Funds

Serve the City is a global movement of volunteers showing kindness in practical ways to people in need. We partner with non-profits throughout Detroit offering help and support. Serve the City creates events that mobilize many volunteers to serve in simple ways – sports, music, arts and crafts, meals, friendship and more. We are the connection between the good intentions and talents of people who could volunteer and a meaningful opportunity to get involved.

And that’s where it starts. We cross the line from where we are and serve. But that’s just the beginning. The dream of Serve the City is everyone serving. As soon as possible we invite those we have met while serving to join us, because what we really want is to cross the line together.

Serve the City is for everyone. It’s a revolution, a serving revolution. And it’s going to change the world.

We know them by their needs. What if we knew them by name? Cross the line. Serve the City.

For more information, click here to visit the Serve the City - Detroit website.

This scholarship was created in memory of Shannon Smith - a life-long native of Cheboygan, Michigan, whose passions were hunting, fishing, dog training, along with many other outdoor activities.  She was admired for her vast knowledge of northern living regarding her love of nature, horses and her dogs.  She was a graduate of Cheboygan Public Schools; and advanced her education first with a certificate in Cosmetology before becoming a Registered Dental Hygienist ... whose smile would light up any room.

This scholarship will be awarded annually to a graduating high school senior from Cheboygan High School or a non-traditional alumni from Cheboygan High School.  (A non-traditional student is someone who is choosing to return to school after an extended absence.)  Applicants may attend any college or university and must be majoring in either Dentistry or a health-related field of study.  

Applicants will be asked to write an essay about their favorite season in Michigan and why they chose it.

Financial need will be considered.

Established in memory of CFP board member Dave Siegrist, the Siegrist Memorial Youth Fund's purpose is to meet the needs of youth served by the Community Foundation of Plymouth.

This fund was created in memory of Kameshwar Nath Singh - loving father, perfect husband and loyal friend who cared deeply for his family and children. He lived life to the fullest and kept family together. He was a father figure to many, a pillar of strength. His life was an inspiration. He welcomed everyone with a smile, his presence was always a comforting thought. He worked hard to pave the road for others to succeed. He believed in providing everyone an opportunity to excel. This fund is started to continue his legacy of helping others. He believed young girls and women have an equal right to education and career and as a society, we should work together to provide all necessary means for them to achieve this goal.

This scholarship is available to current undergraduate students at University of Michigan majoring in Civil Engineering.  Primary consideration will be given to students focusing on geotechnical, pavement or pavement-related fields of study.

The creators of Team Revolution Fund are interested in making grants to foster amateur athletic competition in martial arts and promote health and fitness among youth.

The Hammond family is committed to preserving our environment. They created their fund to advance environmental education.

Valerie Elliott created the Howard A. and Clayton E. Charitable Fund in memory of her family members. Ms. Elliott has a variety of interests, both locally and nationally.

The creator of The Last Hope fund saw a need to assist families and individuals that are in dire economic circumstances that have accepted a most basic existence and have lost hope. The fund makes grants to organizations that support people in these circumstances.

The Lauria-Sneideman family created their fund to provide financial assistance to local children attending summer day camp. Families must fill out an application to apply for the assistance. A limited number of children will be chosen based on financial need.

The Rozum Family Fund was created to provide grants to charitable organizations and activites that provide a camp or similar activity for children ages 3-16 that have a life-threatening illness or physical disability. The goal of the Rozums is to provide access for children with special needs to be with others that have similar challenges and have fun in a safe environment.

The Ahmed Family created this fund in memory of their beloved husband/father/grandfather to support the types of projects he valued: helping those who are vulnerable, and building a strong and healthy community. He left India with his wife in 1965, spent time in England and Canada, and eventually settled here in Canton in 1979. He raised 3 kids in Canton who all benefitted greatly from the schools, and started a small chemical company supplying paints to local auto shops. He coached for the Canton Soccer Club, and was one of the original members of the Canton mosque (MCWS), which he attended daily. After retiring, he always made an effort to visit other seniors, encouraging them to stay active and involved with the local community. His friends and family affectionately called him "Baba". He was a regular visitor to Canton Summit, where he swam and socialized with others. After his passing in 2018, the Ahmed family established the Mohamed "Baba" Ahmed Fund to contiue his passion of helping those who need a hand, and to encourage people to be active and engaged in the community. The first grant from this fund was used to create a beautiful garden patio area outside Club 55 at the Canton Summit. Subsequent grants have been made to support swim lessons for at-risk children, holiday gift bags for homebound seniors, stock local food pantries and much more. The Ahmed family welcomes proposals and suggestions to provide grants for any other projects in and around Canton that meets the broad vision of Baba: Help those in need, and build stonger, healthier community! We look forward to hearing from you!

