The Gilbert Family Foundation and the College for Creative Studies in Detroit have announced a new $1 million grant to expand the Gilbert Family Foundation Endowed Scholarship.
The new funding is in addition to the $1 million committed by the Foundation in 2023, bringing the total endowment to $2 million.
In Fall 2024, the Gilbert Family Foundation Endowed Scholarship provided support for one CCS undergraduate student. Moving forward, the fund will provide two scholarships each year, covering four years of tuition for two selected students from Detroit.
“Detroit has a long history of leading the world through art, design and innovation,” says Laura Grannemann, executive director of the Gilbert Family Foundation. “Expanding this scholarship offers more talented students in Detroit access to the resources and opportunities needed to pursue an artistic career. These students are the next generation of creative leaders who will shape the future of Detroit’s art and design community.”
To qualify, recipients must reside in Detroit, be a graduate of a Detroit-area high school, and demonstrate financial need, as determined by the CCS Office of Financial Aid.
“This scholarship means a lot to me. It’s given me a chance to get out there in the art world and continue creating,” says Chris Romero Hernandez, GFF Scholar ’25. “It’s been my heart’s desire to work as an artist. I don’t know how to express my genuine gratitude and thanks to Gilbert Family Foundation. This scholarship means I have the chance to study and train in my craft to one day make my dreams come true.”
In addition to the endowed scholarships, Gilbert Family Foundation also has committed $50,000 for 12 pre-college, scholarships in the summer of 2025, as well as $25,000 for completion scholarships to support the retention of enrolled juniors and seniors from Detroit.
The comprehensive support seeks to address the specific barriers Detroit students face when pursuing careers in the arts, particularly concerning financial access and early exposure.
For more information on the Gilbert Family Foundation, visit gilbertfamilyfoundation.org.
