Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: ~$95-128 million
Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
Decision Time: 4-6 months (4-6 weeks for initial proposal response, then 3-4 months for full application decision)
Grant Range: $5,000 - $1,000,000 (most common: $10,000; competitive range: $30,000 - $75,000)
Geographic Focus: Seven counties in Southeast Michigan (Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Monroe, Washtenaw, Livingston, and St. Clair)
Charity Navigator Rating: 4/4 stars (96% overall score)

Contact Details

Website: cfsem.org
Phone: 313-961-6675
Email: grants@cfsem.org
Address: 333 W. Fort Street, Suite 2010, Detroit, MI 48226
Grant Portal: cfsem.org/apply
FAQ Site: info.cfsem.org/mycf-navigator/community-grants-program

Overview

The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan (CFSEM) was established in 1984 and has grown to become one of the top 25 community foundations in the United States. The foundation manages over $1.3 billion in assets and maintains more than 5,000 donor relationships. Since its founding, CFSEM has distributed more than $1.4 billion through over 90,000 grants to nonprofit organizations across the region.

The foundation operates under a "Thriving Together" 2024-2034 strategic vision, positioning itself not merely as a "philanthropic bank" but as a "change agent" that makes strategic, thoughtful investments in organizations shaping long-term positive change. In 2023, the foundation contributed $95.4 million in grants with 964 awards, and more recent reports indicate annual giving exceeding $128 million. The foundation is highly transparent, earning a 4-star Charity Navigator rating (96% score), and publishes detailed financial reports publicly.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Grants Program

Main competitive grants: $30,000 - $75,000 (most common: $10,000)
Range: $5,000 - $1,000,000
Two-stage application process (proposal request followed by invitation to full application)
Quarterly deadlines

New Economy Initiative (NEI)

Focus: Entrepreneurship and small business support
2023 funding: ~$6.9 million
Individual grants: $50,000 - $200,000
Has invested over $150 million since 2008
$19.5 million Inclusive Small Business Support Network Fund
Invitation-only applications for Wayne County businesses

Michigan Justice Fund (MJF)

Focus: Criminal justice reform and economic mobility for individuals with convictions
2023 funding: $2.6 million
Separate application through cfsem.org/apply/michigan-justice-fund/

Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Funds

Annual grants totaling approximately $800,000 to 37+ organizations
Trails maintenance, youth development, and regional initiatives

Inclusive Arts Fund

Grants to arts organizations across the region
Individual grants typically $15,000 - $25,000
Total program: ~$500,000 annually to 21-35 organizations

Affiliate Foundations

Chelsea Community Foundation
Community Foundation for Livingston County
Each has separate eligibility criteria and application processes

Priority Areas

The foundation has aligned its grantmaking around five strategic focus areas:

Economic Opportunity - Creating pathways to stable employment, entrepreneurship, and financial security for individuals and families
Health Equity - Increasing access to quality healthcare, improving health outcomes, and providing essential services to meet basic needs
Youth and Education - Supporting literacy, youth development, and lifelong learning from early childhood to adulthood
Arts and Culture - Strengthening creative contributions to civic, social, and cultural infrastructure
Public Space and Environment - Parks, trails, and climate infrastructure improvements

What They Don't Fund

Organizations that unlawfully discriminate in service provision or management practices
Projects with only hyper-localized impact (regional impact preferred)
Organizations primarily serving areas outside the seven-county region
Shared or organizational email accounts for grant portal access (individual accounts required)

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Nicole Sherard-Freeman - President and CEO (effective January 2025)
Matthew Lewis - Chief Operating Officer
Greg Yankee - Vice President and Foundation Counsel
Sarah Baltman Wedepohl - Vice President, Community Impact

Board Officers

David T. Provost - Board Chair (retired CEO, TCF Financial)
Phillip Wm. Fisher - Vice Chair
Wendy Batiste-Johnson - Secretary
Jack Martin - Treasurer

