President’s Youth Council announces over $100,000 in grants to Detroit nonprofits

Ask young people for their thoughts, and they will let you know some things. They will tell you they are ready.

Ready to do more than talk, they want to act. Ready to do more than listen and learn how it has been done. They want to roll up their sleeves, put in the hours, and re-create what might even be possible. No more small changes in this complicated, often unjust world.

They are ready to change the whole damn game.

On Monday, December 6, we at The Skillman Foundation paid heed. We set $100,000 dollars on the table for our President’s Youth Council to direct.

What happened next was vast research. New ways to talk about impact. Rank-choice voting enacted on the fly. In the end, a group of remarkable organizations was selected—some known, some new—to receive a total of $105,000 in grants. (Yep, you caught that. These young leaders triumphantly advocated for $5k more than what was offered.)

We did not do this to teach them how to make grants. We did this to learn from them.

Read more about these visionaries, their process, and the organizations they admire most. And watch them as they contact the organizations that received the largest grants to share the news.

Youth Power is the story of our times.

Are you listening?

Angelique
President & CEO
The Skillman Foundation

Organizational leaders were informed of the funding on surprise calls with council members. Below are videos of the calls with Youth Council members and organizational leaders announcing the grants. A full list of funded organizations is also below.

Funded Organizations

Bringing Hope Back Home

$12,500

Nominated by Mosammad Jahan

Bringing Hope Back Home is an educational organization that aims to provide a smoother transition to college for high school students in Detroit. Learn more.

Detroit Heals Detroit

$12,500

Nominated by Mohammad Muntakim

Detroit Heals Detroit exists to foster healing justice for Detroit youth in which they are able to transform their pain into power. Learn more.

SDM2 Project Education

$12,500

Nominated by Joelle Wimberly

Through utilizing outdoor recreational activities in a safe, clean, and inviting environment, SDM2 cultivates educational development in the community. Learn more.

Warrior Women Against Poverty

$12,500

Nominated by Logan Newman

Warrior Women Against Poverty transforms the lives of women and their children through mentorship, resources, and educational experiences. Learn more. 

Afrofuture Youth

$5,000

Nominated by Jeremiah Steen

Afrofuture Youth is a Detroit-based, Black, youth-led organization using Black Futurist and healing-centered frameworks to co-create equitable and pleasurable futures where all aspects of Black life can thrive and exist as they are. Learn more.

Alternatives for Girls

$5,000

Nominated by Mosammad Jahan

Alternatives for Girls helps homeless and high-risk girls and young women avoid violence, teen pregnancy, and exploitation, through support, resources, and opportunities necessary to be safe, to grow strong, and to make positive choices in their lives. Learn more.

CASOE

$5,000

Nominated by Justin Jackson

CASOE provides a platform in which young people can cultivate their creative genius in a supportive artistic environment through dynamic programming to inspire and empower members. Learn more.

Chapel Vision CDC

$5,000

Nominated by Jeremiah Steen

Chapel Vision CDC collaborates with private, corporate, and religious entities to promote continued growth of healthy and viable communities for Detroit youth. Learn more.

Clark Park Coalition

$5,000

Nominated by Makian Chamblis

Clark Park Coalition provides an array of diverse, high-quality recreational, educational, social, and mentoring programs for southwest Detroit families promoting skills development which helps our youth grow into responsible, self-confident adults. Learn more.

Congress of Communities

$5,000

Nominated by Mohammad Muntakim

Congress of Communities provides leadership and facilitates collaboration of residents, youth, and stakeholders to foster a vibrant and sustainable community. Learn more.

Covenant House Michigan

$5,000

Nominated by Timarra Davis

Covenant House provides shelter and resources to youth who are unhoused. Learn more.

Detroit’s Muslim Youth Council

$5,000

Nominated by Mohammad Muntakim

The Muslim Youth Council seeks to ensure the diversity of Detroit’s schools is acknowledged and celebrated. The Council is sponsored by 482Forward. Learn more.

East Warren Bills

$5,000

Nominated by DaiNisha Stephens

East Warren Bills is a community-led youth football team.

Midnight Golf

$5,000

Nominated by Justin Jackson

Midnight Golf equips determined young adults through life skills training, proactive coaching, long-term mentoring, and the discipline of golf in order to succeed in college, in their careers, and beyond. Learn more.

Saint Vincent and Sarah Fisher Center

$5,000

Nominated by Mathias Neloms

SVSF supports to the children and families of Southeastern Michigan through educational programs, basic skill-building, and learning enhancement. Learn more.

Insights from Council Members

“It was a pleasure partnering with AfroFuture Youth in 2019, when we went on a field trip to the University of Michigan. A majority of Afrofuture Youth’s youth were interested in pursuing dance, film, and STEM career paths as adults and enjoyed the opportunity to engage one-on-one with University students willing to share their personal lessons and experiences.”

—Jeremiah Steen

“I think Covenant House of Michigan is important to Detroit’s young people because it just shows that there is still hope and that nothing is impossible. This is the next generation and we should be able to do all things possible to educate them and pour as much wisdom into these children to be something great in life.”

—Timarra Davis

“East Warren Bills gives structure and a better environment for youth through football. They are built from hard work and dedication.”

—DaiNeisha Stephens

“Saint Vincent and Fisher Center has a dedicated team of volunteers who are knowledgeable and make students feel very welcomed. Each student has their own tutor so kids get a lot of individual attention. They keep the same core volunteers year after year which means they really get to know the students being served.”

—Mathias Neloms