Children's Foundation

What Children's Foundation does

The Children's Foundation of Michigan is an independent 501(c)(3) public charity headquartered in Detroit that serves as a regional grantmaking and philanthropic stewardship organization focused on the health and well-being of children and families across Michigan. Originally established in 2003 as the Children's Hospital of Michigan Foundation, the organization became an independent public charity in 2011 following the sale of the hospital, inheriting approximately $90 million in restricted charitable gifts and endowments. The Foundation rebranded to "Children's Foundation" in 2019 and evolved to "Children's Foundation of Michigan" in 2026 to emphasize its place-based, statewide scope. Since 2011, it has awarded more than $90 million in grants across Michigan.

The Foundation operates three primary giving programs — Endowment for Kids (Greatest Needs and ten Field of Interest funds covering Autism, Abuse + Neglect, Basic Needs, Childhood Cancer, Education, Maternal + Infant Health, Mental Health, Physical Health, Substance Use Disorder, and Suicide Prevention), Youth-Serving Organizations (nonprofit and agency endowments plus designated Children's Hospital of Michigan funds), and Tailored Philanthropic Services for customized funds. Its 2024 grantmaking totaled $4.6 million across 89 grants to 26 organizations, with flagship initiatives including the $19 million-plus Michigan Central Station Children's Endowment Initiative (with Bill and Lisa Ford, establishing permanent endowments for 11 Detroit youth-serving organizations) and "The Coney" celebrity charity weekend (with Rocket Companies as presenting sponsor) to build an Endowed Fund for Youth Arts. Signature fundraising events include Derby for Kids, Breakfast of Champions, and the Paul W. Smith Golf Classic.

The Foundation is not a technology company and does not sell products or services. Revenue is generated entirely through philanthropic channels: individual and family donations (one-time, recurring, planned/estate giving), corporate giving programs and sponsorships, signature and community-led fundraising events, and endowed fund establishment (minimum $10,000). It runs a small staff of approximately 20 employees and contractors and is governed by a large volunteer Board of Trustees chaired by Peter Ginopolis, with Cynthia N. Ford and Fred Minturn as Vice Chairs. Children's Hospital of Michigan remains its primary philanthropic program partner, though the Foundation has steadily diversified into broader community-based grantmaking and statewide initiatives.

Name

Children's Foundation

Legal name

Children's Hospital of Michigan Foundation

Website

https://yourchildrensfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Children's Foundation of Michigan is an independent Detroit-based 501(c)(3) public charity that grants over $4.6 million annually to improve the health and well-being of Michigan children, families, and youth-serving nonprofits through endowments, corporate partnerships, and signature fundraising events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Philanthropic Grantmaking Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Grantmaking & Philanthropic Funds (Institutional Donors) (BPADAOAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Education Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAK), Community Health & Prevention Program Funding (HLAJALAF)

Keywords

• Grantmaking foundation services
• Children's health philanthropy
• Endowment fund management
• Corporate giving programs
• Community grant programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Detroit

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donor Contributions: The Foundation receives gifts from individuals, families, and corporations through various giving vehicles including one-time donations, recurring gifts, and endowed funds. Donors can give to Greatest Needs or specific Field of Interest funds.
2. Fundraising Events: Signature events including Derby for Kids, Breakfast of Champions, The Coney celebrity charity event, and community-led events generate proceeds that are granted to community organizations.
3. Corporate Partnerships: Companies sponsor events, establish corporate funds, and engage employees through giving programs. The Foundation offers customized corporate giving programs.
4. Endowed Funds: Donors establish named endowed funds with a minimum of $10,000. These funds are invested and generate returns that support grants in perpetuity.
5. Planned Giving: Bequests, estate gifts, and legacy giving vehicles allow donors to make planned contributions through wills, trusts, or beneficiary designations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Children's Foundation of Michigan is an independent 501(c)(3) public grantmaking charity that raises philanthropic donations from individuals, families, and corporations and awards grants to youth-serving nonprofits and programs at Children's Hospital of Michigan. It manages endowed funds across Field of Interest areas such as Mental Health, Substance Use Disorder, Maternal+Infant Health, and Basic Needs, and runs special initiatives including the Michigan Central Station Children's Endowment Initiative and The Coney celebrity charity event. Since 2011, it has awarded more than $90 million in grant funding across Michigan.