Key Program Staff

Hannah McLaughlin - Senior Program Officer
Leah Counts, MBA - Senior Program Officer (focus on Arts and Culture, DEI)
Ashley Jackson - Program Officer, Youth and Education
Lisa Jones - Program Officer
Carlos Rios-Santiago - Grants Manager
Ashley Carter - Director, Michigan Justice Fund

Historical Leadership

Mariam C. Noland served as founding president from 1985-2021 (36 years), followed by Ric DeVore (2022-2024). The foundation's longevity and stable leadership have contributed to its position as a major regional philanthropic force.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Stage 1: Proposal Request (Initial Inquiry)

Submit a brief online form with basic organization information and funding request summary
Maximum of two proposals per applicant per cycle
Response within 4-6 weeks
If aligned with priorities, invitation to full application is issued

Stage 2: Full Application (By Invitation Only)

Access granted to MyCF application portal (Fluxx system)
Required materials: detailed project description, organization and grant budget, financial audit/review, board list, outcomes and impact measurement plans
Possible conversations with program officers before final decisions

Application Deadlines (2026 cycles):

Spring 2026: Proposal request opens January 5; deadline January 23; decisions announced June
Fall 2026: Proposal request opens June 29; deadline July 17; decisions announced November

Decision Timeline

Initial proposal response: 4-6 weeks
Full application to decision: 3-4 months
Total process: Approximately 4-6 months from initial submission to funding
Funds typically not received until four months after proposal submission

Success Rates

No publicly disclosed success rate percentage. In 2023, the foundation made 964 awards from its total pool of applicants. Historical data shows:

2022: 969 awards
2021: 1,315 awards
2020: 1,674 awards

Reapplication Policy

The foundation does not publicly disclose specific policies regarding reapplication after declined applications. Organizations are encouraged to contact program officers directly to discuss future opportunities and alignment.

Application Success Factors

What CFSEM Looks For

According to foundation guidance, successful applications demonstrate:

Regional Impact - Projects should benefit the broader seven-county region, not just a hyper-localized area
Long-term Sustainability - Programs that are built to last beyond the grant period
Collaborative Approach - Partnerships and cross-sector relationships are highly valued
Leverage Potential - Ability to attract additional funding from other sources
Bold Ideas with Practical Grounding - "Visionary yet grounded in the realities of community life"
Community Voice - Efforts informed by local voices and responsive to real needs
Data and Storytelling - Use both quantitative evidence and compelling narratives to demonstrate need and opportunity
Alignment with Focus Areas - Clear connection to Economic Opportunity, Health Equity, Youth and Education, Arts and Culture, or Public Space and Environment

Strategic Approach

The foundation emphasizes it is "shifting from being a philanthropic bank toward more of a change agent." This means they prioritize:

Solutions addressing root causes rather than symptoms
Lasting transformation over short-term fixes
Creative, adaptive approaches to complex issues
Data-driven accountability and learning

Pre-Application Engagement

The foundation explicitly welcomes phone calls to discuss potential fit before preparing a proposal. This is strongly recommended as program officers can provide guidance on alignment and connect organizations to relevant resources.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Call Before Applying - The foundation explicitly prefers that organizations discuss potential fit with program officers before submitting proposals. Use their phone line (313-961-6675) or contact grants@cfsem.org.
Focus on Regional Impact - Projects serving only a single neighborhood or hyper-localized area may not be competitive. Frame your work in terms of broader regional benefit.
Demonstrate Sustainability and Leverage - Show how the grant will attract additional funding and how the program will continue beyond the grant period.
Align with Five Focus Areas - Clearly articulate how your project connects to Economic Opportunity, Health Equity, Youth and Education, Arts and Culture, or Public Space and Environment.
Use Both Data and Stories - Combine quantitative evidence of need with compelling narratives about community impact.
Consider Multiple Entry Points - Beyond the main Community Grants Program, explore specialized initiatives like the New Economy Initiative, Michigan Justice Fund, Inclusive Arts Fund, or affiliate foundations for potentially better-aligned opportunities.
Plan for the Timeline - With 4-6 months from initial proposal to funding, plan your project timeline accordingly. Submit early in the cycle to allow for staff conversations before deadlines.

References

Accessed December 2025