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Connecting Government and Philanthropy
Governor Gretchen Whitmer and her administration have taken sweeping actions to minimize the spread of COVID-19 while Michigan philanthropy has mobilized quickly as a stabilizing force. In this unprecedented time, the scale of this crisis will require new levels of coordination between all layers of government and the charitable sector. To facilitate and inform this coordination, CMF and the Office of Foundation Liaison (OFL) have been working to provide members with direct connections to state leaders and policymakers.
Message to Our Community of Philanthropy
A message from CMF CEO Kyle Caldwell.
Michiganders in Need: Michigan 2-1-1 Inundated with COVID-19 Calls
We are seeing urgent needs emerging from communities across the state as the health and economic impacts of COVID-19 are beginning to surface.
Michigan 2-1-1, a United Way network and a free service that connects Michigan residents to human services agencies and resources, is currently inundated with calls from those who need access to services or resources.
On average, Michigan 2-1-1 is receiving 500 additional calls each day to address COVID-19 questions, concerns and resource requests.
According to 2-1-1 data, the top five referrals for callers include:
Census 2020: Shifts in Strategy
Though the U.S. Census Bureau continues to temporarily pause field operations due to the pandemic, we are seeing Michigan’s self-response rate grow, mostly due to online participation.
Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation Kalamazoo Launches Virtual Healing Project in Response to COVID-19
Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation (TRHT) Kalamazoo has launched its Virtual Healing Project in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The project was created to continue to develop and deepen relationships, share resources and support the community collectively during this crisis.
ACCESS Provides Free Drive-Through COVID-19 Testing
The Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS) has provided free drive-through testing for doctors, nurses, police officers, firefighters and others on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the support of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF), in just one weekend ACCESS provided 562 free tests at locations in Dearborn and at Wayne State University in Detroit.
Supporting Mental Health Services for Students
The COVID-19 pandemic and school closures have left some students across the state without access or with limited access to mental health support during this time. We are seeing emerging efforts from foundations and their nonprofit partners to address this critical issue for youth.
State Task Force to Focus on COVID-19 Racial Disparities
Michigan’s Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities launched last week. The task force, created by Governor Gretchen Whitmer and led by Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist, consists of leaders across state government and health care professionals from communities most impacted by the spread of coronavirus.
The state shared that more than 40% of COVID-19 related deaths in Michigan are African Americans yet only 14% of our state’s population are African Americans.
Michigan Launches New Food Assistance Program
Michigan has become the first state in the country to gain federal approval of a program that will provide nutritious food to children affected by school closings due to COVID-19.
Crisis Response: The Power of Partnerships
Across the state we are seeing response efforts powered by partnerships and the collaborative action of Michigan philanthropy.
Regional urgent relief funds and collaborative grantmaking are two key areas where we’re seeing rapid growth statewide. We hope sharing these stories from across the CMF membership can support continued conversation and learning as we navigate this crisis together.
There are numerous coordinated COVID-19 public health grantmaking efforts underway.
Legal Support Connected to COVID-19
There are many questions and concerns around the wide-ranging impacts of COVID-19 on individuals, families and communities. Michigan Legal Help (MLH), which is supported by CMF member the Michigan State Bar Foundation, is seeing an increase in people searching for legal help and resources connected to COVID-19.
Michigan Women Forward Launches COVID-19 Entrepreneur Assistance Project
With funding from the state’s philanthropic sector, Michigan Women Forward (MWF), a CMF member, has launched a program to support women entrepreneurs during the COVID-19 crisis.
The Skillman Foundation Provides Personal Protection Equipment for Detroit Nonprofit Workers
While personal protection equipment (PPE) is increasingly limited, Michigan foundations are working to ensure individuals outside of the medical field who are frontline workers are protected as they continue providing critical services to our most vulnerable communities.
The Role of Seeing and Observing in the COVID-19 Crisis
This past week we have witnessed some promising signs that the social isolation policies are beginning to “flatten the curve.” While the new coronavirus cases and recorded deaths are continuing to rise statewide, the data shows we have seen some leveling off in Detroit, at least temporarily and projections are that Michigan may be nearing the
Independent Redistricting Commission Applications Continue Virtually in Pandemic
Applications for the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission are still being accepted and processed virtually, despite the ongoing challenges of COVID-19.
The commission will be tasked with drawing district lines for the Michigan Legislature and Michigan’s members of Congress for the 2022 election.
Census 2020: Field Operations Further Delayed
The U.S. Census Bureau has announced another shift in census operations due to COVID-19. CMF reported in March that the bureau was pausing field operations due to COVID-19. The bureau now shares they are taking active steps to resume field operations as early as June 1.
CMF Members Combat Misinformation Through Social Media Influencers
With so much information on COVID-19 coming from various sources, many community members may find it difficult to determine what to interpret as fact. In conjunction with Spectrum Health Lakeland (SPL), the Berrien Community Foundation (BCF) and the Frederick S. Upton Foundation have supported a local campaign to stop the spread of misinformation around COVID-19.
COVID-19 Leadership Snapshot: Corporate Philanthropy’s Response
New partnerships and strategies to help our most vulnerable communities continue to emerge from within our community of philanthropy. We’re highlighting a few examples of how CMF corporate members are taking the lead as they work to meet the growing needs of Michiganders and communities across the country.
The Consumers Energy Foundation announced last week it has provided over $1 million to nonprofits, including $600,000 to protect and support healthcare workers and $500,000 to nonprofits across the state.
Fund Launches to Support Families and Workers in Long-Term Economic Recovery
The Ford Foundation and W.K. Kellogg Foundation, both CMF members, in partnership with several other funders, recently announced the launch of the Families and Workers Fund.
The fund is dedicated to serving the workers, families and communities most devastated by the economic and health crises resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bridging the Digital Divide in Education for Detroit Students
Detroit foundations and businesses announced a joint effort last week to provide computer tablets and high-speed internet access to all 51,000 students in the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD).
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