Product overview

The Children's Foundation of Michigan is a grantmaking and fundraising organization that offers three primary giving programs: Endowment for Kids (supporting children today and always), Youth-Serving Organizations (strengthening nonprofits that serve children), and Tailored Philanthropic Services (customized giving for donors). The foundation operates special initiatives including the Michigan Central Station Children's Endowment Initiative and The Coney youth arts fund. Its grantmaking program distributes funds across focus areas including Mental Health, Substance Use Disorder, Health Equity, and Children's Hospital of Michigan Initiatives. The organization does not offer technology products or software services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Endowment for Kids A flexible giving program that lets donors support Michigan's children through Greatest Needs (most pressing challenges) or specific Field of Interest funds including Autism, Abuse + Neglect, Basic Needs, Childhood Cancer, Education, Maternal + Infant Health, Mental Health, Physical Health, Substance Use Disorder, and Suicide Prevention.
• Youth-Serving Organizations Program A giving path that allows donors to establish nonprofit and agency endowment funds helping youth-serving organizations build long-term financial stability, and to give to programs at Children's Hospital of Michigan.
• Tailored Philanthropic Services Customized fund creation service for donors who wish to create personalized giving vehicles aligned with their specific vision for supporting Michigan's children, including support for Special Initiatives.
• Michigan Central Station Children's Endowment Initiative A collaborative campaign with Bill and Lisa Ford to establish $500,000 permanent endowments for 11 selected Detroit-area youth-serving organizations, with potential to build $1.5 million endowments through matching funds.
• Grantmaking Program Strategic grant distribution program across focus areas including Mental Health, Substance Use Disorder, Health Equity, and Children's Hospital of Michigan Initiatives. Awarded $4.6 million through 89 grants in 2024, supporting 26 organizations.
• The Coney - Endowed Fund for Youth Arts Annual celebrity charity weekend initiative creating an Endowed Fund for Youth Arts at the Children's Foundation, featuring Detroit-native entertainers to support youth arts education across Detroit.

