Our roundup of the latest news from metro Detroit and Michigan businesses as well as announcements from government agencies. To share a business or nonprofit story, please send us a message.
Fundraising Professionals Planning National Philanthropy Day Breakfast Oct. 27
The Greater Detroit Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals is conducting a National Philanthropy Day Roundtable Breakfast from 8 a.m.-noon on Oct. 27 at (2470 Collingwood St.) in Detroit.
The morning will begin with a coffee and networking reception with National Philanthropy Day Honorees and Detroit philanthropy leaders. After opening remarks by National Philanthropy Day Chair Steve Ragan, three panel discussions will take place.
The first is titled the “Changing Role of Philanthropy in Greater Detroit”, the second “The Impact of Philanthropy: A Detroit Perspective,” and the third “How IDEA Impacts Donor and Staff Retention: Creating a Company Culture that Maximizes Return.”
Panelists will include:
- Carmen Argersinger, manager of strategic partnerships at Delta Dental.
- Angelique Power, president and CEO of the Skillman Foundation.
- Terry Rhadigan, vice president of corporate giving at General Motors Co.
- Tawnya Rose, vice president of community and economic development for Fifth Third Bank.
- Melissa Pena, executive director of talent, culture, and operations at the Detroit Institute of Arts.
- Regina Sharma, development director for Detroit Justice Center.
- Jim Boyle, vice president of programs and communication at the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation.
- Dustin McClellan, founder and CEO of the Pontiac Community Foundation.
- Wendy Batiste-Johnson, member of the board of trustees of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan.
- Tanya Griffith, director of corporate relations and diversity, equity, and inclusion partnerships at Oakland University.
- Lynette Dowler, president of the DTE Energy Foundation.
- Laura Grannemann, vice president of strategic investments at the Rocket Community Fund.
The cost is $10. The profits will be used to support education programs for fundraisers and other nonprofit professionals. To register, visit here. Anyone interested in attending but unable to pay the fee can contact info@afpdet.org for assistance.
Lawrence Tech’s Centrepolis Gets $813.3K Federal Grant to Boost Green Entrepreneurship
The Centrepolis Accelerator at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield has received an $813.3K federal matching grant for a $1.6 million project to boost Michigan’s circular economy through the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s NextCycle Michigan initiative.
The funds are from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration.
The EDA announced the grant to NextCycle program partner Centrepolis for a project to advance tech entrepreneurship by increasing inclusive access to entrepreneurial support and startup capital. Working with EGLE, Resource Recycling Systems in Ann Arbor, and the Michigan Recycling Coalition, Centrepolis plans to produce and expand assistance to disadvantaged businesses and communities including:
- Technical assistance to remove structural market barriers, and use technology and service solutions to focus on capacity building for recycling, recovery and reuse initiatives in distressed communities and upstream and downstream markets. Upstream refers to businesses, projects and programs that prevent waste (upstream of production) while downstream refers to projects that improve, innovate, or expand material and organic recycling, recovery and end uses (downstream from production of the product or packaging.
- Entrepreneur support, including coaching, investor connections, and programing, coordinated through Michigan SmartZones.
- Technology commercialization assistance, including access to university laboratories, testing, and product road mapping.
- Circular economy events to convene industry and recycling value chain stakeholders within underserved communities to harness economic opportunities, investment, and job creation statewide.
The project is expected to significantly grow Michigan’s circular economy by generating high-skilled, high-paying jobs and economic growth; removing market barriers; spurring innovative technology and service deployment; and supporting a partnership, innovation and engagement focus on Michigan’s distressed communities. Circular economy refers to eliminating waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use, and regenerating natural systems. The focus on reuse and recycling aligns with the state’s MI Healthy Climate Plan goal of tripling Michigan’s 2005 recycling rate to 45 percent by 2030.
Chase Bank Opens Branch at Woodward and 8 Mile Today
This morning, Chase Bank opened its newest branch, at Woodward and Eight Mile Road (2123 8 Mile Road) in Detroit.
The branch will offer self-service transaction areas including a digital access bar, three smart ATMs, and free WiFi. It features modern design elements and features, open, collaborative spaces with ample room for meetings and financial workshops. The branch, managed by Tamiko Gray, also offers home lending, business banking, and private banking capabilities.
Hours of operation are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday.
Kroger Opens Customer Fulfillment Center in Romulus
The Kroger Co. is expanding its network of delivery facilities with today’s opening of its Customer Fulfillment Center in Romulus.
The 135,000-square-foot facility will employ more than 700 associates and leverage advanced robotics technology, powered by the Ocado Group, to expand Kroger Delivery Services throughout southeast Michigan.
Rite Aid Offers Point-of-care Testing Throughout Michigan
Rite Aid says it is making diagnostic testing easier for Michigan customers with rapid point-of-care testing now available at all stores throughout the state.
Point-of-care testing provides customers with rapid turnaround of test results combined with onsite prescriptions for those who test positive for strep and flu to ensure people can start treatments as soon as possible.
