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Celebrating a Community of Changemakers


CMF is committed to cultivating and celebrating the leadership of all those who power our sector, across the entire continuum of their engagement in philanthropy, including youth, emerging practitioners, mid-career staff and trustees and the most tenured leaders in our field. One way that CMF demonstrates this commitment is by honoring the service, efforts and contributions of those involved in Michigan philanthropy through our annual philanthropy awards.

Honoring our 2024 award winners

Learn more about the award winners, announced during our Annual Conference in Traverse City on October 7-9, 2024. Watch their award presentations in the YouTube video links below.  

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Posed photo in front of our CMF banner after an award presentation with our award winner and her family
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A photo of one of our award winners with the an EPIP Committee Chair person on either side of her standing in front of a branded photo backdrop

awards

About

The Dr. Gerald K. Smith Award for Philanthropy was established in 2013 to honor the work and philosophy of Dr. Smith, who was a strong advocate and mentor, a bold and charismatic leader, and a pioneer in the field. Dr. Smith was also one of the original co-chairs of the Michigan Forum for African Americans in Philanthropy (MFAAP), a CMF affinity group. He dedicated his entire career to making the Detroit community better for children and their families. The award honors the legacy and leadership of Dr. Smith, recognizing significant efforts and contributions of individuals in the field whose work and grantmaking activities promote effective and responsive social change in African American communities and who have demonstrated leadership, impact, creativity and collaboration. Nominations are accepted for individuals with at least four years of experience in the field. The current co-chairs of MFAAP are not eligible for this award.

We are grateful to the co-chairs of MFAAP who serve as peer reviewers for the Dr. Smith Award submissions and lead the selection of the winner. (Co-chairs may also engage the support of one or more past winners.)

2024 Award Winner
Dr. Shakiyla Smith-Sengu

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Headshot for Dr. Shakiyla Smith-Sengu

Dr. Shakiyla Smith-Sengu, vice president of organizational culture at the Fetzer Institute is our 2024 Dr. Gerald K. Smith Award for Philanthropy honoree! This award honors the legacy and leadership of Dr. Gerald K. Smith, recognizing significant efforts and contributions of individuals in the field whose work and grantmaking activities promote effective and responsive social change in African American communities and who have demonstrated leadership, impact, creativity and collaboration. Dr. Smith was also one of the original co-chairs of the Michigan Forum for African Americans in Philanthropy (MFAAP), a CMF affinity group. He dedicated his entire career to making the Detroit community better for children and their families.

At the Fetzer Institute, Shakiyla leads efforts with staff and community partners to foster a spiritually grounded culture of shared flourishing. Her efforts center on the personal and inner change that creates the conditions for belonging and social change. She established an infrastructure for equity at the Fetzer Institute through the Four Roles Framework, an analytical tool that guides how the organization accesses and focuses its efforts in relation to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in Fetzer's roles as funder, economic entity, community citizen and employer.  

Shakiyla created and co-led Fetzer Institute’s Racial Justice Praxis Project, a two-year cohort of 13 Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) leaders to explore the intersections of love, spiritual transformation, and racial justice and how to be in a transformative and equitable relationship. 

All Previous Recipients

2023: Melanca Clark
2022: Yazeed Moore
2021: Pamela Lewis
2019: Lynne Ferrell
2018: Wendy Lewis Jackson
2017: Robert Thornton
2016: Vivian Pickard
2015: Laura Trudeau
2014: Johngerlyn “Jonse” Young
2013: Rod Gillum

About

The Dr. Russell G. Mawby Award for Philanthropy was established by CMF and the Michigan Nonprofit Association (MNA) in 1995 upon the retirement of Dr. Mawby as chairman and CEO of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. The late Dr. Mawby was a founder and former chair of both CMF and MNA and led the creation of the Michigan Community Service Commission. This award honors an individual or family who has encouraged private action for the public good through philanthropy and demonstrated leadership in championing collaborative solutions for communities. Nominations will be accepted for a living individual or family with at least five years of philanthropy experience or active engagement. CMF trustees are not eligible for nomination. 

We are grateful to representatives from MNA and the CMF Community Foundation Committee who serve as peer reviewers for the Dr. Russell G. Mawby Award for Philanthropy submissions and lead selection of the winner.

2024 Award Winner
Rob Collier

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Headshot for Rob, who is smiling at the camera and wearing a business suit, shirt and tie

Rob Collier is the 2024 Dr. Russell G. Mawby Award for Philanthropy honoree! This award was established by CMF and the Michigan Nonprofit Association (MNA) in 1995 upon the retirement of Dr. Mawby as chairman and CEO of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. This award honors individuals who have encouraged private action for the public good through philanthropy and demonstrated leadership in championing collaborative solutions for communities.

