour with a tutor and have to maintain a certain GPA.” The MMCF members appreciated Albom’s commitment to education first. “He believes that we will never break the cycle of poverty unless children can get an education.”
Wheeler and Board members had the opportunity to see the program in action. “We talked to the kids using the center. It's really making a difference."
Once that pledge had been established, MMCF was determined to make an impact in even more regions of the state. They developed the B.E.S.T. Grants Program, named for their desire to help Build, Empower, Strengthen and Transform Michigan communities.
MMCF pledged an additional $5 million over 10 years to support charities throughout Michigan who submit an application for a B.E.S.T. grant. In the first two years of implementation, they have supported groups including Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids in Saint Claire Shores, a camp for children with cancer and their families in Traverse City, Whaley Children’s Center in Flint, an animal shelter in the UP, a women’s shelter in Allegan, a community center in Indian River and a play park in Alma for children with special physical needs.
Wheeler has been able to visit nearly all of the organizations that have received grants from MMCF and often brings a board member or a member of the nearby Masonic lodge to join in those experiences.
“It gives you a greater perspective on the really incredible work that people are doing around the state. Some of the organizations we visit are not well known at all and to see the impact that we can have - it's a great feeling. It has been a really positive experience and it’s the right way for us to go.”
Wheeler says the visits have also led to more visibility for the masons at large. “Some people don’t know that the masons still exist. We’re here, we’re making a difference over 200 years after we started in Michigan and we’re going to continue being involved in Michigan communities.”
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