Ruth Mott Foundation awards nearly $3M in grants as it marks 25th anniversary

FLINT, Mich. — The Ruth Mott Foundation will award nearly $3 million in its first round of 2026 funding as it marks its 25th anniversary.

The foundation’s Board of Trustees approved 16 grants totaling $2,904,100. The grants support priorities identified by Flint residents, including youth, public safety, economic opportunity and neighborhood development, according to a news release on March 25, 2026.

“Our 25th anniversary is both a moment of reflection and a call to action,” said Board Chair Maryanne Mott, daughter of the late Ruth Rawlings and Charles Stewart Mott. “It reminds us of what’s possible when we listen to community members and take our direction from residents’ voices and experiences.”

Foundation President Sue Peters said community collaboration will remain central as the organization looks ahead.

“Community input is critical to our work,” Peters said. “As we look ahead, we remain committed to strengthening relationships and ensuring our work reflects the community’s aspirations.”

The foundation is currently engaged in a strategic planning process that will guide future grantmaking and programming at Applewood. That process is informed by community forums held last year, where residents shared feedback and helped shape priorities.

“The perspectives we heard through last year’s forums are shaping our strategic priorities and helping us better understand where we can have the greatest impact,” Peters said.

Grant recipients

The latest round of funding supports a range of local organizations and initiatives:

• Arab American Heritage Council — $120,000
• Asbury Community Development Corp. — $260,000
• Communities First, Inc. — $136,000
• Community Foundation of Greater Flint — $90,000
• CPSA Courier, Inc. — $80,000
• Flint & Genesee Chamber Foundation — $75,000
• Flint Jackson Park Youth League — $50,000
• Flint Neighborhoods United — $60,000
• Flint Police Foundation — $210,000
• Friends of Berston — $200,000
• Genesee County Parks and Recreation Commission — $400,000
• Metro Community Development, Inc. — $150,000
• North Flint Reinvestment Corp. — $500,000
• Peckham, Inc. — $28,300
• Sylvester Broome Empowerment Village — $165,000
• Urban Renaissance Center — $379,800

The foundation plans to release more details about its strategic plan later this year.