Rob is the immediate past president and CEO of CMF. His service to philanthropy continues today on regional, statewide and nonprofit boards and committees. He also remains deeply engaged in our CMF community as a member through his and his wife Diane’s donor advised fund at Shiawassee Community Foundation.

Rob began his career as a program officer at the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation in 1976 and spent more than 45 years of dedicated service engaging in public policy, leading CMF’s efforts in providing nonpartisan research for the field, advocating for preserving our state’s most beloved natural resources and, among his many other accomplishments and areas of exceptional leadership, Rob remains a steadfast champion for youth philanthropy. 

Critical partnerships Rob advanced that continue today include the Michigan Community Foundations Youth Project (MCFYP) and Learning to Give, where Rob’s engagement and support helped to create global connections with international youth philanthropy groups and partnerships abroad. Rob was first introduced to Russ Mawby, a champion for youth, and Dottie Johnson, president emeritus of CMF in 1977 by the late Bill White of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. They served as three mentors supporting him and helping to launch him into his decades of work in philanthropy. 

Rob created the Great Lakes Community Foundation Environmental Collaborative with support from the Great Lakes Protection Fund, the first-ever network of community foundation environmental programs in Great Lakes coastal cities, which launched a national movement of similar efforts. Rob also advanced CMF’s policy efforts including the creation of the Governor’s Office of Foundation Liaison.  

All Previous Recipients

2023: Carolyn Bloodworth
2022: Diana R. Sieger
2021: Becky Ewing and Mariam Noland 
2019: John Erb
2018: John M. Frey, David G. Frey and Edward J. Frey, Jr. (Ted)
2017: Joe Hudson
2016: James A. Kelly
2015: Bill Smith
2014: David and Lynne Robinson
2013: Larry & Earlene Baum
2012: Bill and Madge Berman
2011: Jim and Donna Brooks
2010: Manal and Ghassan Saab
2009: Lauraine Hoensheid
2008: Bill Johnston and Ronda Stryker
2007: Hugo E. (Ted) Braun, Jr.
2006: Peter M. Wege
2005: Margaret Ann Riecker
2004: James C. Acheson
2003: Chuck and Stella Royce
2002: Larry Bratschie
2001: Charles E. Anderson
2000: Maggie Allessee
1999: Arthur W. Angood
1998: Hugh and Eileen Starks
1997: Hiland W. Hall
1996: Elizabeth Upjohn Mason
1995: Russell G. Mawby

About

The Emerging Leader in Philanthropy Award was established by CMF and the Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy (EPIP) Michigan Chapter in 2021. The award honors an emerging practitioner in the field for their demonstrated leadership, commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and advocacy for social justice in their work. The award celebrates emerging leaders working in Michigan who have advanced connections in the field and have shown support for peers in the emerging leader space. Emerging leaders include individuals from all career pathways, positions and ages with experience levels under 10 years. Nominees need to be a staff member, trustee or committee member of a CMF member organization to qualify.

We are grateful to the EPIP Michigan Steering Committee, who serve as peer reviewers for the Emerging Leader in Philanthropy Award submissions and lead the selection of the winner.

2024 Award Winner
Tryphena Clarke

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Headshot for Tryphena Clarke

Tryphena Clarke, community engagement officer at Ruth Mott Foundation is the 2024 Emerging Leader in Philanthropy Award honoree! This award was established by CMF and the Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy (EPIP) Michigan Chapter to recognize an emerging practitioner in the field with demonstrated leadership, commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and advocacy for social justice in their work.

Tryphena is a leader in ensuring that the foundation’s programming is informed and driven by North Flint residents. As Raquel Robinson, vice president for programs at the Ruth Mott Foundation, shared in her nomination, Tryphena is the personification of the phrase: "Nothing about us without us." This mantra is evident in all of her work, from her office embedded in a North Flint community hub to her championing of the foundation's impact investing initiative to her engagement in CMF’s Leadership Development and Mentoring Program.  

Tryphena is tireless in her efforts to engage her community—especially youth—and constantly learning and growing in order to increase her capacity to lead change in Flint and advance the foundation's work. Racial equity, diversity, and inclusion are inherently woven into Tryphena's work, and she is deeply committed to advancing this work in her hometown.

