Key institutions, citywide projects see $770K in grants

The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and the Pontiac Funders Collaborative have awarded seven grants totaling $770,000 to multiple institutions in the city.

Four of the grants, $100,000 all in all, will be awarded to the city of Pontiac, Pontiac School District, Oakland University and Main Street Pontiac. The funding can be used for building organizational capacity, improving efficiency and stabilization.

“The Pontiac Funders Collaborative has made great strides in working with local groups and individuals to chart an inclusive and promising future for all members of the Pontiac community,” Mariam Noland, president of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, said. “We are pleased to support this collaborative initiative and eager to see its impact throughout the city of Pontiac.”

The other three grants total $670,000 and were awarded to three projects in the city for public space improvements and entrepreneurship opportunities:

• The Friends of the Clinton River Trail, for a trail maintenance and enhancement project

• Pontiac Community Foundation Center for Pontiac Entrepreneurship, to develop the center’s programs and tools

• Oakland University/ Oakland University Foundation Pontiac Collective Impact Partnership, for initial administrative cost of office space, data planning, a fiscal agent and to support an executive director of the partnership

“The enthusiasm and hard work that the stakeholders involved with the Pontiac Funders Collaborative have shown - even in these challenging times - have been enormously impressive and inspiring,” Julie McMahon, president of the Tauber Family Foundation, said.