Connect. Invest. Grow.
The organizations of the Local Impact Alliance are working hard for all of the communities of Western Wayne County. Below is just a sampling of the latest news from the nonprofits and groups under the LIA umbrella.
Clara Bryant Ford was chosen for her early and significant philanthropic efforts to improve the lives of women and children and for contributing land and financial aid to Vista Maria home for women and girls.
Through her philanthropic endeavors and own self-determination, Clara Bryant Ford (1866-1950) made it her life’s mission to improve the life and welfare of women and those in poverty-stricken areas across the country. Clara Ford and her husband, Henry, created and funded numerous programs that focused on women’s rights and self-sufficiency, education, healthcare, and environmentalism. Vista Maria, originally a home for orphaned girls, the School of Nursing and Hygiene at Henry Ford Hospital, Planned Parenthood (1945-her death). They also supported several small liberal arts colleges such as Berry College, Vassar, and Radcliff.
Born into a farming family, Mrs. Ford was an avid gardener and promoted the idea of urban gardens during the Great Depression amongst the Ford Motor Company employees. She donated food grown on her family’s farms to more than a dozen institutions on a weekly basis. From 1924-1932, Mrs. Ford served as president of the Women’s National Farm & Gardens Association during which time she created a “Roadside Market” campaign that encouraged rural women to sell their home-grown produce at roadside stands, enabling them to earn their own income.
Clara Ford was also active in the suffrage movement. By 1918 she was an outspoken advocate and organizer for women’s suffrage campaign, serving as Vice Chair of the Dearborn branch of the Equal Suffrage League of Wayne County with meetings being held frequently at her Fair Lane home. In 1921, she served on the Board of Directors of the Michigan League of Women Voters.
Hello Ladies of Giving Hope, Women's Giving Circle!
March is Women's History Month, and we will be highlighting 4 philanthropic women we believe embody the ideals, strengths, and purposes of our Circle! We Hope you will enjoy our choices and learn more about these amazing Women who are foundations of the legacy of Giving we follow! Best Wishes and enjoy this Month for Women!
Week #1 Clara Bryant Ford
Week #2 Cora Reynolds Andersen
Week #3 Matilda Dodge Wilson
Week #4 Betty Bloomer Ford
Giving Hope, Women's Giving Circle efforts are focused on helping in the local community, reaching and assisting women, children, and their families in need.
Since 2006, the members and patrons have made it possible to grant more than $100,000 to local organizations that serve women and families in need.
Grants will only be awarded to qualifying 501(c)3 organizations serving women and children in Western Wayne County.
If you have questions with application process please contact Beth at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 734-495-1200.
If you have questions about Grants in general, please contact Jane Kersjes This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Local Impact Alliance Announces New “Lunch and Learn” Series
Monthly series will highlight community leaders in an informal, “brown bag” setting
In partnership with the Canton Community Foundation, the Local Impact Alliance (LIA) is proud to announce its’ “2022 Lunch and Learn Series.” The goal of this series is to foster community discussion on issues of importance to Canton, Plymouth, Westland, and Van Buren.
“Our area is full of talented people doing interesting things. We wanted to showcase those people and give our residents a chance to learn and get engaged," said moderator David Hammond, Vice Chairman of the Canton Community Foundation.
Each session will begin at 11:30 am and will be hosted in the 1st floor boardroom of the Canton Township Administration Building, 1150 S Canton Center Rd, Canton, MI 48188.
May 18th – “Growing Native Plants for Our Caterpillars, Butterflies and Moths"
Brenda Dziedzic is on a mission to strengthen native butterfly populations. Dziedzic is an award-winning Master Gardener, author, and expert on raising butterflies. She is the author of Raising Butterflies in the Garden, co-founder and president of the Southeast Michigan Butterfly Association (SEMBA), and founder of Westland's “Brenda’s Butterfly Habitat," a public greenhouse that houses butterflies native to Michigan and their host plants. Follow her efforts on Facebook at: Learn About Butterflies in the Garden. Dziedzic's talk will focus on what individuals can do to encourage butterfly populations in their own yards. Copies of her book available for purchase. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THIS FREE EVENT
June 1st – Bridging the Student and Employers Gap Through 'Future Fit' – Brooke Franklin
Brooke Franklin is the Founder and President of Adaptive Creative Solutions, Inc. Previously, she served as the Business Development Recruiter, Director of the Detroit Board Fellowship Program, and Director of K-12 Strategic Partnerships for the Detroit Regional Chamber for over nine years. In addition, Brooke served as the Director of Workforce and Talent for the Canton Chamber of Commerce.