All Previous Recipients

2023: Jonathan Pulley
2022: Yah-Hanna Jenkins Leys
2021: Erika VanDyke

About

The Karen Aldridge-Eason Innovations for Equity Philanthropy Award was newly launched in 2023 to honor the work of CMF members engaged in shifting narratives, broadening relationships, addressing power, expanding access and/or opportunity through philanthropic practice, examining policy or people-focused strategies, and other forms of equity-centered philanthropy. This award celebrates the unique and outstanding efforts of Michigan philanthropy to advance equitable outcomes for Michigan. The nominees will have demonstrated significant, bold action to create positive change, remove barriers and address structural inequity within their local context or for the philanthropic field at large. Examples include, but are not limited to innovative public-private partnerships, reimagined grantmaking strategies, exceptional community engagement and leadership in critical policy change. Again, please note that these are just examples and the award seeks new ways of thinking and innovative action. Actions may look different based on a foundation’s region, size, mission, stakeholder needs and more. Recognizing that deep and lasting change takes time, this award recognizes effort, not necessarily demonstrated outcomes. The nominee can be an individual or team of people and must include - but is not limited to - CMF member staff and/or trustees. Implementation of the leading-edge approach or effort must have started or primarily occurred during the last year (May 2023 – May 2024). Reviewers may determine that more than one honoree receives this award annually, recognizing the unique context of innovative efforts across the CMF membership.

We are grateful to representatives from MNA and the CMF Community Foundation Committee, who served as peer reviewers for the Karen Aldridge-Eason Innovations for Equity Award submissions and led the selection of the winners.

2024 Award Winner 
Karen Aldridge-Eason

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Headshot for Karen Aldridge-Eason

After 21 years as the Foundation Liaison for the Governor’s Office of Foundation Liaison (OFL), Karen Aldridge-Eason recently graduated from her role. Karen is our 2024 Innovations for Equity Philanthropy Award honoree!

This award was newly launched in 2023 to honor the work of CMF members engaged in shifting narratives, broadening relationships, addressing power, expanding access and/or opportunity through philanthropic practice, examining policy or people-focused strategies, and other forms of equity-centered philanthropy. Karen is an early leader and trailblazer in leading racial equity work and grantmaking. Over her career, Karen created and made possible explicit racial equity portfolios, exposing and addressing deep-seated racial inequities in her local community. 

Karen has demonstrated a lifetime and career focus on racial equity, empowerment for marginalized communities, and broader issues of economic and gender equity for all. Throughout her tenure, she has elevated the voices of others who do not have a seat at the table. She addresses policy and partnerships through a lens of empathy and understanding of the most vulnerable. One recent example is the partnership between CMF and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources that Karen and her team brokered. This groundbreaking partnership ensures equitable access to American Rescue Plan Act dollars for indoor and outdoor recreation funding for communities that have been under-resourced and underserved. 

As of October 2024, this award is now named in Karen's honor: The Karen Aldridge-Eason Innovations for Equity Philanthropy Award honoree!

All previous Recipients

2023: Jennifer Heymoss, Beth Berglin, Ebony Hemphill, Emily Olivares and Stacey Ledbetter 

About

The Community Foundation Philanthropy Award was established by CMF and the Michigan Nonprofit Association (MNA) in 2006 to honor a living individual and/or family for their exceptional service and commitment to growing community philanthropy in Michigan on behalf of one or more community foundations. This award recognizes generosity of time, talent and treasure, specifically the individual or family's leadership, impact, creativity and collaboration. Nominations will be accepted for a living individual or family. Public officials, foundation staff and CMF trustees are not eligible for nomination. 

We are grateful to representatives from MNA and the CMF Community Foundation Committee who serve as peer reviewers for the Community Foundation Philanthropy Award submissions and lead the selection of the winner.

ALL previous Recipients

2023: Matt and Karen Cullen
2022: W. Frank Fountain, Jr.
2021: William H. Piper
2019: Georgia and Travis Fojtasek
2018: Charles Janssen and The Honorable Carlene Walz Lefere
2017: Doug & Margaret DeCamp
2016: Mary Little Tyler & Dr. Samuel Shaheen and the Shaheen family
2015: Donna Niester
2014: Lawrence E. Moon
2013: Dirk Hoffius
2012: Barbara VanDusen
2011: David Donovan
2010: Richard (Dick) Groos and Lucas Pfeiffenberger
2009: Edward and Nancy Hanenburg
2008: Walter North
2007: Molly Dobson
2006: Raymond H. Dresser, Jr.

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A photo of one of our awardees after her award presentation with colleagues getting ready in the back ground for a toast in her honor
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A photo of one of our award winners and two of the individuals who presented the award to him, all are standing in front of a CMF branded backdrop for a photo

Watch the 2024 Award Presentation Videos

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