Rite Aid Michigan pharmacies serve as a one-stop care destination, where customers can receive diagnostic testing for Strep A as well as a combined Flu A and B and COVID-19 test. No appointment is necessary, and customers can register online or walk into their local store. Testing is available for customers ages four and older and treatment options are available at the pharmacy.
“Quick and easy diagnostic testing is critical to help customers get the appropriate care and medications they need to get well,” says Tom Giglio, director of clinical and pharmacy services at Rite Aid. “We are pleased to improve ease of access by providing convenient point-of-care testing to our customers across 250 stores in Michigan.”
Testing cost varies depending on insurance coverage. While currently offered in Michigan locations, Rite Aid plans to expand point-of care testing to other states in compliance with state regulations and training requirements.
Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System Has Busy September
Increased shipments through the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System in September has Seaway officials optimistic for the remainder of the shipping season. September cargo reached nearly 4.2 million tons to bring the year-to-date total to 23.4 million tons. Last month’s tonnage helped to narrow the year-to-date gap from 8.9 percent through August to 5.6 percent through September.
“It was good to see a nice jump in grain shipments last month,” says Bruce Burrows, president and CEO of the Chamber of Marine Commerce. “We are optimistic that the positive numbers for September are an indication that it will be a strong fourth quarter and robust finish to the 2022 shipping season.”
All grain shipments reached nearly 1 million tons in September with the year-to-date total of 4.9 million tons. That’s still about 15 percent below the year-to-date totals from a year ago. While Canadian grain remains down, potash (+262 percent), other general cargo (+181 percent), petroleum products (+43 percent) and U.S. grain (+41 percent) have shown nice increases over 2021.
The Mark W. Barker, the newest ship on the Great Lakes, visited the Port of Monroe for the first time in September. The ship loaded a cargo of synthetic gypsum at the turning basin dock for delivery to Port Colborne, Ontario. The Barker was built at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay, Wis., the first Great Lakes bulk carrier to be built on the Great Lakes in more than 35 years.
“Any time a vessel of the Interlake Steamship Co. calls upon the port, it is special,” says Capt. Paul C. LaMarre III, director of the Port of Monroe. “In this case, it is historic. Interlake’s continued support of our growth and cargo diversification has made them a major piece of the Port’s living Great Lakes legacy.”
The Seaway system also has seen shipments of several wind projects, with turbines shipped from Germany, Spain, Vietnam, and China moving through the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway system.
Somerset Collection Hosting Haunted House Party with Boogah & Hoogah
Somerset Collection is welcoming the goofy goblin duo, Boogah & Hoogah, back to the Rumpus Room Stage in North Grand Court to perform 13 “silly spooky” shows this Halloween season, at 1 p.m. from Oct. 19 through Halloween, daily.
In this year’s Haunted House Party show, “Boogah and the Fib-o-saurus,” Boogah tells a “little white lie,” which grows to monstrously ridiculous proportions before Hoogah and the Boo Crew convince him that honesty is the best policy. Families can expect Boogah, Hoogah, and their “Boo Crew” to keep the crowd on their feet while they perform their original, catchy, and kid-friendly tunes.
Little monsters of all ages are invited to wear their spookiest attire, bring their singing voices and dancing shoes, and participate in a meet-and-greet opportunity with the Boo Crew after each Haunted House Party show.
Consumers Energy Foundation Announces $500K Grants to Lansing, Roscommon Groups
The Consumers Energy Foundation in Jackson today announced two grants today totaling $500,000 for two organizations — Cristo Rey Community Center in Lansing and Roscommon County United Way — in its third year of People Awards disbursements.
The Consumers Energy Foundation’s People Awards support nonprofit organizations working to provide economic security for Michigan residents through programs and services centered on basic needs, education, and workforce readiness.
“The Consumers Energy Foundation is proud to support programs and initiatives that have a direct impact on our neighbors and the communities we serve,” says Brandon Hofmeister, president of the Consumers Energy Foundation. “These contributions will enable two incredible organizations to expand the work they’re doing to meet the needs of Michiganders.”
The $250,000 Cristo Rey Community Center funding supports basic needs assistance programs through physical infrastructure improvements that will increase the capacity and accessibility of their food and personal needs pantries.
The $250,000 Roscommon County United Way funding supports the establishment of a mobile soup kitchen program that will provide meals to county residents living within or below the Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) threshold. Additionally, grant funds will support other local food pantries through infrastructure improvements to increase capacity and impact.
Detroit Catholic Central Students are Ready to Help Nonprofits on Nov. 23
Nearly 1,000 students at Detroit Catholic Central High School in Novi are ready to help area nonprofits on the school’s annual Day of Service Nov. 23.
Catholic Central is accepting applications through Oct. 31 from nonprofits for this year’s Day of Service. Organizations interested must be able to accommodate at least 25 students for two hours during the morning of Nov. 23.
The all-male, college preparatory school has been educating young men in the tradition of “goodness, discipline, and knowledge” since 1928. Volunteerism has been a critical part of its vision for years, with a “deep devotion to diversity and equity in the community.”
Interested organizations can visit here, scroll down the page and click on Need a Shamrock Volunteer to reach the sign-up form.
