The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) announced $1.57 million of the $15 million MI Impact Grant program was awarded to Holy Cross Services. The grant, made available to Michigan’s large nonprofits who provide programming to lift people out of poverty, will allow the nonprofit to expand their services for young adults who are transitioning out of the child welfare system or foster care.
“No one should have to choose between paying rent and putting food on the table for their families,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “The MI Impact Grant will provide several of Michigan’s largest nonprofits with the resources they need to continue making a meaningful and tangible impact in their communities. We remain committed to uplifting individuals living in poverty and ensure every Michigander has access to the support they need to ‘make it’ in Michigan.”
Holy Cross Services was among 10 large nonprofits receiving one-time grant funds of up to $2 million to create or expand programming that lifts Michiganders out of poverty. The grant program prioritized partnerships with larger nonprofits that share the state’s commitment to providing services that help lift Michigan residents out of poverty and above the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) threshold.
“These funds will allow 10 large nonprofits to uplift the communities they serve and strengthen Michigan’s nonprofit ecosystem,” said LEO Director Susan Corbin. “We are proud to deliver on our mission to close equity gaps and remove barriers to economic prosperity.”
Holy Cross Services provides healthcare services, case management, access to basic needs and mental health counseling to youth across the state, primarily in mid-Michigan. With the MI Impact Grant, the nonprofit will expand their programs to support teens and young adults ages 14-26 in transition from the child welfare system or foster care.
“As an organization deeply committed to serving our community, we are thrilled to be part of the MI Impact Grant initiative,” said Holy Cross Services President and CEO, Ryan Kunzelman. “This generous support signifies more than just funding; it symbolizes hope and opportunity for the youth in Mid-Michigan. These funds will enable us to extend our services, providing essential support to teens and young adults transitioning from the child welfare system or foster care. By nurturing their potential, we aim to equip them with the tools and guidance necessary for building successful futures. We’re truly grateful for this opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of these young people.”
The MI Impact Grant program, aimed at addressing disparities that affect Michiganders’ abilities to afford necessities such as housing, child care, food, health care and transportation, plans to lift 100,000 families out of working poverty during the next five years.
The funding is supported through the American Rescue Plan Act, Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) with a goal to build a strong, resilient and equitable recovery by making investments that support long-term growth and opportunity. $50 million in funding is being provided to support nonprofits who have been negatively impacted due to the pandemic. The funding will be distributed through two separate programs, with a $35 million relief fund made available to smaller nonprofits earlier this year. Nonprofits were eligible to receive either the MI Nonprofit Relief Fund or the MI Impact Grant, not both.
The grant program also supports recommendations of the Michigan Poverty Task Force, whose goal is to address the disparities that affect Michiganders’ abilities to afford necessities. To learn more about their work and view a full list of grant awardees, visit the Michigan Poverty Task Force’s nonprofit webpage.
