The Skillman Foundation typically awards grants to nonprofit organizations with federal tax-exempt status and revenues greater than $100,000. However, through the Small Grants program , the Foundation has the flexibility to provide opportunities beyond these limitations. Volunteer community groups and residents, working in the Detroit neighborhoods of Brightmoor, Cody/Rouge, the Northend, Osborn, and Chadsey/Condon and Vernor in Southwest Detroit, can receive grants toward achieving community goals.

To make this possible, the Foundation has partnered with Prevention Network , an organization that has managed a statewide small grants program for more than 25 years for community substance-abuse prevention projects – more than 50 percent of those grants in the city of Detroit.

Small grants provide support for innovative grassroots efforts to impact community change in neighborhoods. The Foundation is able to respond quickly to community needs, build resident leadership and empower residents and small nonprofits to help implement programs that will support their community goal. Small grants range between $500 to $5,000.

A panel consisting of up to four residents per Skillman neighborhood meets monthly to review grant applications and make funding recommendations.

Following are lists of Community Connections grants awarded since 2006:

• 2006-2007 Community Connections grants (pdf)
• 2007-2008 Community Connections grants (pdf)
• 2008-2009 Community Connections grants (pdf)
• Updated: 2009-2010 Community Connections grants (pdf)