The grant will help CEDAM connect Michiganders to critical financial resources and services
Lansing, MI – The Community Economic Development Association of Michigan (CEDAM) has received a $100,000 grant from the Consumers Energy Foundation supporting CEDAM’s economic inclusion programs. By engaging a diverse coalition of community organizations, CEDAM will work to connect all Michiganders with access to critical financial resources and services.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant financial hardship for Michiganders. Though the federal government has recently expanded resources to working families, resource eligibility doesn’t always translate to resource accessibility.
“Low-income households shouldn’t miss out on opportunities to build wealth because of limited access,” said Brian Rakovitis, CEDAM’s director of economic inclusion. “With these funds, CEDAM will advance economic inclusion by expanding free tax preparation, consumer protection, and affordable housing in Michigan.”
CEDAM will expand the capacity of our members and stakeholders already doing this work. By providing technical assistance and training, deploying AmeriCorps members, and coordinating outreach and awareness efforts, CEDAM’s multi-pronged approach will efficiently connect Michiganders to the federal, state, and local resources to build household and community wealth.
“CEDAM supports a strong statewide network of community-based organizations that work directly with thousands of families to provide access to resources through resource fairs, food banks, tax preparation, and housing services,” said Luke Forrest, executive director at CEDAM. “We are extremely grateful for Consumers’ continued support of these programs and services. Their investment will impact nearly every county in Michigan and ensures that LMI communities have access to the expanded resources the federal and state government have funded in response to COVID-19.”
CEDAM anticipates that this project will reach over 90,000 Michiganders, an essential step towards meaningful economic inclusion.
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About CEDAM
CEDAM is a nonprofit membership association building vibrant communities across Michigan. Our capacity building programs, policy advocacy, and training events emphasize supporting communities in the areas of affordable housing, economic growth, and wealth-building at both the federal and state levels. Through engagement and collaboration with CEDAM members, policymakers, state departments, and other partners, we sustain a thriving and equitable community economic development sector across the state.
About the Consumers Energy Foundation
The Consumers Energy Foundation is the charitable arm of Consumers Energy, Michigan’s largest energy provider. The Consumers Energy Foundation enables communities to thrive and grow by investing in what’s most important to Michigan – its people, our planet and Michigan’s prosperity. In 2019, the Consumers Energy Foundation, Consumers Energy and its employees and retirees contributed more than $11.5 million to Michigan nonprofits. For more information about the Consumers Energy Foundation, visit www.ConsumersEnergy.com/foundation.