Quantifiable outcome

• 88% of Rx Kids participants report improved ability to make ends meet
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Gardner White FurniturecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 July 2026Launched 'Bring It Home for Kids' campaign - statewide initiative to raise funds for early childhood education, literacy, and family support programs. Gardner White donates $50 per qualifying in-store purchase of $500 or more, with funds distributed through the Foundation's grantmaking process.
• Marc Evan Jackson / Detroit Creativity ProjectflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 June 2026Launched 'The Coney' - annual celebrity charity weekend (September 25-26, 2026) to create immediate funding and build the Endowed Fund for Youth Arts. Marc Evan Jackson, actor and DCP Founder, leads this initiative with a host committee of Detroit-native celebrities.
• Rocket CompaniesflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 June 2026Presenting sponsor of The Coney celebrity charity event. Rocket Companies (NYSE: RKT) is a Detroit-based fintech platform.
• Goldfish Swim School of Metro DetroitminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 14 July 2025Offering free swim lessons on World Drowning Prevention Day at eight Metro Detroit locations, with enrollment fees waived and donated to the Children's Foundation to support the Injury Prevention Program at Children's Hospital of Michigan.
• Bill and Lisa FordflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 March 2024Co-chairs of Michigan Central Station Children's Endowment Initiative, a $19+ million campaign to create permanent endowments for 11 youth-serving organizations in Detroit. The Fords established the initiative to celebrate the reopening of Michigan Central Station, ensuring lasting support for Detroit-area children.
• Paul W. SmithflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerHost of Paul W. Smith Golf Classic for 21 years, raising over $9 million benefiting 55,000 youth annually across Southeast Michigan. 2024 was his final tournament.
• Dave CoulierminorGTM or Marketing PartnerActor and comedian appeared on Who Wants to Be A Millionaire with John Stamos, winning $125,000 for Children's Hospital of Michigan. Longtime supporter of the Foundation and hospital.
• Delta Dental of MichigancoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Breakfast of Champions events (March and October), a bi-annual series exploring issues impacting Michigan's kids including youth mental health and early years development.
• Rx KidscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram providing unconditional cash assistance to expectant mothers in Flint - $1,500 during pregnancy and $500 monthly through baby's first year. Early results show reduced pre-term births and improved maternal outcomes.
• Jamie Daniels FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFund at Children's Foundation focused on helping young people avoid substance use disorder, find recovery, and know they are not alone. Co-founded by Ken Daniels and Lisa Daniels-Goldman. Recognized with ARHE National Visionary Award in 2024.
• Birth DetroitcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBlack-led nonprofit selected for MCS Children's Endowment Initiative. Provides safe, quality, loving prenatal, birth and postpartum care and education to pregnant people and families in Detroit.
• Brilliant DetroitcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSelected for MCS Children's Endowment Initiative. Builds kid success neighborhoods - connected places where families with children 0-8 have everything needed to thrive.
• The Children's CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMCS Endowment Initiative participant. Has empowered children and families in Detroit and Wayne County since 1929, supporting vulnerable youth facing trauma, mental/behavioral health challenges, developmental disabilities.
• Ruth Ellis CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMCS Endowment Initiative participant. For 25 years has empowered LGBTQ+ young people, especially Black and youth of color, in a region historically underserved and marginalized.
• Judson CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMCS Endowment Initiative participant. Nonprofit human service agency providing compassionate, comprehensive programs to children and families throughout southeast Michigan.
• Starfish Family ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMCS Endowment Initiative participant. Human service agency recognized as champion for children and families across metro Detroit with limited access to essential resources.
• SER Metro-Detroit Jobs for ProgresscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMCS Endowment Initiative participant. Since 1971, has addressed employment and economic inequities of Hispanic Detroit residents.
• InsideOut Literary ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMCS Endowment Initiative participant. Founded in 1995, it is the oldest and largest literary arts organization in Detroit.
• College Career & BeyondcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMCS Endowment Initiative participant. Helps the Detroit area's most driven students overcome barriers and develop skills for success in education, work and life through the Midnight Golf Program.
• Chaldean Community FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMCS Endowment Initiative participant. Primarily serves new Americans, low-income families and individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.
• Leaders Advancing & Helping Communities (LAHC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMCS Endowment Initiative participant. Michigan-based nonprofit empowering communities through education, workforce development, public health, and social services.
• Detroit Opera HousecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVenue for The Coney celebrity charity event on September 26, 2026. Limited public tickets available through the opera house.
• SGH Wealth ManagementminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEstablished a fund for Greatest Needs at Children's Foundation, with SGH Wealth Management Satisfaction Pledge to every client supporting Michigan's kids now and in the future.
• Prakash and Manda Gandhi FamilyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDonors supporting Children' s Hospital of Michigan and the Gandhi Family Fund for Pet Therapy through the Foundation.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan: Large regional grantmaker serving Southeast Michigan with a multi-issue portfolio. Directly comparable as a Michigan-based community grantmaking foundation, with overlapping donor bases and grantees in the Detroit region.
• Michigan Health Endowment Fund: Statewide Michigan foundation funding health and wellness initiatives for children and families. Comparable in mission (children's health) and grantmaking modality within Michigan, representing a direct thematic peer in the children's health funding space.
• The Skillman Foundation: Detroit-based private foundation focused on children, youth, and families in Southeast Michigan. Highly comparable as a regional grantmaker operating in the same geography with a similar children-and-youth mission, and co-sponsors the same flagship events (e.g., The Coney).
• Detroit Children's Fund: Detroit-based nonprofit focused on improving outcomes for Detroit children, particularly in education. Directly comparable in mission and geography, with overlapping grantee networks and donor bases in the Detroit youth-serving ecosystem.

Broad incumbents

• Kresge Foundation: Large Detroit-based national foundation with programs spanning health, education, and community development. Comparable as a Detroit-headquartered grantmaker with overlapping focus areas (children's health, equity), though at far greater scale and breadth.
• W.K. Kellogg Foundation: Battle Creek, Michigan-based national foundation with a heavy focus on children's health, education, and equity. Comparable in mission (children's wellbeing) and Michigan roots, though operating at national scale.
• William Davidson Foundation: Michigan-rooted private foundation supporting civic, educational, and cultural initiatives in Southeast Michigan. Comparable as a Detroit-area institutional funder that co-sponsors Children's Foundation events (e.g., The Coney) and shares overlapping beneficiaries.

Others

• DTE Energy Foundation: Michigan-based corporate foundation supporting education, health, and community development. Comparable as a Detroit-based institutional funder operating in the same regional philanthropy ecosystem, with overlapping corporate giving partners.

Regional players

• Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation: Detroit-area private foundation funding education, Jewish community, and youth programs. Comparable as a Michigan-rooted family foundation with overlapping focus on children and education, and shared Detroit-area donor network.
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation: Michigan-focused health foundation funding community health and children's health programs. Comparable as a Michigan-based health-focused grantmaker, with thematic overlap on children's health, mental health, and substance use disorder.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCX8N1RPG3R9_R7seJ7KTDTw
• Facebookfacebook.com/yourchildrensfoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/children-s-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/YourChildrensFoundation
• Xx.com/childrensfndn

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Children's Foundation