As much as we all would like to believe that going green is always as simple and inexpensive as installing energy efficient light bulbs, the reality is that sometimes it’s more complicated than that.
For some people in metro Detroit whose goals are to make a difference on a much broader spectrum, going green costs a pretty penny. The good news is that for companies and organizations looking for major support, there’s a foundation in Michigan willing to help.
The Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation’s mission is to nurture environmentally healthy and culturally vibrant communities in metro Detroit and to support initiatives to help restore the Great Lakes Basin, according to the foundation’s Web site.
The foundation has selected several “Desired Outcomes,” around which it focuses its grant-making efforts. Its initial annual grants budget is about $5 million.
The foundation recently announced $1.23 million in grants for June 2010. Some of the largest contributions include:
- $120,000 to Warren-Conner Development Coalition Inc. for the support of data analysis and community outreach and education for a collaboratively-led and community-based planning process in order to determine reuses of vacant land on Detroit’s lower east side.
- $120,000 to the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit to hire a development director and to create a development plan.
- $100,000 to Six Rivers Regional Land Conservancy for the creation of a model wetlands databank and outreach program in Oakland and Macomb counties.
- $100,000 to Insideout Literary Arts Project for a community-based, yearlong celebration of female poets.
Jennifer Griffin, Contributing Writer and Public Relations, GreeningDetroit.com
Jennifer is pursuing a degree in Journalism and English from Wayne State University, and she is also a Contributing Writer for The South End.