Please stay tuned to Local Impact Alliance to get more details on speakers and dates of registration.
Created to strengthen and promote organized philanthropy in the Western Wayne County (MI) communities of Plymouth, Westland, Canton, and Van Buren, the Local Impact Alliance (LIA) is a partnership of three community foundations and several local community programs. Founding members of the LIA include the Canton Community Foundation, the Community Foundation of Plymouth, the Westland Community Foundation, Giving Hope and Eagles for Children.
Have a suggestion for a future “Lunch and Learn” speaker? Call or email David Hammond at 734-862-1928 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
INVEST FOR IMPACT TO IGNITE YOUR WORKFORCE
Today’s workforce has dramatically changed, leaving employers to rapidly adjust to “creative” processes for attracting the right people to their business.
In order to compete, businesses must consider innovative programs that help them construct a talent pipeline of high-quality employees.
The Canton Chamber and the Local Impact Alliance have teamed up to launch FUTURE FIT.
This cutting-edge program prepares students (grades 10-12) to enter the workforce by directly connecting them to employers.
4 STEPS TO SUCCESSFUL ENGAGEMENT
To engage in the Future Fit program, contact the Canton Chamber at 734-453-4040 or email Brooke Franklin at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Giving Hope's Advisory Board Chairwoman Linda Demmer's message to it's members.
In her message Linda Demmer wishes all the members a very happy new year as they enter their 16th year.
She also informs the member about changes in advisory board.
Giving Hope is also planning an event in March which will benefit the Michigan Foster Care Closet.
Please read letter to get more details.
We are pleased to announce the new Westland Advisory Commiittee. Currently committee comprise of 2 members, Jim Godbout and Sharon Scott.
Jim Godbout will serve as Chair of the committee. The main goal of this committee would be to grow the Westland Community Endowment Fund. The committee members are community leaders and bring valuable perspective to how to best serve Westland Community.
Visit this space for all the news regarding how the Westland Community Foundation is working in Westland.
If you are considering end of the year donation , please scan the QR code, it's that easy to be a Difference Maker!
Dear Friends,
Giving back to your community is one of the highest services you can provide to those in need. And those of you receiving this Annual Report are some of the most generous in our world; and for that, I congratulate and thank you.
But along with being charitable yourself, helping others in your circle of influence to learn how to give is an effort well worth all of out time. During the holidays, I Urge your to have conversations with friends and family members to explain how you give back to your community. Show them a path to philanthropy. Examples are a great way of illustrating to someone the many ways they can give back - and you all are fantastic representatives in showing how to be generous.
In addition, our team at the Local Impac Alliance (LIA) has provided you stories of people right here in Western Wayne County who have worked with our various foundations in order to fulfill their philanthropic dreams.
You'll learn about Serena Baker who is fast becoming a "difference maker" within her community, thanks to what she learned from her mentors in the Lead Like a Girl program. The Canton Police Benevolence Fund, the Last Hope Fund, the Canton Cares Fund, and the Community Foundation of Plymouth are also making their mark in our community.
Through stories like these, you can show someone whom you care about how they can become a "difference maker" in their community. And, of course, we hope that you will point them back to our family of foundations (The Canton Community Foundation, the Community Foundation of Plymouth, Giving Hope Women's Giving Circle, and now we are pleased to add the Westland Community Foundation to our LIA family). Beth Mease and the team at LIA would be happy to help.
Finally, as we enter this season of giving, I hope that you will do as my family does, and take a look at our commitment to philanthropy, what our focus is, and at what level we hope to give in the coming year. Any time you would like to discuss your own fund or an idea for a fund with Beth and the team, please call the LIA office at 734-495-1200 and they will be happy to make an appointment to meet with you.
I wish you a happy and healthy new year and easy winter.
Your Board Chairman,
Steven Sneideman
