Gilbert (Gil) Hudson, former president and CEO of the Hudson-Webber Foundation is being remembered for his life of service and leadership within Michigan philanthropy and beyond. Hudson passed away on February 24 at the age of 87.

Throughout his lifetime Hudson was committed to inclusive revitalization, economic recovery and quality of life for all Detroit residents. 

In 1973 he was asked to lead three family foundations which merged in 1984 to become the Hudson-Webber Foundation. He led the foundation until his retirement in 1999 and continued to serve as Board Chair until 2005 and a trustee until he passed away. 

Hudson was also one of the individuals who helped to form the Council of Michigan Foundations (CMF), working closely with Dottie Johnson (now president-emeritus of CMF).

“Gil was the CMF Chair when our organization changed names from the Conference of Michigan Foundations to the Council of Michigan Foundations in 1975,” Johnson said. “Gil was a wonderful friend and will be dearly missed.”

Hudson and Johnson collaborated to formally establish CMF to serve as the collective voice of Michigan philanthropy, particularly in state and federal policy and advocacy issues.

“Gil lived a life of service and as a champion of Michigan philanthropy,” Kyle Caldwell, president and CEO of CMF said. “His efforts to help found CMF forged our decades-long commitment to serving as the collective voice of Michigan philanthropy.”

Hudson served on CMF’s Board of Trustees from 1973 to 2002, with the exception of a one-year hiatus in 1995.

“Gil was a persistent passionate advocate for CMF,” Rob Collier, former president and CEO of CMF said. “Fond memories of his humble, quiet leadership for Michigan, philanthropy and CMF will endure with us all.

Hudson was also involved in early conversations about the creation of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and provided counsel and support to Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Detroit Local Initiatives Support Corporation and United Way for Southeastern Michigan, among others.

David Egner, CEO of the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation and CMF trustee, worked closely with Hudson and spoke with Crain’s Detroit Business about Hudson’s impact in Southeast Michigan.

A memorial service for Hudson will be held on May 14 at 11 a.m. at Grosse Pointe Memorial Church in Grosse Pointe Farms.