You can email suggestions at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The children of Sharon and Leo Eccles created this fund in memory of their parents. The family will use the fund to support local charitable causes with an interest in assisting victims of domestic violence.

Elmer Thomann and Beatrice Trebesch came of age in Detroit during the Great Depression.  Elmer left high school early to help take care of his mom and younger siblings; and Bea graduated and went on to work as a seamstress.  When they married and began to raise their family, they knew that the education they were unable to pursue would open doors for their children.  Bea and Elmer encouraged their three kids, Frederick, David and Gloria, to excel academically and athletically as they moved through their school years.

Their oldest, Fred, was a exceptional basketball player who spend his 40-year career coaching and teaching physical education.  He led a team to the state championship, became Wayne County Teacher of the Year, and was one of the winningest coaches in Michigan.  He received numerous awards for his coaching success, including being inducted into the Michigan High School Coaches Hall of Fame.

Their middle son took a winding path to the classroom, majoring in special education, but finding his true joy in teaching middle school and coaching football.  Dave's career was cut short with his death at 48, but many years later his former students and student athletes would share the lasting impact he made on them during their formative years.

Not to be left out, their youngest, Gloria, became a teacher too.  Gloria was a special education teacher who also supported student leadership and spearheaded systemic change in the buildings in which she taught.  She loved team teaching with her peers and was able to reach some of the most resistant learners.  Her retirement came earlier than she hoped, and she longed for more time with kids and volunteered and supported young learners even after her days in the classroom were through.

Combined, Bea and Elmer's children had nearly 100 years in the classroom, encouraging many, many students and athletes to do their best and make learning a priority that would change their lives.  The Thomann family legacy continues beyond that as Dave's daughter and Elmer and Bea's only grandchild found her way into the classroom too.

Tanya Thomann has coached and taught for nearly 30 years, and found her way back to Bea and Elmer's hometown of Detroit and currently serves as a teacher of severely and multiply impaired middle school students.  Tanya is also the equity lead for her building.

The Thomanns hope to continue to inspire and encourage youth to become teachers through the Thomann Family Memorial Scholarship.

This scholarship is available to all senior student athletes graduating from a school located in Wayne or Oakland County. Applicants must be majoring in Education at any college or university.  Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. A letter of recommendation is required from both a coach and a teacher (the two may not be the same person).  And a specific essay question must be answered about what inspired you to become an educator.

The Vermeulen family established their fund with the primary purpose being to provide support to charitable organizations in the 48170 zip code, which covers the city and township of Plymouth, as well as the townships of Salem, Superior and Northville served by the Plymouth-Canton Community Schools.

The members of Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 528, created this fund as a charitable arm of their organization. They are interested in supporting a variety of charitable causes in the community.

"I firmly believe nature brings solace in all troubles."

Anne Frank

"Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you."

Anne Lamott

Weatherings was created to help those who are “weathering life’s storms.”  This fund offers financial assistance to people - young and old -  who need a pause to rest, restore, rejuvenate and return refreshed.  Experiencing the wisdom of the wilderness and the healing power of nature through summer camps, contemplative sanctuaries, retreats and nature reserves is our goal.  Storms never last but while it is pouring, we hope to offer an umbrella.  

Westland Community Foundation Scholarship program for Westland students with a financial need.

We're proud to support our community's students and their educational endeavors by offering numerous scholarships. 

The Westland Community Foundation is dedicated to building a permanent endowment to enrich the quality of life in the greater Westland community. 

WSDP, 88.1 the Park, is the student-operated radio station owned by the Plymouth-Canton Community Schools in Canton, Michigan. It is operated out of Salem High School; and has been in operation since February 14, 1972. WSDP is the only high school radio station to receive a nomination for the National Association of Broadcasters Marconi Radio Award. This fund supports general operations of the radio station. Learn more about WSDP at 881thepark.com.

The primary purpose of the Yazaki North America Fund is to benefit the citizens of Canton Township for various charitable, scientific and educational purposes. Grants are awarded to local 501(c)3 organizations to support the needs of the community.  While the fund supports many iniatives, its focus is STEAM activities and issues related to diversity and inclusion.